How hard is it to fit a complete automatic roof on a BMW E36

[Vince70]

My fathers E36 needs a new roof as its catching as it needs new tension straps and the rear window has seen better days plus its shrunk slightly so he was going to get a new top fitted.

But the thing is I've just been offered a new a complete automatic (secondhand) roof in good condition for £150 and I can do the basics on a car but have never tried doing anything like this.

Could someone tell me is it a diy job or is it a job for a professional.

 

 

This is the roof and frame that needs changing, except the car isn't upside down

[Tamworthbay]

Never done one on one of those but I can do an mx5 type in under an hour. Do a search on google for info, I bet it's not that hard but you will need two people.

[Dave_Q]

There are 3 types of '36 roofs IIRC, manual, semi-auto and fully auto.

 

The semi-auto has a manual latch at the front but then drops on a button, the fully auto has motors for that too.

 

As long as the roof you're getting is the same as the one on the car it's not too bad a job but needs 2 people really.

 

If, for example, your dad's car is manual and the roof you're putting on is auto then you'll have problems with the wiring and motors etc not being there to drive it.

[Vince70]

The car has the full auto roof and the new roof is the same but the problem for me is the electrics as I imagine it must have a multitude of sensors.

I've tried looking up on good old Google for a video on replacing the roof but can't find anything.

[Vince70]

I've been and bought the roof and don't think it's bad for £150 there's a little bit of mould on it as it's been sitting in a garage for a couple of years but I think it will clean up ok with a bit of Milton.

 

Also I didn't realise till I picked it up but it's a very dark green not black which is the same colour as the original but the difference is the old one has faded badly and it comes with the headliner already attached so that's one less job.

 

So hopefully I will have a go in the week sometime if the weather is ok.

[overrun]

As said, MX-5's are easy. Smart ForTwo Cabrio things are a bit of a swine (cables).

At least you are swapping the whole shebang and not skinning the frame. Only Edd China (and Pauww) can do that.

 

Get stuck in!

[Vince70]

The thing bloody weighs a ton lol..

But hopefully I can get one of my brothers over to give me a hand to fit the thing sometime ..

I'm starting to wish it was a nice povo spec example as I think it would be a lot easier to fit than the fully automatic one and normally there's always a how to guide on the net to repair these type of things but not for the E36

 

I'm now doing a rain dance so I don't get the chance to repair it on the drive lol.