jlbell

While removing the C and D pillars to reuphoster the rear deck, due to fading. I noticed quite a lot of leaves were falling out while removing them. So I pulled the rear reading light cluster thing to find this:


I am stuck between this is normal or if I should continue to pull the whole headliner to check and make sure everything is sealed and/or in its proper place. Has anyone else experienced such a thing? Besides that this is the first summer break project I am working on and should be done by tomorrow:

Jack88

Huh. Leaves must have come in by the sunroof. Ever leave the sunroof open but the shade closed? I know D4's can do that, but I don't know in D3's if the shade can be pulled closed with the sunroof open. Otherwise, it seems unlikely that leaves would be able to find their way in there in that quantity.

jlbell

You can vent the sunroof and close the shade. But from the look of the leaves they appear to have been the same as the ones found in the engine compartment. I could imagine it being caused by opening the sunroof without clearing off the leaves, then once you are driving they get blown back into the sunroof cassette then into the headliner. If the cassette is the same or close to the design like in BMW 7 series they are open at the back. Also called my independent mechanic and he said he has seen it before.