E93 + Heavy Rain = Gripe

Was reminded again this morning during a downpour of a design glitch in my 07 E93. The front joint in the roof ends up channelling water such that, when I open the door, a river of water comes streaming down from right into my lap (or, if I was just getting in, it creates a nice big puddle on the seat). Hope BMW's found a way to fix this in newer models.

Anyone else have the same problem, and, more importantly, any solutions???

Never had mine out in the rain sorry!

Let me clarify that this happens with the roof closed!

I have driven my 2007 335i in torrential rain storms in New York and in South Florida. I do not have that problem.

That's because you only leave the car when you're under the roof at the country club!

(or... well... maybe not... hey... just trying to be funny here. sorrry. lame)

Originally Posted by VaBMWLooker

Was reminded again this morning during a downpour of a design glitch in my 07 E93. The front joint in the roof ends up channelling water such that, when I open the door, a river of water comes streaming down from right into my lap (or, if I was just getting in, it creates a nice big puddle on the seat). Hope BMW's found a way to fix this in newer models.

Anyone else have the same problem, and, more importantly, any solutions???

I have an 08 and I've not had this happen, but may be I'm not understanding your issue.

Mines channels, but soon as I open the door it drains away outside. I can hear the water rush/flow away and hitting the ground. The water doesn't enter the cabin.

I have the exact opposite problem. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get the warm sunlight to bathe my back and shoulders!

(My issue: It's a frickin' hardtop. Your issue: It's a frickin' convertible.)

Originally Posted by Emission

I have the exact opposite problem. No matter how hard I try, I cannot get the warm sunlight to bathe my back and shoulders!

(My issue: It's a frickin' hardtop. Your issue: It's a frickin' convertible.)

Easily rectified.

Originally Posted by VaBMWLooker

Anyone else have the same problem, and, more importantly, any solutions???

Yes. And it was repurchased by BMWNA (California Lemon Law).

There is another poster here (SailingSand) who had a leaking E93 bought back under the Lemon Law.

Ca

More clarification - it doesn't leak. The river of water happens when I open the door to get in or out - the front seam seems to be a water channel that normally causes the water to run down the side of the front window. With the door open and the window not there anymore, it runs straight down onto the seat.

Been in lot of rain over last 1.5 yrs... no leaks here.

Originally Posted by captainaudio

i have driven my 2007 335i in torrential rain storms in new york and in south florida. I do not have that problem.

+1.

If you take it to a dealer and they advise that they need to change the seals DONT DO IT, my car was water tight until my dealer changed the seals to rectify a tapping noise in the roof. Now I have water streaming into the car!!!

Originally Posted by VaBMWLooker

More clarification - it doesn't leak. The river of water happens when I open the door to get in or out - the front seam seems to be a water channel that normally causes the water to run down the side of the front window. With the door open and the window not there anymore, it runs straight down onto the seat.

Yea sounds off. Mines streams right down to the ground. Like I mentioned, I can hear the water pressure releasing when the door is opened and H2O is released from the door channels.

It's almost like a dam and the water is released through the dam when the door is opened.

Is there some sort of a channel running inside the A pillar? I'll take a look to see if there's some othe way for water to move from the roof to someplace other than the side of the car. FWIW, mine's an early build (March 07), so I'm wondering if it's something that was fixed in later builds.

My 2009 E93 does not do this and it has been thru many many rainstorms.

I must admit that I have not noticed this. If it ever rains here again I will check it out.

This reminds me of a similar problem I addressed once: There are drains in the sunroof of my brother's '03 Jetta that are channeled through the A*****ars. Some tree debris clogged these and water pooled inside the front floorboard of the car. If there are any drain channels in the E93 (no idea here,) it is possible something has clogged them.

I fixed his with a wire clothes hanger in roto-rooter fashion, starting at the exit tube at the bottom of the car. You might try using a pitcher of water to see exactly what the water is doing to cause the problem. I realize the dealer should fix this, but I have lost count of the times I have had to self-diagnose problems to explain them to the service advisor.


edit-why is the cuss-check bleeping out "A (hyphen) pillars" ?