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cabrio roof replacement
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:42 am
by black320
I have a 320i '88 convertible which needs a new roof.
Found a car for sale, not mechanically sound but with a good roof. How easy is it just to take off roof and put it on my car? Will there be any problems with leaks or wind noise, it should just bolt onto my car no problems?
Also how easy would it be to take out it's central locking system and fit it to my car?
Cheers.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:25 pm
by orangecurry
not done it myself, but it is supposed to be easy to take the frame/roof out - BMW recommend doing this for a long winter.... if you have a hardtop...
but there are shims/washers which make the roof line up... so if you are putting in a 'new' frame, it will take some effort to get it right, as you are supposed to note how many shims come off of each bolt, and put it back exactly the same.... but your 'new' frame will be slightly different, won't it?!
There are also adustments you can make to the windows if necessary.
Good luck!
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:53 pm
by black320
What do you mean by: "how many shims come off of each bolt?"
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:11 pm
by orangecurry
apparently to make the frame line up perfectly, each attaching-to-the-body bolt/stud can have shims/washers added to allow adjustment...
hey I explained that clearly didn't I?
Have you got a 'Bentleys'? There are two nuts and two bolts to remove from each side... you undo them after lowering the hood.
If there are any shims, they will be sitting on the horizontal bolts/studs.
Clear as mud?
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:15 pm
by black320
Ok I got you, no Bentleys just a Haynes but there are only a few bolts so can't be that difficult and once its fitted will just be a case of ironing out all the wee niggles and potential leaking points.
Cheers for the help.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:17 pm
by orangecurry
I'm trying to get my scanner to work grrrrrr
if I can resurrect it, I'll bung some Bentleys pages up.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:43 pm
by orangecurry
can yow see these?
*link removed/images/convtop-p1.jpg
*link removed/images/convtop-p2.jpg
*link removed/images/convtop-p3.jpg
do a rightmouse 'save picture as' jpeg, as I may remove them at some point in the future with a wave of my mouse
**edit - I'll take the links out then.... copyright? It was like that when I got here, Officer.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:32 pm
by black320
Thanks all saved on my computer. Looks good the Bentley Manual, never had a look at one before but I can see why everyone likes then so much.
Cheers.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:43 pm
by orangecurry
You're welcome.
Turin eh...do you get to go up to Cervina skiing? <sigh> It's one of my favorite resorts... took my girlfriend-turned-wife there years ago.
Going up there in an E30 in the snow would be *special*.
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:49 pm
by black320
I was up in Cervinia last year in the snow, not the best weather for a cabrio and it's fun with RWD! 1 metre of snow over night and I could barely see the car in the morning.
It's good with the cabrio in Italy but it's impossible finding parts, only see 5 or so other e30 cabs in over 1 year in Turin!
tops
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:06 pm
by DaveD
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:53 pm
by black320
Aye the Dragon is still there. Cheers for the links looks good, just have to get a hold of this roof now!
roof
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:24 pm
by DaveD
let us know how you get on..
the red dragon used to be run by and english girl married to some called pellisier..
do they still have a bob run,,,i went down as part of s a team (i was a replacement) I have never been so scared
Hood
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:28 pm
by DaveD
oh yeh and when you fit this new hood make sure the tensioners are ok
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:33 pm
by black320
Not sure if the bob run is still there but I think it's still owned by someone English, maybe same girl.
Thanks again for the links and advice.