I have been researching different sunroof screens and have come across the ones below at "zippeegear"

http://www.zippeegear.com/documents/products.html

Im not entirely convinced that the R53 and R56 sizes would be the same?? (as it seems everything else between the two models seems different)

Some vendors seem to have different sizes for the R53 and the R56 - this is whats adding to the confusion...

If anyone could clarify it would be greatly appreciated.

 

As I suspected - they are different

I was given measurements for the R53 Sunroof between the inside lip of the plastic trim of each side, so for comparison purposes I measured the same in my MINI (R56) - measurements below.

R53 Sunroof
Front
Width - 23"
Length - 20.5"

Back
Width - 23"
Length - 15"

R56 Sunroof
Front
Width - 24.8"
Length - 17.3"

Back
Width - 24.8"
Length - 17.3"


note that the width is the measurement across the car from side to side of the inside lip of the plastic trim.

 

That looks like a very nice alternative for the summer heat!

 

Stratmosphere makes some as well. More expensive though. I got mine as a gift.

 

Does anyone know how that ZippeeShade works...I can't tell from the photos? It looks like you pull back the screen, push the ZS up against the glass, then pull the screen forward to hold the ZS in place. But then there appear to be a couple of fasteners sticking down, as though they hold it in place somehow.

 

I think that they are just finger loops so you can pull the thing out - I supplied the vendor with the exact measurements for the sunroof (as above) and I think that they have now got the dimensions sorted for the R56. It really does look like it "squashes" in and hold there in place itself.

Anyhoo - I will be putting one on order so will let you all know how it works (I live in Australia so it may be Christmas by the time it arrives... )

 

Does any one know which one is a better product?

 

Im not sure if anyone out there would have both. Im leaning towards this zippee one as it folds up into a little circle rather than the stratmosphere one that rolls up lengthwise. The main reason I am getting one is to block the sun - the stratmosphere one looks a bit more hardcore to insulate the cabin too...

 

Personally I think the ZippeeShade is a much better product but I may be biased about that opinion. However, our sunroof shade will withstand freeway speeds while the ZippeeShade is attached to your sunroof & your sunroof wide open of course

Here are a few pics:

 

After perusing the Zippee site, I'm still not completely sure of its function. Once suction-cupped to the sunroof, does it retract/rollup into the roof cavity like the factory mesh shade when the sunroof is open? Since this is such an often discussed beef with the MINI, I'm surprised someone hasn't just made a solid, opaque rollup shade to replace the OEM one.

 

Great question. The ZippeeShade is designed with am 1/8in thick steel frame stitched into the fabric helping the shade keep it's form. This way it allows for compact folding into small 11in discs to be placed into it's own bag, when not in use. The advantage of having the suction cups is so the shade can be securely attached directly onto the sunroof. This allows you to open and close your sunroof without having to remove the shade.

 

Okay, I see what I was missing. When the sunroof is open, the shade is still stuck to it. I think I'd rather have an internal rollup replacement shade to replace the mesh one. My R53 didn't have a sunroof, but now that summer is really approaching in my R56, I see why people complain. My car, even with the roof vented, gets very hot while parked and it takes a while for the AC to cool it down. A nice dark colored cloth shade to match my headliner would be nice. I've got an upholstery shop in my neighborhood that does all kinds of custom car stuff, I'll see if this is a project they might want to try.

 

Had the local custom car upholstery shop look at my car Friday afternoon. Guy said he could get some solid, opaque material that would match the headliner, then glue/sew it onto the stock OEM mesh rollershades. I'm sure it would do a much better job of keeping the interior cool on hot days and have no doubt from looking at the shop's work that it would look like it came that way. Price quoted was $205 total. Kind of high but I'm pondering it, as the REALLY hot Texas weather is just around the corner.

 

I like this idea. I have the zippee shades and love them but I would really like the rolling mesh to be solid. Maybe I will check wit local shops too and see how much it would cost....

 

U can get a 40% limo tint for a lot less than that.

in the interim, I use a sliced-up $7.99 walmart sunshade, jumbo size, inserted between screen/glass. Does a great job 90 degrees ++, A/C works less hard to cool the cabin.

 

The debate on whether it's safe to tint the sunroof rages on. Some folks say it's not a problem, others say it's just asking for the glass to crack. In principle, I like the OEM option of being able to look through the glass when it's cool or at night, and cover it up when it's not. In reality though people have been complaining about the mesh not doing an adequate job since MINI's came out. My preference is to have a something that functions like the mesh screen, but really keeps all light out. I've found it, now just have to decide if it's worth it financially to me. Got new tires coming this week, so not today.

 

I got a pair of ZippeeShades for my 2009 Mini S and they're very effective. Prior to these, I had tinted window film (static cling) which I applied myself. Over time, however, it faded and "purpled" and I tried applying a darker tint (5% VLT) but it was too damned hot even to apply it. As soon as I got it applied, the intense heat made it fall right off. I'm not sure if I'll stick with Zippees long term, as I do like to look out the sunroof even when it's not open, but I may go the professional tint route if I can't get my own stuff to adhere. It's really a shame that MINI didn't have two shades, one solid and one mesh.

 

Think about the purpose of tint. To keep the sun and heat out. Your side windows see sun all the time and no one thinks twice about tinting. Not sure who started the rumor that it was bad to tint sunroofs, but ive never seen or experienced problems with tinting sunroofs. People dont like to tint them cuz its a PITA, but its the best solution.
That zippershade is awful looking. Could they put the logo any larger?

 

That's why I use Stratmosphere shades. No logos. Not black though.

 

My suction cups all pretty much have failed on my zippieshades...just kind of went 'flat'.

just use tint

 

^I tore a tab on a ZippeeShade suction cup a few days after I had it. I messaged them through Amazon (I got it through Amazon, rather than the ZippeeGear site) and they sent me a few free. They have replacement suction cups on their website, though. They pointed them out to me. The cups are on the page with the Zippee trash bag.

 

The reason people have suggested that tinting could potentially be bad is due to physics...black absorbs the most sunlight and so will become hotter. If you tint to say, 5% and live in Florida or Texas and have no garage, the car is going to be subjected to an immense amount of sunlight and so the potential for cracking is significantly higher. Admittedly, this would probably take a long time to occur and is bot unheard of.