Hi all, I'm considering the many Mini options as I refine my yet to be placed order. In two door cars I have always enjoyed the presence of a sunroof for venting the cabin with the windows up. It also helps to reduce the wind buffeting on the highway with the windows down. I live in New England, so heat is not so much an issue 9 months of the year, but I do like to have the roof cracked quite a bit in the spring and fall.
My basic question is: When driving, how well does the Mini vent without a sunroof, and how much buffeting/wind noise do they create at higher speeds, say 60-70 mph? Also, how reliable are the sunroofs?
They certainly do add spaciousness to the cabin, and they look cool, especially when they are both tilted up. But whether they add $1000 worth of coolness (including temp, ha-ha), I'm not sure.
I guess if the car vents well without one, and if I'm not going to lose my eardrums on the highway with the windows down, I would opt not to get one.
Thanks a bunch for any help, and I cant wait to motor!!!

 

I'd say the sunroof does a decent job venting. As far as wind noise, yeah its there, but far quieter than my CR-V's sunroof was. I'd say go test drive one with a sunroof and hear for yourself.

 

since I don't have a sunroof, I will add in:

With the windows partially down in an R53, I do get some buffeting on the highway... its speed dept. (55-65 it seems the worse), but you can adj. the window opening to get rid of it...
Since, there are only 2 windows that go down, you might get blasted in the ear with the wind noise above 65. Being 6'0" I find it obnoxious and VERY uncomfortable on my 100mi r/t commute. My wife at 5'2" doesn't have this issue.

I'd really like a sunroof, it makes the cabin quite a bit brighter (esp. during the gloomy N.E. winters) and allows the venting (a coworker has the same car, but with the sunroof).


BUT

a) I bought my car used with 8200 mi on it, so I didn't have a choice (except keep looking).

b) it adds weight exactly where you don't want it (up high)

c) its a source of leaks (clogged drains) and creaks

and as you noted, it costs $1000.
Personally, If you drove with the windows down on long highway slogs, I'd get it, assuming you have the cash, but its always easy to spend other people's money.

HTH.

 

I've noticed a bit of buffeting with the windows down too- as jakay11 noted, it's pretty easy to make it go away with some adjustments. The wind noise is pretty loud compared to other cars I own with the windows down, the sunroof is definitely much quieter.

I don't ever feel the need to vent the car because it feels stuffy, but it have the auto climate control that leaves a bit of air blowing all the time too. I've seen posts by people that like to leave the fan completely off where they say the car seems like it's sealed like tupperware.

 

Get the manual A/C then.... It vents outside air into the cabin quite well (heated even) with air flow increasing with vehicle speed. You never even need to turn it on, unless you want A/C-cooled air, or are in bumper to bumper traffic. I have an '06 and the cabin expels air (or creates negative pressure) through vents in the boot, right by the rear bumper.

On the other hand, if you get Auto A/C, you need to run it all the time (fan on) or the outside vents seal up like tupperware. Test drive an Auto A/C and manual A/C back to back and you'll see what I mean.

Tipping the rear of the sunroof will increase the airflow even more, but not necessary with the manual A/C. I wouldn't rely on the window... at highway speeds, it will wear on your ear(s).

I went out of my way to to get manual A/C, after years of German Auto A/C, and it is my best "option".

 

Wish I'd known this before I ordered. My previous car, a '94 BMW, didn't have auto air (not available back then), and it had the "ram air" effect you describe. I wish I had it with the auto air, especially since it doesn't work very well at Texas summer temps anyway. Oh well, something to consider for my next MINI!

Regarding sunroofs--some people have had noise problems with their '07 sunroofs, particularly with the early builds. Fortunately I didn't have them (week 3 build--just lucky, I guess), but it IS fixable. There is a service bulletin on this.

 

Well, this is only my second daily commuter car I've owned... I bought my first one new, and drove it for 12 years.

I was going to buy this one new as well, but I found I had a strange choice.
New R56, Used R53. I won't bore you with the details of why I chose the SC model.

