Getting rid of the sunroof

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:41 pm

Can this be done? I know the racers on here bond the sunroof pannel to the roof but can it be welded? would the heat just buckle the whole roof pannel?

Just noticed the pannel on mine is really rusty so its gonna have to come out of there for good or get replaced!

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:43 pm

Did BMW ever do a Glass replacement...? I'm sure I've heard of people having one. That would make a good replacement... won't go rusty either!

Not sure how 'clean' the racers have made their sunroofs... afterall, they ain't that bothered about the shell being pristine like you or I are... Would mean you having to replace the whole of the roof lining as well... rather you than me!

G.

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:48 pm

hmmmm not keen on glass but could go for grp or fiberglass.

not fussed about having to change the roof lining as im gonna be changing it anyways

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:11 pm

Yeah, should be able to weld it in. Would take a long time though with only a few cms of weld before flatting it down and then continuing. Also, probably couldn't gas weld it as that puts too much heat into the metal, which leaves MIG and TIG.

Really and truely, think you'd be better off TIG welding it as the welds are much more maleable than MIG which go quite hard and resist being beaten flat again

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:21 pm

hmmmm, im guessing that if the roof did buckle while doing it that would make the shell scrap?

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:37 pm

there is ways of getting the roof to unbuckle if you do overheat it, ive heard heating it then rapidly applying cold (ice) to eat can get it to pop back out into shape..

never tried it.. so dont know if thats 100% guaranteed or what.

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:13 pm

perhaps a non sunroof shell donating its roof skin is the ideal method, rather you than me Si

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:23 pm

maybe ill just replace the sunroof pannel then lol

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:24 pm

Did BMW ever do a Glass replacement...? I'm sure I've heard of people having one. That would make a good replacement... won't go rusty either!

Giles i don't know about e30s but my m535i has a glass sunroof, known as a 'moonroof' and a very rare option apparently.

i would like to remove the sunroof from my 316 for weight/rigidity reasons but it seems like a lot of effort!

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:33 pm

did they do moonroofs in e30's not sure i've seen one before

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:38 pm

I have a glass sunroof/moonroof on my 323i. It was bought like that from the dealer but i think it was a dealer option, not a factory option. I think it has been put in here in Australia?

Aston

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:42 pm

just get a sheet of ally and rivet/bond it in place... Paint it after of course

Post Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:43 pm

sell it to me!

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:08 am

sounds like a waste of time to me...... i personally wouldnt go there... especially on the roof of all places LOL

Karan

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:15 am

the actual sunroof panel doesnt add to the strength of the shell... There is no harm removing it and replacing it with an ally sheet or similar

Bond to stop water getting in, rivet it to hold it in place and add strength

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:47 am

Surely it would be easier to just replace the rusty sunroof panel that get the hole welded up.

Didn't Mr Haynes have a new roof skin fitted to his car? He might be the person to ask.

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:13 pm

have a look here http://www.e30shop.de/index1.htm

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:33 pm

replacing the roof skin is a mission!

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 5:40 pm

CaesarBob wrote:Surely it would be easier to just replace the rusty sunroof panel that get the hole welded up.

your right mate but thought id ask before i do anything.

3299iturbo - nice one for the link, loads of well nice stuff on there.

Post Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:15 pm

you can indeed weld the sunroof in as we have on most of the SELOC cars
however this was done for different reasons:
1, to get rid of the internal sunroof mechanism to allow the roll cage to fit
2, we have to keep the sunroof due to rules to keep the orginal skin.
and obviously to stop the rain falling in.
My roof is tack welded round the perimeter to hold it in. there is a big gap around the edge because the roof mechanism and sealing was removed so this is filled with silicone sealant and covered with black tape to match the paint - it still leaks sometimes

This looks fine on the race track or from a distance but looks rough as a badger's a**** up close - so this is a long way of saying that you might not want to do this to a nice car.
as previously suggested maybe get a new sunroof from a scrappy?