Sunroof Explosion

Walt White Coupe · 03-16-2011, 03:56 PM

Our belief was that the pressure build up between the visor and glass caused it to push outwards.

No way. There is not even close to an airtight seal between the two. Don't know the reason but that's not it.

tonmonde · 03-16-2011, 04:02 PM

wow thats crazy, hope u are ok

doublevanosrc · 03-16-2011, 05:06 PM

update??

mkvigli · 03-16-2011, 10:20 PM

Headed to the dealership to pick it up in the morning. Looks like everything was on BMW's dime, but we'll see what it all looks like tomorrow. Hoping to get some more info.

To those who asked--the visor was open, temp outside was around 73 and my interior temp was set similarly. Nothing out of the ordinary at all.

I'll let you all know if I find out more tomorrow.

Ash83 · 03-16-2011, 10:26 PM

Glad you are ok..

doublevanosrc · 03-17-2011, 09:33 AM

Glad to hear BMW is taking care of it.

Wakka · 03-17-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terin5124

Headed to the dealership to pick it up in the morning. Looks like everything was on BMW's dime, but we'll see what it all looks like tomorrow. Hoping to get some more info.

To those who asked--the visor was open, temp outside was around 73 and my interior temp was set similarly. Nothing out of the ordinary at all.

I'll let you all know if I find out more tomorrow.

at least they're paying for it. What was the total time you were without your car while this got resolved?

mkvigli · 03-17-2011, 07:51 PM

All is well--everything was fixed just fine. Cost me nothing, so I'm pleased overall. Was without my car for a week, but was in a 2011 328i loaner.

alexckma · 03-17-2011, 08:54 PM

I thought this was only o the 3 series.... so disappointed

mosx · 03-18-2011, 12:40 PM

I've seen this happen on other cars. Its rare, but it happens. Glad you're ok and that BMW picked up the tab.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1291fc

john08135i · 03-18-2011, 03:14 PM

Wow.. my sunroof in my srt-4 would pop out its rails when i went over 150mph sometimes.. but the glass didnt break.

thez99 · 03-18-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john08135i

Wow.. my sunroof in my srt-4 would pop out its rails when i went over 150mph sometimes.. but the glass didnt break.

Why in the christ would you be going 150mph anyways????

artar · 03-18-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

Stress fracture. It's tempered glass, so under tension.

If the dealer balks, escalate your claim to BMW NA immediately.

...one must become familiar with the concepts of >glass tempering< and >under tension< ........

Tempered glass is NOT under tension. It may be mounted in a way that subjects it to stress but that would be purely unintended due to the fact that tempered glass is brittle due to the tempering process.

Tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, making it harder than normal glass, yet very brittle. This is why shattering of tempered glass results in small pebbles rather than sharp shards. The thermal process that cures tempered glass also makes it heat resistant as well.

grant · 03-18-2011, 07:29 PM

Wow - glad you're ok. One more reason to add to the list why I hate the required Moonroof on the 135i in the US (weight, reduction in headroom, potential for leaks and rattles, damages the clean visual lines of the car, etc.). This has to be the worst though - glad you didn't have an accident!

john08135i · 03-21-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thez99

Why in the christ would you be going 150mph anyways????

cause i can.. In florida there are many long deserted straight roads

Robert · 03-21-2011, 12:21 PM

This is pretty common. Seen this type of thread many times here.

FDM68 · 03-21-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thez99

Why in the christ would you be going 150mph anyways????

because it's about as fun as it gets.....Not sure I'd do it stateside, well not too often.

chachacha28 · 03-21-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDM68

because it's about as fun as it gets.....Not sure I'd do it stateside, well not too often.

word. since i put my y-rated tires on, ive hit the factory limter at least once a week.

Xyloft · 03-21-2011, 06:17 PM

wow... when i first started reading this all i could think about was that crazy sniper we had in columbus a few years back. scary a$$ shiz right there.

glad BMW covered it. makes you wonder if it would have still shattered if it was raised up or open.

FDM68 · 03-21-2011, 07:49 PM

I imagine that would have scared the heck out of me. Glad your safe. I've not heard of this happening either. I did however hit a bird while I was doing about 110 on the way to work yesterday morning. That made a nice whack, no damage fortunatly.

artar · 03-22-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

Gee, better tell these guys and the rest of the industry!

