E93 Leaky roof seals

kend · 06-09-2009, 11:41 AM

My E93 started a very small water leak on both sides where the middle section joins the rear section, it is collecting on the rear side internal trim.

I took it to the dealer at the weekend and it is going in next week for 3 days, to have the seals changed. The service manager was not surprised to see this and said that the sealing system is pretty complex and he has seen a few cars with this type of leak.

Is this a known problem?

I just hope this is not the start of an ongoing issue.

greatbm · 06-09-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kend

My E93 started a very small water leak on both sides where the middle section joins the rear section, it is collecting on the rear side internal trim.

I took it to the dealer at the weekend and it is going in next week for 3 days, to have the seals changed. The service manager was not surprised to see this and said that the sealing system is pretty complex and he has seen a few cars with this type of leak.

Is this a known problem?

I just hope this is not the start of an ongoing issue.

Had my car from April 2007 and leak free on all seals. If I wash with the pressure washer I get a slip dribble down the front seal as the roof joins the A pillar but I mean slight and I just wipe away on cleaning the glass. Rain is no problem at all. It is not unknown for the seals to be wrongly fitted causing leaks. This was my fear on purchasing a new design roof but as said everthing ok roof wise at present.

bmw330dconv · 06-11-2009, 07:55 AM

ive got the same problem and while the car is in for new clutch and flywheel i told them to take a look at this and they agreed so now fixing...as its under warranty i dont let it get to me also where i work there is a BMW 20 seconds away so give it in while im at work and ready to go when i finish..job done!

dxb335d · 06-11-2009, 09:11 AM

Waffik has a similar issue.

bmw330dconv · 06-11-2009, 09:13 AM

just picked up car its all fixed

miopyk · 06-11-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw330dconv

just picked up car its all fixed

Mine's been in 3 times in the last 6 months and is currently with the dealer for a further fix. This time they've had it for nearly 3 weeks. BMW are aware of the issue as they have apparently redesigned the seals to stop the problem.

Be aware that while it may look like they have fixed it, the water can run in behind the c pillar and collect under the rear seats so may not be obvious. The only way to be sure is to pull the rear seats out and check for water underneath them after washing it or a heavy rain shower.

I'm obviously not happy.

Miopyk

M3-FAST · 06-11-2009, 05:26 PM

Thought yours was all fixed Miopyk? 3 weeks is not good!

Mine was not leaking inside but used to fill up the plastic compartment in the left side of the boot with water. Might be worth all you E93 owners checking inside the little cubbyhole thing and see if it's dry? If not your boot seals need replacing also!

miopyk · 06-11-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Thought yours was all fixed Miopyk? 3 weeks is not good!

Mine was not leaking inside but used to fill up the plastic compartment in the left side of the boot with water. Might be worth all you E93 owners checking inside the little cubbyhole thing and see if it's dry? If not your boot seals need replacing also!

Yep I thought it was fixed as well but after a pretty heavy down pour a few weeks ago I checked under the seats and my heart sank. Apparently BMW have only just released the new designed seals and the dealer fitted the last one today. They reckon it's finally fixed but I'm reserving judgement.

Incidentally I rang BMW Finance and told them that as they own the car they needed to get this sorted out otherwise they will be picking up a mobile swimming pool at the end the contract.

Miopyk

greatbm · 06-14-2009, 08:15 AM

With a few cab owners having water leaks from seals be it boot seals or rear roof seals I thought I would check for signs of water in the boot cubby holes under floor. Also removed rear seat cushions no signs of water in all locations, touch wood it seems the seals on my car after 2 years are still good and that some cabs are water tight.

1916 · 07-17-2009, 03:22 AM

Guys below is the problem I'm having, sounds like a lot more have the issue if BMW are re-designing the seal

kend · 07-17-2009, 07:26 AM

This is ecxaxtly the same place I had indication of a leak.
Mine was fixed in June but in the heavy rain of last week showed signs of leaking - so back in again.
Seals on mine are being replaced again as I write.
The BMW regional manager looked at it on Wednesday and the problem is not the seals but the amount of sealant used to fix the seals in position and the adjustment of the roof panels. If too much sealant is used to fix the seals, it will cause the leak.
This is now a well known problem and I think the message needs to get out to all the technicians about the cure.
So now waiting for the call to say it is fixed.

1916 · 07-17-2009, 10:05 AM

I'm amazed that it is the result of too much sealant.

