e61 panoramic sunroof noise

zach · 02-09-2012, 07:44 AM

My dad recently bought a wonderful 530xiT. The other day I was driving it and noticed that at around 70 and above, there is pretty noticeable wind noise coming from the front of the (closed) sunroof. If I stick my fingers in there just right, I can lessen it slightly. I found the attached on the subject and was wondering if any of the other panoramic roof owners here (JST, FC) have ever dealt with this.

The difference with my situation and the description in the pdf is that regardless of how I close the sunroof, the wind noise doesn't go away. Frankly, I don't think my dad really cares since he almost always has the inside shade closed, which really minimizes the noise. That said, I figured I'd look into it.

FC · 02-09-2012, 08:08 AM

I have had no touble with my roof and I do use it often. OTOH, I did have intermitent wind noise similar to what you describe but in the MCS. They cleaned eveything up there and replaced the seal under warranty and issue went away.

bren · 02-09-2012, 08:47 AM

I haven't noticed any noise in the new x3, but then I'm not even sure we've opened the roof yet.

JST · 02-09-2012, 09:03 AM

Yes, I had this exact problem and they replaced the perimeter seal per the SIB you posted. Made it much, much better. I think that was in November? Anyway, it was warranty work, so I am not sure how much it would have cost.

You probably heard from the prior owner about the importance of keeping the sunroof drains clean. I asked them to check that when they did the roof work, as well.

zach · 02-09-2012, 09:08 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. Very helpful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Yes, I had this exact problem and they replaced the perimeter seal per the SIB you posted. Made it much, much better. I think that was in November? Anyway, it was warranty work, so I am not sure how much it would have cost.

I have a very good independent mechanic, so I'll check with him. We'll see how much of an annoyance this becomes to my parents.

Quote:

You probably heard from the prior owner about the importance of keeping the sunroof drains clean. I asked them to check that when they did the roof work, as well.

Right. The previous owner and I are very aware of the leaking issues.

I'm going to take a closer look next time I visit my parents.

Thanks again.

JST · 02-09-2012, 09:17 AM

FYI, there's also a SIB on the DRLs. One of mine went out and they replaced both bulbs with "new style" bulbs and recoded the car. Not sure if the PO had that done on yours (or if it applies to your model year).

wdc330i · 02-09-2012, 05:36 PM

We did have a headlight replaced. And the new and improved roof cassette. Wind noise never bothered us, but we drove with shade closed or whole sunroof open. I do the same with my X5, but will drive it with shade open next time to see if it makes a noise.

ZBB · 02-09-2012, 06:45 PM

We haven't had any problems on my wife's 328iT.

We did have a problem with the one on the X3 -- it would rattle when open. We never even had it looked at since the problem developed in the last 6 weeks we had it and it was very minor. If it wasn't so close to lease turn-in, we would have had it looked at during its next service visit...

zach · 02-10-2012, 09:33 AM

Thanks for all the input. I'll probably just ignore it for now.

02-09-2012, 06:45 PM	#8
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	We haven't had any problems on my wife's 328iT. We did have a problem with the one on the X3 -- it would rattle when open. We never even had it looked at since the problem developed in the last 6 weeks we had it and it was very minor. If it wasn't so close to lease turn-in, we would have had it looked at during its next service visit... __________________ ZBB

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FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,264	I have had no touble with my roof and I do use it often. OTOH, I did have intermitent wind noise similar to what you describe but in the MCS. They cleaned eveything up there and replaced the seal under warranty and issue went away.

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02-09-2012, 09:03 AM	#4
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	Yes, I had this exact problem and they replaced the perimeter seal per the SIB you posted. Made it much, much better. I think that was in November? Anyway, it was warranty work, so I am not sure how much it would have cost. You probably heard from the prior owner about the importance of keeping the sunroof drains clean. I asked them to check that when they did the roof work, as well.

02-09-2012, 09:17 AM	#6
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	FYI, there's also a SIB on the DRLs. One of mine went out and they replaced both bulbs with "new style" bulbs and recoded the car. Not sure if the PO had that done on yours (or if it applies to your model year).

02-09-2012, 05:36 PM	#7
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,299	We did have a headlight replaced. And the new and improved roof cassette. Wind noise never bothered us, but we drove with shade closed or whole sunroof open. I do the same with my X5, but will drive it with shade open next time to see if it makes a noise.

02-10-2012, 09:33 AM	#9
zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,037	Thanks for all the input. I'll probably just ignore it for now.