Panoramic Sunroof cassette replace or repair?

[Kev]

Hi all,

Like probably the majority of owners with this wonderful expensive option, after 5 years of use, its broken.

But only slightly.

Ok, the original problem was that a part snapped from the side rail - this is the part that broke

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/DSC00798.jpg

Just where the yellow arrow is, the plastic rail snapped so that the guide came off the rail.

By trying to close the roof with the button, I suppose I managed to snap the cables that close the rear section (but I can close that in 30 seconds with a screwdriver pushing back the guide manually on both sides).

i managed to remove the offending part without taking out the roof, just took off the fan cover, and undid 2 T20 screws. So its really easy to fix - if I can get the part.

By glueing the broken part back I now have a roof that can open/close - but I wouldnt try to tilt it as I dont trust the glue. Simple answer dont tilt the roof, but some day, someone will forget, and then I'll wish I'd fixed it properly.

Does anyone have a busted cassette mechanism with the nearside (left) rail intact that I could buy from them? I'll happily buy a new one if I can get a part number - even the complete 'fix kit' will be fine if this includes the part that I need (I'd change all easy parts anyway if they are made of such fragile plastic).

Thanks in advance guys.

[BIMMERMAN NYC]

There is a repair kit have to rebuild cassette. Or buy a new which is expense

[JCL]

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d SLIDING LIFTING ROOF FRAME

Repair kit in this diagram is #11, not expensive (but more so in your part of the world). Not sure if this part number includes the part broken on yours, but it would be a good place to start. It is called a repair kit for the frame assembly. There is another part number listed elsewhere that repairs the plastic rail, one per side, in particular the plastic guide that is part of the tilt up mechanism. That sounds like what you need, but it may just be that the part numbers have been superceded/changed up.

[kbruzzone]

i just experienced the same problem this evening. Can you show me where to place the screw driver to close the rear window

[Kev]

Hi, I'm not at home at the moment but if you glance into the rails you'll see a part of the rear rail (i think it's square), with a hole in it. At an angle you can push a flat-blade screwdriver in and force the piece of plastic to travel backwards. you'll know if you're pushing the right bit as you'll feel the glass lowering.

you may need to move to the other side when its halfway back as the glass will be by then skewed. Once its fully back you'll hear that reassuring sound as the two plieces of glass sit flat together.

Sorry I couldnt get any photos, but for sure someone here will be able to oblige.

BTW, Thanks a lot for the info JCL. I'll see if I can order the kit in Singapore (where I am this week), or Milan (next week). Hopefully they'll let me take a peek before buying it to make sure it contains the part I need? Would be great if anyone here had bought this kit and took some photos of the contents.

Cheers. K