I have my 2003 MCS on order and selected all 3 packages. However, I'm considering dropping the dual pane sunroof. If anyone would like to comment on the pros and cons of this, I would be interested in reading them. I'd include the auto AC. MFSW and computer as seperate options and thereby save approx $400. The savings are not the primary reason. I just can't decide if I really want it or not.
Thanks for any comments.

JimC

 

>>I have my 2003 MCS on order and selected all 3 packages. However, I'm considering dropping the dual pane sunroof. If anyone would like to comment on the pros and cons of this, I would be interested in reading them. I'd include the auto AC. MFSW and computer as seperate options and thereby save approx $400. The savings are not the primary reason. I just can't decide if I really want it or not.
>>Thanks for any comments.
>>
>>JimC


The sunroof is a MUST!! I wouldn't want my Mini if it didn't have it.

 

I agree, the sunroof is must have. I had one a couple of cars ago and could not to get on again. And the dual panes are just great.

 

To contrast, I was bent on keeping the sunroof off my Indi Blue with White roof MCS, the black sunroof covering 60% of my white roof was unacceptable!

This is, however, just my preference. Weigh the pro's and con's, and decide what works for you:


Pro's:
ultra fun "breeze in your hair"
star gazing at night
waving at other MINI's thru the roof
an easy way to get rid of that extra $800 burning a hole in you pocket

Con's
interior temp proportional to sun-blaze coefficient
non-coherent aesthetic with body-color (sans black) or white roof
64 pounds of heft added, all increasing your Cg
very limited roof-flag options

Good Luck,
Cheers,
Ryan

 

An absolute MUST HAVE! It makes the interior seem so much more roomier with an open roof. I'm in So Cal. and have had no problem with the interior heating up on sunny days......ya open the roof and voila....cools down. I LOVE MY MINI!!!

 

An absolute MUST HAVE! It makes the interior seem so much more roomier with an open roof. I'm in So Cal. and have had no problem with the interior heating up on sunny days......ya open the roof and voila....cools down. I LOVE MY MINI!!!

 

OOPS, HIT THE SUBMIT TWICE.

 

gotta love that extra padding to your # of posts there xbritt

 

There were several posts in another thread about problems with ac cooling with the sunroof. Arizona and Florida mini drivers.

I am 6'4" and find that the sunroof reduces headroom. So if you are tall and live in a hot climate, you might want to go without it. And then you can justify getting a convertable.

 

I'd have to say WITH the sunroof, even though I don't even have mine yet. I've only had two cars and both were hand-me-downs, so i didn't get to pick, but I've always said that whenever i buy a new car, it's GOTTA have a sunroof. well, the mini has friggin TWO.. granted the second one doesn't open, but whatever, it's cool, it's there. it blends really well into the black tops, and if you have a colored roof, it just stands out more so other people can see how cool your car is with two sunroofs. I would agree with Ryephile that it may look a bit odd/different (yet still cool) on a white roof. I think all the white-roofers i've seen did not have the sunroof, so maybe that's the trend. but it does make the car look/feel so much more open, and if you're real tall, you've got infinite headroom, well til you go through the tunnel

ryan

 

I have had a sunroof on every automobile that offered one for the past 40 years going back to a ’57 VW that had a rag top. My ’01 BMW X5 4.4 has a glass sunroof with an interior sunscreen. However, I passed on the MINI sunroof as the lack of a solid sunscreen was unacceptable to me. I also don’t like the aesthetics of the large dark glass pane on the white top. Mentioned elsewhere in this thread there is the 60+ pound weight penalty that is located as high as you can get from a CG stand point and there does seem to be an inordinate amount of threads on the various MINI forums in regards to rattles originating in the sunroof. Before anybody accuses me of only trying to save the $800, I ordered my MCS with every option sans the above mentioned sunroof, the ACC as I prefer the manual climate controls on my '02 Chevy 2500HD truck to the ACC on my '01 X5 and no metallic paint as I like the Chili Red/white look. All that being said, if you like the sunroof, get it and enjoy!

 

In addition to all the added weight up high, I'd imagine you might lose a lot of structural stiffness with that big hole in the roof. Anyone know if this is true?

 

>>64 pounds of heft added, all increasing your Cg

I agree. Also, isn't it for every 10 pounds of weight reduction you "gain" 1HP?¿? Don't forget the whole creaking rattling issue.

Our other car has a sunroof with no problems but we NEVER use it. Had to get it for the other options in the package. Don't ya just love all or nothing option packages



_________________

 

Yes on the roof!
Jim

 

Only got it because my wife insisted. I HATED it at first. But, in the first sustained wet weather I decided it was worth it. Crack it open just a hair and all the interior condensation disappears. I think the perforated/light filtering shades are a joke. It can get REALLY hot with the sun pouring in. Learn to wear a hat and shades.
I never drive with fully open on highways as it's too noisy. Must admit it's nice on slow around town warm weather cruises.

 

thumbs up to da sun-roof :smile:

peace,
d

 

Nope to the sunroof. I really wanted one before I saw the Mini in person. After seeing one, it just didn't "feel" right to me. I love my Mini and there is no holes in my head, er . . . roof.

 

To each his own, get what you want.

I personally love my sunroof but I traded in a convertable for the MINI so didn't want to go without some kind of roof hole.
I live in Florida and have had no heat issues what so ever, and I got the car last June so I drove it through the summer months.
I have also never had any rattling noises coming from my sunroof.
Not one complaint about it except that to get a Flag on my roof I'm going to have to spend $350, not going to happen.

 

Ryephile said it best... The sunroof is definitely a trade-off.

I live in FL and have had my MINI since June too, and if I had it to do over again, I would NOT get the sunroof.

 

Go with the sunroof...I think that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages... :smile:

 

Just wanted to throw in my two cents on the subject, and introduce a couple of ideas that I haven't seen discussed.

I don't have my mini yet. but I did order the sunroof. I've had a 'little' concern over things people have mentioned, i.e. heat through the light filtering shade and black sunroof on a white top. But I was wondering about two solutions.

Sunscreen - how difficult would it be to take apart the mini sunscreen, and replace the fabric with something a little darker, more opaque? That might be a solution to that problem, and a possible aftermarket idea. (If someone builds and sells it, I want 10%).

White top - What about a plain white, perforated cover from Cooper Flags to just cover the sunroof? Would also help with light/heat, and would help 'hide' the sunroof from the outside.

T J

 

sunroof? Thumbs DOWN for me.

I have the premium package sans sunroof + sports package. I didn't like the sunroof taking up SO much of the roof + it is black. For me, it really killed the look of the roof and would be too much glass.

I drove both vehicles w/the sunroof and was unimpressed. If I ever did have a sunroof, it would have to be an authentic rag top.

Gidget

 

I am a huge fan of the sunroof. I like the idea of getting a white decal for the sunroof though... does anyone sell those? Matt with Cooperflags, are you considering this?

 

>>There were several posts in another thread about problems with ac cooling with the sunroof. Arizona and Florida mini drivers.
>>
>>I am 6'4" and find that the sunroof reduces headroom. So if you are tall and live in a hot climate, you might want to go without it. And then you can justify getting a convertable.



Wastik is selling a Miata!!

 

Get the Sunroof! It's too cool! I agree that it does look weird on the white roof... It actually was one of the factors that swayed me to PW/B! :smile: