I thought about that, but I've noticed that once the car cools down inside the sunroof starts to work again, so by the time I got to the dealer (about 20 minutes) it would be working again. Maybe I can check to see if it does it after an hour in the sun. Then I can drop it off there, go to lunch somewhere close and check it again when I get back....

The weather is supposed to be in the 70s the next few days, so I won't be able to test any theories - though I WILL get to use the sunroof at least!

 

FYI, the OP said this, but if ur sunroof sticks and u don't want to bother waiting for the car to cool to open it, open up the rear sunroof shade and push up on it while trying to open ur sunroof...it'll work.

It seems like MINI is not aware of this issue yet? Blows if we have to get the whole thing changed.l

 

Happened three times so far and is irritating me more and more.

70 degrees to 100 degrees OAT, with one or two passengers in it, speeds ranged from dead stop to 70mph while attempting said maneuver.

 

Well, I tested it the other day by leaving the sunroof tilted up all day on a hot day (99 degrees) and when I tried to close it it worked fine. Opened it again, etc, no problems. The car was partly shaded, so I thought maybe it didn't get hot enough on the roof. But, I think Corey986 is probably right about it being a sticky rubber seal.

 

Another week has gone by without an update from Niello as to the status of the parts. Fortunately, it hasn't been too warm out.

(Thinking about driving though their showroom window at 35mph, taking the insurance money, and buying a MCS at a more competent dealer)

 

Cool! Post pics, eh?

 

OK update... I only put the BMW Gummi Pfledge on the rear seal on the front sunroof... Nope... Roof still stuck, sorta... It tilted (not all the way) then closed it self as if an anti-pinch sensor or something said something was stuck. Pushing did nothing as it was opening then suddenly reversing like a garage door opener safety. Before the Gummi Pfledge, it stuck without moving at all until I pushed on the front sunroof and then it opened. So maybe I had 2 problems or not... No clue...

I put the Gummi Pfledge on the rest of the front and rear seals and we'll see tomorrow or tuesday... If not my dealer gets a call, my car is only a few weeks old...

 

Thanks, Corey986! Keep us posted!

 

I have not had this problem yet but if a few minutes of air-conditioning relieves the problem it sounds to me like the plastic has expanded - trapping the sunroof in place. If the seals were sticky it seems like the quick shot of cool air wouln't get to the partially insulated and still sun beaten seals to release the sunroof. If it is just sticking, I would try putting a little baby powder on the seal to see if that would stop the sticking.

Someone earlier had mentioned that the sunroof actually looked like it was lower than normal.. This would also make me think that it was plastic expansion.

 

Had my MCS since March, this happened to me yesterday - first time, then later that day, both times MINI in the sun - about 70 deg. and light pressure -push to back of front glass did the trick. My immediate thought was heat - U/V expansion of seal "trapped' the glass, I assume glass is set to 'reseat' in the event of only moderate resistance , I suspect that a lube of the sort mentioned or some use would correct the problem, however I am uncomfortable "pushing through the problem" and am concerned repeated problems could damage motor -I eagerly awaite feedback. There seems to considerable occurrence - manufacturer needs to address this ASAP!

 

I'm personally not comfortable lubricating the seals around the sunroof. It's only a small band-aid. If the dealer is giving me an entirely new sunroof assembly, something more serious is going on here....

 

I have had this problem since i bought the car. The average weather has been mayby 70 so far. So it cant be the heat. The dealer replaced the track and motor just using the old glass. When i picked it up it wouldnt open. It worked after i took key out to show them. Bringing it back tomorrow will be given loaner if it will take too long to fix. Westchester mini has good guys working there. Will let u no because this will be third time problem being fixed.

 

My 11 month old 07 MCS PW/B just started doing this a week ago when it sat in the sun on a 70 deg day. Key FOB wouldn't open the sunroof and I couldn't open from inside as well. Once I put it in the garage and it cooled off, it would open, but you can notice the glass it chattering as it comes out of the roof. Looks like it is binding along the track at that point and then opens without any problem once it is moving back over the roof. Have to wait 2 weeks for the dealer to look at it, but these events all sound the same to me.

 

I lubed my track with some grease when it stuck the first time and it hasn't happened since. I had to push up on the rear glass to get both to tilt. Yep it was warm out. I applied some grease with the flat edge of a paint can opener along both tracks and it seemed to improve its tracking and did not bind.

 

Oh great...now this is NOT what I wanted to hear. That's a lot of problems for a brand new car. I hope my Mini doesn't prove my mother right, she wanted me to get something else.

 

Same here, my mom wasn't happy that I decided to get it.

 

my Mini is at the dealer snce thursday. (thank you Princeton Mini for the loaner car when i dropped it off-45 mins away) i should be getting it back tomorrow. the advisor told me they first tried to adjust it couple times (the rear glass sits lower than front) and still had the problem with it. they ordered a new motor and thats going to be installed when it comes in tomorrow. hope that takes care of it for good. cant wait to get my baby back !!!

 

My dealer is also Princeton MINI, I'm taking it there in two weeks...I hope they can resolve it for you properly.

 

My mini did this last summer, took it back to the dealer for an adjustment but it still didn't work when hot. Eventually it died alltogether (I was able to close it after several tries) and the dealer replaced the whole cassette. now that spring has come it still won't open when it's hot. I figure it's just poor engineering since I have had two different sunroofs do the same thing.

-do not force the sunroof. if you tell the dealer you pushed the glass they will charge for the repair.

-if the roof will not open take it out and drive the car for a bit, the rattling around seems to loosen up the sunroof.

 

There seems to be a disproportionate number of mellow yellow minis with this condition - could be because it is a new color and this is a new problem, hmmm. Mine hasnt done it in the last week or so, but I keep it in the garage.

 

70 is not hot at all, also, it must sit unde the sun for a while in order for the motor to get really hot....

 

lollllll i hardly think it being yellow is a factor, but good joke

 

Mine won't open today. Its 99.9 deg outside right now. This is the third hot day in a row and the sun roof has not opened on all three days. I am glade its not just mine.

 

Yesterday was the second time mine got stuck and wouldn't open...it was about like 76 or so outside. After a couple minutes of driving around it opened after all. I guess thisi s something we're just going to have to deal with.

 

Gosh, I certainly hope not. I'm still in the buying process, but I hate the notion of signing up for this kind of thing...

The dealer I went to yesterday professed no knowledge of the problem...