Panoramic Roof - Long term relaibility
10-17-2010, 01:18 PM
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I'm in the US, coming to the end of a lease and am considering buying my 2008 535XiT - with the panoramic sunroof. Following is a post from BimmerForum:
"The main issue with those is the panoramic sunroof. The drainage system is barely sufficient and any amount of debris buildup results in it overflowing usually into the rear and soaking several thousand dollars worth of control units. The sunroof drive itself is made mostly of plastic, which becomes brittle. Combine that with the lubricant drying out on the slides and you need a new $3000 sunroof."
My questions are:
- are these problems consistent with the the general experience/feeling of owners in this forum?
- is there any preventative maintenance that can be done to the drainage and/or plastic sunroof drive to help prevent future issues?
Thanks
In April 2008, I installed Dinan Stage II s/w and a built in Escort radar detection/laser jamming system - I'd like to keep the car...
"The main issue with those is the panoramic sunroof. The drainage system is barely sufficient and any amount of debris buildup results in it overflowing usually into the rear and soaking several thousand dollars worth of control units. The sunroof drive itself is made mostly of plastic, which becomes brittle. Combine that with the lubricant drying out on the slides and you need a new $3000 sunroof."
My questions are:
- are these problems consistent with the the general experience/feeling of owners in this forum?
- is there any preventative maintenance that can be done to the drainage and/or plastic sunroof drive to help prevent future issues?
Thanks
In April 2008, I installed Dinan Stage II s/w and a built in Escort radar detection/laser jamming system - I'd like to keep the car...
10-17-2010, 01:30 PM
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My Ride: 2004 E61 530D - Dynamic Drive - Active Front Steering Sport Seats - Voice Control - Head Up Display - Nav Pro - Bluetooth - Panoramic roof - Front/rear heated seats
The panoramic sunroof certainly has its flaws, my experience however (04/04 car with the early, faulty cassette still installed) is that the problems are quite manageable:
- Motor is a bit noisy at times.
- I regularly check for moisture in the rear compartments of my car. So far so good, even after heavy, heavy rains.
- Removed the constricting valves on the end of the drainage tubes, prevents clogging.
Now for the durability of the plastic parts themselves: my roof is still going strong and I use it very, very intensively. Lower part several times a day all throughout the year. Upper, glass sections, several times a day during the springs and summers.
I obviously can't guarantee that your soon to be E61 won't experience issues with its roof but with some minor maintenance and some simple periodic, visual checking you'll come a very, very long way.
Not to mention that the roof is a great feature, you'll get hooked on it I'll guarantee.
More questions? Please feel free to post 'em, lots of knowledge with all the owners here.
- Motor is a bit noisy at times.
- I regularly check for moisture in the rear compartments of my car. So far so good, even after heavy, heavy rains.
- Removed the constricting valves on the end of the drainage tubes, prevents clogging.
Now for the durability of the plastic parts themselves: my roof is still going strong and I use it very, very intensively. Lower part several times a day all throughout the year. Upper, glass sections, several times a day during the springs and summers.
I obviously can't guarantee that your soon to be E61 won't experience issues with its roof but with some minor maintenance and some simple periodic, visual checking you'll come a very, very long way.
Not to mention that the roof is a great feature, you'll get hooked on it I'll guarantee.
More questions? Please feel free to post 'em, lots of knowledge with all the owners here.
10-17-2010, 05:01 PM
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Great endorsement! I do love the roof...
You "Removed the constricting valves on the end of the drainage tubes, prevents clogging." - where exactly are these valves?
Thanks!
You "Removed the constricting valves on the end of the drainage tubes, prevents clogging." - where exactly are these valves?
Thanks!
10-17-2010, 08:51 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530xiT: CPO purchase in 2008, used by a BMW exec previously, and like-new when I got it. Compared to my other cars, at first I thought it felt heavy and steering was too heavy. Now, I really enjoy driving it in town and on the freeway. On my
10-18-2010, 05:18 AM
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Great detailed documentation, but what a PITA! - this should be part of the "free scheduled maintenance" program - but that only covers oil changes every 18K...what a joke.
10-18-2010, 07:43 AM
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It was suggested by my dealer who just replaced all of my electronics because of the drain issues to check/clean the the drain lines every 6-12 months, depending on where I park.
I personally find the sunroof a little loud on the hwy with the roof closed and the shade open.
I personally find the sunroof a little loud on the hwy with the roof closed and the shade open.
10-19-2010, 08:49 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530xiT: CPO purchase in 2008, used by a BMW exec previously, and like-new when I got it. Compared to my other cars, at first I thought it felt heavy and steering was too heavy. Now, I really enjoy driving it in town and on the freeway. On my
Actually, now that I did it, not really that much of a PITA. Just take off the undercladding as in picture no. 2, then get on your back behind the rear wheels and reach up and peel off the driver side and passenger side SureClog valves. Replace the undercladding and that's it. With the drainage tube virtually unobstructed, I'm not sure how much periodic cleaning of the tube you need to do.
10-20-2010, 10:19 AM
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Actually, now that I did it, not really that much of a PITA. Just take off the undercladding as in picture no. 2, then get on your back behind the rear wheels and reach up and peel off the driver side and passenger side SureClog valves. Replace the undercladding and that's it. With the drainage tube virtually unobstructed, I'm not sure how much periodic cleaning of the tube you need to do.
10-22-2010, 01:24 PM
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My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi
Grey/Grey Budapest 18"
Lost to HPFP issues:
08 535i sport pkg
Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks:
07 E61 530Xi
I dumped my 07' that I had sun roof problems with 5 times in 10 months of ownership.
It was in the shop for 82 days out of the 300 that I had it. All for Sun roof, and water damage from the sun roof leaks.
First trip was near $4000 in parts and 25 days of labor, last trip was $900 in parts and 37 days in the shop...
BMW would not help me out, like with the 535i I had previously...
The dealer was basically clueless on the wagons, since they are drastically different then the sedans on the wiring and electronics fire wall aft...
I would have to come on here and take posts from here to the dealer to speed things along. Many of the useful posts came from Scandinavian posters or from Canadians.
If you live in an area were they don't sell many wagons ( out side of North east ,Tidewater areas) I would not bother. To me there is just too many potential faults.
It was in the shop for 82 days out of the 300 that I had it. All for Sun roof, and water damage from the sun roof leaks.
First trip was near $4000 in parts and 25 days of labor, last trip was $900 in parts and 37 days in the shop...
BMW would not help me out, like with the 535i I had previously...
The dealer was basically clueless on the wagons, since they are drastically different then the sedans on the wiring and electronics fire wall aft...
I would have to come on here and take posts from here to the dealer to speed things along. Many of the useful posts came from Scandinavian posters or from Canadians.
If you live in an area were they don't sell many wagons ( out side of North east ,Tidewater areas) I would not bother. To me there is just too many potential faults.
10-27-2010, 02:10 AM
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My Ride: 2004 E61 530D - Dynamic Drive - Active Front Steering Sport Seats - Voice Control - Head Up Display - Nav Pro - Bluetooth - Panoramic roof - Front/rear heated seats
Woohoo, nice to see that the sureclog valve has found its way into our technical language!
sureclog
Finally I can say I contributed something to this community...
sureclog
Finally I can say I contributed something to this community...