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Chart based on 38 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
Water leak into trunk - sunroof drains plugged. Shorted out modules for I-drive, sunroof, load leveling, transmission display and one other.
103000 mi
C $1500
Sun roof drain tube plugged - water backs up into rear compartment (wagon) and shorts out electronics
115200 mi
C $1500
Drain hoses in sunroof plugged (3rd time failed) - overflow runs into rear compartment. Minor electronics are located below spare tire - shorted out Tire pressure monitor
41240 mi
Loose sunroof panel. Replaced sunroof seal.
136000 mi
US $550
The headlamp unit developed condensation and the corroded the bulb connection. The entire headlamp unit was replaced.
39500 mi
Excessive wind noise from sunroof seal. Replaced under new car warranty per BMW SIB
54700 mi
water leak from sunroof during heavy rain shorted out electronics under spare tire. drains were blocked.
Rear self leveling suspension failure came back. Problem took a week to trace. Sunroof cassette drain clogged by dead bugs. Drain cleared. Problem corrected. Holes drilled in spare tire well to prevent future water accumulation.
100000 mi
US $100
water appearing in battery compartment which in a wagon is in the right rear corner beside cargo area. headliner has to be removed in order to clear the drain lines that come off the sunroof.
Loose trim piece fixed, faulty adhesive on the back of a clip.
53000 mi
Trim came loose agaiin about a month later, fixed again.
21000 mi
replaced sunroof seal.
26000 mi
2 rattles- one front drivers side, had it for ayear cannot find cause. sounds metal. the other was new, on the right front, sounded in dashboard and also could not find the cause. it developed during a visit 2 months ago for oil change and dent removal.
52300 mi
US $36
Clips holding center dash trim broke.
33000 mi
Steering wheel had discoloration, new wheel ordered Week after steering wheel ordered was installed by dealer.
Cracked front windshield. Got in the car and noticed a 6-inch crack starting from the edge towards the center. No chips or any other indication of rock damage anywhere in the area. The glass repair company said this is typically a weak spot.
Also had them replace carbon filters and sunroof seal due to excessive noise.
50300 mi
Car back in for sunroof. The dealer cannot seem to get it right. The car has been in 4 times now for the sunroof seal and excessive wind noise. I will report back later.
51000 mi
Back in for sunroof wind noise. As of today July 9th the dealers last repair has been successful and the sunroof is still quiet. This repair took 4 trips to the dealer to re mediate.
Trunk seal. Computer replaced due to water damage in trunk from broken seal; Battery Recall
48000 mi
Sun roof whistles when closed - won't fully closed. Was told was leaf and/or drain noise but persisted after are cleaned. Had tech ride on freeway and replicated noise. Had to be persistent and make 2nd trip to dealer. Cup holder rattle repair.
48500 mi
Sunroof whistle fixed. The sun roof gasket was replaced, necessitating a 2 hour software upgrade to the car.
50000 mi
US $350
Wind noise from sunroof. Seal replaced.
38000 mi
Sunroof became noisy at speeds above 35 mph. Sunroof seal was replaced under warranty.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2008 BMW 5-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.