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  4. Removing and Replacing e30 sunroof

Removing and Replacing e30 sunroof

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Technical
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  • jc43089J
    jc43089J
    jc43089
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    Not sure how similar the e36 sunroofs are, but there are torx screws behind the weatherstrip on the top of the door jams.  I haven't removed mine yet but I can take a pic tomorrow if you need me to.

    2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
    3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
    '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

    '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

    '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
    '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
    '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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    • YoungCRY
      YoungCRY
      YoungCR
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      If you have a Bentley manual or can get access to one that probably will explain the procedure the best. Should only be a couple hidden screws but its tight. The hardest part on taking one out of my e28 was trying not to damage the headliner insert.

      Chris Young
      BMWCCA #458972
      1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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      0
      • dirty30D
        dirty30D
        dirty30
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        jc43089 said:

        Not sure how similar the e36 sunroofs are, but there are torx screws behind the weatherstrip on the top of the door jams.  I haven't removed mine yet but I can take a pic tomorrow if you need me to.

        Cant hurt to see if you dont mind

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        • dirty30D
          dirty30D
          dirty30
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          CYoung said:

          If you have a Bentley manual or can get access to one that probably will explain the procedure the best. Should only be a couple hidden screws but its tight. The hardest part on taking one out of my e28 was trying not to damage the headliner insert.

          I actually just picked up a Bentley manual today. It suggests that I get new screws that are rubberized to reduce noise and vibration. Did you get new screws or did you just use the old ones?

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          • jc43089J
            jc43089J
            jc43089
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            I will try to get a couple pics before work tomorrow.  It might be a little or a lot different on the e30 than my e36 though.  I didn't catch if this was a coupe or sedan.  You have to take out the A/B/C pillar trim and the grab handles inside, then the headliner should come down to get a look in there.

            2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
            3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
            '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

            '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

            '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
            '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
            '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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            • dirty30D
              dirty30D
              dirty30
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              jc43089 said:

              I will try to get a couple pics before work tomorrow.  It might be a little or a lot different on the e30 than my e36 though.  I didn't catch if this was a coupe or sedan.  You have to take out the A/B/C pillar trim and the grab handles inside, then the headliner should come down to get a look in there.

              Thanks man. Its a coupe. I was thinking that it could just be a simple plug and play but that is not looking to be the case.

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              • YoungCRY
                YoungCRY
                YoungCR
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                dirty30 said:

                I actually just picked up a Bentley manual today. It suggests that I get new screws that are rubberized to reduce noise and vibration. Did you get new screws or did you just use the old ones?

                I only pulled the panel out on my old parts car, still have yet to replace it on the new car.

                jc43089 said:

                You have to take out the A/B/C pillar trim and the grab handles inside, then the headliner should come down to get a look in there.

                The headliners on the older cars are glued underneath the rubber windshield seal, hence needing to take out the windshield.

                Thankfully that isn't needed as the sunroof panel detaches separetly.

                Chris Young
                BMWCCA #458972
                1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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                • jc43089J
                  jc43089J
                  jc43089
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  I didn't get any pics today, sorry, but it appears from what Chris says that it wouldn't help much anyway.

                  2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
                  3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
                  '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

                  '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

                  '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
                  '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
                  '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • GunMetalGreyG
                    GunMetalGreyG
                    GunMetalGrey
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    It's a real pain, you need to retract the sunroof into the roof slightly with the handle and then pull the front of the headliner panel attached to the sunroof down, it is clipped at the leading edge. You then need to figure out how to push the cover back into the roof to expose the screws. The real trick is getting it all back on the track correctly!

                    ...

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                    • dirty30D
                      dirty30D
                      dirty30
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      I successfully installed the sunroof panel, but it was pain. It still needs to be painted the correct color but I figured I would get it in since my old one was dumping rust in the car. The hardest part was getting everything to line up and make it flush. The Bentley book is a great help for it.  I will post some pics soon. Thanks for the help!

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                      • jc43089J
                        jc43089J
                        jc43089
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        Good deal, glad you got it figured out.

                        2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
                        3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
                        '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

                        '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

                        '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
                        '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
                        '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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