When did the pano roof get more reliable?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by bigwave2255

i generally only use the vent function, i find it to noisey and buffeting with the roof open

and i clean tracks as needed

i also think living in a mild climate probably helps

If you have the pano completely open, instead of the first open position, you should open all the windows about 2" to get rid of the buffeting.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

If you have the pano completely open, instead of the first open position, you should open all the windows about 2" to get rid of the buffeting.

+1

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by salvine

I know the earlier models had troubles with linkages breaking and water leaks. Are the 2004 and newer vehicles better?

I'm pretty sure the pano roof option came out in 2004 so when you ask if the 2004 is better, better than what? The sunroof?

I didn't know the pano roof was ever "less reliable". We've had no issues with ours and we use it frequently, in all modes.

[salvine]

Good tips, but the interwebs is full of stories of failed units. I agree that that keeping it cleaned and lubed is critical but the failure rate sure seems high.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by salvine

Good tips, but the interwebs is full of stories of failed units. I agree that that keeping it cleaned and lubed is critical but the failure rate sure seems high.

Most people don't post, nor are asked to post, if their Pano is fine - in general here and on the web.

People are searching usually to find/fix a problem. So, of course, "interwebs is full of stories of failed units" and not the good units - which are probably the MAJORITY.

[bigwave2255]

yep have to agree with that, twins

[salvine]

Good point... But I'm still a little sketchy on them.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Most people don't post, nor are asked to post, if their Pano is fine - in general here and on the web.

People are searching usually to find/fix a problem. So, of course, "interwebs is full of stories of failed units" and not the good units - which are probably the MAJORITY.

There is more to it than that, though. Anecdotally, there seem to be more posts about sunroof mechanical failures from 2004 onwards. The pano roof appears to have a higher incidence of problems compared to the previous version, probably because it is more complicated and has more moving parts.

I agree that most won't fail, by a large factor. But there could still be a reliability or durability issue with the pano roof. And I don't think it ever 'got better' as the OP asked, it has just become accepted as a byproduct of complex options failing occasionally.

[goldenbird]

To tell the truth. I am afraid to open it after I heard about replacement price here in my country. About 4000$ without hand charge fees. used one costs around 700$ and again without hand charge.

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Apparently "venting" it is what causes failure. I use mine all the time. It's all good

I think this might be right. Would be interesting to have a knowledge base to see what function was being used when the roof failed. For our X3, it was the vent (tilt) function. I used the pano roof virtually every day(yep, even in freezing weather) on my 2004 X5 and use it daily on my 2005 X5. No problems. But I NEVER use the tilt function after suffering the X3 cassette failure and the rain of plastic parts.