Rain floods interior!!

[eddo1]

Hi guys! After the last major rain storm in SF the rear passenger seat (drivers side) is COMPLETELY soaked. I recall having read something about this - is this a common issue for E46s? I have an 01 325i. The dealer has recently worked on the sunroof (completely new kit installed 4 months ago- including the glass- due to those nasty plastic sunroof visor clips that they couldn't fix). They also fixed the AC system recently (leaking hose). The windows and everything else seems tightly sealed. The seats and door panels are dry too. What can be the problem?

 

[aNoodle]

My car had early production kinked A/C hoses. That would lead water to collect up at the front of the cabin, on either size of the shifter.

Water in the back? Hmmm....there is a drain for the sunroof...I thought it ran down the B pillar (not sure).

Where you driving in the rain or was the car sitting the whole time when the water collected? If there is an imperfection in the bottom of the car (like in the foot well area) rain could get in when you're driving. I heard about people having this problem is later production cars in the driver's foot well area.

 

[geneo]

it might be the sun roof drain tube there are 4 of them on each corner of the sun roof cassette or if the recall was done to fix the sun roof it may not have been sealed right when done they dont replace it they remove the left rear corner of the sun roof drill out the rivets and heat the sealer and peel it off then replace the sun shade drive and re rivit and reseal thats on the drivers rear of the car above the rear seat also the door panal vapor barriers are prone to leaks

 

[eddo1]

I only did minimal driving in the rain and it was all city driving can't go that fast. I would be really surprised at the build quality if rain gets in from the underside of the body. But I mean this is soaking wet. I placed my computer bag in the back and all the papers and books were soaked 1 inch up from the ground!! Guess I'll take it to the dealer and see what happens. Thx guys!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

I only did minimal driving in the rain and it was all city driving can't go that fast. I would be really surprised at the build quality if rain gets in from the underside of the body. But I mean this is soaking wet. I placed my computer bag in the back and all the papers and books were soaked 1 inch up from the ground!! Guess I'll take it to the dealer and see what happens. Thx guys!

id advise going to the dealer and asking what the h*** happened...cuz thats really not right...if its soaked and the interior got wet and the car was completely closed there is a problem that was overlooked

 

[andreyiv]

The sun roof drains run through the A and the C pilars if that helps any.

I had a leak in one of those and the water would build up in the rear passenger corner and after that going everywhere else, needless the say the leak was in the passenger rear corner.

 

[BMW NA Customer Relations]

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m sorry to read about this problem with a water leak. If you and your BMW center would like our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117, and mention Reference #200430900368 so that we can help you more efficiently. If you prefer, you can email us through the Owners’ Circle at www.bmwusa.com.