Bimini was conceived on 4/18 (ordered). In production the next Monday, 4/21 and completed production 4/25/08 or 4/26/08

 

I had the same problem with mine I would try to open it in the hot sun and it would just close again. I got my 08 on June 3rd when I took it in to get the enviromental coating put on it, I brought it to the service managers attention. He told me the problem was the metal they used is swelling in the heat and when it feels the pressure when trying to open it closes again. Well they replaced the whole track that the sunroof is in. Thank goodness it's fixed. So ya'll talk to your service managers. We go to checkered flag mini in Va. So if your service managers have questions maybe they can call them. Just maybe you all can get your sunroofs fixed.

Sky

 

Mine was just delivered this month and mine has a similar issue. When i leave the sunroof popped in the heat, it wont close. It goes down then pops open.

After driving a bit and it gets cooled, it then closes. After much fiddling, i did notice that if i hit the button lightly to start the close but not all the way and leave it for 2 seconds, then tap the button again to close it, it will then close all the way..

not sure, but that may give the swelled metal some time to get where it needs to be to allow it to close...

 

I had a thought that I didn't remember seeing elswhere in this thread. While it is apparently discouraged that one use the metallic style tint film on the *inside* of the sunroof glass, I wonder if anyone who's having this problem has the exterior graphic tint, like the checkerboard or BlackJack? My thinking being that if the glass has anything to do with it, the tint might keep it cooler and decrease thermal expansion.

 

I highly doubt it's the glass. My thought is that the rubber gaskets are expanding which causes enough resistance to make the system think that there's an obstruction and therefore shutdown before causing any damage.

 

No forget that, I have the Union flag on my sunroof, doesn't help in the slightest

 

Thanks Ex-Pat. One more variable crossed off the list...

 

Mine is a January 2008 build w/ black roof. It is 95 today and my sunroof wouldn't open today after sitting outside from about 9 to 2 in the direct sun. It would try to open (just a bit) and then close right away. It has done this a few times in the past but I just wrote it off as a fluke. After today's episode, I came home and found this thread. It sure sounds like a design issue to me after reading 11+ pages of issues.

I let it sit in the garage for one hour and tried it again. Bingo, it worked perfectly the first time.

This has got to be a heat related issue. I am going to send this thread to my service adviser and see what he thinks. I don't want to take my car to the dealership (1.5 hours each away) until a real fix is found.

Thanks everyone for the very informative thread.

 

All you have to do is get in touch with your service manager and tell them the issue they replaced my whole track for the sunroof. It has something to do with the metal getting hot and it swells or something and when it feels the pressure when trying to open it closes down again. Mine works perfect now that they replaced the tracking. Good Luck

Sky

 

I hope that fixes yours but to be honest, I think it'll be about as effective as the "environmental coating" they sold you....

The problem is indeed the fact that something is swelling in the heat. Mini has acknowleged the problem but does not have a cure.

Unless for some strange reason the track they put in your car is different than the other 90 million minis made, I think you'll end up having the same problem.

There have been several cases reported on here that owners have had their entire track assy replaced but still have the same issues.

I'm sure they'll have to change the type of metal used in the construction of their sunroof assy's but once they do, I'm sure it will be fixed.

I made several posts about it earlier in the thread and was told that I should look at it like a quirk of an english car. I'm thinking that would be stupid, foolish and BS for me to accept a $30K car that the sunroof doesn't open and I can excuse it because it's a quirk.... NOT.

As long as Mini is working on it, I'm a happy camper. I'll deal with the inconvenience as long as something is being done.

I hope your sunroof stays cured but I wouldn't count on it.

