Official Cloth Folding Roof Retrofit

Sections: DIY | R50 (Coupe) | R53 (Coupe) Mar 16th, 2007 19 Comments

[Updated w/Photos] As usual we’ve got some quality MINI DIY action lined up for you today. The folding roof is an official R50/R53 accessory that has been around for years but rarely seen. And it makes sense with MINI’s exceptional all glass sunroof being a fairly inexpesive (all things considered) factory option. However for the folks who have been pining over one of MINI’s most exlusive accessories, here’s the official retrofit guide.

[ Folding Roof Retro-fit ] Official MINI Retrofit PDF

For all pricing and availability questions, please contact your local MINI dealer.

Written By: Gabe

S Curvz

Thats cool, wish it was a drop in replacement for the glass. Wonder if it leaks…
http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago

Any photos of MINI’s with this? Looks mildly interesting.
http://www.OutMotoring.com Aaron Cornaby

Wow, knowing that was available I would have sprung for a sunroof just to replace it with this!!

If anyone wants one, email me and we will order it up!
Ken

I like the part were you start cutting up your roof. Measure THREE TIMES! Cut once.
Rich Hall

Does anyone know if you can replace the factory glass sunroof with this or something similar?
Craig

Wow, knowing that was available I would have sprung for a sunroof just to replace it with this!!

If you don’t have the sunroof you’re good to go since according to the PDF this retrofit is incompatable with the factory sunrrof.

Looks like a good piece of kit. Unfortunately I don’t think it would look good on my Astro Black/Silver Cooper S.
OH Steve

Does anyone know if this cuts into the headroom as much as the factory sunroof?

Looks like a good piece of kit. Unfortunately I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t think it would look good on my Astro Black/Silver Cooper S.

I think the look would be comparable to the sunroof (black glass / black fabric), no?
Vanwall

If it’s like the original Webasto conversion for the old Mini, as long as you take extra good care of it, it works great and lasts for a long time, altho all my experiences were with the manually-opened kind. If installed correctly, it doesn’t leak, but it’s noisier – the trade-off is a HUGE sunroof in relation to the car, almost like a real drop top.
ahamos

It shouldn’t cut into the headroom at all, since you’re modifying the stock headliner. I’d be concerned about leaks, too, especially since there are no run-off channels (scuppers) in cars that don’t have a sunroof. Water will get around the seals; it’s inevitable.
http://www.twistybitz.com/ RB

Did a similar spot on my blog…. http://web.mac.com/ballardini/iWeb/twistybitz.com/blog/40FECED4-2497-4E67-9B82-2A80B3C15F70.html
MultiplePersonalities

The electric canvas roof has been offered in Europe since 4-5 years ago. I just didn’t know this was going to be eventually offered in the US market and that the retrofit was just for solid roof MINIs.

I personally like it a lot and it is a nod to the classic Mini. We have in our local club a 1999 Rover Mini with the factory electric canvas roof and it looks the business.

I like it better than the standard glass sunroof because it is lightweight and when opened you have this HUGE expanse of the roof giving it a nearly convertible feel. When you close it, no light/heat makes it inside.

My main concern is for the dealer to do this job correctly. This is major surgery IMHO. Cutting 60% section of your solid roof is a job best left to the experts. Expensive but well worth it if one day I want to turn my now solid roof MCS into a retro targa MINI.
tsukiji

What does it cost, and where can I get it?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

The electric canvas roof has been offered in Europe since 4-5 years ago. I just didnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t know this was going to be eventually offered in the US market and that the retrofit was just for solid roof MINIs.

Frank – I’m told it’s actually been available for a couple years in the US market.
MultiplePersonalities

How much is it? Not that I want to give up my solid white roof and UJ flag anytime soon….

According to the PDF, labor alone should be around $920.
MINIBro

I work for a dealer and I ran the part number in the U.S. system and it comes up “Part Number Not Found.” I don’t think this is available in the U.S. if it ever was. I’ve never seen it before but it is really cool.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I work for a dealer and I ran the part number in the U.S. system and it comes up ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œPart Number Not Found.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t think this is available in the U.S. if it ever was. IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve never seen it before but it is really cool.

You’ll want to use the individual parts numbers if you’re trying to order in the US market. As you can see, it is listed in the US database. Of course there are other options for those in the US if that doesn’t work either.
MultiplePersonalities

Price?
http://crushedproductions.com Crush

For a quality interior shop to install one of these runs a few grand at the minimum. You get what you pay for.
Ian

Previous model version costs $2369 Canadian incl. installation

http://www.miniyaletown.net/exterior.asp

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