Rusty Roof!?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

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Josepi
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Post Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:25 pm

Alright chaps, had some bubbling on my roof so sanded back and it's been filled before not very well and there's a few holes in the roof skin....one about the size of a old school 50p. So ripped out the head liner and stuff and the roof is rusty on the inside and the cassette is pretty bad too! Sigh!

Question is, what's my options now? I understand bmw don't make roof skins anymore? Are there any aftermarket ones about? Can the roof be patched in and can I get a new cassette?

Just wants to know what my options are and what's sort of dollar we are talkin if anyone has had the same problems and solved them....appreciate it :cry:
E30-Ritch
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Post Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:31 am

There's a good article on the wiki on how to replace the cassette If you can get hold of a good one. If the roof skin has gone to I'd say you're best off replacing it with a roof off a none sunroof model. These do crop up on eBay and at breakers yards. Trying to do any sort of welding to a panel that large would be tricky to say the least not impossible though just very tricky as the heat will/can warp the panel.

If you live in the west country try fritz bits

http://www.fritzsbits.co.uk/shop/

Hope this helps. And if you can get the panels new I'm sure some one here will point you in the right direction.
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BHadley
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Post Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:45 am

"Apple tree"on here did a roof skin swap for the reasons .

Lots of good advise and pics in there and all done in a lock up bar painting
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Josepi
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Post Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:20 pm

Thanks, i live on the Isle of Man to a donor car is.....like chickens nipples to get hold of. Will have a skeet at that write up. Got the head liner off and the cassette actually isn't that bad and think can be repaired off the car but the seal between the cassette and the roof is pretty hairy. Gonna remove the cassette tomorrow and see what demons appear!?
jimmyspeed
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Post Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:38 pm

Heat the black sealant stuff up with a electric gun as you go and use a thin flexible knife to slice between the sheets- the heat is key and if your really pushing hard its not hot enough
DanThe
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Post Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:17 pm

I would advise you to get the carpet and trim out before you decide to repair the roof :)