Suitable Grease for Sunroof Rails
 

If you read the service bulletin on lubing the sunroof rails, it specs Kluberblex BE 11-462 spray grease. This is a spray aluminum complex white grease and is really difficult to find: I wasn't even able to buy it through my dealer.

Since the OEM grease is an aluminum grease you don't want to use a standard white lithium grease: mixing grease chemistries can cause Bad Things to happen. I found an available replacement in Maxi-Lube FG Food-Grade grease. It is a spray NLGI-2 aluminum complex white grease and as far as I can tell should be a perfect replacement for the difficult-to-find BMW/Mini stuff.



Link is to the grease on Amazon. Hopefully this information is useful for others.

My dealer sold me the Kluberblex, much to my surprise and delight. Quite expensive.

You're luckier than me. Mine didn't have it and couldn't find it at any dealers in the computer.

The BMW P/N for the record is 83 22 0 397 761. I don't know what the real stuff costs, but the stuff I found is about $20 a can.

As I recall I paid about $35 for a 400 ml can. The package literally had skull and crossbones on it, warning that the material is quite toxic.

PenskeParts.com lists it for $39.15. Thats for the OEM stuff. It looks like they have it available if needed.

This is an old thread but...I've been wondering the same thing. My sunroof hasn't been lubricated for a long time and I do open & close it frequently. I was shopping and I found WD-40 Silicone Spray that seemed like it would work well. http://www.wd40.com.au/wd-40_special...ucts#lubricant

I cleaned up the rails best I could and sprayed them and opened and closed the roof a few times. I took the MINI out for a drive and the inside of the car seems considerably quieter. I'm very happy with the results.

Naturally after I had bought the WD-40 Silicone spray, I was doing a Google search and found that ECS Tuning has BMW Sunroof Lube for less than six dollars plus shipping. http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E53-X5-...oof/ES2194672/. This might work better if you're interested in lubricating your sunroof. I guess I'll have to order some for next time.:roll:

Thanks for that! I'm in need of some. Looks like off to ECS I go!

I have been using Tri-Flow on Artoo’s sunroof from the beginning. Also on the rear hatch hinges, the bonnet hinges, the bonnet latch and all the door locks.

Is there any reason I shouldn’t continue using it on the sunroof? It cleans and lubricates and flows good into the slides and pivots.

///Rich

I'm pretty sure you can use ANY grease, as long as you clean off the old stuff first....
some greases that are not compatible turn watery and breakdown when mixed...
I've used a trace of Mobil 1 RED grease on the sunroof rails...no issues...same for the hinges...A BLUE grease might be slightly better to due to better water resistance,but no issues here...
A lube that dries and leaves a slick surface like TRI-FLOW is a great idea...less chance of attracting dirt! Bet it is fine!
Lack of lube (trunk hinges) is usually more of an issue with items failing than improper lube, especially on slow moving parts like hinges and sunroof slides....

I use sail kote
I goes on then dries into a teflon like surface and dirt does NOT stick to it.
Make sure u clean the surface really well first. Smooth sailing...

Sunroof Lubricant 83192157321

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/83192157321/ES2194672/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/214022_x600.jpg

That's the sunroof lubricant , its currently on order and should be here soon, see eta.
Small packet makes it convenient.

Clean up the old gunk from the factory if you can, paper towl , it tends to collect dirt and then impede sliding.