BMW 750Li "Sunroof Explosion"

I recently purchased a new 2009 BMW 750Li. I purchased the car on Tuesday and when I drove off the lot the car only had 8 miles on it. On Thursday morning when I was driving the car on the interstate, the sunroof just blew out. I was going 75mph, however there was no cars around me, it was wide open road. The car is brand new, only 2 days old and now, it not only has a broken sunroof, but the paint in the rear of the vehicle is scratched and chipped from the flying glass. When I took it to BMW service, they told me it would not be covered under warranty and on top of that, there is only one spare sunroof in the whole world and its in Germany, meaning it will take sometime to get the new one installed. I am very disappointed with how my experience is going with this situation. I have read many post and descriptions of these "BMW sunroof explosions" and thoroughly believe this was a manufacturer error and they need to cover the repairs completely.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

I recently purchased a new 2009 BMW 750Li. I purchased the car on Tuesday and when I drove off the lot the car only had 8 miles on it. On Thursday morning when I was driving the car on the interstate, the sunroof just blew out. I was going 75mph, however there was no cars around me, it was wide open road. The car is brand new, only 2 days old and now, it not only has a broken sunroof, but the paint in the rear of the vehicle is scratched and chipped from the flying glass. When I took it to BMW service, they told me it would not be covered under warranty and on top of that, there is only one spare sunroof in the whole world and its in Germany, meaning it will take sometime to get the new one installed. I am very disappointed with how my experience is going with this situation. I have read many post and descriptions of these "BMW sunroof explosions" and thoroughly believe this was a manufacturer error and they need to cover the repairs completely.

What could possibly be their excuse as to why it is not covered under warranty?

The dealership is telling me something like this doesn't just happen, that something had to have hit it, but that is not possible nothing was near the vehicle. I literally was just driving on the highway and all the sudden I hear a bang and then followed by what sounds like a bunch of hail drops hitting the car, I'm searching around for what the noise is thinking maybe something happen to a speaker or a tire or something fell off the car or I hit something. There was nothing, when I realized the noise from coming from the roof I opened the cover for the sunroof and in fell tons of glass pieces. I immediately pulled the vehicle over and then called BMW assistance to come pick up the car. There car is 2 days old when this happen, its clearly a sign of manufacturer defect, hence why it happen right after the car was purchased.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

The dealership is telling me something like this doesn't just happen, that something had to have hit it, but that is not possible nothing was near the vehicle. I literally was just driving on the highway and all the sudden I hear a bang and then followed by what sounds like a bunch of hail drops hitting the car, I'm searching around for what the noise is thinking maybe something happen to a speaker or a tire or something fell off the car or I hit something. There was nothing, when I realized the noise from coming from the roof I opened the cover for the sunroof and in fell tons of glass pieces. I immediately pulled the vehicle over and then called BMW assistance to come pick up the car. There car is 2 days old when this happen, its clearly a sign of manufacturer defect, hence why it happen right after the car was purchased.

there are a few reports of this with other cars, the problem is that a low air pressure forms over the car and then the high pressure air inside the car pushes up and if the glass is weak, it'll explode.

So then BMW is the one responsible for replacing the sunroof, how do I get them to take responsibility, any suggestions?

It sounds like the tolerances were too small for the sunroof, causing enough tension to break it. Even if you get the sunroof replaced, the next one may break from this same issue.

If you are "lucky" this is the result of poor installation or faulty sunroof. If not, it couldbe the opening in the roof that doesn't allow for enough clearance, which would be much more intrusive to correct.

Good luck, either way.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

So then BMW is the one responsible for replacing the sunroof, how do I get them to take responsibility, any suggestions?

Call your lawyer.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

So then BMW is the one responsible for replacing the sunroof, how do I get them to take responsibility, any suggestions?

Tell your SA you want to speak to his manager. Tell the manager that nothing hit the car, the road was empty! As well you had your sunroof visor closed, so it's not possible that something hit it from inside the car. It's simple physics, the difference in pressures and a minute fault in the glass caused this.

If they refuse to replace it, call BMW NA and complain, you shouldn't have to jump though hoops to get something rightfully fixed when you pay 90+K for it.

That's just awful. I'd certainly talk to the Sales Manager, too, if you haven't already. Dealerships have more pull than they'd like to admit sometimes.

Wow, that is crazy!!!

