So you never have to share it? And the down side of this is........

 

Rattles--- leaks--- windnoise---heat---weight. Take your pick

 

When I was buying my car I started a thread by posting the exact same questions. The responses were about 70/30 in favor of a sunroof. So, instead of going with my gut I went with the crowd ...bad move.

It doesn't rattle, or make much noise on those rare occasions when I open it at speed. I'm just not a sunroof kind of guy. Its like at home ...we rarely open the windows as the seasons seem to go almost directly from heat to AC these days.

The only thing I find it useful for is when I pull up too close to a traffic light to see it through the windshield I can look at it through the sunroof. Other than that, its useless.

I bought some cool sun blocking shades from a vendor I found here on Nam that really help keep the car cool in the summer ...and I don't miss the loss of light or feel claustrophobic or anything like that. In fact, I prefer it with the shades installed. I put them in around May and took them out in October. I think from now on I'll just leave them in year 'round.

Do yourself a favor ...don't listen to anyone especially me ...I'm nuts.

 

you're awfully negative today.

 

I have an S with all packages, and I'd lose the sunroof if I could. Too much sun, and I'm in MN. Going to the tinters soon.

 

I love my Mini although it has a sunroof. I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone without feeling guilty. dealerships should charge extra not to have a sunroof.

 

I live in Dallas. Yes, it gets hot, but the sunroof is adequately tinted. That, along with the shade underneath it does a decent job of keeping the car cool. My solution for the heat of the summer however, was to get a mini car cover. My other reason for doing this was not so much out of concern about the sunroof, but my paint in general, as Texas sun can be devastating on a paint job. Not having a sunroof would actually add to this problem. (More paint )

 

Share it? She hates to even get in it.

 

Even though I live in the northeast, I found because of the size of the sunroof, it let in too much light. I test drove a MCS one morning with a sunroof, and was glad I was wearing a baseball cap.

 

It's my first car to have a sunroof and I love it to death. Yeah, it lets in more sun. That's why I got it. I'm stuck in an office for 8 hours a day, I'll take the sun when I can get it. Also, driving with the sunroof fully open and windows up is nowhere near as windy or loud as driving a car with both windows down.

 

jggimi,

A woman can sometimes choose to react that way. Especially so, if she perceives another object is competing for her guy's affection (a car, hobby, career. buddies, etc). Given, she was upset, initially, because she wasn't consulted before the mini's purchase. By now, I'm sure you've made all the customary amends (flowers, candy, diamond tennis bracelet), but nothing's worked. For all you know, she may have gotten over her initial reason for rejecting the car, and has since shifted the cause for her disdain to some other "perceived" slight. Unless you know her reason for sure, it's best to not attempt to find out. My advice: cut to the chase. Produce a bouquet of red roses and some expensive chocolates, get down on your knees, and convince her she's the Number One object of your affection. To prove it, tell her you would even offer to sell the Mini. Of course, should she like that latter idea, be sure to remind her how great a car it is for shopping (gets in/out of even the tightest mall parking spaces, is gas efficient, would look especially good with her behind the wheel..... yada-yada). Also, tell her that if you were to advertise the Mini for sale -- it would quickly be grabbed up by some other married chap who'se wife wanted him to have one as an anniversary present. (I could be that chap). BLUF: Remove the competition factor from your wife's perception and you will end up a double winner! Good luck. -- Vim

 

I would never get a MINI without a sunroof unless I was going to AutoX it. To me it is one of the best parts of the car. The amount of light that it lets in is wonderful and it clears the heat from the inside almost immediatly. Before I picked the car up I was planning on getting the sunroof tinted, and now I'm glad I didn't!

Yesterday here in Colorado was sunny near 80(and of course today it is supposed to snow ). A perfect day to have the sunroof open. Actually it was cooler in my car with the sunroof open and the windows just barely cracked than having the windows all the way down, due to my windows being tinted.

 

How on earth are your lights set up out there. See the light through the sunroof? I'd have to be in the middle of the intersection to see any traffic lights through my sunroof.

I like opening the sunroof for ventalation, keeps the car cooler in the summer, and looks nice with it vented up.

 

getting the sunroof: $1000
amount you pay for gas to turn on ac per tank: 50 cents
the option to open up the roof and see the sky: priceless

 

If you want a sunroof at all, sure get one. If it were me, though (also living in Texas as I do) I'd recommend finding an opaque insert to keep the heat out when needed. That way you're covered (or uncovered as the case may be) for every circumstance!!

 

I'm on my second MINI, both with the sunroof. You either love it or hate it. I can't imagine buying a MINI without it, and I find the typical little sunroof offered in most cars to be laughable. Of course, where I live, the heater is used a lot more than the a/c, so a little sunlight is no problem.

As to rattles and leaks, only problem I had was a bit of squeaking from the 2003 MC's roof. The 2007 MCS seems very solid, and I like the new wind deflector. At first I didn't like the twin tilt mechanism in the 2007 because it seemed a little noisier, but I've grown to appreciate the venting that it offers.

 

I could care about gas usage with the AC on. For the record, it reduces my gas milage by almost 4 MPG over the tank. That comes out to between 3 and 4 dollars difference a tank.

Being able to drive your car without losing 15-20 HP (And having horrible throttle response) from the AC is nice too...

 

Don't know what to tell you ...maybe its because I have the seat almost all the way back. But, it works. Not all the time, though.

If I ever get another MINI, it will be sunroofless.

Dean.

 

its easier to use RPGs & other kinds of over-the-shoulder device if you have a vehicle equipped with a sunroof.

 

Makes ejection seat retro fitting a bit easier/more seamless as well....

 

To me the sunroof is an useless and pricey option. None of my 4 MINIs have ever had sunroofs.

Have driven countless MINIS with them (Including last week a new Clubman loaner) but I am not convinced. I also live in Florida and in a hot climate like ours this thing is not that enjoyable. It adds weight to the car and makes the car incredibly hotter. My Clubman S with a solid roof was way cooler inside than the Cooper Clubman loaner the dealer gave me with a sunroof.

In cooler climates with seasons, this may make more sense, but down here in the hot swamp, I'll pass on it.

 

The very first car that I financed on my own had a sunroof and I loved it. Ever since that, every car has had one.

 

My Pure Silver came off the lot with the sunroof and that is all they had. I like being able to look up and see the stars and it zaps the hot air inside like nobodys bidness. Not to mention the bad air from my dog.

I got the limo tint on the panels the week i bought mine and love that. Cost me $50. That totally eliminates any issues related to the sun for me. I also got the heat reducing tint on the rest of the windows. Mine hasnt rattled at all yet.

 

You rock !!!

 

Yeah, but then when the chopper chases you and the henchmen start shooting the glass roof just makes it that much easier for them