Chalk up another pano roof trouble and fix

[Fifty150hs]

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.

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.

[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.