E30 Zone

Hello. Just came back home while driving through some heavy rain. When I stopped, I noticed a drip sound above me which I could've thought is the sunroof, so I pushed the headlining a bit to see it and I could see it drip. Now I understand that water will drip into the sunroof as there are drains for it either end of the car, but does anybody know whether it always happens or only happens sometimes?

Car is parked on a slight 15deg incline facing uphill.

Here's the video below

https://photos.app.goo.gl/o9X5izRQ3Smog2YD7

The sunroof is not sealed. It is supposed to let water in and then down the drains that go to the front and rear wings.

BMW in their wisdom didn't bother to paint the tray that catches the water and they rust away.

Make sure that the drains are clear.

Ben

Yeah. The rear drain isn't clear because the water ends up in the back seats by the looks of it. I might put tape on the sunroof to confirm that.

That may mean that the back of the tray is rusted.

Get the rear drains cleared ASAP.

Ben

is there a picture or a detailed diagram of where the rear sunroof drains are on a 4 door saloon? I don't really want to shove compressed air down the sunroof for fear of dislodging the drain pipes. getting the headliner out involves just the rear window or rear quarter windows too?

The bottom of the rear drains connect to the side vents in the boot pockets.

If you remove the boot liners you can push something like strimmer cord up them to clear them.

Ben

BenHar wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 7:52 pm

The bottom of the rear drains connect to the side vents in the boot pockets.

If you remove the boot liners you can push something like strimmer cord up them to clear them.

Ben

What are the boot pockets? The space adjacent to the rear lights?

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a go sometime.

Yes, left and right areas right behind the rear lights are the boot “pockets” by rear arches

Jacking stuff is stored in the N/S "pocket", and the O/S is opposite

I’ve used electric cable to try and clear by pushing upwards from the end of the drain hose in the boot.

The drain hose are held on tight by metal clips. If you need pics just ask as I’ve got the headliner out of mine to check mine out….

@BHadley if you took pics of those sunroof drains I would love to see them. I have 2 mystery leaks I am trying to track down

Wingzero wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 12:44 am

is there a picture or a detailed diagram of where the rear sunroof drains are on a 4 door saloon? I don't really want to shove compressed air down the sunroof for fear of dislodging the drain pipes. getting the headliner out involves just the rear window or rear quarter windows too?

The rear vents are part ten here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=51_0835

The pipe usually sits at the front upper corner of the frame.

Here is a photo of my touring rear quarter you can see the vent hole,