No Sunroof for me, please

[Lips]

I can't comment on that since we had to get a new tire due to the nail location. Can someone else comment on repairing the flat when it is in a repairable location?

[imported_MPower]

What I can say is that the inability to repair run-flats is a myth. I had a flat with my old Bridgestones and the dealer repaired it and it lasted for 20,000 miles more.

[335i=:)]

On my 335i the runflats weighed 4-5 lbs more per corner then my Michelin PS2's, that 16-20 pounds of unsprung weight at the worst point of rotational inertia. Screw runflats. I also lost 4-5 lbs per corner by changing out the oem 18's for M6 replicas, and the m6's are 19's and not forged.

I carry a tire repair kit in the back (2 lbs?) which can be purchased for 199 at **********s.com or tirerack.com, called conticomfortkit.

[imported_MPower]

What tires came standard with your 335i?

[murdoc158]

Originally Posted by MPower

The only problem I can think of for the can of Fix-A-Flat is the inability to repair the tire. Im not 100% sure, but because of all the foam that the can uses, doesnt it make it extremely difficult for a technician to repair the tire forcing you to purchase a brand new tire? Could be wrong, though.

No it doesn't affect the tire from being repaired. I used to work at a dealership and a few customers used the fix-a-flat. I'm not exactly sure what is in the fix-a-flat gel, but once the tire is removed from the rim, there is a small pool of water in the tire. The water smells like rubbing alcohol, so that could be what it is. The tire can be dried out, and a patch can be placed inside the tire. The only real problem is the mess it creates for the technician repairing the tire.

[335i=:)]

Originally Posted by MPower

What tires came standard with your 335i?

Bridgestone potenza rf's REO50A's 255/35/18 rear 225/40/18 front.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by Lips

Keep in mind this all occurred on the day we bought the car, but that's a story for another day.

Lips

Ouch

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by murdoc158

No it doesn't affect the tire from being repaired. I used to work at a dealership and a few customers used the fix-a-flat. I'm not exactly sure what is in the fix-a-flat gel, but once the tire is removed from the rim, there is a small pool of water in the tire. The water smells like rubbing alcohol, so that could be what it is. The tire can be dried out, and a patch can be placed inside the tire. The only real problem is the mess it creates for the technician repairing the tire.

That's good to hear. Thanks.

[eMINI]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

i would imagine that the no-cost sunroof-delete option (which i view as the most practical way to handle the problem from bmw) would be something that bmw would strongly take into account, especially for the 1 series because it is a performance car. and because of that emphasis, this is a small car. they should not want to rule tall people out of the market for a sports car (which i would think are a decent percent of the market given the probability that they are middle aged men) because of an inch of headroom. also because it is a performance car they should be aware (and obviously are as grant said with respect to the m3 and m6) that weight up top makes a bigger difference than anywhere from a performance perspective. not just on the track but the amount of body roll experienced around each and every corner..

that being said, i'd probably leave it, haha

I couldn't agree more. When I was studying my options before ordering the MINI, I debated endlessly over whether to incur the weight penalty that a moonroof brings with it. We weighed the pros and cons and ended up getting the moonroof. I don't regret it a bit. I also don't doubt that the extra weight and the location of the weight hurts the handling, acceleration and braking.

With that said, why do I not regret it? Because it's a street car. I don't take the MINI to the track so there's rarely an occasion to fully explore the limit of the car's capabilities. I ended up buying a boat load of options on the MINI, most of which I use frequently, all of which make the car heavier than it could be.

It boils down to what your needs are. Tall people and track junkies may want to skip the moonroof (and a lot of other stuff) that add weight. If it's going to be a daily driver, I'd get the options that will make the car most enjoyable day in and day out.

Basically, I'd like the car to be light, but I just can't bear the thought of giving up the numerous little luxuries that make the car nice but also add weight. On the other hand, my track car is considerably lighter.

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by Lips

I'm just saying if given the option I would choose not to have one.

Same here... If the car comes with one, fine... But if I have a sunroof delete option, I'll take it...

[mikeo]

eMINI,
You are a man of reason, a scholar, and gentleman.

[bradford]

I'm hoping it comes with a standard sunroof, sorry guys. I don't want to have to take an option package to get it.

And in reality, unless you're stripping and caging the car, the weight difference is not significant. We're talking about a 3300 pound car here, not an Ariel Atom. 8-|

[mikeo]

To each his own. I just want the delete option.

[Lips]

Originally Posted by spinzero

Ouch

Yeah, tell me about it. To make matters worse nobody had the tire in stock and we purchased on the east coast of Florida and were currently on the west coast. A local dealer ended up giving us a tire from a new miata on the lot...$250 later for a 16 inch tire

[968PORSCHE]

BMW would be smart to offer a "no-charge" delete option on special order cars. Since they already have in essence charged you for the roof, they are making even more money on the car. The I28i shows they have metal roofs as well as crash testing data, so I don't see the problem. Obviously some of us HATE sunroofs. BMW ARE YOU LISTENING?

[BForbes]

Wow, I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. I have never encountered to many sunroof haters in my life. Somebody slap me...lol

[mikeo]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

Wow, I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. I have never encountered to many sunroof haters in my life. Somebody slap me...lol

It's really more common than you might imagine. Sunroof delete M cars are usually sought after by those wanting to maximize performance.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by mikeo

It's really more common than you might imagine. Sunroof delete M cars are usually sought after by those wanting to maximize performance.

I was just saying in general. I'm in no way doubting that it is to some degree beneficial. Just saying I'm still in shock. Someone should do a comparison in the future. Two 135i's side by side. One with the delete and one without. Which is faster, which feels better...etc. I'd read it.

[968PORSCHE]

Yea, we all have our reasons, something to wax around, more weight at the top of the car where you dont need it, too much buffeting over 30mph, something else to break/leak. I just don't need any of that, guess I got over all that sun with motorcycles. Please let us opt out BMW, don't let Marketing rule everything.

[redwood]

Although a bunch of my autocrossing friends want their cars without sunroofs for the reduced weight/lowered center of gravity, I still prefer one. In the 135i though, I hope it's not standard, because I'm afraid I might not fit otherwise (I'm 6'7"). I had an E36 M3 with the sunroof (that was close, but I fit) and now an E46 with sunroof. I fit in the E46 sedan with sunroof, but the coupe loses 1 inch of headroom and I only fit without the sunroof. When the E90 launched in the U.S. with a tour around the country, it was asked at the event I was at about the situation. They were told by the dealers that they can't sell cars without sunroofs. Like I said, I prefer sunroof (making the interior feel more open as somebody mentioned is one reason). I guess time will tell and I'll have to try one before I order.

[mikeo]

No one has mentioned this that I know of, but did anyone notice how small the sunroof was in one of the intro photos of the 135? I'm talking SMALL.

[scottn2retro]

here's something I was encouraged to see - in the Roundel article on the 135i, the test mule 135s in Sweden did not have sunroofs.

So for us, that means that there should be a part number for the hardtop skin and cross member

(Note that the M3 race car in my sig originally came with a sunroof)