NOOOOOOOOOOO! My rear plastic window!

[BUG4LIFE]

You know whats coming don't you?

Yesterday, about 12pm, I thought I would try my electric roof on my 89 Motorsport cab, as it hasn't been put down in a few months [I've been told to keep the roof motor working over winter just to make sure everything ok etc]. It was quite mild so I knew the plastic window wasn't frozen, so with my mum in the drivers seat pushing the button, I watched as the roof started to fold away. I saw the fabric wasn't folding right so I helped it along its way but then it totally stopped due to the rear window staying rigid, I though if I give it a little push in the middle it will continue as normal, and as I did...CRAAAACK!!! The bloody plastic split. I now got a 15cm hole in the rear window. Sh1t!!!

Ok guys, what did I do wrong? How could I of prepared the screen for being folded away for the first time in a while, during these less than warm times?

And more importantly, how much is it going to cost for a replacement? Its stitched in so I know its a big job - but please tell me it aint gonna cost an arm and a leg!!! And who can I trust to do the job? I don't wanna replace the whole roof as its in really good condition.

I felt so sick when I heard it split...anyone else done it?

[stevetigger]

Its zipped in and your talking Ԛ£90 for window!

There's window kits on ebay, cant rember if its ours or the american ebay?

Ebay link

[Ziggy]

Its zipped in and your talking Ԛ£90 for window!

Unless it's stitched in, as he did say...

Mine's a stitched one too & I've not got round to fixing it yet either... sickening isn't it

I'm still hopeful that it's covered on the windscreen part of my insurance policy - some dude on their e-mail said it would be...

I've not actually found anyone to actually give me a quote for if I do have to sort it myself - I'd expect around Ԛ£100 though.

[E30Mark]

Its zipped in and your talking Ԛ£90 for window!

There's window kits on ebay, cant rember if its ours or the american ebay?

Ebay link

He just said it's STITCHED in...

I've heard of prices from Ԛ£100 - Ԛ£300 for replacing the window, going to depend on what condition the roof is in.

Tough luck, I'm surprised it split in this weather, didn't think it was that cold outside...

[Hyperion]

sorry mate

[stevetigger]

so people keep saying but the rear windows ARE zipped in!

[stevetigger]

Thats how much it cost me last year!

[Ziggy]

so people keep saying but the rear windows ARE zipped in!

Some are zipped, some are stitched. Just cos you've got a zipped one, doesn't mean we're all that lucky!

[stevetigger]

Go have a look, There all zipped, go outside now! Have a good look, you will find a zip hidden behind a fold of material that may be stiched but trust me there zipped!

[Ziggy]

Go have a look, There all zipped, go outside now! Have a good look, you will find a zip hidden behind a fold of material that may be stiched but trust me there zipped!

No, they really aren't! Have you looked at my car?! There are 2 types! Why's that so hard to understand?!

[stevetigger]

Whats hard to understand they all have a zip??? Like my local bmw dealer said once, even the "non" zipped ones are zipped, it may have the zipped stiched up but you will find it there!

[Ziggy]

Part #81229407641 - REAR WINDOW (up to 09/91)
Part #54318207804 - REAR WINDOW WITH ZIP FASTENER ( from 09/91)

Note the difference in descriptions!

[stevetigger]

Yes because the newer ones have an easier zip than the older ones with a stitched up zip!!

[E30Mark]

Got to agree with Ziggy on this, my old cab definitely didn't have a zip, i know i replaced some of the stitching by hand.

[Ziggy]

Ok steve, if you say so!

So where you contradicted BUG4LIFE, saying that it's zipped in, you actually meant that it's zipped as well as stitched?!

I guess I'm just special - there's no zip anywhere near mine. Single layer of fabric with nothing that resembles a zip - I know because I was looking at fixing it myself!

[stevetigger]

Whatever, Phone BMW

[JOSEMI]

Keep us posted guys, I don't have a cab but your heated discussion made it interesting !

Jose

[topspark]

Just had a look on the ETK and there are definately two types . Zipped and a window which requires installation tools and adhesive . Looks like something changed around 09/1991.
Hope this clears this up , sounds like everyones getting a bit arsey!!!

[stevetigger]

There are two types, But both have zips! BMW just made it easier on the later ones!

[Ziggy]

Noooo; no arseyness here! Hope Steve ain't upset either - hasn't seemed like the sorta guy who'd get bothered by a li'l debate in the past!

Steve - I'll show you my car if we both end up goin to the ring - then you can go slap your BMW dealer for being an eejit!

[Ziggy]

There are two types, But both have zips! BMW just made it easier on the later ones!

Maybe there's 3 types then, like Marks which has been apart and had no evidence of a zip?!

[stevetigger]

Damn right there Zig, Loving the idea of the RING! WoooHooo

[BUG4LIFE]

Ok guys no fighting, that aint really helping me get my rear window fixed!

I just went and had a look and there is definetly no sign of a zip of any type - stitched in or not. Reckon it must be an age thing? My cab is an 1989 Motorsport and I have seen a zipped in window in a later M'sport cab. Though the thing that worries me is the fact stevetigger got the easier zipped in screen and it cost him Ԛ£324.76!!! How much is mine bloody gonna cost?

[Ziggy]

Damn right there Zig, Loving the idea of the RING! WoooHooo

You gonna have your new engine in by then?? Gotta get myself an LSD I reckon

[Ziggy]

Ok guys no fighting, that aint really helping me get my rear window fixed!

Sorry! Chaos had his done for about Ԛ£100 IIRC - it's just a case of finding someone...

[stevetigger]

Money's no object keeping the E30 dream alive!

In my opinion, its cheaper getting a new roof unless your roof is MINT....But it is great having a new window, I can see out of it!

[Ziggy]

If a new rear window works out as costing me more than about Ԛ£150, I think I'll go with a new hood... Don't really need one, but when you can get a new one for Ԛ£350 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 4604511983 - plus fitting of course), it does seem a bit silly not to...

[stevetigger]

You gonna have your new engine in by then?? Gotta get myself an LSD I reckon

OH yes, As soon as I sell the 1.8, it will be a weekend job!

OK maybe a week but no more than that!

[HartgeH27]

The are are definitely two different types of hood.

One has plastic window which is STITCHED in with no zip.

Second is zippered.

There is a company (will try and recall details) who will restitch the a new window in located up near Thorpe Park. The cost was Ԛ£225 fully inclusive.

Iain

[topspark]

Just done a search on this topic and found this web site which has plastic window polish in it!!
dont know if its any good but may be of use to you roofless ones!

http://www.renovointernational.com/products/kit_vst.php

lee

[BUG4LIFE]

If you could get those details that would be great HartgeH27. That was Ԛ£225 included the replacement plastic window too yeah?

[topspark]

Also found this site which may be of interest!!!

http://www.emiata.com/E30Window.asp

lee

[BUG4LIFE]

Cheers topspark. Don't no if I'd try it myself but at least I'll be able to compare prices between a BM dealership and aftermarket items.

[HartgeH27]

If you could get those details that would be great HartgeH27. That was Ԛ£225 included the replacement plastic window too yeah?

Yes supplied and fitted. Will try and get details for you today.
Iain

[Hyperion]

hmm , would like to see a picture of this zip that some of you guys have for the back window. My car doesnt have one.