Was wondering if anyone had the sunroof options and whether they encountered any issues so far with it?
Is it worth plunking down the cash for all that extra weight? Will it slow down my zippy beauty? Besides I heard that the cabin gets hotter and harder to maintain climate control with the sunroof option.

 

hi and welcome to nam. i have an 03 mc with the sunroof and it gets plenty warm in her, i dont think the sunroof does a lot towards that. as far as slowing down the mini, i usually drove at speeds over 120 when i was in germany and still had some left

 

Welcome to NAM, if you do a search you will find this has been discussed a lot, the link below is latest thread on the topic.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=111218

 

I choose to forgo the sunroof strictly because I did not like the Mini's inability to fully shade the sunroof. While I had sunroofs in my five previous vehicles the constant light from the Mini's sunroof bothered my eyes and added extra heat to the cabin.

Many here at Nam have tinted their sunroofs to reduce this problem and have enjoyed the results. Others use aftermarket pop in shades. I considered these options but in the end I felt eliminating the sunroof worked best for me.

I used the dollars saved from the sunroof toward some other options. The added headroom, weight reduction and quieter cabin may also be welcome results of this choice. That remains to be seen since I am still awaiting delivery of my Mini.

Try an extended test drive with the sunroof on a hot sunny day and see how it suits you. It is one of the most popular options on the Mini . The obvious reason being most people like it. It just wasn't for me.

Have fun ordering your Mini and welcome to NAM.

 

Welcome
I agree with demapples

 

unless they can improve the screen, and block out sun light (when you don't want it) I would skip the sun roof.

 

To one of the original questions, if you're not on the track, the weight is a trivial issue. I love mine and don't think there have been too many quality issues lately.

 

As far as the weight goes... Unless you track the car, you'll NEVER notice any difference whatsoever in speed nor handling between similarly equipped MINIs (i.e. with or without a sunroof). Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

If you're worried about too much sun getting in, simply tint the roof with limo tint and it will be a non-issue. I live in So CA (the land of sunshine) and have no problem with that at all.

I personally, wouldn't buy a MINI (nor any other car) without a sun roof. They're VERY enjoyable! We've had them on all of our MINIs and have never had a single issue with any one of them. If you're even considering the sunroof (which you obviously are or you wouldn't have started this thread), then you should get it. If you don't, then you'll probably regret your decision each time you get into your MINI.

 

WOW. This is the first time in a long time I agreed totally with a post.

 

My sunroof-less car with a white roof stays unexpectedly cool on 95+ degree days.

I also have an anthracite headliner. Not sure how a sunroof would diminish that effect and it may depend on your other interior options. Many decisions...

I thought about a sunroof a long time before deciding against it. I'm so glad I didn't get it and I really do think about often.

 

After never having owned a car with a sunroof before, let me just say that I am enjoying the hell out of my MINI's sunroof. Have had it open every day since I got the car on Saturday and we've had average temps of about 84 or so. As far as the sun getting in, that's all a matter of individual preference or tolerance. I find it doesn't bother me at all. I suppose if your eyes are any kind of light sensitive, then it wouldn't make much sense at all to get one.

 

I have one with and one without.
The one with will cool down faster on hot days --- open everything up before you motor off. It's lot's of fun to open up and ride in the breeze on cool days.
But, on long drives, that car is loud. The without car has the better stereo and is so-much quieter inside...

Just some additional food for thought.

 

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!


it is worth every penny IMO.

 

I'm with demapples. I didn't like the lack of opaque shades, and on my current car, which has a sunroof, the only time I opened it up was to cool off the car on hot days. I've never really liked having it opened while I'm driving though, as the light bothered me for some reason, even when I'm wearing a hat. Also there's the risk of leaks and other problems, so I decided to do without one for my car, and use the money for other stuff. Just a personal preference.

YMMV, of course.

 

I couldn't have put it better

 

It's because of this forum and the various threads on the pros and cons of the sunroof that I decided to add it to my order just before it went into production, and I'm SOOOOOO glad that I did. The sunroof is great.

