Sunroof bursted

[Rene_Fonck]

Driving on I-5 last night in Seattle in my 2014 X5 diesel (35,000 miles) and heard a big pop and then cracking sound from the roof. Got home to find that the sunroof exploded, in what looks like from the inside out -- when I was looking at it from the side all the non-broken glass around the hole is pointed up. Was driving 60mph and didn't go under any overpasses, didn't hit any bumps or potholes, and the BMW Service team found nothing (eg rocks) inside. Service thought maybe the frame rigidity caused it but they were going to check with BMW NA. Anyone else experience this?

[stewy604]

How can you confirm it burst from the inside out? Was most likely a stone. I've heard random stories of moonroofs shattering, but its usually due to a mis-aligned frame where there's additional stresses on the glass. Either way, that sucks man...get 'er fixed before it rains!

[BitteEinBit]

Wow! No, thankfully I have not experienced this. Once you take it in to the dealer to fix, I'd be interested to know how many instances have occurred globally.

[Kzang]

I agree with Stewey, it could be a rock/stone being flung from cars/trucks in front and hitting the glass and ricochet out. I've also heard many stories (Not just BMWs) where the sunroof just explodes/shatters while parked in a parking lot.

[Taran.J]

E90's were notorious for this. The glass was cut wrong and the frame just gives sometimes. Hate that this problem may still be present 8 years later.

Good luck hopefully BMW Seattle will put a puma through BMW NA

[HansRobert]

Keep us posted on any results from further investigation. I've never heard of this happening spontaneously.

Also curious if they cover this as part of the warranty.

Glad it wasn't any worse and that no one was injured in any way!

[Rene_Fonck]

Talked to service just now. They couldn't find any reason for the crack, no rocks, other items but now are saying they don't think it was BMW's fault so they're telling me its not covered by BMW warranty and I'll have to pay the thousands of dollars to fix it out of pocket. Crazy stupid thing for BMW to do. First a terrible experience with BMW NA getting a windshield replaced over several months and now this.

P.S. the windshield insurance that you buy from the dealer when you get a new X5 with HUD, does NOT cover sunroofs.

[Stinkyxy]

There have been many cases about sunroofs popping. I believe there is an active investigation around it in the industry, globally. During past research it was noted the ceramic coatings, including tint, weaken glass.

Any sealants on the glass. Not sure if the tiny from the factory has ceramic coating.

[MotoWPK]

Originally Posted by Rene_Fonck

Talked to service just now. They couldn't find any reason for the crack, no rocks, other items but now are saying they don't think it was BMW's fault so they're telling me its not covered by BMW warranty and I'll have to pay the thousands of dollars to fix it out of pocket. Crazy stupid thing for BMW to do. First a terrible experience with BMW NA getting a windshield replaced over several months and now this.

P.S. the windshield insurance that you buy from the dealer when you get a new X5 with HUD, does NOT cover sunroofs.

That's illogical. Without evidence of an external cause, the remaining cause is a defect, which is covered by warranty. I would fight this.

[kanvas]

^ +1

Also, wow. It looks like you drove through a war zone. And as Taran said, if E90s were known for this issue, then this must be a similar case. Keep us updated on what BMW says.

[Taran.J]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515758


Please go over this and the ones he also included it's a known issue lol

[Taran.J]

Also another local guy to us

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196702

Google exploding sunroofs. A lot of pissed off consumers.

[Refujeet]

There has definitely been enough examples to show that this could be the result of a factory defect...I'd argue for BMW to cover.

[MattBianco]

Saw it happen in a brand new Volvo about 7 years ago. No rocks, no projectiles, no traffic on the road....at highway speed it just exploded. Volvo replaced it (for my buddy), but they could not identify a cause. We speculated poor torsion or temperature induced -we were driving down form the mountains in the winter, and were going from 5F to warmer temperatures, and it happened around 40F.

[Rene_Fonck]

Now BMW Seattle service is saying they won't cover it under warranty...said a service person noticed a scratch on the sunroof...they're quoting me $6,000 to replace/fix. They're bringing in an "expert" next week to look at it for a final opinion. Geesh.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Rene_Fonck

Now BMW Seattle service is saying they won't cover it under warranty...said a service person noticed a scratch on the sunroof...they're quoting me $6,000 to replace/fix. They're bringing in an "expert" next week to look at it for a final opinion. Geesh.

Don't waste anytime.
Go contact BMWNA customer relation to jump into the case.

[Billaeon]

Originally Posted by Rene_Fonck

Now BMW Seattle service is saying they won't cover it under warranty...said a service person noticed a scratch on the sunroof...they're quoting me $6,000 to replace/fix. They're bringing in an "expert" next week to look at it for a final opinion. Geesh.

Can you try BMW of Bellevue? They may be willing to help you out of Seattle won't.

[Stinkyxy]

Originally Posted by Rene_Fonck

Now BMW Seattle service is saying they won't cover it under warranty...said a service person noticed a scratch on the sunroof...they're quoting me $6,000 to replace/fix. They're bringing in an "expert" next week to look at it for a final opinion. Geesh.

People like they are trying to build a case not to replace it. If they are bringing in an expert then they have a concern. To say no and bring an expert makes no sense. I would escalate quickly and get ahead of any decision.

[MotoWPK]

Originally Posted by Rene_Fonck

Now BMW Seattle service is saying they won't cover it under warranty...said a service person noticed a scratch on the sunroof...they're quoting me $6,000 to replace/fix. They're bringing in an "expert" next week to look at it for a final opinion. Geesh.

I would be very cautious about this. Not to sound paranoid, but in legal cases parties experts often come up with a finding that reinforces the argument of the party paying them in an attempt to provide credibility for their argument. The problem is that once an "expert" has made their determination, it can them be unjustifiably used to deny a claim.

Before letting their expert inspect the vehicle, I would want to know who it is, what are their credentials, who do they work for, who is paying them for this inspection. You never know, he might be from the company the dealer outsources the installation of new sunroofs so that there is a conflict of interest. If the dealer is paying the expert for his inspection, there is the potential of conflict. Unless you are completely satisfied with the expert's credentials and freedom from potential conflicts of interest, I would deny their expert access and, possibly, seek out my own expert.

[PatrickC23]

I had never heard of this til now, surprised by it too since its a major safety issue. You would think they'd get ahead of it to avoid a major class action but its all about the bottom line (guess it hasn't happened to "enough" people). This story reports Audi recalled certain models to address this issue.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...293692881.html

[cenix]

The $6k cost just may constitute the expense for an attorney to take up the case for you. Please keep us updated on this, I hope you get it taken care of without too much hassle.

[Terp335]

I would think that you should be covered by the comprehensive insurance on your vehicle and only be out the deductible. I get that this isn't the point and BMW should cover it if its a defect, but I wouldn't think you'd need to pay the entire $6k.