3rd roof motor failure in 2 years

A

AnandMistry

Member
Hi
Have bmw z4 2006 2.5si
Ive read the posts about roof motor failures due to water ingress but im not sure what to do.
I bought the car from approved BMW, was 11 months old, only 1600miles on it.

had the car ever since, and mechanically it is sound.
howvere 2 years ago, the roof motor went.
Took to independent garage, cost £900 to repair motor, this lasted 7months. Took it back, they advised me to take to BMW where they got the part from and get the repair done under warranty (for the roof motor).
BMW said it was due to incorrect installation - therefore not warranty covered. But the motor was working for 7 months without any problems.
They charged me £1400 for the new roof motor - ( I did get partial refund from the independent garage).
But now less than 10 months later, the roof motor has failed again. pretty sure it is the same problem as the symptoms are the same.

Im yet to take it back to the garage, as I need some advice on how to deal with it4
Will it be covered by BMW warranty - as they fitted the part? or will they try and fob me off and try to charge again for the repair?
I don't want to keep spending money on this problem, just wanted it sorted for once and for all.

Someone else I spoke to, said that could consider replacing the whole roof (including motor) - as this would come in a single sealed unit and prevent water getting into the motor.
Is this accurate? can this be done?

How is it that the roof was ok for over 4 years (from new), then suddenly water keeps getting in - leading to 3 failures in 2 years?

I want to keep the car going (by car, I mean roof) for another 2 years at least before I have to sell the car.
I love my car, but I can't live with a convertible where the roof doesn't work.....
 
mine has had 2 motors and when i put the roof down at weekend - there is clearly water inthere - so weekend is clearing the drain holes, but it lives outside under trees

I wonder if any of the news ones have failed yet ?
 
If they replaced it 10 months ago then this time it will be free as it's still under guarantee.
 
hi thanks for the quick replies

@ADAMSKI - the car is not garaged, as I don't have a gargage, but I do put a cover over it during bad weather or if im not using it for a few days.


@SRHUTCH - are you sure it will be under guarantee.. I really cant afford the cost of the replacement at this time.
obviously I need to speak to the dealer, but my worry is that over the winter (and it probably will be a bad one this year), that the motor will fail again before we even get to the summer.
if that happens, then would it still be under guarantee?
Does the guarantee only start from the time the first repair is done? or is there a new guarantee for all work from the day it is done?


and any thoughts on the suggestion that replacing the entire roof will help to eliminate the problem?
 
As you paid for the repair you have at least a 12 month guarantee. Warranty repair guarantees expire when the warranty does.
 
As above if bmw fitted take it back, get it replaced by them.

I cleared my roof drains last october for the first time (car was 4 yeara old) and the drains were full of sludge. My car is kept outdoors since i've had it.

Cleaned them again last weekend and they were completely clear. Again kept outdoors all year.

If they cleared the drains 10 months ago when they changed the motor cant see how it can get clogged up again - based on how clear mine were after 13 months. My guess is they changed the motor and left the drains blocked.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
 
If the drains are clogged then this might be causing the water build up in the motor area and then the failure. Check them if they are clean before you go as otherwise they might use this as a reason to charge you for the motor as they might say it is your responsibility to keep them clean. They might say that they cleaned them when they changed the motor but you would never know if they actually cleaned them or not so go prepared for that case.

Keeping a car with a soft top outside a garage causes many problems unfortunately. Mine is garaged and I checked the drains last year for the first time and they were very clean so where you keep the car plays a big role.

Good luck
 
If everyone used the search function, there would never be any new threads about anything.

Cleaning the drains is easy johnny, but can get a bit messy. Budget an hour to do the job.
 
I just cleaned the drains this week on mine. Jacked and removed each wheel, I just cleaned out the plug and the pipes with water and a trombone brush. Seemed pretty clean.

Inside the wheel arch where the pipe is, was also full of stones and mud so cleaned it all out.

I used Shipkillers PDF so I knew where abouts I was looking. http://www.shipkiller.com:8080/SoftTopDrains.html Although because my arch trims where held on with torx screws and nuts instead of just nuts it was best to remove each wheel.
 
I've found plenty of information on this (clearing the drain), but almost all the good topics are kinda old and the links to the pics are broken... :(

Edit: and the shipkiller PDF doens't open for me! I get a broken link
 
AnandMistry said:
Someone else I spoke to, said that could consider replacing the whole roof (including motor) - as this would come in a single sealed unit and prevent water getting into the motor.
Is this accurate? can this be done?
Click to expand...
No! It may be a single sealed unit, but water will still get in. Water is supposed to get in. The problem is it cannot get back out. This has nothing to do with the roof mechanism, but the drainage tubes inside the body. Only regular maintenance of these tubes will prevent water accumulation.
 
Hi thanks for your replies

I have been on the phone to the BMW garage that did the repair.
They have said they would need to book the car in and have a look - charging £140 for a diagnostic.
If the repair comes within the warranty, obviously no charges will apply.
But they say if there is another cause, then I will be liable for all charges that may apply.
they wont even waive the £140 fee to find out the problem as a gesture of goodwill - even though they acknowledge that they fitted the motor only 10months ago.


im fed up with BMW, ive spent so much money with them on cars, services, repairs, bodywork, accessories etc, and they wont even help out once in a while.
 
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