Sunroof

Sunroof

















The Sun roof design is taken from the E36/E38 with modifications to adopt the glass moon roof for the 540i. The glass roof is carried over from the 1996 - E38 and the operating positions of remain the same:

- Vent,
- Open,
- Closed

The sunroof is made from gray tinted, 5mm thick, shatter resistant glass. The cassette is similar to the steel roof in design and construction. One major difference is in the attachment of the glass to the operating linkage. The other major change is in the operation of the sliding headliner panel.

The rear support/adjustment carriage rail is not used with the glass roof. The rear of the glass is attached to the sunroof drive mechanism through four screws (two on each side). These mounting screws are also used to adjust the glass roof at the rear in place of the carriage rail.

The front attachment of the glass remains the same as the steel roof with one screw per side.

The rain gutter attachment has also been modified to adapt it to the new roof.

A new rubber gaiter is attached to the glass roof drive assembly on the left and right sides. The gaiter covers the drive assembly for aesthetic purposes. To access the screws for glass roof removal or adjustment, the top edge of each gaiter must first be withdrawn from the glass panel.

Insert a thin shim (credit card or feeler gauge) into the channels in the moonroof panel where the gaiter is attached. Gently pull the edge of the gaiter from the channel.

Service procedures for the glass roof are similar to the steel roof. Repair manual instructions for the E39 steel or glass sunroof are found on the DIS tester.

The headliner for the glass roof is made from aluminum and contains a small recess at the front for manual operation. The link arm used to drive the headliner on the steel roof has been modified for use with the glass roof. The link arm is located on the passenger side.

The headliner is now only coupled to the drive in the opening direction. When the roof is operated in the vent or open direction, the headliner will move rearward.

When the roof is moved in the closed direction, the headliner remains stationary and must be closed by hand. This allows the headliner to be opened with the glass roof closed.