Panoramic roof shock!!!

[Solo Man]

When i let the garage door come down on my E39 528i steel sunroof which was in the tilt position at that moment, i knew i was in trouble. The sunroof closed and opened but when in the tilt position it was wobbly at the back. Stealers wanted R2500 for secondhand cassette plus cost to remove front and rear windscreens as that had to come out to replace the cartridge. I eventually got the insurance to settle for a certain amount and left the sunroof as is. Went to the scrapyard and got a small part off an E36 sunroof which cost me R57. Went home and fixed the sunroof after some trial and error and it is working 100%. (Keep in mind it was the old steel sunroof that screws onto the cassette) not sure if the panoramic roof is fitted the same way.

 

[Mike1]

Wearing from underuse is correct.

I see it daily with the BMW Panoramic Roof's that are fitted to our MINI's. And the reason they break is because of underuse.

Almost all of BMW's sunroof's are self lubricating during use. Originally designed for the European Climate the glass expands in our intense heat and bends the casette. Because of our climate the grease on the guide rails evaporates and the roof then attempts to force itself open stripping the mechanism as well as further damaging the casette.

You will notice that the roof's often stick in really hot weather?

Give them a helping hand the first few times you open it. What also helps is to allow the roof to open fully and then close it fully a few times every day or so. This keeps the roof lubricated and stops it from damaging itself in the heat.

I delivered a new MINI a few weeks ago where the roof killed itself during delivery because it had been at a dealership for 10 months in the sun and never used till delivery.

It is a problem but it can be solved by making sure the rails and mechanism is kept sand free and lubricated. The dealers clean it at a service but by then the damage is done. Also - No clue why BMW cannot find a lubricant that actually stays put in this heat... Its a big problem.

So yes... If you use your sunroof often will last longer in a BMW or MINI. If you barely use it then it will break.

Silly ey?

Mike

 

[eend]

Well - wish me luck.
The wind deflector on mine broke and now I have to take it in for repairs. It started with the vent function not wanting to close. Tried it a few times, eventually had to switch the car off and then on again before it would close. Then after that, i opened the sunroof fully for the family to see. It looked like the wind deflector was only raised on one side. Tried to close and it went so far and opened again. Tried it a few times and then eventually when it did close, i heard a cracking sound. I opened it again to get a closer look and saw that the right hand side of the runner that pops up is completely broken through.

So it is off to the dealership when i get home again and then we will see how long it takes to repair. I just hope they cover i under motor plan otherwise it will be me and a tube of super glue!