Overhead Panel-NIGHTMARE!

[Emm3]

The 316 lux i had came with a overhead panel which i quite like, my i.s doesn't have this but i want to fit it. Can anyone tell me how they fit?

[Brianmoooore]

Overhead panel? This is usually a reference to BMW's 'check' system, but this wasn't fitted to 4 pot cars.

[Emm3]

Overhead panel? This is usually a reference to BMW's 'check' system, but this wasn't fitted to 4 pot cars.

Not the check panel, its trim, Black pvc type material about as wide as the screen.

[bss325i]

but this wasn't fitted to 4 pot cars.

S14 powered cars have it but yes all other 4 pot turds do not.

[Brianmoooore]

That sounds like the panel that goes with electric sunroofs on saloons.

[bss325i]

That sounds like the panel that goes with electric sunroofs on saloons.

I'm talking about the check control.

[Brianmoooore]

Overhead panel? This is usually a reference to BMW's 'check' system, but this wasn't fitted to 4 pot cars.

Not the check panel, its trim, Black pvc type material about as wide as the screen.

Reply was aimed at this post!

[Emm3]

That sounds like the panel that goes with electric sunroofs on saloons.

I think you're right but the LUX was a manual sunroof.

[flamingjo]

I'm fitting an electric sunroof to my car and will have a manual sunroof panel with the recess trim and handle for sale in a couple of weeks! let me know if you're interested!

[Bob_S]

I have a lovely trim for an electric roofed non check panel car mmm

[Emm3]

Never got round to getting hold of one of these but if anyone has for sale one of them black pvc type overhead panels for sale i'm after one must be manual sunroof with no check panel.

Also are the sunvisors the same? my i.s already has black plastic/material type visors are they all the same in e30s?

[DanThe]

Different sunvisors and A pillar trims for the Black panels, ive never seen one for a manual sunroof without check control. They are either fitted to enclose the check control, electric sunroof motors or both.

Why dont you upgrade to electric sunroof at the same time and make it worth while

[Emm3]

I had a 316 lux that had the overhead panel, manual sunroof with no hole for the check panel. I was going to swap it over to mine but never got round to it and the car ended up selling quick. I only like the look of them as its adds to the retro ness of the car but other than that leccy sunroof doesn't do much for me i hardly use the sunroof at all anyway

[bmwowner]

joe318 has one, but unsure if its for sale, although i dont think he will use it

[donnyboiler]

I had a 316 lux that had the overhead panel, manual sunroof with no hole for the check panel. I was going to swap it over to mine but never got round to it and the car ended up selling quick. I only like the look of them as its adds to the retro ness of the car but other than that leccy sunroof doesn't do much for me i hardly use the sunroof at all anyway

My 316i lux has one too. It's not for sale though. But the car might be...

Don

[Emm3]

How does this panel fit to the roof is it held with clips or Something ?

[Brianmoooore]

How does this panel fit to the roof is it held with clips or Something ?

It's held up by the obvious bits like the sun visors, and by two screws hidden under the 'gurney flap' at the front of the sunroof.

[ajay]

Q.does anyone know if the check control was an optional extra on a 4 pot.

[capri_rob]

Q.does anyone know if the check control was an optional extra on a 4 pot.

No 4 pots had the check control. If you want one you'll need to buy an E30 with a proper engine

[daimlerman]

Q.does anyone know if the check control was an optional extra on a 4 pot.

No 4 pots had the check control. If you want one you'll need to buy an E30 with a proper engine

Check further up the page!

S14 engined cars came with the check panel....

[Emm3]

What is involved in fitting the panel to a car that did not come with this, will the holes under the 'gurney flap' for the screws already be there?

[daimlerman]

What is involved in fitting the panel to a car that did not come with this, will the holes under the 'gurney flap' for the screws already be there?

I have only done this mod to a touring,and the holes were present.As the panel was taken(by me!)from a saloon,I would assume that all sunroof fitted cars have the mounting holes.

I presume that the 'gurney flap' refered to is the wind deflector mounted at the forward end of the sunfoof apeture,the holes are an inch or so from each end,and hold a slide on clip on a touring headliner.

