71 replies to this topic

[InnoCooperExport]

as OP is in Hull I would go and see Z-Cars. I thought their owners personal Mini had this mod. I remember reading about it in Mini World and thinking it was a great mod. 

[Northernpower]

as OP is in Hull I would go and see Z-Cars. I thought their owners personal Mini had this mod. I remember reading about it in Mini World and thinking it was a great mod. 

Z Cars are no longer in Hull. They're now in Ashford.

[InnoCooperExport]

That's quite a trek then!

[Northernpower]

That's quite a trek then!

Or an epic adventure in a mini.

[Jarvey]

I have been debating this at the moment as well. Luckily there isn't a problem with my webasto at the moment but I fancy the idea of a glass roof.

 

You can get everything you need; Roof assy, motor and switches for no more than £300 from a BMW breakers.

 

However, before getting too excited I would definitely read up on the reliability of these roofs. The new mini forums are plagued with roof failures, leaks and breaks. The twin opening R56 rear panel is the worst of them all! Most of them end up getting permanently sealed. So I would go for an R50 type with the single opening but again these aren't massively reliable either.

 

This is what has put me off slightly. I have a nice fully functional watertight folding roof and while the glass roof might look better it could end up that that is all it does.

 

I've read that the grease on the runners is thin and rubbish and there isn't much of it either so if you re-grease the whole track with heavy duty pukka stuff it will definitely help. Also you can gear up the sprocket on the motor to give it a helping hand. The roof will open slower but the motor wont struggle causing it to explode.

 

I'm sure there are good ones because like most things you only ever read the horror stories.

[tiger99]

This is rather an interesting idea! Just wondering about the weight of the Bini assembly compared to the bit of roof that gets cut out? Not expecting it to be a showstopper, except for those rightly obsessive about weight for performance reasons (not me!), just curious, and thinking well ahead.

[Daz1968]

I would think the extra weight being high up in the shell could cause a detrimental effect to handling but then we don't drive flat out everywhere so probably not an issue.

[mm man]

I was planning on doing this conversation in fact I have the sunroof which I purchased a few years ago form a guy that had just had a new fitted to his BMW mini by a BMW dealer £££££! then he found out about the poor lubrication issue when he picked up his car . So he took his complete sunroof back inc the motor .
I lubed it up and it worked a treat .
My plans have now changed due to my time scale so now i guess I will be listing it soon for sale so keep your eyes on the for sale section if you fancy one for yourself.

[tiger99]

Daz1968, that indeed was one of the reasons for my curiosity. However I am not necessarily too concerned about it. At one time, Minis were allowed a useful amount of mass on a roof rack, which I think was reduced on later models, perhaps due to tighter Type Approval regulations. I once transported an engine crane on a City E from Leatherhead to Harrow and back, via the M25, and was spotted by Plod, who apparently found it totally unremarkable as I did not get pulled. The handling was adequate. So I am not expecting a sunroof to be a show stopper, but I am wondering whether it would be a good excuse for improving the roll stiffness. Now that gets really interesting, and neither coil springs nor the pathetic, amateurish design of rear anti-roll bar available from a certain supplier would be part of the solution. It may persuade me do do something drastic, in the fullness of time. Plenty of ideas to chew over....

I am thinking ahead a bit, the garage will be full of building materials for a while yet, and the next Mini will not be coming till I have space for it. But I am accumulating useful parts and good ideas (which abound on this forum) already. I think that on balance I should go for the Bini sunroof.

[minimans]

Weight on the roof? I really don't think it's even a consideration when thinking about fitting one or not. I used to run a vintage Kart before I got old and decrepit. The mini was great for as a support vehicle and was never a problem with the weight or the old bill come to that

Attached Files

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[Andylandy]

Hi, anyone done this personally. Got all the buts ready to chop away be great to chat if any pitfalls
Andy 07801 749623

[Lucas1988]

Hi guys and girls.

I have a mini with a sunroof. It's the small pop up style and im a bit put off by it. They aren't pretty and can be a weak spot for the rust and leaks.

I've had a webasto full length sunroof fitted on an old mini of mine but took it out and fitted a new roof skin as it was perrished and knackered. Obviously fitting the new roof panel was a huge job and only one that I'd consider doing again in a full rebuilds so this isn't an option I would go for.

Sooooooo......

I was thinking about the BMW mini panoramic roof. Would it fit into an old mini? and would it take much wiring up?

I really dont want to fit a webaso so all other suggestions welcome!

Thanks alot!

Dominic

Did you swap out your current sunroof? If so, what did you do with that sunroof?
Thanks