I have never had buffeting in either my Ford or Porsche (or BMW) with the windows or sunroof... my wife's Audi was another story.
(I can get some buffeting in the BMW, but the windows have to be 'just so'
However, I can tell you that wind-roar above 80 on the Porsche with the window down does become quite loud... esp as one winds out 5th gear on the back straight of Watkins Glen, even with a helmet on (gotta love DEs)

Anyway, I spoke to my cube-mate about wind noise from the sunroof, he doesn't hear any.

If I were you, I'd get the sunroof, skip the leather.
(you can always add in the leather seats later if you wish... there are only a few bolts that keep the seats in place
I'd always get the options I can't change later (like sunroof and LSD) and if I wanted, add in the others (like leather, or stereo, or JCW kits)

I love my space-gray cloth, with dark silver outside and inside trim., and black roof.

I also drove the Mazdaspeed3, but had serious issues with the blind-spots (and dealer attitude).

HTH...

 

Thanks everyone,
I have been told that the auto climate systems can incurr expensive repairs if the break down, due to the complexity of the system, they are difficult to troubleshoot. This is in reference to prior BMW systems, to which I've been told this is similar. Hence, I was considering getting the manual temp control system anyway, and this further corroborates that decision.
I'm still torn on the sunroof though, its a matter of preference and weighing the cost of options. Good suggestion by Jakay11, seats are changeable down the road.

Thanks again-

Pete

 

Pete-

If I had to do it again, I think I would skip the sunroof. I tell you why...

1. Here in Texas, the sun really beats down on you. So in the summer time, I have shields inserted into the opening to completely block out the sun. I had already tinted it limo dark but was not enough for me. So, in the summer I really don't have a 'sunroof'.
2. I've had issues with wind noise, now fixed by dealer but now I am afraid to open the darn thing; thinking that the rood may get misaligned again. I don;t have time to keep taking the car back.

Other than that, the car has been amazingly solid..... my two cents.
Good luck -

 

Wow, Andy--you still don't have enough cooling with a heavy tint and the screen?! Wear a hat.

I wouldn't worry about using it--I think the misalignment problem was more like a factory installation goof.

I use mine all the time, all year 'round. From about 11:00 to 2:00, when the sun is overhead, I use my MINI cap, and/or the screen, but I can't imagine blocking it off entirely. Nothing like the seat warmer, a light jacket, heater, and...open air!

 

I'm telling you, I definitely need to wear something

 

Chasing leaves in the fall, windows and sunroof open and the heater and seats keeping it toasty in the car is the best time you can have!

 

Um, I think there's a law against public nudity.

 

I agree. I love to have the windows wide open on a beautiful day, sunroof up, fresh air pouring in, and yes, kicking up leaves in the fall. Interesting comment on the heated seats. I had them in a VW, and I always used them during the winter (I live in NH) to warm up when I first got in the car, before the heat starts to work. I never thought of them keeping you warm with the windows open on a cold day. Hence, I didnt seriously consider them as an option for my Mini. Excellent point!
As for the sun, here up north, the duration of the season when the sun is overhead is so short (4 months or so), I dont think it is as much of an issue as it would be down south. I found that link to the sun sheilds in another thread. That sounds like a good option too.
So much to consider...
Thanks people! Drove a Mini again yesterday, and i'm almost ready to order. Cant wait!

 

I also live in NH and have a sunroof in my mini, and would not trade it. I do get some very minor wind noise, but that nice open air feeling on a warm summer day is so nice (and would really be nice right now with this crappy winter we are having) that the noise just kind of fades out. Good luck with your order and hope to see you driving around NH.

 

I wish we had the fallen leaves to kick up--better yet, the colorful leaves you northerners have! How I miss living in Missouri. My husband will retire in a year and a half, and I have been seriously working on getting him to agree to move to Arkansas--not too cold, not too hot, definite change of seasons, wonderful roads, and...I can grow daffodils. I am having some success--wish me luck!

I hear there's a strong MINI presence there, too.