[clivem2]

Originally Posted by avi66

Genuinely, I don’t have any issues with the ride quality, and I’m consulting a neurosurgeon for my back.

In fact, I regularly drive 300+ miles to our place in Cornwall, and I feel more relaxed and comfortable at the end or the journey in the M40, than a softer riding car on smaller non RFT tyres.

I have a worn disc in my lower spine L4-L5. I find my M40 seats excellent, it’s down to the 3 balloon lumbar support that I can fine-tune. I arrive in better condition than when I started the drive.

[TLEHMANN]

I had this issue. Same process as yours, although I didn't get water in mine.

Wind noise, shrunk seal, seal replaced but it failed again like yours (bubbled up)

went back, they replaced the whole sunroof. been good.

[Mike34532]

3 weeks later the sunroof has failed again. Drivers A-side pillar is soaking wet, car all fogged up and smelling damp. Dropping the car back again to the dealership tomorrow.

I'm assuming it's a poor repair job from the dealership as it leaked around the passenger A pillar last time.

[Mike34532]

Latest and probably the last update, dropped the car off at my local BMW garage on the weekend and was provided with a courtesy car with a large cut in the tyre sidewall, despite raising this with the service consultant was advised that the tyre is perfectly safe because there's no cords showing, but in my opinion the tyre is not safe and is probably illegal, which I was not willing to drive at motorway speeds with.

Unfortunately this was the final straw, the local Mercedes have offered to take my car as it is as part-exchange for a new EQB which they can deliver within 14 days. They'll take the X3 and have it repaired within their sister BMW dealership network.

The X3 on the whole has been a nice car, but I've lost faith in the ability for the BMW dealership network to fix the issue. I'm convinced after looking at other vehicle panoramic sunroofs across different manufacturers that the X3 has a obvious design flaw.

[spangle1980]

Good job - no frickin' way I would drive a loaner with that! Jeeez.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Mike34532

3 weeks later the sunroof has failed again. Drivers A-side pillar is soaking wet, car all fogged up and smelling damp. Dropping the car back again to the dealership tomorrow.

I'm assuming it's a poor repair job from the dealership as it leaked around the passenger A pillar last time.

What dealership ?

[Mike34532]

Originally Posted by avi66

What dealership ?

Dick Lovett Bristol

[That70sGADawg]

I have a similar issue with a 2019 X3 that I noticed the entire inner 18" molding is gone on the passenger front side of sunroof. Dealer won't replace even though I have 2 months left on my CPO (just over 52K miles) . They blame a car wash, but ALL are shrunken. BMW Dealer want $1000 !!! Is there another solution where you can still open the sunroof, or seal it up with a piece of some rummer molding and tape? This is ridiculous on a car not 5 years old (for 2 more months)! Anyone try this on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Sunro...7-857e17e03685

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by That70sGADawg

I have a similar issue with a 2019 X3 that I noticed the entire inner 18" molding is gone on the passenger front side of sunroof. Dealer won't replace even though I have 2 months left on my CPO (just over 52K miles) . They blame a car wash, but ALL are shrunken. BMW Dealer want $1000 !!! Is there another solution where you can still open the sunroof, or seal it up with a piece of some rummer molding and tape? This is ridiculous on a car not 5 years old (for 2 more months)! Anyone try this on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Sunro...7-857e17e03685

Why not buy oem seal and repair it yourself?

[turbobeagle]

Any idea if rubber conditioning products (Nextzett, Sonax, 303, Shin-Etsu, etc.) can help prevent the shrinkage?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by turbobeagle

Any idea if rubber conditioning products (Nextzett, Sonax, 303, Shin-Etsu, etc.) can help prevent the shrinkage?

Krytox is used by OEM’s to protect and lubricate roof seals.

Also products that protect car paint and plastics can offer protection from UV on the outer roof seal.

[Foggy7]

I have been following this post with interest. I travelled 200 miles to buy a 2021 model X3 M-Sport in March this year specifically because it didn't have a sunroof.

My previous car was a VW Tiguan which I loved and bought because amongst other things, I loved the panoramic sunroof. However, shortly after it came out of warranty the sunroof started to leak. Now don't get me wrong, I was fully aware of the issues regarding the Tiguan sunroof before I bought it so didn't exactly go in with my eyes shut. Following a lot of research and advice I came to the conclusion that it was merely a matter of keeping the drain tubes clear so went ahead and bought an R-Line with pano roof. Following 2 expensive visits to the main dealer the sunroof still leaked. I need to be able to sleep at night as especially here in the UK we are not unknown for a spot of rain or two so sold it to the trade and started searching for an X3 without a pan roof.

This shouldn't have to be the case but until any manufacturer can guarantee their product from such basic design flaws, I personally would never have a car with a sunroof again

[That70sGADawg]

Originally Posted by DL335D

Why not buy oem seal and repair it yourself?

