Sun Roof Gone Pop!

[Kevin Stevens]

I purchased last year a new Mini Clubman Diesel, Although I have been very pleased with the car, I have had a few problems.

Over the past year when it has gone for its service, I have pointed out problems with the Near Side Window not opening and closing properly, and has been called "Window Bouncing" and this is an ongoing problem!

The other problem I have asked BMW to look at several times is the double Sun Roof which I paid extra for when ordering the car. The problem is that on hot days, the sun roof does not want to open unless you apply upwards-pressure on the glass and the sun roof then descides to open. I have put this down too that on hot days the glass and metal frame work expands due to the heat and jam's the roof's operation!

The previous BMW dealership just put some lubricant onto the sides of the rubber seal which should allow the roof to open!

Now that we are having some nice weather and I am still having problems opening the roof on hot days, I took the Mini to the new dealership which I have been using for servicing the past six months and showed them the problem with the roof. They said that on the next service which is due shortly that they would look at the roof then.

But today, the front panel of the double sun roof has shattered? There are no signs around the roof that this has been done by someone hitting it, as the glasswhich still remains appears to look as if the pressure was from below and slightly pronounced! and not downwards towards the car interior.

My question to you BMW Mini Wise People is, Has any one else had this problem, or heard of the sun roof on the Mini Shattering possibly through the heat, then expanding so much that the roof gives in!

I would be greatful for any ones help in this matter?

The Near Side Window Bounce is another day and another Question!

[Kevin Stevens]

With reference to my post yesterday regarding the front glass on my sun roof exploding, I took my Clubman to a local windscreen company before I took it to the BMW dealers and asked for the help and advice.

As soon as they saw the roof and I started to explain what I thought had happened, they replied straight away and said that this is a common fault with the sun roof mechanism, and although they had not seen one where the glass had exploded, they had heard of the problem and to go to the dealers. They said that when the roof gets so hot, the roof expands and jams the smooth operation of the electric sun roof and causes the roof to judder when it opens.

I then took the Clubman to the BMW dealers, and explained that since I brought the car to them around a week ago where I had high lighted the sun roof problem again, I said to them that the problem had been solved since the glass had exploded. The guy dashed off, and after several minutes he returned and said that this would be replaced under warranty.

Whilst booking the Clubman in, I asked if he had seen this before? He said that he has seen the sun roof problem several times, but not to the extent of the glass exploding.

The fix for this is to drop the whole head lining from front to back and to replace to whole double sun roof.

This will take two to three days to carry out, and they could not offer a loan car quick enough.

I hope that this may help others.

[jencooper]

Thanks for the "heads-up" Kevin as i have the sun roof also.
jc

[Rockabillyjeff]

Hi Kevin,

I have had the same problem with my clubman. I live in Malta and the sun here is really hot everytime i parked in the sun the sunroof would jam. when I took it to Mini dealer here They told me that had adjusted the sunroof rails so far its seems to be working. hope it doesnt get to the stage where my sunroof shatters.

[MikeyV]

I have a sunroof in mine, the only time I've had problems opening it is when it's freezing cold, I've had the windows and doors frozen shut numerous times too, I've never had this problem with any other car.