what actually breaks on the panoramic sunroofs??

mcurcio1989 · #1 11-13-2013, 10:23 AM

I have read all kinds of stories / threads of bad panoramic sunroofs. It seem like aside from just being leaky the main problem is the back portion quits going down. Maybe I missed it but I have yet to see someone show whatever part it is that is actually breaking or wearing out which causes this. I am aware of the "dremel fix" to disable it but I would like to know what components is breaking.

I recently purchased an 04 x5 with a "broken panoramic" from a dealer service only kind of guy so he just had the fuse pulled on it. In addition to the back not going down on this, the main glass and sun shade like to stop every 3-5 inches when closing, they open fine though (aside from some snack crackle and pop when the main glass opens, gotta love bmw plastics). I have found some broken plastic in the tracks. It is almost like they need to be reinitialized but I do not know how.

I would really like to take a day or two and tear this thing apart and actually replaces the broken components. Even if I do the dremel fix this thing is wore out between the snack crackle pop and the main glass not going up all the way, things are obviously worn. So i would like to do a proper repair and then if and when it breaks again I'll do the dremel fix. I'd like to buy a rebuild kit before tearing things apart so I won't have it sitting in the garage with a gaping hole for to long. Either this:

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Search SiteSearch Panoramic ES#2145031 Panoramic Roof Repair Kit - 54107227894

or this kit

BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Search 54137118849 ES#157541 Sunroof Cable Repair - 54137118849

The guy at ecs confirmed my suspicions that the cheaper kit is for the rear glass and the more expensive kit is for the main. This leads me to believe I should do both. He says they sell a lot of the cheaper rear kit which leads me to believe that it probably has the components I need but it is kind of a lot of money just to take his word for it based on sales numbers.

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Clockwork · #2 11-13-2013, 11:44 AM

lots of threads here about how to fix the rear glass pannel from causing the "popping" sound when opening. Basically you remove the two black torx screws on the sides when roof is opened (even accessible when down but harder to see/unscrew) this STOPS the two sheets of glass from binding and creating that gut wrenching popping sound. Still opens and closes perfectly as if screws WERE actually installed still.
As for initialization procedure...
make sure window and shade are in closed position. then hold the "vent" button on the switch for about 75 seconds. it will do a gammit of opening/closing/venting before it finally stops. Of course this is only helpful IF you have nothing stopping the glass from opening or closing. fix those problems first.

Ricky Bobby · #3 11-13-2013, 11:56 AM

Are you planning on doing this yourself? If so, I would just get both kits and replace both so you're only doing the job once, dropping the headliner is no cake walk for a Saturday fix.

Looks like both kits use all the major components needed, I would also get a packet of lubricant as you will need it to grease up all moving parts

BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Interior Sunroof ES#2194672 Sunroof Lubricant - 83192157321

Might also want to do the seal too which you are at it

BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Interior Sunroof ES#260387 Sunroof Seal - 54107199533

Spend a weekend working on it and I guarantee afterwards you will be proud and feel closer to your X if you fix the sunroof yourself, with about $400 worth of parts.

Considering you got a smoking deal on a well equipped manual X, I think its a good investment to just fix the sunroof properly.

I don't condone the dremel fix and removing screws to me sounds like avoiding a problem.

knucklebuster · #4 11-13-2013, 11:59 AM

just eliminate it that would be your cheapest option .Check youtube for instruction

Clockwork · #5 11-13-2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Interior Sunroof ES#2194672 Sunroof Lubricant - 83192157321

RB, I've bought this to do myself, but I have to ask, do you know anyone who has replaced this themselves? I'm guessing the sheets of glass need to be removed? I've also looked at seeing if my seal is loose, but it seems stuck onto the inside perimeter of the pano moon roof opening VERY well.

once garage is FINALLY built, I have soooo many little jobs to do on my x5. ugh

Ricky Bobby · #6 11-13-2013, 12:40 PM

If the seal is good I wouldn't worry about it too much, I don't know anyone who has replaced themselves and I have the regular sunroof on my '03 so I should be one to talk lol!

yes i'm fairly certain the glass panels will need to be removed from their tracks, and the headliner dropped down as well.

