Sunroof exploded spontaneously!

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by CATCH_M3

tell them you feel in danger and want a carbon-fibre roof now!

I have been unlucky w/ sunroofs: my last 5er's had some issues (but w/ the opening action, not the glass self-destructing!)

[anthony @ eas]

Wow, that is just bizarre.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Not at all, I think it sucks what happened, but given the choice to laugh or cry I find it more theraputic to laugh. As far as sunroofs on BMW's, I think they are just too small. A larger panoramic roof like on the MB C's would be nice!

I know - I was just messing with you. Our X5 has the large panoramic roof - thats how it should be!

[Gearhead999s]

Maybe uncontrolled flatulence was the issue here

[MMMorish]

Wow, Voltigeur. Thank God you weren't harmed. I'm pretty sure BMW will take care of this and will warranty it. Good luck.

[MMMorish]

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Not at all, I think it sucks what happened, but given the choice to laugh or cry I find it more theraputic to laugh. As far as sunroofs on BMW's, I think they are just too small. A larger panoramic roof like on the MB C's would be nice!

Maybe on the regular C's, but the AMG's get a normal size opening.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

A number of people on E90 post have reported the same in the past, and other BMW owners as well.

I guess the prevailing theory is that it is caused by stress fractures due to temperature fluctuations. Others have mentioned a pressure differential being the cause, but that seems less likely.

Anyway, glad you are ok.

Thanks mate. 1st thing BMW Customer Care asked me is: "Were you injured?"

Yes, this is what my search has been showing (re the E90s). Had not heard of it occurring in an e92 M3 (?)

The temp fluctuation may be a plausible explanation but today we have mild temps, 60s-70s (perfect, actually). Admittedly, with the cold snap about 10 days ago it was down to the 20s, coldest I have experienced here. Perhaps the +40-50 degree variation could be a catalyst?

--- V

[kmarei]

last words spoken before the sunroof exploded
"pull my finger"....

[Blake]

brad you should have got CF roof

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Blake

brad you should have got CF roof

Was waiting for that one ... +

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Panda///Monic

It's your car's way of telling you it was meant to and wishes it had the CF roof

Yeah, yeah .... all the CF-ers will have their day now Better to grin than

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by kmarei

last words spoken before the sunroof exploded
"pull my finger"....

A colleague suggested that I try out for porn, "must have a helluva boner ...!"

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Guess I am living dangerously, as no way I am giving up a sunroof.

Am still in the same camp: I LOVE my moonroof, except when it explodes!

[ihyln]

Maybe the OP was listening to Celine Dion?

[meevo]

i've heard of this happening to other car's windows before too. forgot what the reason is

[spyderco10]

m3s come with a sunroof?

[Maseroche]

That must have freaked you out! Hope it gets resolved.

[slo_guy]

I remember members in e90post having these issues. I also remember that on at least one occassion, the dealership thought it wasn't their fault and told them to go through their insurance. Good luck with it... please let us know what happens.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

Yes, this is what my search has been showing (re the E90s). Had not heard of it occurring in an e92 M3 (?)

Yours is the first M3 case I've heard of also. Of course, since the M3 uses the same sunroof assembly as the 3 series, it is only logical that it would eventually happen to an M3.

The temp fluctuation may be a plausible explanation but today we have mild temps, 60s-70s (perfect, actually). Admittedly, with the cold snap about 10 days ago it was down to the 20s, coldest I have experienced here. Perhaps the +40-50 degree variation could be a catalyst?

It seems at least theoretically possible. Obviously the glass is designed to tolerate many different types of weather conditions and temperatures, but they cannot test everything. Also, it is probably the case that 99%+ of the glass manufactured by the supplier will never have issues, but due to some very slight differences in manufacturing quality not all of the glass is equal. In other words if they have some range of tolerable variation in quality, perhaps the glass that falls in the lower end of that range are the the ones that are having issues. Combined with the "perfect storm" of weather and/or other environment conditions, and you end up with catastrophic failure. In theory, anyway.

I wonder if the glass supplier has ever been made aware of these cases, and has ever investigated. It could very well be that plausible deniability has prevented that from happening, unfortunately. This is quite rare after all.

[graider]

are you sure you din't fart which would increase the pressure inside the cabin?

actually the weirdest thing happen to mine accord before, the driver side glass window exploded by itself when I parked overnight. the glass shatter outward away from the car. so I knew it wasn't some kid broken into my car because if they smashed it, the glass would have shattered inward into the cabin. not sure why that would happen.

[quality_sound]

that'll pucker up your butthole

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by graider

are you sure you din't fart which would increase the pressure inside the cabin?

actually the weirdest thing happen to mine accord before, the driver side glass window exploded by itself when I parked overnight. the glass shatter outward away from the car. so I knew it wasn't some kid broken into my car because if they smashed it, the glass would have shattered inward into the cabin. not sure why that would happen.

Yep, ripe for gas jokes.

Same here: the glass is exploded up (not inwards) indicating an outward pressure; would be totally different if a heavy object fell from the sky on to the 'roof.