Yes!! you're partially right ... the tempering process puts the surface of the glass into compression and only the interior is under tension.

rossii · 03-25-2011, 08:51 PM

This has been happening for years on BMW's. The first I saw was on the 00 M Coupes, then on MINI's, E90's so I would expect the same on the 1's. I still find it odd though.

03-16-2011, 03:56 PM	#23
Walt White Coupe Captain 221 Rep 738 Posts Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Phila, PA iTrader: (0)	*Our belief was that the pressure build up between the visor and glass caused it to push outwards.* No way. There is not even close to an airtight seal between the two. Don't know the reason but that's not it.
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03-16-2011, 04:02 PM	#24
tonmonde First Lieutenant 7 Rep 312 Posts Drives: F22 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	wow thats crazy, hope u are ok __________________ e60, e90, e92, e82, e93, f30 : retired active f22 235
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03-16-2011, 05:06 PM	#25
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	update?? __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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03-16-2011, 10:20 PM	#26
mkvigli Add1ct 5 Rep 40 Posts Drives: E85 Z4 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	Headed to the dealership to pick it up in the morning. Looks like everything was on BMW's dime, but we'll see what it all looks like tomorrow. Hoping to get some more info. To those who asked--the visor was open, temp outside was around 73 and my interior temp was set similarly. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. I'll let you all know if I find out more tomorrow.
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03-16-2011, 10:26 PM	#27
Ash83 Major 41 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	Glad you are ok.. __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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03-17-2011, 09:33 AM	#28
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Glad to hear BMW is taking care of it. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
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03-17-2011, 07:51 PM	#30
mkvigli Add1ct 5 Rep 40 Posts Drives: E85 Z4 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	All is well--everything was fixed just fine. Cost me nothing, so I'm pleased overall. Was without my car for a week, but was in a 2011 328i loaner.
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03-17-2011, 08:54 PM	#31
alexckma Lieutenant 30 Rep 518 Posts Drives: P. Panorama 10, L Gallardo 05 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hong Kong, Canada iTrader: (0)	I thought this was only o the 3 series.... so disappointed
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03-18-2011, 12:40 PM	#32
mosx The mod bug has bitten. 22 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've seen this happen on other cars. Its rare, but it happens. Glad you're ok and that BMW picked up the tab. http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1291fc Last edited by mosx; 03-18-2011 at 12:43 PM.. Reason: Link
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03-18-2011, 03:14 PM	#33
john08135i Major 77 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Wow.. my sunroof in my srt-4 would pop out its rails when i went over 150mph sometimes.. but the glass didnt break. __________________ M Sport Line Estoril Blue
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03-18-2011, 07:29 PM	#36
grant Lieutenant 17 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 1973 Porsche 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Wow - glad you're ok. One more reason to add to the list why I hate the required Moonroof on the 135i in the US (weight, reduction in headroom, potential for leaks and rattles, damages the clean visual lines of the car, etc.). This has to be the worst though - glad you didn't have an accident! __________________ 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber (240hp & 1,890 lbs)
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03-21-2011, 12:21 PM	#38
Robert Major General 414 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	This is pretty common. Seen this type of thread many times here. __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
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03-21-2011, 06:17 PM	#41
Xyloft Lieutenant 34 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 128i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	wow... when i first started reading this all i could think about was that crazy sniper we had in columbus a few years back. scary a$$ shiz right there. glad BMW covered it. makes you wonder if it would have still shattered if it was raised up or open. __________________ 2008 BMW 128i 2022 BMW 330e
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03-21-2011, 07:49 PM	#42
FDM68 Captain 33 Rep 761 Posts Drives: 11' 135i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia (hearts still in Germany) iTrader: (0)	I imagine that would have scared the heck out of me. Glad your safe. I've not heard of this happening either. I did however hit a bird while I was doing about 110 on the way to work yesterday morning. That made a nice whack, no damage fortunatly.
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03-25-2011, 08:51 PM	#44
rossii Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 294 Posts Drives: with wheels Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (0)	This has been happening for years on BMW's. The first I saw was on the 00 M Coupes, then on MINI's, E90's so I would expect the same on the 1's. I still find it odd though. __________________ "People who say they love the 'Ring' are either not going fast enough or lying" - Jackie Stewart
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