Mark

 

I wish I had done what I said I was going to do. The plan was to call Friday about my service appointment today for the sticking sunroof issue, see if there was anything they were going to do. Since I didn't call, I drove up for my 7 a.m. appointment. My SA comes out and says "Issue with the sunroof, huh?" and I say "Yes" and start to explain. He stops me, saying they know all about it, and the official word from MINI is "Do Not Fix." He told me I was the 3rd or 4th one to come in to them, and they did over $2k worth of repairs on at least 2 of them only to have the same issue come up again. Officially then, they still don't know what to do but are working on it. I was told MINI hopes to have a solution in the next couple of weeks. I was advised to check back in 2 months though. My SA seems to know that a "couple weeks" will be more than that. In the meantime, I was told to "just push up a little on it" when it wouldn't open properly. I also have the issue with the sunshade moving back on its own a couple of inches. When I asked if that was something they could fix in a few minutes since I was already there, he said anything sunroof related takes about 4 hours, since they have to completely remove the whole thing. He suggested I wait until they get the sticking problem figured out and then bring it back and get both things done at the same time. So I got to enjoy a lovely 60 mile roundtrip during rush hour (in a really nice car) and all I got was some conversation, some MINI smints, and an offer of a carwash which he knew I didn't want.

 

Just wanted to let everyone know I took my mini in today for regular service and brought up my sunroof issue. They told me that they are aware and working on a fix.

 

I had posted earlier in this thread...

and just now getting back into it...

I have not yet reported this to my local dealer...do you think I should just so they can document it? Or just wait until there's a fix and let them know then...?

 

Are you talking about Brecht? If so, I don't think they need to document it, since they are aware of it already. So I'd say just wait.

 

[quote=minicooperwill;2405727]Are you talking about Brecht?...quote]


yeah Brecht.

Okay, I'll just wait then, thanks!

 

I took Bimini in on Monday to report this and get it documented. Also had another issue I found they fixed. But when I described the sunroof issue, the SA already knew there is a problem and BMW is working for a fix. The temp fix is to push on the glass. So at least word is getting around. The SA's know there is a TSB on it.

I wanted it documented that it was happening in case it takes them a while to get it fixed.

 

Well they fixed mine and the problem is solved it has not stuck since they replaced the tracking, and we have had temps near 100 here with heat index more than 100. Glad mines fixed, Hope it all works out for you all.

Sky

 

Have a 08 Clubman S (wife's) and an 08 MCS. Both sunroofs do not work.

I didn't read all of the 11 pages of complaints, but here is what I see.

The rear sunroof (on both cars) sits "1/4 to 3/8" low at the rear (from the normal roof line).

If I push up on the rear of sunroof to make the rear even with the roof line - they both work just fine!

something is wrong with the track - resting position (IMO)

Taking it to the dealer (70 miles away) today

 

MINI has not issued a fix yet, I suggest you call your dealer first and ask them if they have a fix. Others have driven only to be told it is a known issue with no fix and they'll have to wait.

 

Thanks for the warning (of no Mini fix).

I have to take it down there anyway - to get a Factory Sirius Radio installed...

 

Heads up! Received this from my MA today:

"I have a "fix" for the sunroof. MINI says to lubricate and adjust the roof glass according to special instructions and all will be good. When would you like to come in?"

 

Hmm.interesting. Let us know how it turns out! I'm still a little skeptical...

 

Yeah, me too! I have an appointment Monday morning. I'll post results!

 

Well, it's good to hear about the workaround and possible lube fix. I'm used to quirks on my 15 year old Mustang, but I don't want them on a $30k new car.

 

I agree!!!

Personally I don't think the lube trick will work. I tried to lube mine and checked all the gaps. We play with sunroofs a fair amount in the bodyshop so it's not uncommon for us to have to lube/adjust.

Unfortunately, I think it's going to need parts made out of different materials.

I say that because obviously the only time anyone has a problem is when it's extremely hot outside.

That right there tells me something is swelling from the heat. I can't see how a little bit of lube is going to help.

On the other hand, if they are making physical adjustments, that might help.

Let us know what happens...

I think it's too late in the year to prove if this will work, I think out almost 100 degree days are about gone. (mine only has a problem with it about 95 degrees or better)

Mark