Drainpipe from the panorama sunroof DIY E70

[robnitro]

My drivers side front drain was kinked where it drains out, near the frm module. This is ridiculous, bmw knows the kinking is an issue but they play dumb and expect people to pay for damages. Luckily I caught mine before it got worse, but screw you bmw for crappy quality assurance testing!

[daytonatrbo]

Originally Posted by 740iS

Yes, they can. If the drains are clogged water backs up in the cassette and then spills over onto the headliner and runs down the C or D pillars. Yes, your tail light assembly can leak into the boot also.

Also, the wire "gators" that protect the wiring going from the body to the hatch have been documented for leaking into the boot area in other threads.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Lost

So, I just found this thread...Im running in the same issue, sunroof drain tubes clogged, bunch of electronics toasted, looking at a total of 5 plus k repairs at the BMW dealership.

BMW of NA just denied my warranty claim because those are items running under maintenance and were caused by "external factors". The Service Advisor told me because the car was "parked under a tree" and the drainage got filled from debris from the tree.

I never seen in the BMW cars manual do not park under a tree nor a schedule maintenance for the drain tubes.

The car is a 2011 35d. The car was serviced all the time at the dealer. It also had the maintenance plan from BMW. - expired at this time.

I'm debating what to do next...

They know they have legal exposure here-there are multiple theories: cars need to be designed to withstand parking outside, maybe under a tree. They have a duty to design the car OR provide a maintenance instructions to avoid failures. They did not do so (neither design it property or provide maintenance instructions), and furthermore they claim to have provided all necessary maintenance.

The do, however, know that it will cost you 300k plus to litigate this....

What components are bad? Have you priced these outside the dealership ecosystem? (ie online)

[Aquamania]

I would definitely try to source your needed parts outside of the dealer. You could save a lot of money that way. Also find a good indy mechanic. Dealerships are a ripoff!!! There are a lot of good aftermarket companies. I have found so many parts I could almost build an X5 of my own.

[Lost]

I agree but at this point my car is at the dealer getting repaired. I didn't know the real issue till they start fixing it. Initially I thought it was a battery issue.

[robnitro]

The problem is that it's a factory installation defect. The line that turns at the bottom before the exit is kinked/twisted. After some time, it clogs and refuses to clean.

It exits behind the wheel... Remove the wheel well cover and reach in towards the rear and you will feel the rubber grommet that exits.

[CT_X5_Joe]

Andddd I just had the same problem happen in my 2012 X5 35d. Water flooded the rear where all the electronics are held. It is at the dealer now - waiting to hear back.

In an effort to help others diagnose their own issue - here is my story/symptoms. We had a BIG rain storm last weekend. On Monday the vehicle started acting funny. Automatic trunk wouldn't raise/lower (and it never previously had any issues). Check engine light came on. And then randomly all four windows, and the sunroof, opened overnight. I walked out (on a clear morning) and the windows were completely down. Brought it in for service the following day.

[Lost]

This sucks and good luck.

[tgunz83]

My issue seems to be resolved. I believe my problem was the tail lights were filling up with water, then they were overflowing into the trunk. What I did to resolve:

1) Cleaned drains with weed wacker line, don't think this did anything everything already seemed clear
2) Replaced the tail light gaskets, still had water going into the light so that wasn't the problem
3) Put clear caulk all around the lights where the red clear plastic was glued to the black plastic

I think #3 is what resolved the problem for me.

[rh71]

After all this time, I still have not seen anyone post a pic of the front drain tubes.