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Mini Sunroof Problem R56 - 07 Plate Mini Cooper

82K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  SeanC 
#1 ·
After reading on forums about Mini sunroofs I have to add my problem on here too as I believe BMW/Mini are taking their customers for a ride.

My sunroof on my Mini Cooper (07 Plate) stopped working during the first signs of good weather in London (March/April) and it was stopped working. I thought it was fixed when my sunroof had opened again after parking in the SHADE but this quickly died when I got home and would not close.

My sunroof was FULLY working when I bought the car in November 2010 and when I occasionally used the tilt function during the mild winter. My friends Mini Cooper (56 Plate) basically and identical car to mine, his sunroof had also stopped working at the same time, during the first signs of good weather we had in London March/April time.

After reading other reviews (listed below) I’m starting to question that this problem is actually common on this model and Mini won’t admit to the design fault, which makes it BMW/Mini’s problem and should fix it!

I took one viewer’s advice by going directly to Mini and see if they can fix the problem out of ‘good will’ along with my mate as they are just out of warranty. We thought we’d go together as the cars are identical and both had the same problem at the same time, might help sway the decision.

BMW/Mini had the cheek to charge us £80 to plug the computer into the car to tell them what’s wrong with it. We went ahead anyway and on the same day they called and said no ‘good will’ would be given to repair either car. Apparently the motor and panoramic roof needed to be replaced. I asked for a number/email to call the people who are behind offering ‘good wills’ but they said they don’t have one and you need to contact Mini Customer services. They apparently contact ‘good will’ via the internet themselves and there is not direct number to the office (how convenient).

I also asked for a figure to see how much it would cost to repair the car, brace your selves!

OVER £3,000 – for my 07 Plate and my mates

£2,600 for a 56 Plate


What an extortionate cost, who in their right mind would pay that huge repair cost, especially during the current economic state we are all in. It’s a third of what I bought the car for and no way feasible to fix as you will never get the money back on the resale.

I even asked for a breakdown of the cost see attached.

Both cars have the same problem along with everyone else’s I’ve read on these forums, how can the prices vary and why such a ridiculous cost. I asked them this too and they said “both have different problems and one is newer”. A brand new sunroof only cost £695 (taken from their official site under option extras when you spec your Mini).

My sunroof has now been disconnected.

Apparently those with paranoiac sunroofs might also suffer from water leaks. Mine did, this is down to a design fault by Mini as I had a third part garage kindly have a look at it for me ‘free of charge’ to see what the problem was.

I’ve also read the problem could be to do with the lubricant on the runners that cause friction during hot weather, which is why others sun roofs work during the winter and not in the spring/summer.

Others have said the motor that drives the roof is dodgy.

What is going on...

I have complained to their customer’s services team to via email and a month later still rejected fixing both cars under ’good will’.

I want to know how many people out there with panoramic sunroofs have the same problem of their Mini’s panoramic sunroof not opening and closing and water leaks and what they have done about it and if they had it repaired or not, by who, cost etc.
 

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#2 ·
Hi Demetris... I have a similar 07' R56 which I imported from the UK in Cyprus. As you know the weather is extremely hot here and I did notice my roof was relactant to open on a few occasion, on 37C+ under the sun. The roof itself "tried" to move but apparently the rubbers stick on the metal latches and it automatically closes back. But the problem is not permanent, after a couple of minutes with the a/c on, the roof does slide open.

I have been extremely cautious with the car and have lubricated the roof with lithium grease, even doing so for the rubber seals, as the latches slide upon them.

Anw... I don't generally believe that an electric motor dies that easily, but I do know that if friction gets high for whatever reason, it would strain the motor and the ECU shuts it down to avoid further damage. How long it takes to reinitialize the motor, I don't know...
 
#3 ·
I found the following helpful info:
BMW-Planet has the wiring diagrams for the R56 as well as explanation of the emergency functions possible. (Sorry I am not yet allowed to post links yet).

You can read through to the sunroof functions and see if you can initialize an emergency close down without the anti-trapping mechanism active...
 
#5 ·
Hi guys

Just wondering what happened to your particular problem. Did you pay anything? Did you get it fixed?

After having not really used my sunroof through the cold British winter, I tried to use it in the spring of 2011. Although the motor was clearly attempting to open the roof, something seemed to have ceased or similar.

Was taken to MINI dealer in the spring who did a brief diagnostic and, for want of a better description, did a partial lubrication of some of the mechanism. I was told that this would not solve the problem but may help a little. It did not. I was also told that I should have used the sunroof a few times through the (snowy) winter.

