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Not sure how to present this other than say it's a rumor that comes from AutoSpies – make of it what you will:
One of the coolest features of the MINI is the huge panoramic sunroof…the only problem is if you get one with a white roof there is a huge piece of black tinted glass in the middle of you white roof.
MINI will introduce the solution for 2005 model year cars…they have been able to manufacture a panoramic sunroof with a top layer that is white frosted glass…similar to an iMac.
That way, when you look at one with a with roof, the panoramic glass roof will blend in and match the car better.
We also hear there will be a real headliner available next year (not just a mesh roller screen) for those in hot climates who don't want any light to come into the cabin from the roof.
<p>EVERY rumor these guys have reported have come to pass! Was following a Infiniti G35 thread and the Infiniti dealers were totally denying rumors for 2005 models that these guys reported and they ended up nailing it w/ the dealers getting it totally wrong!
I'd believe this.</p>
<p>I question they're motives at times but yeah – they tend to get some scoops every so often.</p>
<p>My wife has a imac so I'm not sure what the “similar to an imac” comment means?</p>
<p>As far as the screen goes I live in SoCal and there are times when it gets a bit warm even with the screen closed. But It's [screen] so cool looking that I would not change it. I visit my dad in Palm Springs and sometimes the temp get as high as 130. It is usless at that point but how often is that going to happen. Must also weigh less that a solid headliner.</p>
<p>Maybe MINI should offer a different screen option for hotter areas instead of making the car like all others…R</p>
<p>Yeah I agree R – the screen creates this cabana effect when closed during a sunny day. I'd hate to lose that personally.</p>
<p>Maybe both would be nice . I do like the screen but here in FL even with the roof closed sunburn is definitly inevitable on a sunny day and a long drive.</p>
<p>MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com</p>
<p>This improvment makes me really want to upgrade to an '05</p>
<p>I hope they'll make an opaque–a real radiant barrier– sunscreen available.</p>
<p>Phil, I picked up my MCS in FL last year and yes with the humidity and the heat the AC could barely keep up. But going through TX, on the 10, even though it was hotter but less humid, the auto air worked great.</p>
<p>The big sunroof and screen gives the impresion the interior is bigger than it is.</p>
<p>I vote for screen options. Let's all call or email MINI's Philip Kalor and suggest it!</p>
<p>SIDE BAR…</p>
<p>Phil I noticed when I was looking for my MINI on Ebay there seemed to be an inordinate amount of MINIS in FL for sale? Any ideas why? …R</p>
<p>Title and registration regulations vary from state to state. I believe both Florida and Texas have “minimal” regulations regarding prior damage, such as flood, which don't have to be part of the vehicle's permanent record (noted on title). So again, buyer beware!</p>
<p>Good news… the white roof/sunroof has always seemed to me to be a major design flaw. Even if I had wanted a sunroof, there's no way I would have put one in a white roof.</p>
<p>I went for a sunroof after sitting in MINI without one for the first time back when they were just arriving at dealers. I'm tall, and it was much more open-seeming for me, even tho the headliner is a bit lower. I've driven all over the West with the shade as the only sunscreen, and only once, at the right (or wrong) angle for a long freeway run,the sun was shining right thru one of the perfs into my eyes – hadda wear my ball-cap low, but that's about it for real annoyance. I recently bought a white sunroof decal from Jerseygirl on NAM, and it helps keep the interior cooler, but it's not see-thru, so it feels a little smaller in the cabin. It looks cool, tho, and I wonder if the glass can be retro-fitted, if I like it? I think the leather would be better off with less sunlight, as well. I drive with the sunroof open a lot here in San Diego, so I love it!</p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
<p>well, ive got a 2004 jcw mcs, and i love it! it is indi blue with a white top, full aero kit without the honeycomb grill, painted fender flares, navigation, red leather, white tailamps, rally headlamps, and bonnet stripes, and for my sunroof, i bought a cover vinyl. it wasnt very expenisive, and u can pick one up at cooperflags.com, it still gets hot in the car, and u cant see through it when its closed, but i think it looks sweet, plus most of the time ive got it open, i only have it closed when im parked….P</p>
<p>MINIs seem to be very very popular down here . . Considering they only sell like 29k a month in the whole country A LOT seem to be right here in orlando. I too have trouble with my AC keeping up the heat here in the summer. I'm hopeing that tint will make it better but the MINI A/C just doesnt seem to kick like it should, its cold but doesnt put out the volume</p>
<p>I think ideally the sunroof would have both options but who knows.</p>
<p>MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com</p>
<p>One of the reasons I opted not to get the sunroof was that there was no solid sunscreen available, just the mesh. Here in Florida that's almost unbearable, especially if you don't have a covered parking space.</p>
<p>As for R's question about the profusion of MINI's for sale in Florida, the simple answer is that there are a lot of MINI's and MINI dealers in the state compared to most other states. There are eight dealers in Florida, although unfortunately five are within the relatively short stretch from Palm Beach to Miami on the east coast of Florida. It's kinda irritating that they have all those dealers concentrated along about a 120 mile stretch and only three more dealers for the ENTIRE rest of the state. That means for me a 110 mile drive to the nearest dealer in Palm Harbor or a 160 mile drive to the next nearest in Orlando. Don't get me started about the need to be able to get simple maintenence done at the local BMW dealer. After all, the are owned by the same company and use some common components…</p>
<p>As for njpaguy's comment about the lax vehicle regs in Florida, I do believe salvage and flood cars do have to be disclosed. I know one of the local used car dealers were arrested and put out of business for selling flood-damaged and repaired wrecked cars without disclosing the info to the purchasers a couple of years back.</p>
<p>Phil,</p>
<p>I picked mine up, second owner, in Fort Meyers FL. It did come with tinted glass and I think that helped but it's the only way I 've had the car. </p>
<p>Eventhough CA doesn't allow it I have somehow skated, so far. I was stopped for no front plates and the CHP officer did suggest I loose the “gang tint” but no ticket for that. He thought the car was “cute”.</p>
<p>R</p>
<p>PS </p>
<p>To all in FL what a great state! I may have to move there when I get real old…R</p>
<p>real old ?!? We dont need anymore real old people .. unless you have a cute daughter in her 20s : ) </p>
<p>Glad FL was good to you</p>
<p>MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com</p>
<p>Phil,</p>
<p>I'm only coming there when I can only gum my food and can't see, as we found many of your citizens in Naples. Great place Naples!</p>
<p>No but I have real cute daughters in the 30's.</p>
<p>The sellar put us up in a Regency Resort Hotel, NICE. also gave us a Jaguar S to drive while they detailed the car…R</p>
<p>R,
While there are areas that can be considered God's waiting room (Sarasota, Venice, Cape Coral ect…) there are also areas where the average age is considerably less. They are usually on the fringes of the affluent areas. The service workers have to live somewhere…</p>
<p>As for the daughters, 30's will work! ;-)</p>
<p>GAH 30s. . . well . . . hmmm . . . sugar mama . . . </p>
<p>Ill take one ! </p>
<p>J/K overall FL and its citezens of all ages are good people. </p>
<p>MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com</p>
<p>Sorry guys daughters taken, one in holland the other in Ca.</p>
<p>I'd like to live in Naples, thank you!..R</p>
<p>Gabe,
Any update on this frosted sunfroof and/or solid shade for '05?</p>
<p>No – haven't heard a thing.</p>
<p>Can anyone expand on the “headliner” for the 2005 model?
Could it be a variable tint roof that many car manufacturers are working on?</p>