Edited - After posting /slaps head/ I just read MParallel's post on the Rollover protection system . . . I realized after I originally posted this thread that . . . . I should have searched (DOH) and it probably can't be done. If anyone knows or has done it, feel free to reply.


This car is too much fun to drive . . . .

Does anyone know if it's possible to retrofit the rollover protection system? My car doesn't have it and I've been thinking maybe I'd add it if I can pick it up on ebay or elsewhere. Anyone know if this can be done?

i dont think its easily retrofittable and im pretty sure that no one here has done it. or maybe they have and just havent posted about it. :dunno
all the 'official' bmw literature says its not retrofittable.

im a believer in the saying "if there's a will, there's a way." so if youre good with electronics and have time and money to spare plus an empty garage, go for it. this would be a tough one that would no doubt cost you much more in time, effort, and money than the whole car is worth. if you REALLY want the rollover protection, i'd say you'd be best off getting a different car.

There are not much electronics on that system as i know.
I am planning to install those rollbars.
Searching a set now...

Just checked the wiring diagrams...
Sorry correcting now,
has bunch of electrical connections to many places....
But it still can be done... Not harder than upgrading to 18 button OBC.

Just checked the wiring diagrams...
Sorry correcting now,
has bunch of electrical connections to many places....
But it still can be done... Not harder than upgrading to 18 button OBC.

actually, considering that it would involve retrofitting in large mechanical parts along with various sensors, i guarantee that it would be MUCH more difficult than upgrading to an 18 button OBC, which only takes a few hours and joining a few wires.

Thats possible....
But i will try to to that. Will write the results.

Edited - After posting /slaps head/ I just read MParallel's post on the Rollover protection system ...

Sound like you still doubt it.

It's not open for debate, as realoem clearly states:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/a/j/20.png


No.DescriptionSupplement Qty From Up To Part Number PriceNotes

i CANNOT BE RETROFITTED

01ROLLOVER BAR

Of course: you can weld open the car and weld this in place, but this will write off the car as the structual integrity is no longer "valid".

For this same reason you cannot retrofit a fully electric roof as this mean cutting off the windshieldframe, which is the front rollbar and weld one from a fully electric roof. Instant write off.

What started me to launch this thread was seeing a couple of these RPS items for sale on ebay. It looked to me like they just unbolted them from the car - but I haven't pulled the screen / diffuser from behind the seat to see how they attach. I wasn't aware at the time that they are electronically controlled - but that makes sense. Probably means some sensors (which I don't think are in the RealOEM diagram) and different software . . . .

You're probably right - it will mean a different (next) car as I have the garage but not the time. Well, I got a great deal on this one, so I'll live without the roll bars until the next 'vert . . Someday.

Now the hard top . . . . that's a different matter. Looking for one now, so the vert can become the year round daily driver . . . .

That has one sensor/activator for the rollover system, has connections to bunch of places like top module, front hood locks, body control module, etc. as you can see from the Bentleys workshop manual's electrical schemes. And as "goestoeleven" mentioned, the mechanical parts can be bolted right in. No welding required. And also for the OBC, there is no retro kit package like "headlight cleaning system" But can be installed with a little effort/research.
So i still think that rollover system can ben installed.
*Wish i could find one and start(or try) installation. Can't wait.

...Probably means some sensors (which I don't think are in the RealOEM diagram) and different software . . . . ...

Here's the sensor mentioned:

#06ROLLOVER SENSOR109/199761358372869$466.49

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/k/y/82.png

That has one sensor/activator for the rollover system, has connections to bunch of places like top module, front hood locks, body control module, etc. as you can see from the Bentleys workshop manual's electrical schemes. And as "goestoeleven" mentioned, the mechanical parts can be bolted right in. No welding required. And also for the OBC, there is no retro kit package like "headlight cleaning system" But can be installed with a little effort/research.
So i still think that rollover system can ben installed.
*Wish i could find one and start(or try) installation. Can't wait.

Valid point about the OBC and headlight cleaning.
Although of course the rollover system with all the sensors, electronics and control module(s) is of a whole different level as retrofitting an OBC and washer system.

So you're saying the rollover bars are bolted in?
I have never seen the actual cavity in the body where they are located, but maybe it can only be accessed when the body is being welded in the factory?

Otherwise, you could fit these just for the looks.

