Panoramic Sunroof Leak?

[amancuso]

After a day and night of monsoon style rains, the X greeted me with a few drips from the upper console and a wet headliner on the drivers side near the visor at the windshield. The floors and rear cargo area (including spare tire well) are bone dry. Passenger side is dry. Car was front downwards in the driveway. Wondering if the drains just got overwhelmed or if I have a problem. 🤨.

[andrewwynn]

I've seen recent posting of the a pillar trim pinching the drain hose. If slightly compromised it would make sense that a particularly harsh storm could overwhelm the system.

A garden hose could recreate the rain. I think it's pretty easy to remove the a pillar trim.

[amancuso]

Thanks Andrew, I've asked around and apparently, it's not uncommon for the e53's front drains to get overwhelmed in a prolonged heavy downpour when the car is facing nose down. It literally rained ALL day and night yesterday. Everything is already dried out and seems to be OK.

[andrewwynn]

If you can pour water from a hose on it for a few minutes with no water leaking in I think you are probably good

[jbny]

If it's parked outside then leaf and debris can clog the drains, not uncommon at all.

I had mine cleared with an air compressor, just make sure it's not at a very high PSI or it can damage the drain pipes.

[BimmerDude11]

I would definitely check the drain hoses behind the A pillars especially the Driver's side.

Simple pop out the 'SRS' plastic cover, remove the torx screw.
It is then just held on by a couple plastic retention clips, so just pop the trim out.

You'll probably see the hose kinked and just needs to be straightened out and placed back under the metal retention clips.

This seems to be an issue with freezing and thawing that works the hose out of place.
I now make it a rule to check the hoses at least once every two years.