F07 Sun Roof Sunshade Failure - How To

Ours has not failed, but we have probably only used it about a dozen times (the sunroof, not the car itself...that's probably on the order of two dozen...)

I rarely use mine either. I don't trust it. It's a sad situation.

Hi n8s 330xi n8s

I know this is an old thread but do you have photo's of your roof now as I'm thinking of cutting mine out too.

Many thanks

Hi just picked up this thread and can't see any outcome but yours n8s 330xi !I have just had the blind melt down and was wondering when you removed the front cross piece the blind is attached to, did it just break off the slide piece in the channel at either side ? And what are you left with you can see?

Yours seems the best thing to do as paying a fortune to the (stealers) is no guarantee it won't happen again !

Cheers

Just wanted to say hello to all and tomorrow i start the sun shade replacement on my 2013 550 gt. Will update wit pics and process....hopefully it will help someone also.

I was watching the blind move yesterday due to my OCD cleaning (it's amazing how much dust gets in there and we haven't even opened the glass in at least 2 yrs); had to rejuvenate the rubber seals and black plastic due to hot TX weather. If I'm not incorrect I don't believe anyone has had the fabric torn in the center, just the sides. Clearly the blind must be able to fold/collapse accordion style as it retracts otherwise we wouldn't have a panoramic glass because of lack of roof behind the rear glass panel. If anyone is DIYing this job I think we would all love to see pics of the system while the roof lining is off (and if I were doing this job I'd be racking my brain to develop some type of guide for the fabric to stay out of the rail).

The way the blind works is ,the material is stuck each side to a thin strip of stainless steel and it slides in the channel from front to back! On my blind the material has become detached from the metal strip and this was coiled up like a clock spring at the back! So the material is sagging each side out of the side strips!

I've had a couple of prices to repair it one at a BMW dealership to supply and fix a new blind £1100.00 with 2 years warranty and a price from an independent company for £1500.00 with 1 year warranty. And to buy the blind to do myself £320.00.

There is no way I'm attempting to do it myself,some one on the Forum is having a go and he said he would post some photos, what I'm doing is having the sunroof tinted very dark and cutting the blind material out ! And I'm not sure what to do with the front bar that slides from front to back! One guy on here has just forced his out !But at least I won't have the problem ever again!! The sunroof works fine.

Hi LindonJGT I got the pieces of thin steel the blind was stuck to out at both sides and that allowed the blind to slide right back to the fully open position!

Then I have had the sunroof tinted to the max and I'm pleased with that, the blind comes forward a bit when you lock the car ! But you just have to open fully and it looks good!

I'm intending keeping my car so I'm happy having it like this for the cost of £70.00

Cheers

Sorry all, I haven't really been tracking this thread.
1. What Alshamal was saying above is the same way mine failed - the fabric was separating from the thin metal strips on the side.
2. From what I recall, the metal bar was popped onto the brackets on either side. I think I either just yanked side to side until one side popped off or else I bent the middle of the bar to get it off. I don't really remember, unfortunately.
3. I don't see anything at all of the old cover. The only indication it's missing is that every once in a while I hit the open button and hear the motor running but nothing happening.
4. If you're going to do this, make the tint as dark as you can. I went a little shy of that and wish I had just gone full limo black.

I'll see if I can get some pics later.

Here are some pics with the shade closed halfway. The closeup shows all that you can see of the old tracking system (basically, almost nothing). Keep in mind I have my roof rack on right now, so that's the bar you see through the glass.

Just an update on the sunroof blind problem, had the sunroof tinted with the darkest they had and I'm well pleased!
I left the blind alone and just have it fully open as you see in the photos and I'm well pleased with the outcome.

The same guy did the chrome trims for me as I've been thinking of having them done!seeing the difference they make to car seeing n8s330xi car I decided to have them done ***9989; just thinking about the black wheels !

My grandkids think I'm returning to my yoof ! Nothing wrong with that is there.

