Chalk up another pano roof trouble and fix

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

After finding out what my indy would charge to repair my pano ($4000) I slid the part forward that was holding the rear glass up and pulled the fuse. I wasn't using it anyway. If I decided I wanted to use it I'd go the cut off the tabs route.

I agree. The part of me that wants the thing to function as designed has given way to practicality- and perhaps age. There may be a bazillion reasons that we need a second portion of the roof to raise as well, but unless it's something to do with safety, life, or death, I'm thrilled with this outcome.

[SlickGT1]

I use the shit out of mine daily. I will be one of the few that will be fixing it when it goes.

[lhordmclain]

The Indy (with body shop) started PDR around the area of the panoramic roof. The insurance covered the labor to take out the roof.

The quote to repair : 900-1200 parts and 5 hours labor .. HELL NO!
If it was only the parts I will bite

[hpy540]

i disabled mine yeasterday. but when i tip up to vent, the front still acts wonkey. i have to simutainiously press down on glass and press button, did i miss cutting something out?

[itsbrokeagain]

Originally Posted by jcorreanyc

I am probably one of the few people outside of the dealerships to actually repair these pano roofs with the new updated plastic parts (there are 3 separate repair kits) that replace your old broken ones. It's like brain surgery but it can be done and it won't break again. The updated parts are actually different from the original ones. Chalk it up to a bad design to start with. I have done 5 or 6 of these at this point. It takes the better part of a day (focusing and without breaks) to do the job. I do have a spare working cassette for sale but haven't listed it in the classifieds since I figured someone local would need it one day. I have also considered doing the job for people for a reasonable fee if they come to New York with the repair kits, but haven't acted on that since working on cars is a hobby for me. I just think it's a shame that people practicallly junk their E53s because of these pano roofs. It's a fixable problem but so few people want to touch the job.

i'll be keeping in touch incase mine takes a dump. Im in Long Island..

[hpy540]

i have fixed a 2-e39 sunroofs, and a E31 with a tutorial. this seemed a little more complicated. and i was under the impression that when you start taking apart. the chain was spring loaded, and would snap to one side and be uncoverable. IDK where i got that idea. the e39 jut 2 plastic pieces on each side and adjusting and works great. if there would be a turorial i would try. but my e53 4.4 has 187k on it. i think it is on borrowed time. it is innexcellent shape tho, i am hoping to put many miles on it. i am getting things repaird and well sorted. But without a do's and dont's pic time line, just easier to disable rear section. otherwise could be stuck with a open roof sav and no way to remedie except $6k

[14thbmw]

Originally Posted by jcorreanyc

I am probably one of the few people outside of the dealerships to actually repair these pano roofs with the new updated plastic parts (there are 3 separate repair kits) that replace your old broken ones. It's like brain surgery but it can be done and it won't break again. The updated parts are actually different from the original ones. Chalk it up to a bad design to start with. I have done 5 or 6 of these at this point. It takes the better part of a day (focusing and without breaks) to do the job. I do have a spare working cassette for sale but haven't listed it in the classifieds since I figured someone local would need it one day. I have also considered doing the job for people for a reasonable fee if they come to New York with the repair kits, but haven't acted on that since working on cars is a hobby for me. I just think it's a shame that people practicallly junk their E53s because of these pano roofs. It's a fixable problem but so few people want to touch the job.

Do you have the repair kit numbers and any sort of tutorial or hints on this?thanks!

[Moments]

I replaced the two mechanisms in the roof, I couldn't be dealing with cutting the wedges for the back window.
The hardest part of the job was getting the screws that hold the larger glass back in place. Removing the glass, headliner and cassette is easy. Practising the mechanism dismantle and re-assembly with the old components is the sure-fire way to get skilled before putting the replacement parts in.
£335 for the two mechanisms and a can of lithium grease. Workbench needed for the cassette, somewhere flat for the headliner, gaffer tape to hold the pyros, no special tools; 5-6 hours of work. Works perfectly.

[14thbmw]

Originally Posted by Moments

I replaced the two mechanisms in the roof, I couldn't be dealing with cutting the wedges for the back window.
The hardest part of the job was getting the screws that hold the larger glass back in place. Removing the glass, headliner and cassette is easy. Practising the mechanism dismantle and re-assembly with the old components is the sure-fire way to get skilled before putting the replacement parts in.
£335 for the two mechanisms and a can of lithium grease. Workbench needed for the cassette, somewhere flat for the headliner, gaffer tape to hold the pyros, no special tools; 5-6 hours of work. Works perfectly.

Thanks, with both roofs stuck open and the reset procedure tried, and given inadequate space and time I will have to take it to my favorite mechanic this time. Seems like a job worth learning, though!

[AceEngineer]

Originally Posted by 14thbmw

Do you have the repair kit numbers and any sort of tutorial or hints on this?thanks!

I also have a pano roof that doesn't function that I plan to repair myself as soon as I can make room to get the X5 into my garage. I am looking for the source of the repair kits that have updated parts. Did you find a source or part number for any or all of the three kits mentioned?

TIA,

AceEngineer