Sunroof seal

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BristolE30
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 7:43 pm
Location: Bristol

Post Sat Nov 09, 2019 2:02 pm

Hey zone,

Bought a new sunroof seal as mine was looking a little shabby. Any tips for install? Thinking of doing it in two parts, with a bit of WD40 to help it slip on and seal?

Any tips appreciated
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
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Brianmoooore
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E30 Zone Team Member
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Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Sat Nov 09, 2019 6:44 pm

It sort of twists on, rather than pushing straight on. Much easier to do with the roof panel off the car, and the 'lubricant' I use is Waxoyl.
BristolE30
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 7:43 pm
Location: Bristol

Post Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:11 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
Sat Nov 09, 2019 6:44 pm
It sort of twists on, rather than pushing straight on. Much easier to do with the roof panel off the car, and the 'lubricant' I use is Waxoyl.
That I learnt the hard way today! I ended up buying an aftermarket seal from some guys called East Kent Trim supplies, however the seal was completely wrong and did not fit the roof. My sunroof could not close or shut with it, so I will be returning that! Looks like OEM is the only way with this part.

And yes will defo remove the sunroof panel this time, was such a faff trying to do it with it on!
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
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Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49359
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:19 pm

ETK lists a one piece sunroof seal and a two piece sunroof seal.
The sum of the lengths of the two parts of the two piece seal are equal to the length of the one piece seal.
The price of the one piece seal is much less than the sum of the two parts of the other seal.
All the E30s I have had dealings with have had a two piece seal, with a join along each side.
I have no idea why BMW fitted a seal in two unequal lengths, instead of a single one.
I have never bought a new seal of either sort, so I can't confirm that the one piece is a direct replacement for the two piece, although this has been discussed on here before, and no one has said that it isn't.