I don't mean to back track here, but have you explored the area where the glass broke? Is it possible that something hit the glass? For pressure to build up in the car your ears would have popped, guaranteed. Think through it. Anything, anything happen strange?

I was driving on the open road, nothing around me, no vehicles around me, it was mid- morning, no one on the road, I was in a rural area. I don't know what could have hit me.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

So then BMW is the one responsible for replacing the sunroof, how do I get them to take responsibility, any suggestions?

There is precedence. There are several reports of the same happening to E9x (3 series) owners. There is no way in hell I am paying for an exploding sunroof especially on the company's new flagship sedan. If the dealer won't budge, call BMWNA asap to get the issue resolved.

Originally Posted by Easy_Now

There is precedence. There are several reports of the same happening to E9x (3 series) owners. There is no way in hell I am paying for an exploding sunroof especially on the company's new flagship sedan. If the dealer won't budge, call BMWNA asap to get the issue resolved.

+1

Then I would certainly pursue all avenues to get them to pay for it. Is there a chance there was pressure put on the glass by the mechanism itself?

I called BMW North America today, they were extremely helpful and are restoring my faith in BMW cars. When I called, I explained I had just purchased a new 750Li and what had happened to the car after only two days. They said that they would take care of the problem and that all I had to do was drive it to the newest BMW service center and they would be expecting me. After hanging up on the phone, I drove over to the service center, when I arrived, they immediately knew who I was. They then began doing the paper work and ordering the necessary equipment to fix the damage, which will all be covered under warrantly. Unfortunately there is only one spare F02 sunroof in the world, which is in Germany, so it will take 2-3 days to get it to America. I was very pleased how BMW North America handled my situation, because it was only just Friday that BMW service center was telling me that I would not be getting the repairs done under warranty. I want to thank everyone for their help and support with the issue.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

I called BMW North America today, they were extremely hopefully and are restoring my faith in BMW cars. When I called, I explained I had just purchased a new 750Li and what had happened to the car after only two days. They said that they would take care of the problem and that all I had to do was drive it to the newest BMW service center and they would be expecting me. After hanging up on the phone, I drove over to the service center, when I arrived, they immediately knew who I was. They then began doing the paper work and ordering the necessary equipment to fix the damage, which will all be covered under warrantly. Unfortunately there is only one spare F02 sunroof in the world, which is in Germany, so it will take 2-3 days to get it to America. I was very pleased how BMW North America handled my situation, because it was only just Friday that BMW service center was telling me that I would not be getting the repairs done under warranty. I want to thank everyone for their help and support with the issue.

Good work, brother. Kudos to BMWNA.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

I called BMW North America today, they were extremely helpful and are restoring my faith in BMW cars. When I called, I explained I had just purchased a new 750Li and what had happened to the car after only two days. They said that they would take care of the problem and that all I had to do was drive it to the newest BMW service center and they would be expecting me. After hanging up on the phone, I drove over to the service center, when I arrived, they immediately knew who I was. They then began doing the paper work and ordering the necessary equipment to fix the damage, which will all be covered under warrantly. Unfortunately there is only one spare F02 sunroof in the world, which is in Germany, so it will take 2-3 days to get it to America. I was very pleased how BMW North America handled my situation, because it was only just Friday that BMW service center was telling me that I would not be getting the repairs done under warranty. I want to thank everyone for their help and support with the issue.

Great to hear that BMW of NA took care of everything promptly and correctly. I guess most people only post there stories when things went sour, so the reality is not truly shown.

Nice to know they handled it properly.

Originally Posted by F01BMW750Li

I called BMW North America today, they were extremely helpful and are restoring my faith in BMW cars. When I called, I explained I had just purchased a new 750Li and what had happened to the car after only two days. They said that they would take care of the problem and that all I had to do was drive it to the newest BMW service center and they would be expecting me. After hanging up on the phone, I drove over to the service center, when I arrived, they immediately knew who I was. They then began doing the paper work and ordering the necessary equipment to fix the damage, which will all be covered under warrantly. Unfortunately there is only one spare F02 sunroof in the world, which is in Germany, so it will take 2-3 days to get it to America. I was very pleased how BMW North America handled my situation, because it was only just Friday that BMW service center was telling me that I would not be getting the repairs done under warranty. I want to thank everyone for their help and support with the issue.

Why do we always have to go the corporate route?? Im glad it worked out, but geez we had to go over their heads I mean c'mon its a new car

glad you got that fixed...