Hello,

I had already a 325i (1993) and some weeks ago I have buy'd a 328i (1998).
I will sell the 325i within a short time.

But the 325i is provided with an rollover protection bar (the black caps behind the rear seats, very funny when you fly to hard over a bridge :D) and my "new" 328i isn't.

Is it possible (and easy to do?) to remove the rollover bars from the 325i and put them into the 328i?

I think it's safer to have them with a child on the rear seat. :rolleyes

Wow you hit that new thread button fast!

If you took 2 sec. to scroll down you would have seen this:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=650669

AND already had your answer.

Wow you hit that new thread button fast!

If you took 2 sec. to scroll down you would have seen this:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=650669

AND already had your answer.

Of course I have read that article :embarrasm But it is only 3 pages discussion over how to remove the headrests and I don't have headrests there, so I'm not interessed in that :D ...
My question is simple: is it possible to swap the rollover system from the E36 325i 1993 to the E36 328i 1998?

If yes, do I only have to swap the mechanic parts, or also a controller (where is it located?) and maybe cabling?

I found now another post (better keyword used in the search function :D ) http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711394&highlight=rollover
This one is more informative.

So it must be possible with some tricks!

I found now another post (better keyword used in the search function :D ) http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711394&highlight=rollover
This one is more informative.

So it must be possible with some tricks!

Anything can be done.

Just don't be suprised if your insurance is void when in an accident. Such it's not like retrofitting some light or gearknob to the car.

I'm not saying this will happen, but I wouldn't be suprised.

Why would BMW explicitely say that it can't be retrofitted. I'm sure they wouldn't mind people buying these off them in some retrofit kit...

im not sure how adding a safety feature to a car can void insurance. the rollbars themselves wont cause an accident. apparently, one guy has already successfully installed it.

perhaps BMW has their own internal reasoning for claiming it is non-retrofittable. they probably dont want to be held responsible if retrofitted rollbars malfunction during an accident due to a crappy install job or whatever reason.

lighten up a little. dont take it personally that people are doing what you say cannot be done.

There you have it, pros and cons. I seen guys in a Miata retrofit the rollover protection bars, but that's a two seater. I am sure it can be done, and if you're pretty handy, see if you can look for a Z3 bars in a junkyard or auto recyclers for them, and install those.
I found now another post (better keyword used in the search function :D ) http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711394&highlight=rollover
This one is more informative.

So it must be possible with some tricks!

apparently, one guy has already successfully installed it.

"Apparently" is the key here - he's not going to _know_ until he actually rolls the vehicle. <grin>

It just can't be cost-effective to do this. If it were that important, I'd suggest investigating trading for another car that already has the feature.

"Apparently" is the key here - he's not going to _know_ until he actually rolls the vehicle. <grin>

It just can't be cost-effective to do this. If it were that important, I'd suggest investigating trading for another car that already has the feature.

personally, thats exactly what i would do as well. there are still lots and lots of good examples out there if people are willing to travel to get them or wait for a nice one to show up locally.

lighten up a little. dont take it personally that people are doing what you say cannot be done.

Excuse me? Why would I care. If people want to retrofit them, be my guest. ;)

"Apparently" is the key here - he's not going to _know_ until he actually rolls the vehicle. <grin>

Not apparently. It works. I test it every year.

It just can't be cost-effective to do this. If it were that important, I'd suggest investigating trading for another car that already has the feature.

You're right, it's not cost effective if you buy new parts. However, I (1) got a good deal on used parts, (2) like to tinker with cars and (3) did this as part of a major set of mods done at the same time so the car was torn apart already... (rear fogs, full HK retrofit, Traffic Pro, Phatbox, E46 auto-dim mirror, footwell lights, central lock switch, vertical headlight aiming, engine compartment light, one-touch turn signals, heated washer jets and lumbar seats.

Not apparently. It works. I test it every year.

You're right, it's not cost effective if you buy new parts. However, I (1) got a good deal on used parts, (2) like to tinker with cars and (3) did this as part of a major set of mods done at the same time so the car was torn apart already... (rear fogs, full HK retrofit, Traffic Pro, Phatbox, E46 auto-dim mirror, footwell lights, central lock switch, vertical headlight aiming, engine compartment light, one-touch turn signals, heated washer jets and lumbar seats.

Lovely! Any pics? Why The HK setup though as I heard it's not all that good.

As my car is German-spec, we Euro's don't have the central locking switch, but it's something I would really like.

Was it hard to do?

One-touch turnsignals?
Lumbar seats? I heard about this. Any pics from this too?