BMW Z3 Sunblind Stuck: Owners Share Repair Tips

Had the same problem with my 2005 BMW Z4 2.5i last month. The sunblind motor was completely dead, wouldn't move an inch. Got error codes too, but turned out simpler than expected. The issue was mainly worn-out gears in the motor unit and some debris blocking the mechanism. My mechanic showed me the old motor, plastic gears were basically stripped. Had to replace the entire motor unit and do a reset of the system. Not a major repair, just fiddly to access everything. Took about 2 hours total. Been working perfectly since then with no more error codes. Just make sure they check both the motor and the rails while they're at it. Sometimes debris in the tracks can cause similar symptoms even with a good motor.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful as it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Those plastic gears seem to be a common weak point in these models. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole job? Also, just curious, have you had any other little issues pop up since getting it fixed? I want to make sure I'm budgeting properly and checking for any related problems while I'm at it.

Hey there! Just to follow up, I got the sunblind fixed last week and it's working like a charm now. The total bill came to 330 € for the whole job, which included replacing the motor unit. Like I said before, the mechanic found the plastic gears were totally worn out, so they had to swap out the entire motor assembly. Since getting it fixed, everything's been running smoothly, no new issues at all. The sunblind moves perfectly now, and those annoying error codes are gone. It's such a relief to have it working properly again! Looking back, it was definitely worth getting it sorted by a professional. While it wasn't exactly cheap, it was a straightforward fix and saved me from potentially bigger problems down the line. My mechanic did a thorough job cleaning out the rails too, which probably helped prevent any future issues. Trust me, if you're experiencing the same symptoms, it's worth getting it fixed properly. The 330 € might seem steep, but considering how smoothly everything's working now, I'd say it was money well spent.

Thanks for all the info! I finally got my Z3's sunblind fixed yesterday and wanted to share my experience. After checking out several shops, I found a good mechanic who really knew his stuff about BMWs. Just like you said, the motor was completely shot, plastic gears were totally destroyed. The repair cost me about 350 € total, which included parts and labor. The mechanic was super transparent, even showed me the old motor and explained everything. The whole job took around 2.5 hours, but it was worth the wait. The sunblind's working perfectly now, no more strange noises or error codes. Honestly, I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to get it fixed. The mechanic also cleaned out the tracks while he was in there, which probably helped. Really appreciate everyone's advice, it helped me know what to expect and not get overcharged. Guess sometimes you just need to find the right mechanic who knows what they're doing!