Once again, like the OP said, it seems a lot of people are only having troubles needing the rear repair kit, but honestly its just extra money in parts, if you are dropping everything down anyway I'd replace all parts prone to failure and do it once. Even if it costs you $1k I'd have the peace of mind knowing it works properly instead of doing a ghetto fix like dremeling the rear roof closed.

On the facelift E53's, gotta pay to play, especially with the panoramic sunroof. I would have definitely made sure if I was buying a used X that anything broken is factored into the cost I pay.

I wouldn't for one second accept the guy's offer that "pulling the sunroof fuse" negates any need to accept a lower than asking price offer for the vehicle. In my mind you are entitled to buy a vehicle that has all functioning parts and options and is mechanically sound and if it is not then you start chipping away at the price from there. I know the OP had to make a 10 hour drive for this car too so the guy kinda had him by the balls, luckily his mirror fixes should be free.

mcurcio1989 · #7 11-13-2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

If the seal is good I wouldn't worry about it too much, I don't know anyone who has replaced themselves and I have the regular sunroof on my '03 so I should be one to talk lol!

yes i'm fairly certain the glass panels will need to be removed from their tracks, and the headliner dropped down as well.

Once again, like the OP said, it seems a lot of people are only having troubles needing the rear repair kit, but honestly its just extra money in parts, if you are dropping everything down anyway I'd replace all parts prone to failure and do it once. Even if it costs you $1k I'd have the peace of mind knowing it works properly instead of doing a ghetto fix like dremeling the rear roof closed.

On the facelift E53's, gotta pay to play, especially with the panoramic sunroof. I would have definitely made sure if I was buying a used X that anything broken is factored into the cost I pay.

I wouldn't for one second accept the guy's offer that "pulling the sunroof fuse" negates any need to accept a lower than asking price offer for the vehicle. In my mind you are entitled to buy a vehicle that has all functioning parts and options and is mechanically sound and if it is not then you start chipping away at the price from there. I know the OP had to make a 10 hour drive for this car too so the guy kinda had him by the balls, luckily his mirror fixes should be free.

Hey here is a question, from looking at the rear kit from ecs tuning, doesn't it contain the piece that gets dremeld?? I am thinking maybe I'll do the ghetto dremel cut off fix now until I order the kit. Then it will be replaced anyways. . .reason being I need to fix and sell my old e46 before taking on a leisure project like this. I would kind of like to make sure that I can get the rest of the roof functiond working properly before ordering the kit. I can't even initialize it now with the back section not functioning.

Yeah the mirrors were free I had those fixed in about 30 min. Just laughing that the PO was gonna pay a dealer 1400 for that

. Anyways I think the cost was based on the issues with the vehicle and like you said I'm pretty sure I got a steal. I kind of planned that any x5 I bought witha pano was going to need fixed at some point or another.

Ricky Bobby · #8 11-13-2013, 01:28 PM

Absolutely agreed I think you got a great deal and once the roof is fixed and a few broken buttons on your IHKA you should be good to enjoy her for a while, still need pics of inside and out on your other thread btw!

mcurcio1989 · #9 11-13-2013, 01:41 PM

Did you see my edit about the dremel subject pieces. . I am 99% sure they come in that kit but I'd be pissed if I cut them and they didn't.

Sorry about the pictures haha I have a really short window from when I get home from work till it gets dark and I keep missing it for various reasons. Also I kind of wanted to wait until I washed it and vacuumed the inside. I am pretty sure I will have time today.

Ricky Bobby · #10 11-13-2013, 02:36 PM

Not sure if they come in the repair kit, fairly certain they do though.

However, if the roof doesn't work at all now can't you just leave it closed for the time being? It's getting colder out anyway.

Fix your E46, gather up the couple repair kits for the roof and tackle this job in the spring when the weather is warmer and you aren't so prone to breaking plastic pieces in the disassembly and reassembly.

Unless you have a heated garage, in which case it doesn't really matter.

And btw, once you install the repair kits you should be good for a while, they address all major components of failure which is why they were put together by BMW in the first place as far as I can tell.

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