I took the car in again today (July 2011) for them to do an extensive diagnostic. The result of this is that the Customer Services girl said I need a new frame and motor. I queried what exactly was wrong and she did not give a satisfactory technical explanation, although I have now read on paperwork that the motor and rook cables had both seized.

I was quoted nearly £2000 to replace both!

This was then reduced to £1200 (70% of parts cost paid by BMW / MINI).

Upon protesting the girl said she'd talk to her manager and phoned back less than two minutes later asking if I'd pay £500.

Does anyone know if they are actually taking me for a ride? Could I expect MINI to pay for the whole lot?

Car is a 2007 model and in good condition, but I feel these parts are not fit for purpose if they seize up after just four years requiring such major replacements.
 
#6 ·
I have been able to fix mine... The rails do need good lubrication, especially in hot weather where the typical lubricants tend to disintegrate.

Apart from lubricating it, I had to relign the window panes, as those are wrongly aligned at the factory: they need to have a slide tilt forward and not be level with the roof! This also helps with reducing wind noise on motorway speeds.

Finally I had to reinitialize the roof, by holding the switch lever in the close position for about a minute, until the roof completed a cycle. Now it opens a bit faster than it used to.
 
#8 ·
Interested in your comment about wind noise

Interested in your comment about wind noise Angib.

I finally had my original problem fixed, and although the roof works now - it does seem slower, and there is excessive wind noise on the motorway at higher speeds.

Do you or does anyone else know how I might reduce this noise?
 
#10 ·
Hi,

Thank you very much to everyone so far who has taken the time to read and write about panoramic sunroof issues and problems.

I found it was no good going to a local or just outside my locality dealerships to address the issues and problems. It appears on the several areas of the forums when panoramic sunroofs issues and or problems have been addressed that dealerships dealt with everyone far differently.

Some have found dealerships helpful and supportive, others not the case. I thought it best to address the issues and problems to Mini Head Office UK (and the CEO at Munich - yes .....I have written to him also by registered airmail letter).

Mini Head Office appear to be READY TO LISTEN to the panoramic sunroof issues and or problems which is why I have taken their 'Mini Listening Ears' to the forum(s) for all of us Members here in the UK AND Overseas so that any member or non member (i.e. friend, colleague, acquaintence or family member who also has a mini with a panoramic sunroof) can address their issues and or problems.

As stated in another of my forum replies, I am happy to 'represent' any member that wishes to get their experience of their sunroof as I am in talks with Mini Head Office UK if they or you so wish.

I feel the weight of members contacting and addressing their issues and or problems (along with their experiences and findings) will make Mini Head Office UK (and the CEO at Munich) do more than listen.

With your intervention and contact I will have the weight behind me to help any member (UK or overseas) and get what I feel too is a design fault of the panoramic sunroof.

PLEASE..........more members........so I can act as quickly as possible.

Thank you.

Breianne
 
#11 · (Edited)
Thank you everyone so far for your contact. To update...I'm getting things ready to address to Mini Head Office UK. I have visited other Mini Clubs and see there are others who have panoramic sunroof issues and problems.

Please, any member, whether you have or have had a car with panoramic issues or problems (or know of anyone else, for eg, family member, friend, neighbour, acquaintance etc) please get in touch with me. I will do all I can to get Mini Head Office to progress.

Thank you.
 
#12 ·
Say guys,

There's an awful lot of threads on the pan-sunroof issues. - Perhaps we could get em all collated with a view to publishing and pass onto BMW?!!!!
Check out my posting(s) today and yesterday.

Seems like we're all banging our heads against a very large wall when it comes to any form of 'good will' gestures on the part of BMW.

Perhaps we need to go up a level and make the issue more public? - general motoring press for example? (or has that already been done?)

In the meantime, perhaps you guys would be better off searching for a local 'specialist' sun-roof centre that could sort the issues at a fraction of the costs BMW are quoting? - Just a suggestion!
 
#14 ·
Hi, my sunroof on my 57' Cooper S stopped in the tilted position last Sunday (first day of sun this year!). I attempted to manually close the sunroof using the provided allen key however this only closed the right side, causing the left side still tilted and the glass bent.

I took it to my local Mini garage who claim that the mechanism has gone, and are charging me £700 for the part, £400 for labour and £300 VAT....a total of £1400. I appreciate this is lower than those above me but this is still a ridiculous amount of money to fix a fault they know occurs. Any news from your MINI quest will be greatly appreciated!
 
#15 ·
My sunroof gave up a couple of weeks ago and after panicking that I'd never get it closed I booked it in with a sunroof specialist who has seen plenty of these go wrong, as well as X3, X5, and 3 & 5 series tourings.

