E93 Metal Folding Roof - reliable or liability?

[g3org3y]

As per title really, any real world experiences?

Appears to be a very nice and nifty system resulting in genuine year round usability (albeit with notable sacrifice of boot space) but is it a reliable system? Are motor faults common? Does it leak?

Looking at an E9X M3, debating E92 vs E93. Am a tart so the E93 appeals but don't want to be worried about finding a swimming pool in my boot.

TIA

[Sohaib-ijiiv]

Had my E93 335i for 2+ years now.

No issues whatsoever but the creaking going around corners does my head in.

[BSSBMW]

Sohaib-ijiiv said:

Had my E93 335i for 2+ years now.

No issues whatsoever but the creaking going around corners does my head in.

Apply some gummi pflege to the rubber seals to soften them an stop the squeaks.

[Philrose]

I have an E93 Alpina B3S BT cabrio and never had any problems with the roof. No creaks from mine so far. I do have the BMW warranty though just in case.

[DVandrews]

Had my E93 335i for 5 years and the roof has been totally reliable, I treat the rubbers with GummyPflege on occasion. It doesnt creak or leak.

Dave

[the_g_ster]

As noted, use something on there to keep rubber supple.

Keep the rubbers clean too.

There are drain holes, under the car, just under the mud guards under the car, if older, they can get blocked. Water will rise up drains, into car, end up with water in boot and will risk electronics getting damaged. So is worth checking if is an older car, just needs to be off ground a bit, and gentle with the plastic plugs to remove.

Use in winter, don't let the thing stand for months.

There's a Wurth product you can lube hinges with should be silent, some kind of super sticky lithium penetrating grease. The only thing that can go is the string tensioners for the lining.

Can be a weep on pre lci cars at the back by rear windows, they changes seals post LCI. Seals good scary sums, so look after.

[g3org3y]

Thanks chaps, sounds like it's pretty decent if maintained.

[Touring442]

They do like to leak water in, a common fault.

[AHUX]

I have a 2007 e93 m3 that I have owned for almost two years. When I first bought my car it has a small leak to the rear, but BMW replaced the seals for me and it’s fine since. I haven’t had any other issues with the roof mechanism. It’s a great car, the V8 sounds lovely with the roof down too - my kids love it 😊

[g3org3y]

AHUX said:

I have a 2007 e93 m3 that I have owned for almost two years. When I first bought my car it has a small leak to the rear, but BMW replaced the seals for me and it’s fine since. I haven’t had any other issues with the roof mechanism. It’s a great car, the V8 sounds lovely with the roof down too - my kids love it ??

Thanks for the info. How old are your children? Did you manage to get child seats in the back easily?

[AHUX]

I have three, currently 2/ 5/ 7. So we generally leave my wife at home if using my car :-) We use high back boosters and smallest one is in an isofix seat.

It can get tricky if you're in a tight spots where you can only open the doors a little bit, but its not a huge issue. If its sunny I will open the roof as I walk to the car and place them in that way - much easier than using the doors!!!

[g3org3y]

AHUX said:

I have three, currently 2/ 5/ 7. So we generally leave my wife at home if using my car :-) We use high back boosters and smallest one is in an isofix seat.

It can get tricky if you're in a tight spots where you can only open the doors a little bit, but its not a huge issue. If its sunny I will open the roof as I walk to the car and place them in that way - much easier than using the doors!!!

Having looked online, it seemed like getting a proper isofix based child seat in was a tight squeeze. Is the one you use for your 2 year old rear facing?

And yes, roof down = accessibility = practical.

[AHUX]

g3org3y said:

Having looked online, it seemed like getting a proper isofix based child seat in was a tight squeeze. Is the one you use for your 2 year old rear facing?

And yes, roof down = accessibility = practical.

She was in a rear facing one when I first had the car, but now she is the maxicosy Pearl (forward facing) which attaches to the isofix base. This seat is on the passenger side, I don't recall having any problems with it being too tight etc.

[g3org3y]

Thanks. We went for the Cybex system which I think is a bit bigger so may be a tighter squeeze.

[dave_s13]

My wifes E93 (325i) 2008 had a leak from the top boot seal.

Looks like it has been off before by previous owners for some reason. Anwway, I removed it, cleaned it all up then reapplied using black gutter sealant inside the seal and it's been perfect ever since.

Going to the local car wash place can be fun, if you jetwash the side window in a back to front angle, water gently sprinkles the fron seat occupants.

But generally, the roof system appears to be solid, as long as you catch any leaks into the boot and keep the seals fresh.

There's an excellent thread here about it all.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

[MT tank]

Philrose said:

I have an E93 Alpina B3S BT cabrio and never had any problems with the roof. No creaks from mine so far. I do have the BMW warranty though just in case.

No leaks and no squeaks on my Alpina B3s cab either