 

It gets really hot here in south Texas this time of year, but one thing I really enjoy is using the sunroof at dusk (or dawn, but chances of me driving at dawn are pretty slim ). It's cooler out, and there's no sun to beat down on you. It's just a relaxing and enjoyable experience for me personally. I'd miss that, which is why I ordered the sunroof on mine. It all comes down to personal preference.

And as Arnbut said, the sunroof is a quick way to vent the hot air when the car has been parked outside all day!

 

Well, you confuse yet?? I am also a FNG here and placing my order today for a NON sun roof car... Sun roof are a love it or hate it extra and you see from above we all have or opinions - I was thinking about one when I first started my quest here - My wife has a 96 Avalon and she just had to get the sun roof 11 years ago - It has a solid shade and I bet you in the past 11 years she has not had it opened more than 10 times... Don't get me wrong - I love the open spaces - We ride a Harley alot and we also have a 66 vette conv. so its not the air or noise we don't like... Last Saturday we were at EB Mini at 11am - I got in a car with a sun roof and was very surprise how Bright it was - had the wife get in and try it out - She also said "Its bright" I said - the shade is CLOSED - pull it open and tell me what you think - here response was " I thought it Was Open" she pulled it back and that cemented our decession - This is ONLY MY take on the sun roof - I just had my MA try and sell me two cars off his lot - both had Sun Roofs - I told him, no way would I buy one now - just placed an order...

So, the choice is yours...

 

If you have any desire for a sunroof, you should get it. I've had sunroof on many cars and for my MINI I chose not to order it. On my wife's sedan with sunroof, we almost never open it. We tilt it occasionally to get the air flowing in from the outside because it is quieter than opening the window(s). When it is hot, we turn the A/C on and close all the windows and sunroof. So..venting at freeway speed is the only time we really have use for the sunroof. On my MINI I don't care about the noise at freeway speed so I just open one or both windows when I need to ventilate. That's just my family though. If you like having a sunroof but you are concerned about problems, you should probably order it.

 

I didn't have the money so I didn't opt for the sunroof. I still love my car.

When I got my first oil change and a minor repair, I got a loaner with a sunroof. I enjoyed my city driving with the sunroof and windows open. I think that if you normally drive with windows down for in town driving, the sunroof will just be an extension of that.

Also with this same loaner, I left the sunroof cracked open while I was at work. And, of course, there was a torrential rainfall while I was working. The seats were a bit wet, but nothing close to what I was expecting. After wiping with some napkins, the seats were dry enough 15 minutes later to be unnoticable.

I will be getting a sunroof on my next MINI.

 

I think I'm leaning toward not having a sun roof. The idea of moving additional parts is unattractive and, although I don't live in the hottest state, we still do get 100 degree temps in the summer time. The suggestion about the anthracite headliner adding insulatin from the heat is an interesting one.

So a MCS sans sunroof, a sport, hypersport package, and maybe dvd navigation (depending on the the nature of the responses to my other posts about DVD nav and ipod connectivity)

 

I think the consensus is that the hypersport body kit is not so attractive.

 

On really hot days I like the ability to leave the sunroof cracked open so the heat can escape.

I don't know about the older cars, but the 07s have a pullout shade front and back, and although they're perforated, they block any annoying light, if that's a problem for you.

I'm glad I got it, and would again.

I haven't read too many stories about Minis flipping because the sunroof made them topheavy.

 

Dont get it, just opt for the white roof,

 

I don't know r56. The car that I'm eyeing is a red/white top S with the hypersport package. I don't know if this was love at first drive situation but that sport package looks awfully good at the time. Give the front more of rounder appearence

You have to understand that I've only had hondas and to drive a car with such great balance and tight steering (esp. after pressing the s button) Grrrrrrwwwwwl! I have to dress it up a little (not obnoxiously so though).

I think I'm leaning on spending the money on the anthracite liner and DVD nav with ipod options.