I have started to find bits of a rubbery brown material that hangs down around the c pillars or by the windows and I am guessing that its part of the headliner lining.

Its an 8 year old top so I'm not surprised it's showing its age, my question is more: is it the top or headliner? More importantly: how bad is this, and what damange / problems should I expect if I don't do something to either replace the liner/top?

Thanks,

Chris

It's just the "insulation" on back of the headliner. You won't have any problems by just ripping it off as it rears it's ugly head.

-Al.

I don't think any of it is left in my '95. Its just annoying having to clean all that shit up when it starts falling apart.

Little offtopic, but I just cleaned the whole interior and used all kinds of products etc etc.

i.o.w. car looks like new again. well pleased.

A good aftermarket top is 300 bucks....2 hr install....just did it....looks like new again....I replaced my top to.

Lorkar = Can you e-mail the install instructions from your new top? I see it took you 2 hours, which top company and can a novice do it? Chris

I've done it too and it's at LEAST an all day project unless you got a top from BMW with the plastic edging and have done it before.

Bob

I've done it too and it's at LEAST an all day project unless you got a top from BMW with the plastic edging and have done it before.

Bob

Hey,,,the HEADLINER is a two hr job....the top took me 17 hrs....if you want info I'll gladely help.

Hey,,,the HEADLINER is a two hr job....the top took me 17 hrs....if you want info I'll gladely help.

Crap...I see how this happened....my previous post should have read...a good headliner is 300 bucks and two hrs to install.....My Top was about 500 and i got it from Topsonline....as posted above if you get the BMW OEM its much quicker to install....(but its also 4 times the money)...it has a plastic edges and the holes are predrilled ....the aftermarket isn't pre anything and you need to make it fit....I've been a tech for 19 yrs...if you've never done it before i wouldn't recommend it...however I never did it before when i tackled the job....if your not pressed for time and have a few onces of mechanical incling you can do it....good luck.....Karl

Crap...I see how this happened....my previous post should have read...a good headliner is 300 bucks and two hrs to install.....My Top was about 500 and i got it from Topsonline....as posted above if you get the BMW OEM its much quicker to install....(but its also 4 times the money)...it has a plastic edges and the holes are predrilled ....the aftermarket isn't pre anything and you need to make it fit....I've been a tech for 19 yrs...if you've never done it before i wouldn't recommend it...however I never did it before when i tackled the job....if your not pressed for time and have a few onces of mechanical incling you can do it....good luck.....Karl

Wow, respect for the guts of doing that yourself.

Well, I will take extra car of my top now! (well I already do, but you know).

I was suprised when I got my car, these 2 plastic cover on the front of the "c-pillar" on the inside of the car, you know, the ones that are held in by strings, were still in place and in working order.

Karl,

That sounds better :) Yeah, it probably took me 17 hours too and I used the exact same top as you did. Same quality, but the plastic edging with the holes on the OEM top sure would save some time.

I replaced the straps at the same time. I couldn't find ANY DIY on this so I cut away all of the old top exposing the frame and went from there. I have some pics if anyone wants to try this themselves but I agree with Karl's comments. You have to have lots of time, be an advanced DIY, and have lots of patience.

Bob

I have never found a DIY for replacing the Tension Straps, Top or Headliner. I replaced the rear window (It cracked in the cold) a few weeks ago and that wasn't too bad. I have the new tension straps and headliner sitting in a box in my garage, waiting for me to set aside enough time to complete.

I need to know where to get the headliner for $300, please.

Good luck on that.. Mine was 400.

I have started to find bits of a rubbery brown material that hangs down around the c pillars or by the windows and I am guessing that its part of the headliner lining.

Its an 8 year old top so I'm not surprised it's showing its age, my question is more: is it the top or headliner? More importantly: how bad is this, and what damange / problems should I expect if I don't do something to either replace the liner/top?

Thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris , The thing you have to watch out for when the backing starts to deteriorate on the HL is the insulation will fall down into the well area (where the top folds into) and it can clog the water drain holes and cause a leak under the back seat area.
I install these tops in my business. I can help guide you through the installation if your going to try it yourself. I can get you the top , HL or tension straps if you need them. You can contact me at A1AUTOINTERIORSINC@YAHOO.COM thanks Larry

Good luck on that.. Mine was 400.

topsonline was the supplier....300usd.....plus shipping and local tax....to my door in canada...356usd.

topsonline was the supplier....300usd.....plus shipping and local tax....to my door in canada...356usd.

CORRECTION....250.00 plus shipping and tax if applicable....I just looked again...the price has dropped.....the quality is good.

www.topsonline.com (http://www.topsonline.com)

I guess I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one having to yank chunks nice brown debris once it starts sticking out

I guess I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one having to yank chunks nice brown debris once it starts sticking out

Same here as I've been experiencing that as well. More importantly though is that it doesn't cause any real issues other than watching to be sure one of the chunks doesn't clog any of the drain holes as nofives mentioned above.

Put the top half up, take a shop vac with an extension nozzle and just suck the crap out, rubbing back and forth between the liners. Kind of like liposuction. You'll save yourself many months of picking up little shards of rubber every few days. Plus it gets in all the tiny nooks and crannies.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/C:\Documents and Settings\C00029074\Desktop\GABA\CARS\GABA19 (3).JPG

Gabaman - I think you need 10 or 20 posts before you can post pics.