I just placed an order for a MCS and have included the premium package. I did notice that the sunshade has little holes permitting sun in.

Question, is the glass from the roof tinted? I looked at it and didn't seem to be so.

Also, has anyone of you put tint on the glass to make the heat less severe?

Thanks for the replies.

 

My MA told me that you can get it tinted. He says a lot of people get a "limo tint", which is very dark indeed. They can do it when they tint your windows. I'm not sure you'd get any light through the limo tint. Maybe someone else can illuminate us.

PS congrats on your order!!! tell us what else you're getting.

 

It is tinted. Some have added 'limo tint' (the darkest they make), others don't feel it's an issue. Use the search function with 'sunroof'. Select 'search titles only' to narrow it down a bit. Trust me, it has been thoroughly discussed.

 

Mini sunshade = a mosquito net
I just saw a link for aftermarket shade on some thread today, but sorry
I forget >.<
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PS congrats on your order!!!

 

If I can find a shade that is solid then I would much rather do that than to tint the glass roof.

By the way, I see many people's car specs as 15% tint, 20% tint, what does that mean?

Thanks

 

Byhsu, the lower the %age, the less light goes through, in other words the %age is how much light is transmitted. So 5% is very dark tint and 50% is pretty light. Here's a thread with some helpful photos and suggestions. I apologize for the ghastly formatting. I don't know how to make a tidy link. Searching the threads for "window tint" will give you a lot of stuff to browse through. Don't forget, most states have laws that dictate what you can and can't have, if such things matter to you.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=window+tint

 

I

 

I ordered the sunroof checkered graphic - does anyone know if that blocks any light?

 

Do you know if your graphic is perforated vinyl? Did you get it from MINI?

 

yes, I ordered it on my MINI... it's waiting for a ride over here right now...

 

I have a limo tint on mine, which is a very dark 5%. You can still see clouds and shadows through it, but it definitely blocks out the harsh sun. I couldn't get by without it in So Cal. I called a BMW dealership nearby and they recommended the guy who does their cars on their lot. He came to my house and did the sunroof for $100. in under an hour. I believe he quoted me another $130. for the back window and two rear sides.

 

So Cali owner here also. Got 15% on the sunroof. 20% on all the other windows (sans windshield). Makes a HUGE difference in how hot the car gets. Windows were 140...sunroof was another 40.

nK

 

Try Las Vegas!

I got mine SR titnted 5% when I did the rest of the car. They did both with high end metallic stuff for $60. Not sure I would have used the metallic however...messing with my plans to put an HD antenna in the rear SR panel

 

Irvalley,

I believe that one is not perforated. You will get some light coming through but not as much as with a perforated graphic. It has been described as a stained glass effect. So you'd get more light through the white squares and you can see the graphic from the inside. Checkers are cool. You may want to start a specific thread with this question if you can't get a better answer here. I'm no authority, I'm just repeating something I vaguely remember reading or being told.

 

Checkout stratmosphere.com. They have a set of sunshades that fit between the sunroof and the screen.

 

The rolling mesh sunscreens are inadequate. I ended up getting the stratmosphere sunshades. I leave the rear one on since the sun bothers my 3-year-old quite a bit. I enjoy opening the sunroof when I can, so it is a pain to keep changing the stratmosphere front sunshade. Also when I vent the rear sunroof, the stratmosphere sunshade can shift position and prevent me from closing the sunroof.

Ideal solution is a solid rolling sunscreen replacement. Someone needs to start selling it.

 

I had my sunroof tinted at 20 percent. The company I used suggested the limo tint only if you really didn't want any light coming through. I wanted reduced heat and some light but not a heavy glaring sun.

I've been very happy with it and have quit using my stratmosphere shades, although they worked very well.

 

I have read many of the sunroof threads and I have come to the conclusion latitude is the key.

Here in Nebraska, I just went through my first summer and never wished for more than the factory tint plus the sunshade, even on the couple of bright 100 degree days.

However, the people on this board who live where the sun REALLY shines, such as Texas, seem to almost universally think the sunroof needs tinting and I believe it is so.

So, I suggest trying it out and see how it goes.

BTW, tip the sunroof up when you park if you trust your surroundings, it makes a huge difference in how hot the car gets.

 

I have 5% limo tint on both sunroofs. I was very surprised at how much light still comes through so I would go with that option.

I drive around with shades closed all the time and you can still see the sun and clouds etc through the sunroof.

My guess is that you wont see much through it at night though

 

3M has a new product called Prestige. They use that mostly in glass buildings. Its almost a clear tint but will not let heat inside and sunlight inside. It probably functions like a 5% limo black but it is not dark. That's what my tint installer put on mine. It functions perfectly!
my 2 cents.

 

Got some of this stuff for the house. They also make auto film.

 

I got the sunroof to let sun in, not keep it out. But I find that the mesh and stock tint to be adequate in keeping a lot of light out.

As far as heat buildup. Cracking the roof lets it out very quickly.

If I were to do something, I'd probably replace the mesh. That way you still can enjoy starry or moonlit nights.

 

Had the 5% put on our sun roofs. Drastically reduced heat, but you can still see clouds and other objects. On the plus side, it makes the roof appear to be all black. Very sharp!

 

chipret
I live in extreme southern Arizona, 39 mi. north of the border. Own an '07 MCS w/stock sunroof i.e. no xtra tint etc. No problem! The a/c handles it just fine. When parked, I crack the sunroof an inch. I wanted the sunroof to enjoy the environment, so I don't want to block it out. I'm glad I opted for it. If you can be satisfied with a sunroof down here, with average temps in summer 105-110 you can anywhere. Get one. Relax and enjoy it.