Convertible Lid

[cliffybabe]

HI everyone

Need some help, do bmw still make the gas struts that hold the lid up where the roofs goes into???

Mine are shot and its 2 man job to get the roof down at the moment

Thanks

Neil

[Ziggy]

Pretty sure they do, & pretty sure they'll cost you a fortune! Wheras if you go to your nearest scrappy, find an e30 & blag a couple of struts out of the front seats, they just might be a tad cheaper! They're fatter, but they fit...

[325conv]

Neil,

The struts are still available from BMW, I had to replace both mine a couple of months ago, I think they were around Ԛ£30 each.

[cliffybabe]

Thanks for the replies i have some spare seats so ill nick the struts off them

Thanks again

Neil

[orangecurry]

I think the one that holds the bonnet up is the correct size, so get down that scrapyard (but they might be knackered as well!)

[Ziggy]

I think the one that holds the bonnet up is the correct size, so get down that scrapyard (but they might be knackered as well!)

Our survey says
The bonnet one's a lot bigger than the hood cover...

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Mine don't hold up the roof storage cover either. I manage on my own by balancing the edge of the roof against the cover so I can get around to the other side of the car to tidy the roof up before I close it. Good call on the cost of replacements and using the bonnet ones.

[Ziggy]

Mine don't hold up the roof storage cover either. I manage on my own by balancing the edge of the roof against the cover so I can get around to the other side of the car to tidy the roof up before I close it. Good call on the cost of replacements and using the bonnet ones.

The ones out of the front seat are the only ones that will fit as far as I know.

[paulj]

Our man ziggy is correct
The bonnet ones are far to big and even if they wernt there is not enough weight in the hood lid to help push them down you would look a right tit pushing hard on the lid when closing it, seat ones all the way alough the dont last half as long as the proper ones for the job
Best bet is go to your local stealers and by some new ones

[Ziggy]

Our man ziggy is correct
The bonnet ones are far to big and even if they wernt there is not enough weight in the hood lid to help push them down you would look a right tit pushing hard on the lid when closing it, seat ones all the way alough the dont last half as long as the proper ones for the job
Best bet is go to your local stealers and by some new ones

Mine cost me 50p each - lasted 6months so far, so I figure it'll take a while before it would have been worth getting new ones!

They're definately the better option though - I'd just rather spend my money elsewhere...

So I gather your cab's gone then Paul?

[paulj]

Our man ziggy is correct
The bonnet ones are far to big and even if they wernt there is not enough weight in the hood lid to help push them down you would look a right tit pushing hard on the lid when closing it, seat ones all the way alough the dont last half as long as the proper ones for the job
Best bet is go to your local stealers and by some new ones

Mine cost me 50p each - lasted 6months so far, so I figure it'll take a while before it would have been worth getting new ones!

They're definately the better option though - I'd just rather spend my money elsewhere...

So I gather your cab's gone then Paul?

Sold it last month mate, making way for an M3 cab when i can find one worth having, I want a perfect one so ive got the time to wait until it comes along miss the 318 because of the condition it was in would have to go back in time to find another one in that condition for the money i paid for it.

Hows yours going mate?

[Ziggy]

Fair play mate - they're not exactly easy to find but it'll be sooooo worth it! Mine's coming along nicely... Just a few changes since you last saw it! Still plenty on the to-do list, but it'll get there.

[paulj]

good luck mate
you going to gaydon this year or any other big BM shows?

[orangecurry]

I think the one that holds the bonnet up is the correct size, so get down that scrapyard (but they might be knackered as well!)

Our survey says
The bonnet one's a lot bigger than the hood cover...

I sit corrected

[NH325CAB]

Haha,



I didn't know it was even supposed to be held open with struts! I just thought that was the joy in having a manual cab ie having to hold it up whilst folding the roof down!

Might get myself some of those struts then ! Doh!!

[orangecurry]

I just bought new ones - buying/getting something like that 2nd hand seemed like just a delaying tactic

try www.motormec.co.uk if you want new genuine BMW o/e parts but not at UK Dealer prices.

[cliffybabe]

i dont know if its any help, im gonna change mine over in the next couple of days, i have pulled the struts off my spare chairs and gonna use them

does any one want any pic's at all??

Neil

[Steviec]

I should be doing mine over the weekend (weather permitting), if its anything like the strut in the boot of the cab, then it should only take a few mins.