Glad I found this thread, I think I saw it a year or so ago, but didnt post.

Summary...

The mini has been in the shop for probably a total of a month for various issues, including a new water pump, and clutch. It happens, fine. Issues fixed (although they did forget to tighten the lower strut bolt after the repair )

Anyways, pertaining to this issue. Every time my mini goes in for service, I bring up the sunroof, they have attempted a repair three times, and the issue returns. It is obviously an issue that has to do with differences in coefficient of thermal expansion (duh), and they believe re-lubricating it to solve the problem. I am doubtful. This last attempt left my headliner covered with fingerprints.

So, my plan of action... once it starts heating up here in LA, and the sunroof starts acting up... take the car in (they have, every time, been able to reproduce the issue), and let them attempt a third repair. I am doubtful this will fix the issue, and am looking into Lemon Laws... since this is the fourth repair attempt.

Well see what happens...

 

I complained several times about my roof not opening i posted they changed the motor, i looked for my bill this is exactly what they did
2007 mini cooper s 24,479 miles on it 9 mos of owning this baby, yes i drive alot
CHECK SIB
DEFORMED
REPLACED SUNROOF CASSETTE

PARTS
12 FILLISTER HEAD SCREWS 51-16-2-756-511 (part number)
1 FRAME PANORAMIC ROOF 54-10-2-758-294

after they did this sunfoof works better then the first day !!!!!!
6.75 hours tech time@ 125 an hour thank god for warranty

 

Yeah, seems like the Mini service guys may have a fix for this now. I had mine in about a month ago to have the sunroof fixed (for the third time) and now it seems to work 99% of the time. The other 1% is when it might stick for second on the first try but will work on the second try. I'll know more when it gets warmer out but for now it is a big improvement.

 

Same issue, took it to dealer, they did a "lube/adjust." Went to pick it up in the afternonn, it had been sitting all day in the sun and it was maybe 80 degrees. I get in the car, turn it on, hit the sunroof toggle and...it doesn't work. Service Advisor was pretty unhappy when I went back inside. She shipped off a quality control report to the tech center, and I am scheduled for a "cassette replacement" next week.

 

When I picked up Spike in January this year the sunroof didn't open at all. The fixed that. I noticed lately that I had to flip the switch forward, then back, before the sunroof would open. I mentioned that when I had Spike in for cold-start-rattle. Dealer replaced the entire sunroof and now it works like a charm.

 

When I'd brought Tristan in last summer it wouldn't fail for the techs so they returned him to me saying "can't duplicate" and then the weather cooled off and I didn't bring it in again until I had it serviced a few weeks ago. This time I brought a video of it happening but before I could show the SA he said "no need. I know what it is" and according to the paperwork they lubed it. Well, it hasn't not opened since then, but now it won't close if it was in the vent position!!! It pops back open about 3 or 4 times until it finally closes. And once, when I'd been driving for about 10 minutes with the windows rolled down and the sunroof fully open I tried to close the sunroof and it wouldn't budge. I took my finger off the toggle and tried again and it finally started moving. Sigh.

 

It was 90 today and I got my first taste of this, as it popped open & closed 3 times before I could open it. I've been lucky as I usually park in the shade, or leave work before or after the hottest part of the day. We'll see if it gets worse. At work I left it vented open, that was my solution

 

Funny that I lemon'd my 08 MC for this issue and the 09 Clubman loaner I have today has the same problem.

 

Took my 08 Clubman in last week for the "sunroof won't open when it's warm out" problem. I was told that Mini is well aware of this, and has determined that it's due to a temperature sensor in the sunroof motor that shuts the motor down when it's hot. That's why for most people the problem resolves itself once the inside of the car cools down. I was told that Mini is looking into this, but there is no fix as yet.

Has anyone else been told this as well?

 

that sounds like b.s. to me. The sunroof is getting stuck b/c of heat. Usually if you don't touch it by the 3rd time you try it will work. I just don't want to blow my motor when I'm out of warranty.

 

Sensor sounds interesting.....

 

My sunroof has not worked on a hot day since I got it. After 6 times at the dealer to try and fix it they replaced the glass and the motor. It has work perfectly ever since.