I still don't know where it is actually coming in, I assume it's the joining at the top apex at the C pillar where two seal join. I was told that there are new seals, to cure the problem, not less sealant, but that just might be a spoof, just like when I was told, 'its a convertible you have to expect leaks', if its says it in the manual I might accept, but it doesn't

I've got plenty of other picture evidence of mine. Would be very interested to hear your outcome. I've had 2 seals replaced so far (middle to back x 2) and had it back 4 times

kend · 07-17-2009, 10:46 AM

Car now back with new set of seals and a request from BMW that I monitor the areas closely for leaks.
There is ongoing communication with BMW Germany. It has been said to me that there is only a few E93's that leak and it can be remedied so that there is no leak, if care is taken during the seal replacement and roof adjustments.

My roof has been taken back to basics, redjusted, new seals and the correct amount of sealant used.
We now wait and see if the roof can stay watertight during the glorious British summer.

1916 · 07-17-2009, 11:27 AM

Best off luck I hope it works, but sounds like the same story they told me 3 times and it still came in subsequent. They try and ware you down until the point where you expect that a car built in 2008 does actually leak by design.

My guys say also their talking to BMW Germany but must be different offices as I've been led to believe I'm the only one with the problem. I just have no faith in BMW at this stage

celler6 · 11-30-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miopyk

Mine's been in 3 times in the last 6 months and is currently with the dealer for a further fix. This time they've had it for nearly 3 weeks. BMW are aware of the issue as they have apparently redesigned the seals to stop the problem.

Be aware that while it may look like they have fixed it, the water can run in behind the c pillar and collect under the rear seats so may not be obvious. The only way to be sure is to pull the rear seats out and check for water underneath them after washing it or a heavy rain shower.

I'm obviously not happy.

Miopyk

I have a 1996 328ic convertible and when it rains good, the back seats do collect water on both sides--3 inches + and a soaked cushion. Not sure what the C pillar is and if it applies to a convertible. Is there a fix for this? What's causing it. It's a fairly new problem, or a least it went unnoticed until they took about the back seat to install speakers and found the water. It was during a period of heavy rain.

MusclezMarinara · 01-18-2011, 09:37 AM

there was a fix for this from the dealers

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B541209g.htm

AMASIAN · 02-01-2011, 10:45 PM

subscribing

xtremecruiser · 03-17-2011, 11:36 AM

The can't fix the leak issue on some of the E93's
Just be thankful you don't have my leak

AMASIAN · 03-17-2011, 01:19 PM

Holy shit. Mine was in the same spot, driver's side, and they replaced the seal. Still drips in about as much and as often as it did before though. Mine only happened when the window was down. It channeled the water into the car.

atariboy · 03-21-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1916

Guys below is the problem I'm having, sounds like a lot more have the issue if BMW are re-designing the seal

Mine had that fault and it went in 6 times before they eventually fixed it. Tight as a drum niow...no rattles or leaks. They did damage the bodywork at the time so its going to the bodyshop to be sorted.

1916 · 08-09-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atariboy

Mine had that fault and it went in 6 times before they eventually fixed it. Tight as a drum niow...no rattles or leaks. They did damage the bodywork at the time so its going to the bodyshop to be sorted.

Old thread, but, mind me asking if the fix still works? If so do you know the specifics of the fix?

atariboy · 08-10-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1916

Old thread, but, mind me asking if the fix still works? If so do you know the specifics of the fix?

Yep, several months on and still leak free and no rattles or squeaks.
They did replace all the seals twice and kept the car for several weeks and water tested it to an inch of its life by running a hose over it continuously for 2 days. The downside of that was the car was covered in water marks all over and it was a real bitch to get rid of them. BMW did send me a £500 voucher as compensation for all the trouble.

