rigidity of the top of the X5 (the roof)
 

Hi,

I washed my X5 this weekend and was surprised to see that the top of the car is not rigid. Did someone else notice that ? And is it normal for such an expensive car ?

If you are talking about the surface sheet metal towards the center of the roof, that's rather normal as it saves weight and there is no real reason/advantage for the sheet metal on the roof to be rigid. If you are talking about the perimeter of the roof, then there is a major problem.

:confused:

not sure i would have stood on the roof of my '67 Econoline either. but it probably could have taken it.

thanks for your answers, but I was really a bit surprised...

dude...the way they make things nowadays is with cross beams...

the shell is most likely hollow and thin aluminum for weight savings... but there are serious cross beams inside that aid in supporting the weight in the event of a rollover...

don't think you can stand on the roof without some section of it caving in...but i'm sure it will protect you from a good rollover...

makes you think about the roof rack and the functionality of it doesn't it???

Yup, the roof rails are designed and mounted to the structural supports under the roof, so it is quite important to make sure the load is supported by the roof rails themselves, and not the roof.