Hope Im not violating any rules here, but I posted a question/issue in the E36 Convertible sub forum, but would also be interested if any one local (hence this post in this forum) in the DC metro area had the issue, and if so, did you resolve it yourself..and how? I won't repost the entire post here, but in short, it appears my cover needs adjusting, so that it can open back an inch further, so the top clears it going down. Any help is appreciated.

Thnx.

I owned a 99 M3 vert last year. It is the tensioner straps in the rear. I think it's about a $600-800 repair bill you are looking at. These commonly go bad. You may be able to do it yourself; but, from what I understand, it is fairly involved and since it's a power top, I would not take the chance. Just pay the money and have it done correctly.

Thanks for the response, and tip.

But question: How do the tensioner straps affect the travel of the rear cover? In other words, the solution for my issue *seems* to be..having the rear cover lift upwards maybe one inch (at most) more during the opening process. This one inch would allow the rear edge of the top to drop down with complete clearance.

Not arguing with your advice..just trying to learn, and understand this top.
Thanks

The tension straps are just under the cover. There is one on each side of the car running the length of the top. The tensioner straps are a series of what look like strings with tabs at the end of them that hold the liner close to the top and frames themselves. Over time, especially with lots of hot and cold cycles, they stretch and cause the liner to catch on the rollover bar covers during top stowage and/or deployment.

Replacing them means you have to take the whole top apart, or you just live with the fact that you have to give the top a shove to get it to fully open or close.It's about an 8 hour job b/c they have to remove the top to get to the straps so it's very labour intensive. The straps themselves are around $160/pair though.

Trust me, it's the tensioner straps. Very common problem. If you find a place that can do it for $500 or less, that's a great deal.

yes, it is tensioner straps. I did it on a customer car a while ago but it was not difficult. You could go to your local fabric store and buy a spandex type fabric for cheap, and then sew the straps along the old straps.

Check this posting in the M3 E36 - Vert section for good info to understand the top operation, entry #1
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692443

http://bmwpages.co.uk/archive/e36_co...ble_adjust.pdf

i have the same problem with my 98 vert.

i went to the stealer one day for some parts and a asked a service advisor about the issue.

he told me at leaset 1100 to fix it:rolleyes

that was the end of our convo.

i just give it a little push down and it closes. i did read somewhere that someone just tightened their straps buy putting a socket:confused in the strap to shorten it.

good luck and for 500 you got a deal!

The tension straps are just under the cover. There is one on each side of the car running the length of the top. The tensioner straps are a series of what look like strings with tabs at the end of them that hold the liner close to the top and frames themselves. Over time, especially with lots of hot and cold cycles, they stretch and cause the liner to catch on the rollover bar covers during top stowage and/or deployment.

Replacing them means you have to take the whole top apart, or you just live with the fact that you have to give the top a shove to get it to fully open or close.It's about an 8 hour job b/c they have to remove the top to get to the straps so it's very labour intensive. The straps themselves are around $160/pair though.

Trust me, it's the tensioner straps. Very common problem. If you find a place that can do it for $500 or less, that's a great deal.

I apologize in advance...because I think I used the wrong terminology.

When I stated "cover"..I wasn't referring to the actual top/roof. I was referring to the storage cover that lifts rearward during the opening process. In other words, once the top begins it's descend into the storage area, the rear edge of the top smacks against the front edge of the storage cover. Since I created this thread, we've had some more fruitful discussion in the E36 convertible forum, so I won't rehash the whole thing here. But from detailed discussions there, it appears that my rear storage cover isn't opening fully...unless I manualy intervene, get out, and push it back the last inch..where it stays. Once I do that, the top drops down into the storage area without collission. So the theory is that the gas shock that lifts the storage cover, is worn.

I apologize in advance...because I think I used the wrong terminology.

When I stated "cover"..I wasn't referring to the actual top/roof. I was referring to the storage cover that lifts rearward during the opening process. In other words, once the top begins it's descend into the storage area, the rear edge of the top smacks against the front edge of the storage cover. Since I created this thread, we've had some more fruitful discussion in the E36 convertible forum, so I won't rehash the whole thing here. But from detailed discussions there, it appears that my rear storage cover isn't opening fully...unless I manualy intervene, get out, and push it back the last inch..where it stays. Once I do that, the top drops down into the storage area without collission. So the theory is that the gas shock that lifts the storage cover, is worn.


I know what you are talking about. It 'may' be the gas shock; but, again, I am almost positive it is the tensioner strap. I don't think you understand how the top works and honestly, 80% of the people in the E36 forums have no clue on the topics they post about. You'll get a lot better information from people in this region ...

There's quite a few people that have owned multiple E36's and are very familiar with the car.

Thanks NoSoup. I owned a E36 from 1992 through 1999, and did all the maintenace and most repairs..either by myself, or with other CCA club members..and my brother has a 1993 325 (and two 740's) that he's owned for at least 10 years now..so I have some familiarity with the E36's...just NO experience with drop tops.

Thanks for your input..I'll start to begin focusing more on the tension straps as my resolution.