 

I'm going to mention this when we bring it in for service, but for the time being, if you gently apply pressure upwards toward the rear of the front panel (there's a MINI logo on the glass panel at the point I'm referring to) while you're attempting to open it, it'll open. Just needed a little hand.

I'm a little disappointed at this too--our 11 year old Civic has a moonroof that's worked flawlessly since day one. Sure, it's not panoramic... but where's that BMW overengineering?

 

theres a new sunroof with new part number that they installed on my car 3 months ago and its worked perfectly so far and noone had more problems with it then i did since it happened the day i bought the car. It also seems as if over the first 6 months they have fixed the gremlins since ive not had that annoying engine light come on since then. Everyone has to remember these cars are quircky. My friend with the 1 series convert has had more problems then me her first 6 months. My dads new lex has also been a disaster with the engine light constantly coming on. this makes me feel better lol. If u want a headache free car mini is not for u

 

I've been experiencing the same issue in my 2008 Clubman. It will happen even when it's not that hot out- just direct sun is powerful enough to heat up the hot chocolate

I contacted my local MINI dealer (Keeler MINI) and mentioned the TSB I read about on this thread. My appointment is on the 20th. I'll keep the thread posted with how it goes. Anyone got any tips for how to expedite this process with the dealer?

 

I didn't realize there is a TSB # - do you happen to have that?

 

i just got a "fix" done at Mini of Manhattan. Bulletin 54-03-08 - Adjust both sunroof glass and clean sunroof rails.

hasn't been too hot here lately, but seems to be better. only had gotten stuck once so far. i'm not optimistic. the bulletin description seems like snake oil.

guess if it keeps happening, i'll have to insist on the more invasive replace the whole sunroof fix.

 

thanks Lacnin74 - I just don't want to blow the motor after my warranty is up b/c the stupid sunroof gets stuck

 

I had this issue sporadically about a year and a half ago. I live in Phoenix, so I figured it was probably a lube issue. I have been cleaning and lubing the rails for about a year now. Seems to work OK, sometimes the sunroof rattles as if its shaking apart though. If anyone knows what kind of lube would be the best for HOT days, it would be appreciated. I am finding that i need to keep checking the rails more and more. Not sure what I am using now, could be a Mobil1 synthetic grease for packing bearings.

 

Funny, my mother didn't want me to get the Mini. She had a 2005 MCS.

 

Took my Clubman in for 18,000 (1 year service), which included the fix for the sunroof. I have had the sunroof problem ( the rear sunroof would be tilted at venting) for over 6 months. I waited for the service so that I could make just one trip. It so happens the day before taking in for service, the entire sunroof malfunction (coincidence or Karma???). The malfunction resulted in the total inability to close the sunroof completely leaving it slightly askew..the dealer ended up replacing the whole unit rather than "fix" the adjustment. They replaced: Drive Unit for Sunroof, Frame Panoramic Roof, Blind for Sunroof. Indicated problem was: SUNROOF NOT CLOSING PROPERLY, SUN ROOF CABLES BINDING CAUSING MOTOR TO SHORT REPLACED SUNROOF CASSETTE AND MOTOR.
So far so good, all roofs vent as expected (even though I lost the one-step-vent ability, not worried). Also noticed that the little screen that pops up when the roof is opened is gone, I think that was an oversight...not worried about it.
Other than that I can attest that the MiniAnnapolis did a quick fix and a professional job. They called me the next day to let me know that car would be available on Monday, July 6 (I took it in on July 1st!). It seems that they are getting their act together..

 

My mom is jealous and wishes she could drive a car as small as the mini. Unfortunately, she has too much stuff to haul around and needs her subaru outback! hah!

 

The screen you are missing is rolled up - look for the handle and pull it back outward again. voila! it's back.

 

I think he's referring to the wind/bug deflector screen that pops up when the sunroof is completely open. I would go back to the dealer and demand that they put it back in- I think it helps cut down on wind/road noise.

 

Yeah, it is the wind/bug deflector screen...not sure how much it keeps the wind out, can see the bug part...