BMW panoramic roof leaks

SARAFIL · 08-19-2012, 04:42 PM

So it's been a while since I've been around these...

My parents X3 recently started leaking voluminous amounts of water in the passenger front footwell when it rains out. The water seems to be coming down from the front edge of the door. I know at least one of you has had the moonroof drain leak- is this the area where the water comes in the car? It is ~4 years old and sleeps outside under some trees, so sounds like its about due for that problem. Or is this possibly something else?

Car is going in the shop this week, just curious what they might find.

GimpyMcFarlan · 08-19-2012, 09:51 PM

What year? The pano roof on my 2007 X3 has never had an issue with leaks.

SARAFIL · 08-19-2012, 09:53 PM

bren · 08-19-2012, 10:19 PM

Sounds like clogged drain tube(s). If they're lucky, bit of compressed air will fix that right up.

JST · 08-19-2012, 10:42 PM

Yes--and hopefully the rears aren't also leaking. At least on the 5er and X5, leaking rear drain tubes = computer replacement. Not sure if the X3 has a similar weakness.

SARAFIL · 08-19-2012, 11:53 PM

Looks like folks have mixed success with warranty coverage too... some get full coverage, others get none, and the rest battled for some partial compensation. It sucks, especially when nowhere in the maintenance book does it say "make sure you check your moonroof drains every xx months".

JST · 08-20-2012, 06:35 AM

The dealer got BMW to goodwill the computer when I had to have it replaced, in part because I asked the dealer several times to check the drains and they never found a problem.

It is annoying, because at least on the 5 cleaning the rear drains is a PITA that involves dropping the headliner. Of course scheduled maintenance doesn't cover it.

rumatt · 08-20-2012, 06:52 AM

Man do I love not having a sunroof.

wdc330i · 08-20-2012, 07:41 AM

Ours leaked into the rear trunk area, but there may have been other folks with other locations. Can your parents do some tree trimming?

JST · 08-20-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Ours leaked into the rear trunk area, but there may have been other folks with other locations. Can your parents do some tree trimming?

Or carry a towel and just wipe the dust/pollen off the roof before you open it.

08-19-2012, 04:42 PM	#1
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,795	BMW panoramic roof leaks So it's been a while since I've been around these... My parents X3 recently started leaking voluminous amounts of water in the passenger front footwell when it rains out. The water seems to be coming down from the front edge of the door. I know at least one of you has had the moonroof drain leak- is this the area where the water comes in the car? It is ~4 years old and sleeps outside under some trees, so sounds like its about due for that problem. Or is this possibly something else? Car is going in the shop this week, just curious what they might find. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

08-19-2012, 09:51 PM	#2
GimpyMcFarlan Confused Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 2013 X3 Gray/Mojave Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,019	What year? The pano roof on my 2007 X3 has never had an issue with leaks. __________________ Gimpy McFarlan 2013 X3 28i: Space Gray / Mojave & Black - Premium Package - Cold Weather Package - Dynamic Handling Package - M Sport Package - Convenience Package - 3M Paint Protection

08-19-2012, 09:53 PM	#3
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,795	2009 __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

08-19-2012, 11:53 PM	#6
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,795	Looks like folks have mixed success with warranty coverage too... some get full coverage, others get none, and the rest battled for some partial compensation. It sucks, especially when nowhere in the maintenance book does it say "make sure you check your moonroof drains every xx months". __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

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08-19-2012, 10:19 PM	#4
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Sounds like clogged drain tube(s). If they're lucky, bit of compressed air will fix that right up.

08-19-2012, 10:42 PM	#5
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,626	Yes--and hopefully the rears aren't also leaking. At least on the 5er and X5, leaking rear drain tubes = computer replacement. Not sure if the X3 has a similar weakness.

08-20-2012, 06:35 AM	#7
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,626	The dealer got BMW to goodwill the computer when I had to have it replaced, in part because I asked the dealer several times to check the drains and they never found a problem. It is annoying, because at least on the 5 cleaning the rear drains is a PITA that involves dropping the headliner. Of course scheduled maintenance doesn't cover it.

08-20-2012, 06:52 AM	#8
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Man do I love not having a sunroof.

08-20-2012, 07:41 AM	#9
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,326	Ours leaked into the rear trunk area, but there may have been other folks with other locations. Can your parents do some tree trimming?