06-09-2009, 11:41 AM	#1
kend Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 295 Posts Drives: E93 330i SE auto Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	E93 Leaky roof seals My E93 started a very small water leak on both sides where the middle section joins the rear section, it is collecting on the rear side internal trim. I took it to the dealer at the weekend and it is going in next week for 3 days, to have the seals changed. The service manager was not surprised to see this and said that the sealing system is pretty complex and he has seen a few cars with this type of leak. Is this a known problem? I just hope this is not the start of an ongoing issue.
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06-11-2009, 07:55 AM	#3
bmw330dconv Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 271 Posts Drives: E93 330D Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 [0.00]	ive got the same problem and while the car is in for new clutch and flywheel i told them to take a look at this and they agreed so now fixing...as its under warranty i dont let it get to me also where i work there is a BMW 20 seconds away so give it in while im at work and ready to go when i finish..job done! __________________ E93 330D M Sport
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06-11-2009, 09:11 AM	#4
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Waffik has a similar issue. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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06-11-2009, 09:13 AM	#5
bmw330dconv Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 271 Posts Drives: E93 330D Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 [0.00]	just picked up car its all fixed __________________ E93 330D M Sport
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06-11-2009, 05:26 PM	#7
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 214 Rep 5,796 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	Thought yours was all fixed Miopyk? 3 weeks is not good! Mine was not leaking inside but used to fill up the plastic compartment in the left side of the boot with water. Might be worth all you E93 owners checking inside the little cubbyhole thing and see if it's dry? If not your boot seals need replacing also!
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06-14-2009, 08:15 AM	#9
greatbm Major 154 Rep 1,068 Posts Drives: G15 840i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East iTrader: (0)	With a few cab owners having water leaks from seals be it boot seals or rear roof seals I thought I would check for signs of water in the boot cubby holes under floor. Also removed rear seat cushions no signs of water in all locations, touch wood it seems the seals on my car after 2 years are still good and that some cabs are water tight. __________________ G15, 840i M Sport
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07-17-2009, 03:22 AM	#10
1916 Private 3 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E92 330i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Guys below is the problem I'm having, sounds like a lot more have the issue if BMW are re-designing the seal
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07-17-2009, 07:26 AM	#11
kend Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 295 Posts Drives: E93 330i SE auto Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This is ecxaxtly the same place I had indication of a leak. Mine was fixed in June but in the heavy rain of last week showed signs of leaking - so back in again. Seals on mine are being replaced again as I write. The BMW regional manager looked at it on Wednesday and the problem is not the seals but the amount of sealant used to fix the seals in position and the adjustment of the roof panels. If too much sealant is used to fix the seals, it will cause the leak. This is now a well known problem and I think the message needs to get out to all the technicians about the cure. So now waiting for the call to say it is fixed.
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07-17-2009, 10:05 AM	#12
1916 Private 3 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E92 330i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	I'm amazed that it is the result of too much sealant. I still don't know where it is actually coming in, I assume it's the joining at the top apex at the C pillar where two seal join. I was told that there are new seals, to cure the problem, not less sealant, but that just might be a spoof, just like when I was told, 'its a convertible you have to expect leaks', if its says it in the manual I might accept, but it doesn't I've got plenty of other picture evidence of mine. Would be very interested to hear your outcome. I've had 2 seals replaced so far (middle to back x 2) and had it back 4 times
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07-17-2009, 10:46 AM	#13
kend Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 295 Posts Drives: E93 330i SE auto Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Car now back with new set of seals and a request from BMW that I monitor the areas closely for leaks. There is ongoing communication with BMW Germany. It has been said to me that there is only a few E93's that leak and it can be remedied so that there is no leak, if care is taken during the seal replacement and roof adjustments. My roof has been taken back to basics, redjusted, new seals and the correct amount of sealant used. We now wait and see if the roof can stay watertight during the glorious British summer.
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07-17-2009, 11:27 AM	#14
1916 Private 3 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E92 330i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Best off luck I hope it works, but sounds like the same story they told me 3 times and it still came in subsequent. They try and ware you down until the point where you expect that a car built in 2008 does actually leak by design. My guys say also their talking to BMW Germany but must be different offices as I've been led to believe I'm the only one with the problem. I just have no faith in BMW at this stage
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01-18-2011, 09:37 AM	#16
MusclezMarinara Banned 271 Rep 5,018 Posts Drives: VALNCYA Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jersey iTrader: (23) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [9.22] 2009 335i Sedan xdrive [9.34]	there was a fix for this from the dealers http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B541209g.htm
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02-01-2011, 10:45 PM	#17
AMASIAN Banned 46 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 335i Vert Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (8)	subscribing
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03-17-2011, 11:36 AM	#18
xtremecruiser First Lieutenant 61 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 08 Waterfall Vert Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	The can't fix the leak issue on some of the E93's Just be thankful you don't have my leak
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03-17-2011, 01:19 PM	#19
AMASIAN Banned 46 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 335i Vert Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (8)	Holy shit. Mine was in the same spot, driver's side, and they replaced the seal. Still drips in about as much and as often as it did before though. Mine only happened when the window was down. It channeled the water into the car.
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