Because the dealer said something about taking the entire sunroof apart and putting it back and I don’t trust their level expertise to balllance - it again nothing wrong with the balancing just missing this piece. I’ll ask and see if it’s reasonable and not $300 for 18 inch piece of rubber!

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by Mike34532

I noticed the other day whilst driving, water was trickling from the centre courtesy light, upon closer inspection the sunroof seal has shrunk, which from Googling isn't uncommon. In the UK, we've had a wet July, and now the passenger headliner is soaking wet, water is trickling down the A pillar and into the passenger footwell. Less than 6 months ago the entire sunroof assembly was taken apart to fix a squeaking noise, and now the seal has failed.

The best my local dealership can do is book the car in for inspection this Thursday, nearly a week after I reported the fault. Every day when it rains presumably is causing more damage.

I think the panoramic sunroof is a great feature, but clearly is unfit for purpose if it leaks caused by a seal that is effectively glued into place and shrinks.

Anyone else had this issue on the X3?

I have the same size gap on driver and passenger sides, but haven’t noticed any leaks. Should I take it to BMW and tell them the headliner was damp after the last storm?

[turbobeagle]

As I understand it, water intrusion beyond the seal is expected, but at a low rate, such that the drain ports can clear water from the tracks before overflowing. Hopefully any repairs based on reports of water entering the cabin, include a test of the drain ports to ensure they aren't clogged.

On my other car (not a BMW), I occasionally clean the sunroof tracks of all debris and then try pouring some water into them to see if the water drains ok to the spout in the wheel well. Not sure if it's the same with BMWs.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by turbobeagle

Not sure if it's the same with BMWs.

From memory, on the X3 the front drain is in the door frame.

[That70sGADawg]

Originally Posted by DL335D

Why not buy oem seal and repair it yourself?

I have one ordered for $120.The dealer claimed that the entire roof has to be removed to repair($1000). I'll see what I can do when it comes in. I don't trust them to rebalance the roof (no issues with that now- just a missing trim piece). I'll seal it the best I can and not open the actual roof window, just the shade for the light . Ridiculous charge even for a BMW.

[Mike34532]

Last pictures of the X3 taken a few days before I part exchanged it for a Mercedes EQB 350.

Overall I think the X3 is a nice car, handles well and is relatively comfortable. The hybrid system was always faultless until I experienced forced engine startups despite being fully charged, only started happening after the dealership left the car sat around for 2 months.

Interestingly the X3, days after part-exchanging has come up for sale, I'd be surprised if the leak has been resolved, but I guess the next owner is going to find out the hard way.

The EQB interior in contrast feels more upmarket, better built and is extremely comfortable despite running 20" wheels with adaptive suspension. The power delivery is really linear and smooth coming from the two electric motors (more powerful rear motor is favoured, with the front used with harder acceleration and when slip is detected from the rear). The range is ok, nothing amazing but suitable for my lifestyle, so will be interesting how living with an EV will be like, and the reliability of Mercedes.

[DL335D]

Originally Posted by That70sGADawg

I have one ordered for $120.The dealer claimed that the entire roof has to be removed to repair($1000). I'll see what I can do when it comes in. I don't trust them to rebalance the roof (no issues with that now- just a missing trim piece). I'll seal it the best I can and not open the actual roof window, just the shade for the light . Ridiculous charge even for a BMW.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Kilian1976]

Originally Posted by iaincb

Similar problem here - had water initially leaking from the centre roof vents down onto the centre console (sliding cover over the charger) and then eventually pouring out from the A pillar and down to the footwell.

I'm pretty sure the front drainage hoses were twisted/disconnected but the first time at my local dealer they just changed all of the external seals. My car was out of warranty and the cost was going to be £500 with the dealer chipping in £120 goodwill!

After a "conversation" with BMW UK they agreed to cover the rest. Still didn't fix it, car was back in a week later for 2 days which I'm pretty sure was them fixing/changing the drainage hoses that they missed first time around.

My 335d sunroof never leaked like this and the issues I had with this X3 led to me not speccing the sunroof on the new one I'm just waiting to collect.

IMHO it's a design flaw that is really awkward for them to fix (I think most of the £500 is the labour for dropping the headlining).

Did you find any rattling or creaking sounds after that fix especially when they dropped the headliner ?

[thestimp]

My weather strpping and entire care have been fine. This whole thread and all I got out of it was, someone thought a weather stripping is bad and then says the whole car has "issues and is unreliable". Then goes to a Merc, He's taking crazy pills.

[Thomas Wertimer]

"In 2017, BMW agreed to a $478 million settlement covering 2004-2010 BMW 5 series vehicles over allegations that clogged sunroof drainage tubes could cause damage to electrical components in the spare tire well of the trunk."

The drains and seals on BMW fail and clog. BMW is falling down on loyal customer support by not finding a fix and/or recalling this problem. This happens with aging car so they seem not to care. The leaks lead to costly electrical repair.

My dealer told me to buy a cover if I was going to have my car outside.