Hi everyone, this is my first post after finding these forums a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to be ordering a 2012 MCS this week and I have a question about the sunroof.

I've been reading about some people not really enjoying their sunroof because it's noisy or lets too much sun in during the summer, causing the car to heat up.

I was just wondering if anyone would be able to talk about their sunroof to tell me whether or not they enjoy them. I test drove the car earlier today and it seemed really 'roomy' on the inside because of te sunroof so I'm really considering adding it to my order. Thanks ahead of time.

 

I hear they now tint the sunroof window and you have the mesh to keep the sun out.

In test driving, I did not find the noise any worse than any other car with a sunroof

 

I love my sunroof, sure it gets hot in the summer, but that's why we have AC, it never takes long to cool down. I have it open most days between early spring and late fall so the extra noise in the winter doesn't bother me at all.

 

Get the sunroof. They are tinted and the mesh screen keeps it cooler. No problems with mine.

 

I thought the sunroof was a great compromise over the convertible. With it open and the windows down I find it really nice. You also get the added noise from the exhaust pop & burble. With sunroof closed, windows up and AC on I find it no different then a coupe with the added benefit of letting in extra light. I say go for it

 

The sunroof is a nice thing to have... I enjoy mine as well. It is noisy sometimes (highway speeds) and the seals are exposed, whereas on "true" german premium cars the seals are hidden underneath the glass panel.

 

My last Cooper didn't have the sunroof, but my new 2011 does. I actually really like it so far. I like that both the front and rear vent. It is factory tinted, and then I got my car tinted at the dealer so more tint was added to the sunroof as well! The mesh screen seems to work fairly well combined with the tint.

If you are really concerned about it, get the Zippee shade. It's reflective on one side and black on the other and fits in the two sunroof spaces. There's a group sale thread in here somewhere (I'll try finding it!) and it's $39.98 with shipping. I bought one after reading the reviews for times I leave the car out during the Summer months. Haven't gotten it yet.

Found the group-buy thread!
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...shade-com.html

 

Ok thanks everyone. The heat isn't going to bother me and neither is the noise. From here, it looks like the pros outweigh the cons. Personally, I thought the sunroof looked great so I'm going to go with it.

 

Even if the car gets too hot in the summer, you can always hold the unlock button on your keyfob

 

Ok, I'm a naysayer... I'll never buy another car with a sunroof. What a colossal waste of $ and weight. It get so hot I had to get a ZIPPY shade to block out the sun.So now it looks like there isn't a sunroof, and I NEVER use it.

Never again, I can think of a lot of things to do with a spare $1000...

A convertable on the other hand...

 

This is a question asked pretty frequently on this forum. If you search you will find several long threads on the topic with all types of viewpoints.

You may or may not know that prior to 2012 the sunroof was packaged in the Premium Package, most recently with the HK Stereo (a popular option) and many, many MINI's of all flavors were delivered with the Premium Package, so there are a lot of cars with sunroofs out there. As I understand the new packages for 2012, the sunroof is now a simple stand alone option, not included in any package, so it will be interesting to see how many folks continue to choose it without the benefit of package pricing.

As for me, I love mine. It's large size is one reason I chose an MCS over a GTI or 128i/135i. I really wanted to get a convertible, but the large sunroof on the Hardtop and the $4900 extra for the convertible made me go Hardtop, and I am very happy thus far.

Best of luck with your choices.

 

Love my sunroof and would'nt have a mini without one. No creak or rattles and no heat problems even in the summers from heck we have in this area

 

I love my sunroof....

 

Totally a preference. I don't like sunroofs at all. I either get convertibles or coupes. All or nothing. ;-)

 

My sunroof was not part of the premium package. To my knowledge, you could always configure the sunroof as a standalone option.

 

I have the sunroof, but when I bought the car someone had already put a vinyl cover over the entire roof. Black vinyl on the original white top, which looks great, but I kind of wish they hadn't covered the sunroof and back moonroof! I know I could take it off, but I'm sure as soon as I did, I'd want it back!

 

Hi all, I'm new here and also getting ready to order a new 2012 MCS. I'm struggling with this decision as well, whether or not to order the sunroof. The lease is up on my 2008 MCS in October and it does not have the Sunroof. After reading these posts, I spoke with my Mini rep and she said the Sunroof has a level of UV protection so a bit of a tint, but certainly not really a true tinted look or feel. She also said she's never noticed a difference in noise, with or without the Sunroof, and although Mini's are a bit noisy compared to some other cars, the roof doesn't really play a role in that. So now I'm confused about the noise level in highway driving situations based on some of the other comments. In clarification on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

I took it they were referring to the noise with the sunroof open. I guess others have developed rattles. So far, I haven't had an issue with either.

 

Love my Sunroof Period!

 

Love my sunroof, but it definitely causes the car to heat up faster in the Houston summers. I park in a garage at home and at work, but when out and about it's an oven within a minute or two, even with the perforated shades drawn. Would recommend investing in a good quality ceramic tint all around - we did on my wife's car and it really helps lots!

 

Yes, the sunroof has always been a stand alone option, but my point was it was also packaged in the Prem Package (a popular package because of the sunroof and other options packaged with it), and thus available at a bit of a discount due to package pricing, which may have resulted in more people purchasing it than would have otherwise. As I understand for 2012 it will no longer be included in any packages but will only be a stand alone option.

 

At present, the configurator still shows sunroof as one of the parts of the Premium Package.

 

The configuration is wrong. The premium package no longer includes the sunroof. The only way to get it is to have it as a standalone option. All the packages have been reworked for 2012.

 

MINI has not updated the configurator to show the 2012 packages. But, it is correct that the sunroof can only be ordered as a stand alone option for 2012.

 

I bought a new MCS in 2004 with a moon roof and still own it 8 years later. I love it. I would never buy another without one. It's tinted and there's a mesh screen that pulls forward if more shade is desired. The extra light is inspirational. Usually I drive 3 out of 4 seasons with the back of the front section tilted up 2 inches to keep fresh air flowing. I'm an outdoors person anyway. There are 2 types of reactions people have to sunlight. Some squint, others soak it in. If you're a squinter, dont get the moon roof.