So I've been living with the flappy and crumbly headliner problem that most of us cabrio owners have when the plastic "batwings" break. There has been a lot of discussion about how to fix and not a lot of solid answers. I got tired of waiting and decided I'd just give it a try.

I ordered the kit that is found here: (http://www.worlduph.com/bmwe36hlinstructions.htm) I ordered the "batwing" replacements ($30) and two re-string kits ($30 each) figuring I'd need all of the parts.
Their instructions are not so good, so I found this article from a British website here: (I'll edit this and include the link when I get home from work) The illustrations are very good.

Problem with the british article is that the author uses contact cement called "Thixofix", which is not available in the US. I went out on a limb and tried a very expensive spray contact adhesive from 3M call "super" contact adhesive or something like that, which I found at the auto parts store. Turns out that the spray was too thin and soaked through the headliner fabric. So I went to home depot, picked up some regular old contact adhesive and used that. So far, it's held up great, I'll repost if it fails. The headliner fabric sticks VERY WELL to the plastic batwing. It's not rocket science, and it didn't turn out to be that hard. Plain 'old contact adhesive also allowed me plenty of time to reposition the fabric on the batwing.
The batwings have a small "lip" embossed into the surface that guides you how far to overlap the headliner. Simple.
Oh yeah, don't worry about that plastic vapor barrier stuff, I just ripped what I could out, it was so raggedy anyway.

Restringing: NO BIG DEAL! I bought the restring kit, which was from BMW, nnd it included ALOT of parts that I didn't need. Truth is, if I knew how long tbe strings needed to be exactly, I could have saved $60, because I only needed the strings.
To restring, just follow the diagram I linked to above exactly and it should string right up. If you did buy the BMW kit, the string is already cut to the exact length and you do not need to "adjust the knot" or anything. Just clamp a lead stopper to the precut end of string and you're done.

I had previously heard that this was a difficult fix. Not true. I've sprnt more time on this writeup that I did on the fix.

What you need:
Batwing Repair Kit: $30
Small Tube of Contact Cement: $3
Some string: $1
It'll take you about an hour.

Good luck.

By the way, my wife will proudly ride in my car again with the top up. No more bedouin tent. Big difference in quality of life for me...

Thanks for the website! I need to fix the bow clips. Right now one of them is held up with a zip-tie. It looks like there are metal pieces that will replace the crappy plastic one that broke. Awesome!

thanks for the info,i haven't had any problems with my liner as of yet(knock on wood...) anyway,excellent write up,this would definitely be something i'll be doing sometime down the road...thanks again:)

Thanks for the write up.. :) Maybe I'll replace my whole headliner at some point. I have a small tear in the back from when it was flopping around.

i thought it was just me -- ps I went the dealer route and paid them $150 to fix. they restrung it and did not replace the batwings, 2 weeks later same issue.
dealerships suck

Would you mind forwarding the British web site mentioned with the instructions?

www.totalbmw.co.uk
i think

I also replaced the C-pillar plastic batwings on my 328iC this weekend. No big deal. I used as a contact adhesive a Goop product (www amazinggoop com) made for automotive uses. I have a sneaking suspicion its the same "goop" that's in the "RV Goop", "Sport Goop", etc., etc., tubes, just repackaged by some schooled in the ways of niche marketing. As described above, the original batwings came off easy, and I merely applied the "goop" to the same areas of the headliner and new batwings, let it sit for several minutes for it to cure, then fixed them together. My only misstep was in using a bit too much glue on the first one - it got a little messy but I wiped off the excess . Let it sit for half an hour, restrung it using the original strings, and - voila - it looks like new. I'm going to wear out the motor just watching the miracle of that top going up and down.

Whatever you do, don't pay the dealer or anyone to do this job. Any half-wit can do it. Even me.

I used shoelace to restring my batwing parts.

By the way, when you order the fix-it kit from the worlduph.com website, they describe this repair's difficulty as "not for the faint of heart", which put me off for many months. As long as you have the very good writeup from the totalbmw website, anybody that can use contact adhesive can do this repair. Don't hestitate, buy the repair kit NOW!

Anyone care to share a pic of the problem y'all are fixing? All seems well with my '94, but it pays to keep a heads-up for common failures.

