quite urgent guys - ariel hole guide

[polsta]

Guys need some help, my car had the ariel removed at some point, but ive got a new one, but...how exactly do you get the placement 100% correct ? can anyone help, cars being painted next week so need this doing and correct, what do i say to him ? any tips or anything when doing this ?

[Kedge]

Not sure there is a set positioning as I think they were dealer fit, mine has never had one fitted.

[Duke137]

I think that is correct kedge because the 323i I have has it on the O/S/R and right at the back corner.

I think the majority went on the N/S so they could be mounted easier inside the rear quarter/wheelhouse brackets and was close to the wiring loom entry point on the rear bulkhead if you apply a bit of logic ?

As for the exact position I don't think it is crucial. I have seen some ariels with a "lean back" when fully extended and some bolt upright.

[Kedge]

Never seen one that far back Duke, seen the odd one that side though. I suspect most weren't even fitted at the dealers, more like a local stereo fitter.

[popey7676]

My 323 is on the near side, and nearer towards the rear window.

[FinalD]

Mine is way up front on the wing really compared to others (black blob on the wing, nearside).

[polsta]

heres a couple of tech 1 pics

but what im wondering/asking, if there was an "exact" position , and how to get it right ?

[Duke137]

My 323 is on the near side, and nearer towards the rear window.

That is the 'standard' position as I stated above because it allows you to fix the ariel motor unit on the bolt holes of the inner wheel house. Where the one is on the 323i I posted above is completely random and confirming that potentially these were all dealer fit.

I am sure bss325i will know for sure

[Duke137]

Actually FinalD yours looks further back than the Tech1's polsta has shown, again dealer fit confirmation?

[Rich320I]

mines in the same position as those above polsta,

there is probably a template out there, but i suppose one option would be to take measuremeants from an e30 with the aerial hole in a position you deem as correct, then replicate that on yours?!

when i say measurements i mean from egde of boot, from edge of windscreen etc, hope that makes some sort fo sense mate

[Grrrmachine]

Ariel Hole Guide:

[Rich320I]

Ariel Hole Guide:

needs adding to the wiki

[polsta]

^^^ only bird with a fishy back door aswell as front

rich/anyone else, is there any chance some of you can get some measurements for me, in away as i can send hima text and explain/point out where it goes, its somethign thats got to be done right

i would leave it off, but, i want it oem and as much as i rarley use radio, im going period audio and quite fond of the retro electric ariel

[Duke137]

I am sure there is an OEM Ariel hole template and cutter kit on the market? I am sure pacerpete had one

[polsta]

I am sure there is an OEM Ariel hole template and cutter kit on the market? I am sure pacerpete had one

?

PETE ,calling the pete

[FinalD]

Actually FinalD yours looks further back than the Tech1's polsta has shown, again dealer fit confirmation?

I can't confirm/deny this unfortunately, the wiring for the current one looks like it was an after market unit (ie someone bodged it in themselves) due to the way the cables were run (all over the f'king place and badly spliced in).
However, the car does have what looks to be 'original' wiring for one too (properly fed in behind trim panels, wrapped into looms etc.), which to me suggests that if the car didn't come with one from factory then it most likely had one from the dealer.

[Rich320I]

^^^ only bird with a fishy back door aswell as front

rich/anyone else, is there any chance some of you can get some measurements for me, in away as i can send hima text and explain/point out where it goes, its somethign thats got to be done right

i would leave it off, but, i want it oem and as much as i rarley use radio, im going period audio and quite fond of the retro electric ariel

no worries polsta, il take some measurements sunday and a pic of where mine sits if you havent sorted it before hand. would sort it tonight mate but cars in the garage until tomorrow.

[magpie]

why don't you look up from inside the boot and see if the hole has been bodged up

[Jozi]

I wouldn't bother, it's only another area that could potentially start rusting again in future.

You could fit a digital aerial under/around the rear parcel shelf out of sight where no one can see it.

