Personally I wouldn't buy a mini (or any other car) without a sunroof.
I open it only in the evenings (& night).
In the day I use some shielding over the net (got a front window shield and sliced it to the sunroof's size), because the net isn't enough for me (I want total block). It's not comfortable and I would have fired the engineer that designed the sunroof, but the effect of it at night is great.

 

To sunroof or not is a personal preference. I will tell you that the sunroof in my 2008 MCS is as quiet at highway speed as any car I've owned....and not a single squeek, rattle or leak so far (just turned 4000 mi).

 

That's the way mine is as well.

 

When I first got mine, the sunroof was an automatic selection for me. I smoke ciggies occasionally and I like having a sunroof to prevent rolling with the windows down if i'm on the highway or cruising faster than residential speeds. Same thing goes even if i'm not smoking, sometimes its cool to have a window open that won't constantly be blowing wind INTO your car. However, over the years I have heard that the sunroof does add major weight to your car (53lbs? last time I heard) and for me that does affect handling as well as mpgs. So, I have it on my car. I like it. But I wonder if I were ever to get another MINI if I'd add it again.

 

Naaa... You just need to stop smoking

 

Lol, somehow I knew I was gonna draw some type of ribbing for that part but I took the plunge anyway

 

the sunroof may not be super loud, but it's def loud in comparison to not having one. i don't have a sunroof and i'm perfectly happy. my rental mini had one and it was unbearable. i couldn't get past how loud it was, even my bf made remarks about it before i had even said anything. i left thinking "thank God i didn't get a sunroof."

 

I just got a Clubman S with a sunroof. With the sunroof tilted you still get a bit of noise when driving on the freeway. With it wide open, the factory wind deflector does a good job at dampening the noise level to a point--to a point. And with it open, it seems like there isn't much air entering the cabin, almost as if the ambient air in the car is just escaping instead if you know what I mean? Either way, I had to get the sunroof. I can't imagine only having two windows letting fresh air into my car. I always prefer to have the driver/passenger windows closed as I don't like wind constantly blowing into my face, and without a sunroof, it seems that it'd be your only option if you were to ever want some fresh air.

 

This might be way to late, but for anyone that's interested...

I've had a sunroof on my JustaCooper for nearly 6 years. Never had any issues, and I wouldn't give it up. Actually, I haven't given it up... the new MCS that's on the way has one, too.

Long and the short: if you want the 'roof, get the 'roof. Me likey.

 

I don't care for it. Just a big heavy piece of glass that lets way too much heat inside the car and has the potential for leaks/problems post warranty.

Here in hot and humid Florida, it is simply too damn hot to enjoy a sunroof most of the year. Right now the weather is nice, but that is 4 months out of the year.

Have owned 4 MINIs, not of them have had a sunroof. Don't want it, don't miss it.

 

I love my sunroof. It's always open, usually with the back flipped up. To me, it opens up the feel or the car.