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workingonit · #6 01-07-2024, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration

I think your goal should be to install the sunroof glass so it sits flush, has a good sunroof seal for wind noise, and drains rainwater properly which means removing the A-pillar trim and straightening out and securing the front sunroof drain hoses.

Then pull fuse 58 and don’t plan on using it.

... The early non-pano sunroofs, likely borrowed from the E39, are much better.

I love my E39 sunroof and wish my E53 had the same unit.

I'm sure glad I had the early, single panel sunroof, and not the pano-style. Mine leaked badly five months after I swapped cars for it, and I decided never to have that happen again.https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/113771-wet-carpet-drivers-side-floor.html I've never liked sunroofs, would've never ordered one, if bought new, and I had no problem doing away with mine (I would've welded a cover over it, if I could've).

What I did to mine:

1) I dried out the floor,
2) straightened the kinked drain tube,
3) blew out all the tubes (front and rear),
4) tested the drainage of all tubes afterwards,
5) cleaned, lubricated, and tested the operation of the sunroof (tested good),
6) closed it and pulled fuse 58,
7) sealed it with paint protection film (I'll replace the film every 3-4 years;I have an HHR Panel with 15 year-old PPF on the rear fenders, still good)
9) sleep peacefully during T-storms, not fearing another sunroof leak.

Also, since I park the X5 under oak trees outside in the back (despite having a full 3-car garage), I made my own roof rack https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...roof-rack.html with closely-spaced, gridded, wire shelving, that will protect the sunroof glass from falling tree debris, acorns, and the frequently large hailstones that happen here in my area.

I had built it a month before the leak, after the X5 got hit by a falling branch that hit the sunroof and glanced off, but dented the hood a bit. With the rack now protecting the sunroof glass, and the sunroof being disabled and sealed, I feel much better about having a sunroof, now. And, it should still be operable if I ever sell the X5 (not likely, in my lifetime).

Side story: My wife bought a low-mileage 2014 Lexus a couple of months back, and sure enough, it has a sunroof, too. Since she knew what troubles I went through with the X5 sunroof, the first thing she wanted me to do was to protect her sunroof, but not to seal it.

What I did, part two:

1) checked it for leaks, and operating condition (none and good),
2) used my best tarp to cover it overnight, since a major T-storm was approaching,
3) helped her clear and throw away enough of her "antiques/keepsakes/junk" she was storing in the garage (just enough for her Lexus to park in), and
4) tried and failed to persuade her to seal and disable her sunroof (she always had wanted a sunroof or convertible)

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