[Kedge]

That's exactly what I'm hoping to do with mine, not looked into what aerials are available like that though.

[Jozi]

Got a dirt cheap one for the parents car, works fine but if it was for my e30 i'd spend a little more on something that could have been hidden away.

[Alex]

there on the passenger side

the way they lean is how there bolted up during installation

[magpie]

there on the passenger side

the way they lean is how there bolted up during installation

like he said...you get an adjustable slotted piece of mechano to bend and shape to your preference of point when you mount the arse end of it ....which is nice.

[alexdejonghe]

there on the passenger side

the way they lean is how there bolted up during installation

like he said...you get an adjustable slotted piece of mechano to bend and shape to your preference of point when you mount the arse end of it ....which is nice.

That's the only advice I could give too....

[Kedge]

There's plenty of these on eBay as well - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INTERNAL-GLAS ... 43aa7d304a

[B7]

Thw reason so many of these are in different positions is because mostly, when new, the radios were either dealer fit or the tight arsed owners would take it to road radio and have a monkey fit one. Its the latter where they stuck it anywhere which causes the confusion.

When dealer fitted there was probably a template that the dealer should have used but again, did they use it or just take a drill to the car in a the rough area?

Correct place is on the nearsdie rear quarter but the tech 1 shots posted look too far forward? But Dukes right, you are sort of governed by the inner arch fixing point.

Diables convertible looks right but a side on shot would confirm how far from the back edge of the boot lid it actually is. Looks the same as on my car.




By b7tmw at 2011-08-28


By b7tmw at 2011-08-29

[pacerpete]

^^^^^

This is the 'correct' spot. The shape of the boot carpet and the inner suspension tower metalwork mean you have to get it pretty close or the bulky electric aerial body will become an issue.

Electric aerials come in all different shapes and sizes so be sure to have your aerial close by before drilling !

If I had virginal quarters, I would not be drilling them. I would fit a M3 / touring roof aerial . Looks factory and nice and neat.

[gooner1]

^^^^^

This is the 'correct' spot. The shape of the boot carpet and the inner suspension tower metalwork mean you have to get it pretty close or the bulky electric aerial body will become an issue.

Electric aerials come in all different shapes and sizes so be sure to have your aerial close by before drilling !

If I had virginal quarters, I would not be drilling them. I would fit a M3 / touring roof aerial . Looks factory and nice and neat.

We all know your quarters have been drilled so much you
could sh*t through a sieve.

[TPS]

Thats a stunning car Trevor.

[polsta]

hmmm thanks guys, i really dont know what to do

one part of me loves the original ariel feature extending up and looking 80s, then i think hmmm why drill the quarter and allow potential rust in the future

[polsta]

^^^^^

This is the 'correct' spot. The shape of the boot carpet and the inner suspension tower metalwork mean you have to get it pretty close or the bulky electric aerial body will become an issue.

Electric aerials come in all different shapes and sizes so be sure to have your aerial close by before drilling !

If I had virginal quarters, I would not be drilling them. I would fit a M3 / touring roof aerial . Looks factory and nice and neat.

so would they have to have the carpet then ? (which they havnt got) but have got the ariel , think i need to make my mind up by monday

are the roof ones much better, how do they attach ? would they have been around when tech 1 was new in 86 ?

[B7]

hmmm thanks guys, i really dont know what to do

one part of me loves the original ariel feature extending up and looking 80s, then i think hmmm why drill the quarter and allow potential rust in the future

Go for it. It's part of the cars heritage. If it's drilled before paint and then waxoiled both sides befor the arial is bolted up? theres little chance of rust.

I've got an 89 convertibel I'm just about to break and the aerial is out. and theres not a spot of rust around the hole because the aerial was fitted properly.

[polsta]

yes its being drilled before paint, just need it in the right place, how many inches, would you guess back from the corner by glass, towards the back of the car ? as above, would they need the carpet trim for that side to get it right ?