This is a common problem because the motor and workings are no different to those on smaller, more basic sunroofs. There is no service schedule for the sunroof so as it builds up with crap the rear panel eventually seizes. It's the rear panel that causes all the problems and I guess it's most likely to happen when it hasn't been used for some time.

Fortunately this can be fixed. It cost me the grand total of £268 which included disengaging the rear sunroof, a larger cog on the motor and a full service. Rear sunroof doesn't work anymore, but the front is quicker and smoother than it has ever been.

If the motor had broken then that would have been another £250-£300. Fortunately for me it was only the external cog that had slipped as we were trying to shut it, but it would still have been better than the £000s people have been quoted from main dealers.

For anyone else who is in the SW and interested call James at Bristol Sunroof - 0117 972 8383.
 
#16 ·
I havent got a sun roof, it never goes wrong, or leaks and doesnt cost anything either, thats the way to go, Ive had sunroofs in the past, Fords, Vauxhall and they all cause some trouble at sometime one way or another.
They arent worth the bother or expense, just put the window down or have a fixed glass roof, ala Peugeot, if you dont like the couped up feeling.
 
#17 ·
Hey Mark,
Already contacted James at Bristol Sunroofs and he basically quoted me much the same about inherent problems with (Mini) sunroofs.
Def. seem like they know their stuff, so I'll book mine in with them when........
1. I can't bear to gaze out through the smoked glass on a warm sunny day into a cloudless blue sky any longer!!
2. When I can save up some 'readies'!

Unlike the Nun, I do have a sunroof - like it or not - and it's gone wrong. So I guess I either live with a defunct unit or get it put right. - Hopefully a little preventative maintenance - i.e. plenty of regular component greasing will prevent a repeat performance?
That's what James at Bristol Sunroofs says anyhow. - general lack of attention causes all the issues listed in the forums.

Have to wait and see!
 
#18 ·
I have a 07 MCS with the sunroof option.

On Sunday ( surprise surprise a sunny day ) the roof would jam half-way to the tilt position. It needed a small push and when the roof went into the fully retracted position, a noisy whine came from the sunroof itself. This is beyond a joke. £400 for an inspection II & they can't even grease up the sunroof or perform any kind of basic maintenance?

I really love my MINI, but the sunroof open on a sunny day is the cherry on the cake, for me.

Thanks
 
#19 ·
Hi ya'll. I am new to this forum. I am from the US married to a Brit and living in Texas. I purchased a Mini Cooper S hardtop 2007 used and was not told before the purchase that the sunroof was knackered. So I am wondering in LadyUK had any luck with Munich and is there any recourse as $3,000 USD or 1,800 pounds sterling is unacceptable. I am being told by Mini of Dallas that the whole thing needs replace. Including the motor, glass and cartridge. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
#20 ·
I have a Mini Cooper s 2007 with pano warm weather creaks a lot and all of a sudden won't go full back on tilt. Now won't shut on one side. Wd40 hinges and got it down.
Went to bmw there advice disconnect switch and never use again.
£649 to service grease
If It needs a motor as well £1200
If then needs a cartridge £2300.

Not happy ladyuk and updates help needed to contact customer services. No good will gesture either
Cheers ian
 
#24 ·
Hi how did you get on in the end? Mine has just developed the same problem. I've got an 07 Mini Cooper JCW with the panoramic roof and it's been fine up until now. The other day I opened the roof and it made a horrible clicking noise then retracted. It now only closes with the tap of the switch repeatedly to get it to the closed position. The clicking noise sounds like it is coming from around the switch area in the roof. Can anyone tell me what possibly could of failed? I can get the roof to move okay back and forwards by tapping the switch and to me it doesn't look like anythings out of line or bent but I'm no expert. Thanks
 
#25 ·
My sunroof opens fine but when trying to shut, almost closes, then reverses, stopping with the front glass about ten inches from the front of the sunroof aperture. The only way to close it is to repeatedly tap the close switch to edge it incrementally until it shuts.
 
#26 ·
I know this is a very old post, but I just had my 2007 mini in to get the sunroof fixed. I had water damage, they said the sunroof drains were clogged, but the water got into the computer and I had to replace the computer....after spending $3200 to have them unclogged and replace the computer, it rained again and more water got through. I brought it back to the shop, thinking I would not have to pay anymore money, but I got a call back saying, sorry, but now they found a crack in the sunroof frame which would need to be replaced for $3900 +tax. But they felt so bad for me that they knocked it down to $2850+tax. Mind you, my car is almost 10 years old. Has anyone ever had luck with getting their insurance to pay?
 
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