[Toby]

Hi all,

Aiming this question specifically at mini-people who live in the greyer and wetter parts of the world, is the sunroof worth it?

I have the manual air con already so would I just be blowing £500 on an extra window if I go with the SR??

But it does look good...

Do those with both actually get much use out of the sunroof? And does it make the car any noisier when closed or is it just like a normal roof.

Advice welcome.

Toby

[rusty]

Quote:

Originally posted by Toby
Hi all,

Aiming this question specifically at mini-people who live in the greyer and wetter parts of the world, is the sunroof worth it?

I have the manual air con already so would I just be blowing £500 on an extra window if I go with the SR??

But it does look good...

Do those with both actually get much use out of the sunroof? And does it make the car any noisier when closed or is it just like a normal roof.

Advice welcome.

Toby

IMO I wouldn't have it mate. You can open the windows!! Spend it on something else maybe the aero side skirts?

[badboyzbadboyz]

Well I don't think a sunroof is about cooling down the car its more of a fashion statement so if you got it I would def say still get the air con. In fact the MINI sunroof is known for warming up the car as it doesn't have a full cover. I personally don't like sunroofs. Some people find they rattle and they warm up the car because the sun shines in but if you like driving with the roof open, as a lot of people do I would go for it. Still, £500 ....... I could think of many better things to get, but thats only my opinion

[badboyzbadboyz]

Also the sunroof ruins the white roof if you wanted that too

[Martin L]

I've got the sunroof and a/c and hardly use the a/c now.
The sunroof is the best option I've got IMO as I use it at every given opportunity
I mainly use it in the tilt mode to keep the noise levels down and find it lets more then enough fresh air into the cabin. When fully open there is a lot of noise, but if you open the side windows too it really gives the wind in the hair feeling
When the roof is closed there is no wind noise.
Even on dreary days with the roof closed the sunroof lets so much more light into the car making it an even better place to spend your time.
It's definately one option which attracts a lot of attention from people who see my car

[2nd Mini]

It really is a luxury and preference option. Buy it if you like it. It is a nice piece of engineering.

Pluses:
1. When just raised and not cranked back, it provides a means of ventilation which is much quieter than the windows.
2. On a sunny, warmish day, it really connects you with the outdoors.
3. It lightens up the interior and makes it feel larger.
4. On a hot day, you can use the remote to open it as you approach the vehicle and the trapped heat rises out the top before you get in the car.
5. It is sporty and fun. If you are buying a MINI for the fun factor, this certainly adds to it!

Minuses:
1. When the car is closed, it does cause the interior to warm up further than a non-sunroof car.
2. If you work in a dark building, you may find you need to keep a ball cap in the car to protect your eyes during lunch.

Mitigations:
When you want to listen to the engine and feel the road, use the sunroof. When you want to listen to the stereo at a reasonable level, close up and use the A/C.

I haven't experienced rattles or squeaks. I'm considering getting an opaque, static-cling sunroof cover to use during the summer. I have to admit that the dark building where I work is also cold, so I've been enjoying the warmth of the car's interior surfaces when I come out to it, especially since I can get rid of the hot air out the top via the sunroof.

There it is from my measley perspective. I live in the Mid-Atlantic of the old U.S. My climate is typically as hot as blazes by this time of year but we're have a record cool and grey spring this year. This is the first warm morning (70') we've had.

2nd

[anthonyyule]

I agree with MartinL,

everyone comments on the sunroof which ive got on my cooper.
although, ive got a black roof, so it blends in better.
we ordered our car in dreary november. no time then to use the sunroof, but what sold it to us, was that with the glass panel in the front AND the back, the cabin feels a much roomier place to be.

And, the comments are true. The sunroof is mainly about cruising,..and with such a large opening, and with the windows opened, its almost like driving a convertible.

we wouldnt have chosen anything else. we both love it. it IS noisy when open, but its well made, and is very quiet,...just like a hard roof when closed.

Love it, and i think you should get it too.

[MyMissus'Mini]

My missus' mini has manual aircon and sunroof and as MartinL and anthonyyule have both said, it's great especially with a black roof.
The rear sunroof is great for our 3-yr old who always wants the blind open. Only had it since last Thursday but with the good weather we've had, it's been used all the time.
Definitely worth it.

[Toby]

Guys - thanks for all your answers.

The car's gonna be IB/W - do people really think it ruins a white roof? I was watching the Italian Job clips and the cars all had SR's on white roofs and looked pretty cool.

[Hat]

i think the sunroof looks pretty good against a white roof, even though i don't have one fitted. I've got the manual air con which i prefer but its down to personal preference.

Air con will cool the car on hot days which is great on long runs & the cooling is pretty much instant. A sunroof will only let in air - if its hot outside it will let in hot air & its not much use when stationary.

[nickworld]

Get both - I did and no way I'd drop either. The sunroof makes the car a nicer place to be, all light and airy (open or closed) and the A/C makes the car feel much more pleasant on those rare roastingly hot or humid days.

With the roof closed it's dead quiet. Like everyone else has said - with it open its great too. Open the roof, open the windows, turn up the stereo (especially if you get the HK too!! ) and go find a leafy lane. Biggest grin you'll have in your Mini. Probably.

[Dark Silver S]

Yes, the sunroof is very good. It blends with a DS roof completely. As others have said, when tipped, it ventilates very nicely. Even in below freezing temps. The only drawback I've found so far is the noise when open all the way, and I think there are things I can do to make it quieter.

I'm very glad I have one.

[rusty]

Quote:

Originally posted by Toby
Guys - thanks for all your answers.

The car's gonna be IB/W - do people really think it ruins a white roof? I was watching the Italian Job clips and the cars all had SR's on white roofs and looked pretty cool.

I feel you'll lose the effect of the white roof.

[scooterboy]

You can get a solid white decal for the sunroof to preserve the roof's whiteness, but then you're cutting down on the light coming through it when closed.

[addman]

One thing nobody's mentioned - you do lose an inch or two in headroom with the sunroof... might not be an issue for many but worth bearing in mind.

Adam.

[MINImeat]

Quote:

Originally posted by badboyzbadboyz
Also the sunroof ruins the white roof if you wanted that too

RUBBISH! And I'll say it again...
RUBBISH!
Look at my gallery!
If you want a white roof and a sunroof, get it! You won't regret it.
And the sunroof is really very, very nice. It's well made, it operates flawlessly, and it'll make your day when you open it and go for a drive after being confined inside.
If sunroofs and open cars didn't make sense in dreary weather, why have so many English convertibles been made?
Sunroof-yes
Sunroof w/white roof-yes

[Red & White Cooper 2]

One drawback of the sunroof not already mentioned - weight. And it couln't be in a worse place.

[Spy Car]

Quote:

Originally posted by addman
One thing nobody's mentioned - you do lose an inch or two in headroom with the sunroof... might not be an issue for many but worth bearing in mind.

Adam.

This is exactly WRONG! The sunroof on the MINI actually give you a little MORE headroom than the regular roof. This is a huge issue for me as I need all I can get.

It is usually sunny here, but yesterday we had a rare grey rainy day and the extra light coming in from the closed sunroof made the interior feel much more open.

The sunroof is a must have IMO. Rain or shine.

Looks good on white roofs too.

[AidenL]

I have a sunroof in a white roof too.........I think it looks just fine !

[Nameless]

Yup - we're getting SR and AC, and it looks OK on a white roof. If it bothers you you can get some great white perforated vinyl to blend it in.