Guys

Has this been done before? is it possible?

I have a semi auto roof, and would like the ease factor of a fully auto roof.
I know there's not very much difference, but if it's just wires and a couple of extra motors, then I'm 'aving it!!!!

No change.

You would need to cut off the a frame (well the beam in between the 2 A pillars) which also is the front rollover bar. It's one piece with the body frame and I don't know about US laws, but over here, cutting that part renders the car an insurance totall loss.

So technically it can be done, but if it's "legal" is another thing.

Don't ask me the difference between the 2 a frames, you'd think it's all just the same, but supposedly it's not.

Besides that, you would need the front motor, 2 drives to the new 2 hook assamblies, probably another roof module, other roof switch (with led) and additional sensors.

But if you like challenges....;)

Dido to the above. Your talking about tons of work, chopping up the car, buying expensive parts and for what? To avoid twisting a latch? Soooooo no worth it. I looked at several E36 Convertibles witht he fully auto and the semi auto roofs. I prefer the semi-auto because it is much quicker. The semi auto takes like a second to release while the fully auto takes a bit of time to release and then raise away from the windshield. I know its personal preference and that is purely subjective but I love my manual release!!

It's faster to close a semi-auto top than it is to close an auto top. We have to wait most of the closing sequence for the front motor to latch to the windshield frame. I'd say 10-15 seconds?

I am assuming MParallel meant "No chance" :)

It's faster to close a semi-auto top than it is to close an auto top. We have to wait most of the closing sequence for the front motor to latch to the windshield frame. I'd say 10-15 seconds?

I am assuming MParallel meant "No chance" :)

Oops! Sorry for my English, it's not my 1st language :D

Very true about the fully auto being slow. Takes most of the part to unhook from the window and raise. It's mainly show and it's nice you can comfort-close the roof from outside the car.

The fully-auto's also have a nicer piece of trim on the inside, but also more that can break and all.

I wanted a fully-auto, but mainly for the "bling" factor.

I see, I guess me trying to be flash will end up breaking the bank and/or my car. been put off this one now.

So... erm... what else can I mod...

its not impossible and doesnt involve cutting all the section out, only the under part skin which is only tacked on anyway to house the final locking section of the fully auto roof, it could end up been expensive though as you will need the complete roof section with frame, possibly the motors and all wiring,switch and control modules from a donor car.
if you have lots of money in your car and you intend on keeping it and are not really bothered about financial loss over the years then i'd (and i still might) go for it, its never been done so its definately a first!2nd hand parts are'nt going to be cheap but you never know if you shop about.
i'd like the fully auto version for mine as its a cool factor been able to use total closure on the alarm with a fully auto roof:redspot

A fully Auto roof does not automtically mean roof opening / closing via remote / door key hole. You would need to wire it to work and purchase the correct actuator as well. Just 'cause you convert it to Automatic DOES NOT instantly give you that feature.

There's a guy over here in Washington that wants to convert his fully auto roof to a semi auto (or even a fully manual). Too bad you're on the other side of the world. You two could get together and have a swap fest.

I had to think about the "swapping soft tops" thing because I bought two 1996 E36 verts. One had lots of nice drivetrain and exterior stuff, the other had the stellar interior including an almost new soft top.

After realizing that swapping a soft top was going to be WAY more than I wanted to tackle (and that was with two identical tops); I decided to keep the car that had the nicer interior and swap the mechanical stuff instead.

But there's a big difference between the two: microswitches, control box, and more...

full auto is a pain in the ass. more shit to go wrong, and it will go wrong. mine had a catastrophic failure last night. i want full manual.

I hear ya'! I even considered getting rid of my 325ic and getting a 318ic a while back (just to get a manual top). So far my power top is working just great (knocking on some serious wood) and I'm happy with it. I just can't stand the crazily slow open and close time of the fully auto top.

I hear ya'! I even considered getting rid of my 325ic and getting a 318ic a while back (just to get a manual top). So far my power top is working just great (knocking on some serious wood) and I'm happy with it. I just can't stand the crazily slow open and close time of the fully auto top.

Dude!! Apart from the roof...you will beat yourself to dead if you're used to a 325i. The 318i is s.....l....o....w.....

You'd be so sorry. :nono

Yeah, Id also miss some of the nicities that the 325 gives me (power, power seats, sport seats, OBC, etc...). I had a E30 1992 318i Convertible a few years ago and I did love it though.

I'm thinking of going the other way (fully auto to semi auto). Does anyone out there have a complete an working semi-auto top frame they'd like to sell?

I would think that swap is fairly possible........