The cavity is there. Just check the air outlet grilles in the place where the roll bars should be on a non rollbarless(!) vert.
Easy to reach there. Open the top storage lid, lift the edge protection ( 9 ) strips holding the carpet also, pop the seatbelt covering up ( 5 ), pull air outlets ( 4 ). There is a huge space for the roll bars. You can even put 2 huge amps instead :) Or hide anything :)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/x/i/10.png

.. so I'll live without the roll bars until the next 'vert . .

It's no big deal... my other convertible doesn't have any type of roll over protection, and it's even been in an accident and repaired.. (Yes, it's 18 years old) :D

-Al.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/amancuso/DSC01519.jpg

But it does look a but empty without them. Well..at least without rear headrests.

Ok, I retrofitted the rollover protection system partially a couple of years ago.

The RPS consists of 2 main sub-systems. #1 is the actual rollover system consisting of 2 rollover cassettes, 1 sensor, and associated wiring. #2 sub-system is the diagnostic system that lights up the RPS icon in the dash upon start-up. The RPS icon light goes off a couple seconds after start-up to indicate that the RPS system is ok.

I was able to retrofit the first main sub-system and confirmed it works. I was able to pick-up 2 rollover cassettes from a private party wrecked 1998 M3. The cassettes also came with the electrical plugs. I bought a 94-95 rollover sensor with the associated electrical plug from a salvage yard. 1996 and later verts used a different rollover sensor.

I wired and routed everything up per the ETM wiring diagrams and made it look stock. Also, there is no cutting of chasis metal, all the cavities are present in the car. The mechanicals are a straight bolt-on. The difficult part is getting your hand on the electrical plugs, building the wiring harness and routing it correctly. After putting everything together, I tested to ensure the RPS functions as follows: turned the ignition on, unbolted the sensor from the cassette and quickly jarred the sensor and the bars popped up.

Now what I wasn't able to finish (but think I know how to do) was get the second sub-system working... the diagnostic confirmation light to function. After trading some emails with Brett Anderson at Koala Motorsports, he indicated the probable way to get this to work was for the car to recognize there was now a RPS system installed. The cars brain knows what’s installed in the vehicle via a central code. The central code is a 48 digit code (broken into 4 lines) stored in the instrument cluster on E36s. The second line of this code is 17 digits and (SA) lists all special equipment. See this old post of mine.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152389

The trick is to find which of the 17 digits in the 2nd line (SA) of the central code represents the RPS system and then reprogram the instrument cluster with this new central code to enable the diagnostic function. The car should then recognize the RPS is installed. After getting some responses via the referenced post and some private emails, I’m almost positive the RPS digit is the 11th digit of the 17 digit code. I think the 11th digit should be “C” for RPS equipped cars. My 11th digit is 4. Once you know the code, you can get a dealer to reprogram the car.

I lost interest in finishing the 2nd sub-system because of time constraints and because I know it functionally works on my car (via periodically unbolting the sensor and jarring it and seeing the resulting RPS activate. You guys can respond to the referenced thread above to add more info and confirm whether it’s the 11th digit. If I get more responses, I may have the dealer reprogram my car.

very interesting.

i am kind of surprised by this, but like i said earlier - where there's a will, there's a way.

JoeCinVa,

So the sensor is on the cassette itself?

I'd swear mine is behind one of the rear speakerpanels.

Also I couldn't see right (but mine's a late 1996 so might be different) but I had a feeling some sort of fluid was in the sensor. Well fluid would be a but too "loose" as it would activate it when driving over every tiny rock.

So the sensor is on the cassette itself?

I'd swear mine is behind one of the rear speakerpanels.

Also I couldn't see right (but mine's a late 1996 so might be different) but I had a feeling some sort of fluid was in the sensor. Well fluid would be a but too "loose" as it would activate it when driving over every tiny rock.

The rollover sensor is bolted to the driver's side rollover cassette.

The convertible top control module is behind the driver's side rear speaker.

Yes, I'm pretty sure there is fluid in the sensor. I think their is 2 triggering mechanisms in the sensor- one is a G sensor and the other one is related to an air bubble in the fluid.

The rollover sensor is bolted to the passenger side rollover cassette.

The convertible top control module is behind the passenger side rear speaker.

Yes, I'm pretty sure there is fluid in the sensor. I think their is 2 triggering mechanisms in the sensor- one is a G sensor and the other one is related to an air bubble in the fluid.

Ah yes, an air bubble within the fluid. That sound logic!

wow intresting.....well u clearly know your stuff.....good job...

STOP PRESS.

Latest BMW ETK does not mention the "Can't be retrofitted" sentence, so who knows..