Over the weekend I undertook the dreaded roof motor change with Shipkiller's instructions.
I couldn't have done it without a couple of calls to Pete of AutoTech http://www.autotechperformance.co.uk/ who very kindly trouble shooted some issues for me. If I wasn't several hundred miles from him I would have taken it to them because they are very reasonable on price.
I would say it's within reach of any half decent DIYer. Definitely much easier if you have a friend to help you get the roof in and out. One big step not mentioned in the Shipkiller guide that had me stumped is that the new motor from BMW doesn't come self-primed. You need to buy a bottle of hydraulic oil from BMW. When you have the roof off and have changed the motor, simply use a car booster/battery pack and connect it to the motor terminals. Cycle the hood up and down and when in the closed position check the oil level on the motor reservoir. There is a '+' on the reservoir which is the level.
As you cycle the hood, keep checking the level with the motor upright. You will see air from when you changed the hydraulic lines will gather in the reservoir and the level will drop. Top it up and keep cycling the hood until you are happy the level is stable.
Only then put the roof back on the car and connect it all back up.
Glad I never have to do that again!!
I couldn't have done it without a couple of calls to Pete of AutoTech http://www.autotechperformance.co.uk/ who very kindly trouble shooted some issues for me. If I wasn't several hundred miles from him I would have taken it to them because they are very reasonable on price.
I would say it's within reach of any half decent DIYer. Definitely much easier if you have a friend to help you get the roof in and out. One big step not mentioned in the Shipkiller guide that had me stumped is that the new motor from BMW doesn't come self-primed. You need to buy a bottle of hydraulic oil from BMW. When you have the roof off and have changed the motor, simply use a car booster/battery pack and connect it to the motor terminals. Cycle the hood up and down and when in the closed position check the oil level on the motor reservoir. There is a '+' on the reservoir which is the level.
As you cycle the hood, keep checking the level with the motor upright. You will see air from when you changed the hydraulic lines will gather in the reservoir and the level will drop. Top it up and keep cycling the hood until you are happy the level is stable.
Only then put the roof back on the car and connect it all back up.
Glad I never have to do that again!!
