X3 Panoramic Sunroof Problem

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X3 Panoramic Sunroof Problem

Hi All,
I would be grateful if someone can help.
The rear section of the 2 part sun roof is jammed in the open tilted position. The forward section is also in the same position, upon pressing the button to close the roof the front section tries to close and stops then tilts back open again the rear section does not move.
I am quite handy and would attempt the repair myself if anyone can help.
Thanks,
Rob

Just had this same problem in my 04 x3. Take a look at the plastic cassette mechanism that the roof slides in. Mine was riddled with stress cracks at all the "pressure" points. Eventually, the cracks led to breakage and the roof got stuck open. Had to replace the entire cassette. That is pretty much the only way to deal with it. If yours does not have cracks or breakage, it may just need to be adjusted. There are six torx screws that hold the front glass, and I think there are four for the rear. I don't recommend fooling around with it unless you know what you are doing...the mechanism is very sensitive to positioning.

Hi there thanks for the message, I have previously had both the panels out cant see anything wrong but still not working, will try again armed with your info.

I wonder if now is the right time frame for 04 X3 sunroofs to go bad, when we bought it a few months ago, it seemed like there was more air noise than I would have expected, so just to see what would happen, and to confirm if I was right, we went through an automatic car wash, sure enough, with both me and my wife sitting in the front staring at the front of the sunroof, we get sprayed with water. It took the dealer a couple times, but after replacing the cassette and adjusting it, it fixed the problem. I didnt ask exactly what was wrong with the old one, or what the new one cost (warranty), but I wonder if they might have replaced a few already.

Crap! I am having the same problem... and my warranty just expired! Son-of-a-b....!!!!!

I see that the plastic cassette part is cracked... that should be a recall issue, imo!!!

Anyone have any idea as to the cost of getting it fixed?

Thanks,
Gary

Bimmer and Roundel magazine seems to always have comments about issues with the cassettes for large sun roofs. I'm mostly taking their advice to keep the one on my touring closed. It's probably similar to the X3's.

I've been looking into buying a used X3 soon. Seems like this is a common problem with the X3's. Is there any other common problem with this vehicle? Check out bimmer . com They have detailed pictures and parts for everything on BMW's. Just type in your last seven digits of your vin in the parts section. I've used them many time for my old 86' 325

I had the same problem. I took it to 2 dealerships and 1 private mechanic when I lived in Cali and they told me it was going to be a $4k repair to replace the cassette. Well they said the whole roof had to be replaced. Wasn't covered under warranty because BMW "states it has to be a safety issue". I recently relocated to the Chicagoland area. I told them what had happened and they were more than happy to replace the roof for me under warranty. All I paid was my $50 deductible.

Upon repair, the new roof has a revised design from what I can see. Glass is marginally smaller with rubber lining around the edges and the whole mechanism seems to move more efficiently.

I would see if your closest dealer would take it in under warranty.