I just love the car ***128526;

Originally Posted by Alshamal

Just an update on the sunroof blind problem, had the sunroof tinted with the darkest they had and I'm well pleased!
I left the blind alone and just have it fully open as you see in the photos and I'm well pleased with the outcome.

The same guy did the chrome trims for me as I've been thinking of having them done!seeing the difference they make to car seeing n8s330xi car I decided to have them done ***9989; just thinking about the black wheels !

My grandkids think I'm returning to my yoof ! Nothing wrong with that is there.

I just love the car ***128526;

Not a thing wrong with that. Not a damned thing.

Everythings good...until you put Cragars on the car with slicks, then your gonna need an intervention

Sorry but I lost what that means ! Will have to ask the grandson!

oops, UK, sorry. Back in the 60s and 70s kids would put aftermarket oversized rims and racing tires on their cars. The most popular Alum rim was Cragar.

Cheers for clearing that up,it's as clear as mud!

Hi, lads. Im new here, on Tuesday Im going to collect my first 530d gt 2009, and I noticed that it has that problem with headliner on one side. Now I start worry about that, but its still works and roof works too. question is headliner closes all the time you lock a car? Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by andrewpanke

Hi, lads. Im new here, on Tuesday Im going to collect my first 530d gt 2009, and I noticed that it has that problem with headliner on one side. Now I start worry about that, but its still works and roof works too. question is headliner closes all the time you lock a car? Thanks in advance.

That's weird. I've never run into that. Could be a special thing the previous owner coded in, but I sure don't remember seeing it as an option.
Another thing is that if you hold the lock button on your key fob, it will close all windows/sunroof (depending on what region you're in).

Hello All,
I would like to resurrect this old thread again. My sunroof shade failed over the weekend. I was thinking of tinting the glass dark limo tint. I called the guy on one of the youtube videos in Florida about his knowledge and he warned against tinting the glass. He said it would break the glass as it attracts a lot of heat. The other option is vinyl wrap from outside but that to me will look bad as I will be able to see the glue marks from inside.

Of course, I can take it to a dealer or repair this myself. Anyone have success taking this apart and repairing it themselves?

That's odd, my cousins own tinting shops for cars and business.The only tint they will not put on double pane windows for bus was reflective tint, it created extreme heat between the panes and caused them to crack. I never heard them say anything about car tints.

Wondering what issues everyone had in getting BMW to repair under warranty or is it simply because most are second owner's?

My 2014 GT just suffered this issue. Now I will add I use it twice every day. So I am feeling really good that after 5.5 years it has finally gone. At first, it was just a small bit of the side that came off then more and more as it got used. After a while, I just cut off the fabric as it was going to be weeks till I could get it fixed. Good news is that I took out extended warranty and it was covered. Now what's interesting is that BMW originally quoted just over $2000 AU to fit a new one and said same day turn around. Upon dropping off the car I was told two days. Then on day two they called and said they would need to take out the rear window and they would need another day or more. So it seems they were either not sure or were hoping they would not need to have to take out the window. I have a loan car so all good. As others have wondered how long it will last once replaced. I can only assume if they replace the whole thing as I assume they are doing I should see another 5 years out of it. I also park during the day in the open and we get a lot of sun so the glue that holds the fabric on will take a beating.

Sun...This is why I always have my shade open-retracted all the time. Hopefully since no UVs attack the glue it will last longer. On the rare times the sun is too hot while driving I will close it, but will open it when I park.

Tint the sunroof...preferably with one of the films that works well on UV. The best one I've found is 3M's crystalline tint. It doesn't have to be dark to block the UV.

Hi all.

Unfortunatelly I went through same experience.
applying dark film was always on the table, but I´m a traditional guy and like to have it working as it should...
Decided to give it a go and try another approach. I´ll keep you all posted, and i´ll try to take some pictures. On going process, the car really needs to be aside for a while, unless you have nothing else to do ;-)

Cheers

Rui