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Thread: Z3 M Coupe sunroof stuck open

  1. #1
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    Exclamation Z3 M Coupe sunroof stuck open

    Please help! I took my Z3 MC to a car show this weekend and left the sunroof popped up for the duration of the show - about 6 hours. Upon driving the car home, I began to close the sunroof. It closed only on one side (driver side) while the passenger side remained open. It made a "pop" noise when I was trying to close it and I immediately let go of the open/close toggle switch.

    After reading some posts about this issue, it seems this exact same issue has happened to a few others before - the sunroof will close on one side but remain open/stuck on the other side. I already tried the trick where you press up on the sunroof seal on the offending side while pressing down on the sunroof toggle switch and unfortunately that didn't work. Are there any other methods I can try to get the sunroof to close? Any suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
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    The sunroof mechanism slider broke. Caused by old grease and high motor force. Unfortunately a replacement is very expensive, as you have to purchase whole kinematics.

    You can see the damage if you remove the glass panel.
    I had started trying to replicate the bits that break, but got stuck a little, and I will have to make some time in the future for it. Unfortunately, it's not high on my priority list because life/career comes first.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Thanks for your reply! Is there a way to close the sunroof with a broken slider mechanism - e.g. manually crank it? My main concern right now is just getting it closed and sealed so no moisture gets in the interior.

  4. #4
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    Id be dropping the headliner to try to access the mechanism directly right about now in your shoes

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  5. #5
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    The sliding part is on top (between glass and roof), so you would only have to lower the headliner slightly.

    You may be able to close it, but it depends which part of it broke. Best way to find out is to remove the glass, which isn't terribly hard to do.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  6. #6
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    Yes, maybe I should have said "drooping" - it should only require removing the few bolts holding the front part on (in the pull handles, under the covers) and maybe the center clip right behind the sunroof. Maybe the dog net attachments too on each side.

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  7. #7
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    Sigh. One of these days I need to get a look at these parts.... probably won't happen until the wife breaks her's in a rain storm. And then it will be a panic.


    /.randy

  8. #8
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    I always tilt mine open while driving; now I'm thinking of never opening it again! At least the current price has "only" tripled from the RealOEM figure.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  9. #9
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    This makes me wish I had a sunroof delete! Thanks for the help/suggestions, will lower the headliner and see what I can do.

  10. #10
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    Sorry to hear, when I started to hear about broken sunroof parts, and the cost to repair it. I disconnected the switch, making sure it will never open again.

  11. #11
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    I like to pretend I don't have a sunroof. Covered the whole thing with some black foam-board, and never look up at it. This thread makes me glad I've done so. Hah.
    96 320i Touring
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  12. #12
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    I bought an extra sunroof from a parts car a long time back. It still sits there in the same corner of my garage as the day I bought it, loyally waiting for the day one of my sunroofs decides to break.

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  13. #13
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    Slightly related, but are any sunroof panels still available (the ones that fit below the sunroof, blocking light)? I seem to recall seeing a thread not too long ago. I usually tilt for heat dissipation, but if I had a panel perhaps I don't have to anymore.

    Sucks how this will probably happen to most of us over time, and $1000 sounds insane now but the price will just go up with demand.

    I chucked our entire Lemons sunroof assembly last week, as it was maybe worth $50 (the car cost $400). It had cracked glass, so I didn't feel so bad. And don't worry, it wasn't from a Coupe.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  14. #14
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    LeatherZ has those panels, that's what I'm using until we get the "final solution".

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Liberatore View Post
    LeatherZ has those panels, that's what I'm using until we get the "final solution".
    I don't see any on their website. I'll email Andy.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    The sliding part is on top (between glass and roof), so you would only have to lower the headliner slightly.

    You may be able to close it, but it depends which part of it broke. Best way to find out is to remove the glass, which isn't terribly hard to do.
    Just wondering if you're still working on fabricating the replacement kinematics parts? I'm interesting in getting this from you if this is still something you're working on. Please let me know. Thanks!
    Last edited by ricecube33; 07-26-2017 at 01:04 PM.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by ricecube33 View Post
    Just wondering if you're still working on fabricating the replacement kinematics parts? I'm interesting in getting this from you if this is still something you're working on. Please let me know. Thanks!
    Yes, project is not dead. I had to put a pause on it because I am taking some major licensing board exams in these few months, and I have been preparing for them in the last half year.
    I'd love to have them over with, but I couldn't put career on hold anymore.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  18. #18
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    Yes you better get that done before I'm old enough to be one of your patients �� Good luck Abel

  19. #19
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    I understand, thanks.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post
    I always tilt mine open while driving; now I'm thinking of never opening it again! At least the current price has "only" tripled from the RealOEM figure.
    Same here!

    After reading this, I'm strongly considering lubricating the moving parts in the hopes of preventing any future mishaps. What would be best to use in this situation, white lithium?

  21. #21
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    Is it easy to remove to the sunroof so I can inspect everything

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by redlinealley View Post
    Is it easy to remove to the sunroof so I can inspect everything
    Fiddly, but yes, easy. Just have some tools on hand__including a magnet__to deal with microscopic e-clips.












  23. #23
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    Awesome thanks Randy!

  24. #24
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    Sunroof is out and everything cleaned up. What grease should I use for the guide rails? I have these 2 to choose from.

    20171024_134427.jpg

  25. #25
    Terry F.'s Avatar
    Terry F. is offline ONLY BMW Content is + Moderator
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    I would pick the Sil stuff. Lithium grease hardens, I don't like the stuff in buried locations.

    Terry
    Note 8/Tapatalk.

    Stuff. I got stuff.

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