Sunroof Weatherstripping Installer

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NewSixCoupe

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Looking for a BMW/Golde-knowledgable person/shop in the NJ/NY vicinity to replace the sunroof weatherstripping on my coupe.

I've heard conflicting opinions on whether the roof/headliner has to be removed.

Thanks.
 
I did this myself on a 2002 years ago, you don't need to remove anything. It's a little tricky to glue to rear edge of sunroof but not bad, any shop could do this.
 
Sunroof sealing

I don't think "any shop" can do this correct unless you give them the absolute 100% instruction how to do it.

When only you know how the perfect installation should be done, You need to think if it not possible to do it by your own. Well, a bit tricky but the result would anyway be what you expected :-)
 
Chris, is it true that the rear weatherstripping attaches to the roof, and the front to the sunroof panel? Or is this just for 2002s?

Also, what type of glue is recommended?

Stefan, you're right. I'm looking for someone that knows exactly how to do this, otherwise I'll try it myself...
 
Well, I was going to say that the larger piece attaches to the roof on three sides and the rear piece attaches to the sunroof panel but now I am not sure! I thought the panel had to be opened slightly to attach to the panel. If this is true that is why I thought it was pretty straight forward. I have never looked at an e9 sunroof.
 
http://www.e9coupe.com/tech/message011.html

The 2002 Faq site has two great links to guys who explain with photos.

The subject has been discussed several times here.

The question on install is do you need to replace the rubber seal at the back of the panel? Usually this is not the case, but if you're picky, then the panel comes out. The repair manual is pretty good on sunroofs and the 2002 boys did a good job with the photos. Go slow with the headliner panel and get familair with the clips and their location.

For the fuzzy- 3M weatherstripping or superglue. ( At least use the superglue- gel on the ends.)

Tip- leave the ends a little long for the overlap; either trim flush vertical or at a slight angle but just a hair long so the ends smush or compress together a little when the panel closes all the way. ( forgive the technical term.)
 
Roof Felts

I used Volvo 240 series felts for my roof for two reasons: a) They are black and this just looks better on my car vs light grey. b) The stationary piece does not have the aluminum re-enforcement as the A.E.M. BMW part has...easier to work with and get looking good.
Wurth Rubber Glue is the recommended adhesive.
Golde roof...same, same. You can also source felts through Porsche I am told. Plenty of 240 Volvo's around to look at to see how the install should be done properly, as I did on account of the hack job that was done on my car by a D.P.O. (Felts were pop riveted in place...imagine the damage)
Having the panel free to lift in and out while fitting makes this job easier. Headliner will not need to be disturbed.
 
I'll take a few pics and post them. Not sure what the similarities/differences are between e9 and 2002 sunroofs, but mine does not have a rubber seal; the two pieces of grey felt are attached directly to the sunroof panel.
 
Ifnyou want to take a ride to NH, I am sure Mario Langsten at Vintage Sports and Racing would know exactly how tom do it.
 
I've considered that, Stan, but I'm not convinced that, given the wealth of knowledge on this board and all the cars that have been restored, no one knows how to do this? And that there isn't a qualified professional in the tri-state area?
 
Felts

IMHO that is not correct. Treated as a square, the front and sides get the long bit of felt glued to the body. The short is glued to the rear of the sliding panel. As such...
100_1264.jpg

100_0222.jpg


"61" is correct in that the ends of the sides continue past the opening as you can see in the first photo. The two pieces should "dove tail" or "smush" if you prefer, together when the roof is completely closed as you see in the second photo. This is a hard if not impossible job to get perfect. This was a close as I could get using a factory original 1986 Volvo
with the Golde roof as my example.
 
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If that's the case, then the front (long) felt on my car is incorrectly attached. Its glued to the sunroof panel. If the front felt should be attached to the edge of the roof opening, and the rear (short) felt to the sunroof panel, then I don't think you can get access without dropping the panel...
 
Purich in Bogata, Nj near you installs sunroofs... or did. Might want to give them a call.
 
The Roof

Without a doubt, if you have not had your roof apart yourself, then finding someone with prior experience would be a huge plus. Me, I had to fly this one alone and it was a project that snowballed big time and ended up as a major roof overhaul, too many items to list and included a new headliner at the end of the mechanicals. Invaluable experience it was, yet the felts were the least of what I ended up having to do to get my roof a right as is possible given my location and resources. I too started with inquiries to this forum, yet I never saw an example posted that was correct or done well. I wish you the best of luck and hope my experience has been helpful.
BTW, the rubber strip that has been referred to is glued to the rear leading edge of the sliding panel and is not readily visible with the panel installed. The panel is pretty easy to get out once you have done it the twenty of so times as I have! Hopefully your roof mechanicals are functioning as the roof needs to open at least about 2-3 inches to get it apart. Mine, the cables were seized, yahoo! Anyone with this issue, please PM me as I can save some grief as to how to deal with this in the least destructive manner. To my knowledge, the rear guide tubes are "unobtainium" In retrospect, I wish I had copied these at the time.
 
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Sunroof seal installation

Some of us are not so fortunate as to live in rural parts of beautiful BC--but are more fortunate than being in such a remote auto services area--as just under a mile from my garage is a young man of Hungarian parentage who grew up in Father's fine car interior business who became very skilled with convertible top mechanisms and sunroofs--he spun off from Dad and opened his shop just across the automotive center specializing in same.

He has the old world ethic for quality workmanship deeply imbued and is our specialist in these parts. Have had him correct several sunnroofs on coupes that I have handled as well as installing the last sunroof seal in my BLUMAX--was done just right with a great fit using original BMW parts.

BTW--he has become successful and is never without being booked for work.
 
61porsche said:
Purich in Bogata, Nj near you installs sunroofs... or did. Might want to give them a call.
Click to expand...

Spoke with Purich about a year ago; they quoted $200 and said it was "not a problem." Think I'll revisit that conversation, but when anyone tells me "its not a problem", I have to wonder...

Thanks everyone, for the assistance, although I still feel that a step by step explanation of how to remove the headliner panel attached to the sliding metal sunroof panel (without breaking anything!) would send me on my way. I have no doubts about installing the felt seals.
 
Cars

For sure Orange County must have the highest ratio of collector/exotic/expensive as hell vehicles per capita than anywhere on the planet. As such the parts availability and mechanical talent pool is also outstanding. Yeah, it sure is beautiful and laid back up here yet I would have a three hour drive and/or a ferry ride just to get a look at another coupe!
 
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