OK, so I drove to Detroit from Chicago for the NAIAS last weekend and my sunroof developed the worst rattle I have ever heard in an automobile... EVER. It sounds like the entire structure of the sunroof is "cracking" and it is constant... not just on bumpy roads. The "rattle" stops when you push hard on the passenger rear of the front sunroof glass. You cannot imagine houw horrible this sound is. Has anyone else had this? It is going to drive me NUTS!

Obviously I am going to have to take the car into the dealer on this one, but just looking for anyone else who has had this.

 

Do some searches here and in www.mini2.com.


Yet another reason why I am going into MINI #3 and have never been interested in ordering the sunroof.

 

Went on a very bumpy long drive (3700 miles accross country) in an 03 with a sunroof and no problems then or in the many miles since. Sunroof sees a good amount of use (love having them ).

Sorry to hear about your problem and hope the dealer fixes it quickly.

Let us know how it goes.

 

M. Clive had a "strange" sound out of his sunroof when the outside temps dropped into single digit terratory. I found opening and closing the sunroof stopped the annoying noise. Since it is now in the balmy teens the problem is gone. Good luck.

Bear

 

Sorry I can't help with the noise. Immediate suggestion is get it looked at as you say you're going to do!

I've had sunroofs in Hondas, two 90s 4 Runners and now the MINI MCS without a problem. Although my 2005 will only be a month old tomorrow, it has over 4,000 miles on it with the vast majority in Mexico and Guatemala. I can tell you that the road from Tampico to Veracruz tested not only the sunroof, but also my dental fillings.

Bottom line, the sunroof should be able to take a fair amount of abuse.

 

Not getting one because it may develop a problem seems kind of silly when you think of it. Does this mean if the engine in your mini develops a problem you'll get rid of it and never buy a car with an engine again? Not getting a particular add-on because one in hundreds may develop a rattle is overkill.

Just my lousy .02.

 

I did not order a sun roof on my 2005 MCS because of this very issue. You do not hear many positive statements from owners. This is a big issue in the north with cold weather.

 

Relax, is just a personal opinion. The MINI sunroof is known for developing rattles asmiles pile up. Sunroofs when they are older have the potential to develop waterleaks and such.

I prefer not to have it.

 

The sunroof rattle is not uncommon in cold weather. had the same problem when we first had our 03 and took it to your dealer, they have a fix for it. Somebody also posted on MINI2 the fix, but might as well let MINI fix it for free.

I would not dream of having a MINI without the sun roof.

 

Even when it gets cold in Dallas (rarely, but it's in the 20's tonight and we've had numerous days below freezing this winter), I don't get any rattles w/ my sunroof. I had one on my 03 and ordered it again on my 05. I bet the resale is better with a sunroof vehicle and I wouldn't order one without it regardless. Just thought I would throw out my positive statement on sunroofs.

 

I love my sunroof! Sometimes I get a little noise, but it seems to be related to the humidity?

So sorry about the death rattle effect! UGH!! Let us know the fix after you take it the dealership.:smile:


Clover

 

Just my opinion as it were. Whatever gave you that idea? Windows develop leaks. Folks still buy minis. Doors develop leaks. Folks still buy minis. Windscreens crack, doors stick and shake rattles and rolls develop. Folks still buying minis. My point if you haven't guessed is that since they stilll buy them for all these varied reasons why would someone avoid a sunroof for it's rattle? Of course it's all a personal decision and it's cool. I just happen to think it's not a logical reason. Then again not all personal decisions are made using logic. *shrug* It's no big deal. Just my point of view. I thought that was okay. If not just let me know.

I guess you'll never be caught owing a convertable. If it weren't so much more expensive I'd have had that instead of a sun roof.

 

Didn't help... tried that one.

 

... I would not own it without the sunroof. This car replaced my beloved Mercedes AND Miata... I need to feel as "open" as possible.

As for the rattle, if they can fix it, great. I guess the thing that is kind of irksome is that the car is 15 months old and only has 7800 miles. My Mercedes didn't have a single rattle at 10 years and 97K. I know it is kind of like comparing apples and oranges, but still...

I knew the car would not be perfect, as cars with charactor are rarely perfect. If I wanted a perfect car I would have bought a Toyota. Of course, that would be like driving under anesthesia, but...

 

You're missing out - the thing about message boards is that people tend to mostly post when they need help with an issue vs creating a post stating something that is functioning normally, ie posting a thread "gee i love my sunroof". The reality is that there are many owners out there with them loving 'em.

As for me I've had sun/moonroofs on all of my vehicles and enjoyed them in the day and night. The E46 BMWs do have a design flaw with the clips that hold the interior cover that seems to fail quite often, but I am still glad I have it - its a much different airflow and open view of sky then just opening a side window. Good for venting the car when you have a dog too

 

The sunroof is not a must in the MINI. I have driven several samples with them, and the thing doesn't do anything for me. What really annoys me about this sunroof is the lack of a solid sunshade. Here under the South Florida sun, you are guaranteed to have your head scalp cooked even with the glass closed and the shade fully extended.

Ever been to Miami in the summer time? 90+F and 90-100% humidity factor makes opening the sunroof guaranteed sofocation for the interior occupants. This place is too hot for sunroofs and having owned 2 Acuras with them in the past were enough to convince me not to spend money on these again (Unless I move to the frozen north).

I don't care about the noise it produces even when it is fully closed (At 110 MPH it is annoying) and the added weight on the top of the car.

If you have it and enjoy it that is great, glad you got your money's worth. But a MINI is equally enjoyable without it as well. I am onto MINI #3 and the sunroof has never been specced, therefore I don't feel like I am missing out on that big of a deal.

What is funny about these message boards is the the general concensus is that if you opt for a MINI without sunroof and Xenons, oh boy that car is not fun and has next to nothing resale value...what a bunch of crap!.

I guess that if you are into the "open motoring" thing, a convertible is the real article at a $5K markup.

MINIs are fun cars with or without sunroofs, ok?

 

You got that right...convertibles are not my thang either, but if youhave to have a hole in the roof, the convertible is the real mccoy sort of speak.

 

So, we have one MINI (03 MCS EB/W-azuul) with a sunroof and one MINI (CR/W-Ruby) without. I love driving mine with the screen open -- just more light. Azuul had a rattle, then it was gone, and it comes back occassionally. I cannot find a pattern, so I just turn up the radio and ignore it. My wife loves NOT having a sunroof, so there you go.