I don't have any pics, but if your headliner starts to fail and fall down or otherwise loosen up around the rear window area, then it's probably an indication that either your batwings are broken or the adhesive is failing. Very common convertible problem. Not a very well documented fix, but it is an easy one.

ok convert guys - I have a '96 328 - had to replace the battery last week - now the top is inoperable - windows all go down half way, but the top doesn't dudge - is there a re set button somewhere?

Thanks

Start new thread?

www.totalbmw.co.uk (http://www.totalbmw.co.uk)
i think

I tried to get instructions from the site but its no longer available anyone have another write up?

I think thats what you are looking for ;)
Its on the second part of the pdf.

http://www.totalbmwmag.com/HandsOn/TechJune03.pdf

I just need the string. Do I need the kit for that? My dealer said 170 for the kit

Towed to the vert subforum...

isn't that the same fix millertime did on his DIY video library?

he called it dogears though i think? he fixed the c pillar plactics with home made stuff and strung it up - worked great from his video...

im confused now...

So I've been living with the flappy and crumbly headliner problem that most of us cabrio owners have when the plastic "batwings" break. There has been a lot of discussion about how to fix and not a lot of solid answers. I got tired of waiting and decided I'd just give it a try.

I ordered the kit that is found here: (http://www.worlduph.com/bmwe36hlinstructions.htm) I ordered the "batwing" replacements ($30) and two re-string kits ($30 each) figuring I'd need all of the parts.
Their instructions are not so good, so I found this article from a British website here: (I'll edit this and include the link when I get home from work) The illustrations are very good.

Problem with the british article is that the author uses contact cement called "Thixofix", which is not available in the US. I went out on a limb and tried a very expensive spray contact adhesive from 3M call "super" contact adhesive or something like that, which I found at the auto parts store. Turns out that the spray was too thin and soaked through the headliner fabric. So I went to home depot, picked up some regular old contact adhesive and used that. So far, it's held up great, I'll repost if it fails. The headliner fabric sticks VERY WELL to the plastic batwing. It's not rocket science, and it didn't turn out to be that hard. Plain 'old contact adhesive also allowed me plenty of time to reposition the fabric on the batwing.
The batwings have a small "lip" embossed into the surface that guides you how far to overlap the headliner. Simple.
Oh yeah, don't worry about that plastic vapor barrier stuff, I just ripped what I could out, it was so raggedy anyway.

Restringing: NO BIG DEAL! I bought the restring kit, which was from BMW, nnd it included ALOT of parts that I didn't need. Truth is, if I knew how long tbe strings needed to be exactly, I could have saved $60, because I only needed the strings.
To restring, just follow the diagram I linked to above exactly and it should string right up. If you did buy the BMW kit, the string is already cut to the exact length and you do not need to "adjust the knot" or anything. Just clamp a lead stopper to the precut end of string and you're done.

I had previously heard that this was a difficult fix. Not true. I've sprnt more time on this writeup that I did on the fix.

What you need:
Batwing Repair Kit: $30
Small Tube of Contact Cement: $3
Some string: $1
It'll take you about an hour.

Good luck.

By the way, my wife will proudly ride in my car again with the top up. No more bedouin tent. Big difference in quality of life for me...


I used the gel super glue. It was thick and did not soak in to head liner!!!

the string on the drivers side of mine snapped so the cloth was flapping about so fixed it the other day by stealing a bit of the string off the blinds in our office (hope no one tries to put them down now) took 5 mins to fix including ajusting the not length.

Honestly guys unless u blind this is the easiest repair in the world (bmw in glasgow told me it was extremly dificult and would have to put into there engineer to fix)

millertimes video is very helpfull on this so watch it then do it lol

chris

I think thats what you are looking for ;)
Its on the second part of the pdf.

http://www.totalbmwmag.com/HandsOn/TechJune03.pdf

Boo...that link doesn't work. Keeps linking to "futuremag" ??? :(

The front on my headliner is sagging down. Can anyone tell me how I can fix it.
Thanks.

Subscribed so I can come back to this.

Millertime has a video on YouTube -- look for fix here in forums, there's a link to the Youtube spot.
FWIW.. if strings are there, why not just attach new string to old and pull it through??
If concern with exact length, once old one out, measure it, cut NEW new string, attach, and pull thru again.
No Worries.

I have the PDF, but no way to host it. Can anyone help?