Moonroof - BMW Forum

drz · 04-26-2005, 11:33 PM

The idea of swapping out my sunroof and getting a moonroof (you know, with the glass and all) has been on my mind for quite a while now. Does anyone know the dimensions on a e46 moonroof and the e36 sunroof? If I can retrofit BMW parts I'll be happier than getting a custom job done, which will probably cost me just as much, anyway.

Delmarco · 04-27-2005, 08:36 AM

Funny, I had this convo with my BMW Dealership associate when I got my E36 serviced last July....I believe they replace the entire roof of the car with an E46 custom fitted roof (basically an E46 roof but the corners and remolded to wedge onto E36 pillars. Actually if you look at your E36 roof and the E46 roof there is not much difference...however the hard part, he told me, would be the wiring and you would also be getting a new underside (the headliner part) as well....for a total cost of around $900 to $1000.

However he's heard of no one that's done this.....

Delmarco · 04-27-2005, 08:38 AM

Actually one more point...There are some places that would just replace the metal sliding portion with glass (I've heard) This may be cheaper...but I'm not sure how the tilt would work....

drz · 04-27-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Delmarco@Apr 27 2005, 08:36 AM
Funny, I had this convo with my BMW Dealership associate when I got my E36 serviced last July....I believe they replace the entire roof of the car with an E46 custom fitted roof (basically an E46 roof but the corners and remolded to wedge onto E36 pillars. Actually if you look at your E36 roof and the E46 roof there is not much difference...however the hard part, he told me, would be the wiring and you would also be getting a new underside (the headliner part) as well....for a total cost of around $900 to $1000.

However he's heard of no one that's done this.....

[snapback]338215[/snapback]

I knew I couldn't be the only one who had thought about this. However, $1000 sounds awfully low for what you said the change would entail. I was quoted $1200 simply to fix my existing sunroof -- no new roof, glass or headliner. I'll go check with them.

This could be a very intense DIY.... I need to find my friends that do machining, welding, and all that good stuff. I can handle the wiring. Or maybe I'll just get a new car when I get the chance :P

Turbodefrost · 04-27-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by drz328i+Apr 27 2005, 12:50 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drz328i @ Apr 27 2005, 12:50 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Delmarco@Apr 27 2005, 08:36 AM
Funny, I had this convo with my BMW Dealership associate when I got my E36 serviced last July....I believe they replace the entire roof of the car with an E46 custom fitted roof (basically an E46 roof but the corners and remolded to wedge onto E36 pillars. Actually if you look at your E36 roof and the E46 roof there is not much difference...however the hard part, he told me, would be the wiring and you would also be getting a new underside (the headliner part) as well....for a total cost of around $900 to $1000.

However he's heard of no one that's done this.....

[snapback]338215[/snapback]

I knew I couldn't be the only one who had thought about this. However, $1000 sounds awfully low for what you said the change would entail. I was quoted $1200 simply to fix my existing sunroof -- no new roof, glass or headliner. I'll go check with them.

This could be a very intense DIY.... I need to find my friends that do machining, welding, and all that good stuff. I can handle the wiring. Or maybe I'll just get a new car when I get the chance :P

[snapback]338416[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

dude that is WAY too much $$! a friend of mine got a whole sunroof kit for about $50 or $60 online. and he only used on little part of it. so i get the rest of the parts to fix mine

-Ben

Rooz · 04-27-2005, 08:19 PM

mom and Bro have moonroofs on their e39, and frankly, I prefer to clean look of sunroofs

triggrhaapi · 04-28-2005, 02:26 AM

I like moonroofs, but:

1: sunroofs are lighter
2: sunroofs are safer in a crash
3. sunroofs are structurally more rigid
4: they're fucking lighter.

Phrozen · 04-28-2005, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by triggrhaapi@Apr 27 2005, 11:26 PM
I like moonroofs, but:

1: sunroofs are lighter
2: sunroofs are safer in a crash
3. sunroofs are structurally more rigid
4: they're fucking lighter.

[snapback]338688[/snapback]

Word. I'm keepin my sunroof then, but I gotta get it repaired (only opens 4 inches) =(

drz · 04-28-2005, 10:48 AM

I guess I'll stick with what I have. I have to fix it, though. Mine won't open at all

Rooz · 04-28-2005, 03:51 PM

well, I looked at their "motor" today I took that little square thing down and if u pay attention to it, all the bolts are identical, but one, that one is the actual thing that "turns" to make your sunroof open/close... use an octagon bit and try to open/close it manually, if it works like that, then ur switch is F-ed up, if it doesn't work then either the belt broke or u need a new motor for it...