Other than this,there is a flap of black vynal that is held within the sunroof aperture by the same mountings that retain the wind deflector,and there are the self tappers that hold the visors and their clips in place,and a flap of fabric under the door seals.
I found that the A pillar trims re-fitted fine in my touring,although some zoner's say that different one's are required.

[The_Haywood]

i wanted one of these for my touring, but alas my touring has no sunroof so may look stupid?

[daimlerman]

i wanted one of these for my touring, but alas my touring has no sunroof so may look stupid?

Nothing is impossible,but as these things were only supplied with cars that had sunroofs.....

[Emm3]

Rite got my lux edition panel thorugh today, its got just the hole for the manual sunroof.

Now, towards the rear of the panel i can see on the inside, 2 marks where some plastic clips were bonded at some point, these were prob for the 2 screws that go through the Gourney flap but the dude that removed the panel has yanked it off. So, will this panel fit or will it flap as i need to leave this guy some feedback on the mint panel.

[daimlerman]

Rite got my lux edition panel thorugh today, its got just the hole for the manual sunroof.

Now, towards the rear of the panel i can see on the inside, 2 marks where some plastic clips were bonded at some point, these were prob for the 2 screws that go through the Gourney flap but the dude that removed the panel has yanked it off. So, will this panel fit or will it flap as i need to leave this guy some feedback on the mint panel.

Yes,you should be able to fit the panel OK.

What I would do would be to glue a couple of bits of timber in to the places where the fittings have gone missing,then it will screw up against the sunroof aperture correctly.

IF I remember correctly,the bits you are missing are a plastic plate with a mount attached and a hole for a self tapper.

[Emm3]

If I knew how thick the mounts were I suppose I could make some up and glue to the panel the screws would have something to grip

[daimlerman]

If I knew how thick the mounts were I suppose I could make some up and glue to the panel the screws would have something to grip

Depth of the panel less the return flange on the sunroof opening will be a starting point.
They only need to stiffen it,the real fixing is the flap that goes under the deflector screws.

[Brianmoooore]

He may have yanked it out and broken them, or they may have already detached themselves before he removed it, but it certainly has the parts missing, so it's not 'mint'. He may or may not be aware of this. Certainly not unusual to have to re glue the brackets in place.
You could contact him, explain the problem, and ask him to remove and send you the bits if he still has the breaker.

[Emm3]

Do the a pillar trim sit over the roof panel or does the roof panel sit over the a pillar trims?

[e30topless]

the pillar trim has a lip on the top which sits behind the sunroof trim,

I wouldn't worry too much about the missing/ damaged clips, by the time everything else that holds it in place is fitted it will be quite secure

[Emm3]

the pillar trim has a lip on the top which sits behind the sunroof trim,

I wouldn't worry too much about the missing/ damaged clips, by the time everything else that holds it in place is fitted it will be quite secure

In that case the a pillar trims are different my I.s has black trims and when the roof panel goes over the a pillar it sort of bulks out a bit like the pillar trim is too thick. Of anyone has a pic the would be handy

[Emm3]

If only i had known this would turn out to be such a pig! i'm quite surprised for a bit of trim how much difference in parts there can be.

Rite the panel is on and this is how it looks on the a pillars.....seems fine


Now the awkward part that ive come across i didnt thint it would be the case but the sunroof winder trim no longer fits, the screws are not long enough now to reach the thread.......oh it gets worse though the winder when full opened catches the roof panel as you can see in the pic and its not just a case of using longer screws to fit the trim ohh no, i'm holding the trim up in this pic basicly the trim sits so low that if fixed you wouldnt be able to rotate the handle as its stuck in one place.

I'm soo peeed off really like the look of the panel as i was lucky to get the visors with it (the visors are not the same as what i had) but now i'm wondering should i look for the 'correct' winder and trim or will i end up facing another problem such as the shaft of the roof not being long enough?? what if the whole sunroof is different

[capri_rob]

Q.does anyone know if the check control was an optional extra on a 4 pot.

No 4 pots had the check control. If you want one you'll need to buy an E30 with a proper engine

Check further up the page!

S14 engined cars came with the check panel....

Meh - 4 pot wrongness - I stand by my original post



Back on topic - I think you just need a sunroof handle from a car which had one of these trims from new and all should be OK

[pacerpete]

I have a 'mlnt' panel complete WITH the bits the council type has ripped off in his haste to relieve you of dollars