BMW e46 Convertible Batwing (C-Pillar) Replacement

[@ImJustAxiz]

Hello, every time I open my convertible like you show and turn the car off to not waste battery my top automatically goes back down. Does my key and ignition need to stay on? Or do I just place something to hold the top down before it closes?

[@AvoidStealership]

Once you turn off the ignition, the top will begin to slowly fall down. You need something at the top of the windshield to prop it open. I used a brick 🤣

[@Pauld245]

Thanks so much for this video. Definitely the best I have seen. Took me around 1.5 hours to do one side. Longest bit was removing the old broken batwing. I have a small hole now where the broken plastic pierced through. Has anyone got any tips to cover or has any one sowed the up?

[@AvoidStealership]

@@Pauld245 glad the video was helpful! I have never used it, but I feel like black canvas tape might work? 🤷‍♂️ amzn.to/3WW8zyq Maybe someone will chime in with a better idea!

[@brendencazo982]

installing this spring in the back is so painful, id rather give birth to triplets. and both of my batwings need replacing...

[@AvoidStealership]

That back spring is BRUTAL. The ratcheting screwdriver helped immensely in the limited space, but it's still awful

[@alexeyselivan8234]

Great video. Friends dont overthink the job because thats what i did the first time around. Also “D” t20 screw was the hardest to get out. I used a proper size allenhead which fit if you dont have a torx l shape tool. There is no clearance to get anything in there

[@AvoidStealership]

The clearance is BRUTAL. My saving grace was the stubby ratchet screwdriver. Glad the video was helpful!

[@Thug2511]

I have got an question. Im from germany and your intructions look very good. But my problem is that my convertible wont open correctly. Once I tried it I heard an loud bang and noticed that the C pillar just broke lol. Since then it had problems to open…Is it because its broken or what could it be? Thx for the answer in the future

[@AvoidStealership]

If your batwing is broken, the bang is likely the plastic breaking. If that is not the case, I would check the convertible motor next ( under rear seat bench)

[@Thug2511]

@@AvoidStealership okay thx..But is the Batwing necessesary to pull down the convertible?

[@AvoidStealership]

Not particularly, but the fabric / string could get caught. If the top is not moving, I would check out these 2 videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4PJc39jdpVpoLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5aznpyBfrh0l5Y The first video probably won't be helpful (based on what you have said). The second video will show you how to check the convertible motor.

[@Thug2511]

@@AvoidStealership thx for the fast answers! I will check it up and hope that just the Strings got caught and that caused the error lol. I mean if I let loose of the button and push it again it will open just fine so…I hope that its just the fabric

[@gkexx]

Thanks for your detailed video, where did you buy your repair kit, are the ones on ebay good enough?

[@AvoidStealership]

Can't speak to the eBay kits. The kit I used is linked in the video description!

[@michaelwax2257]

I'm curious if you can tell me anything about the front seat covers in your car. I bought a set on mercari, but don't know the brand.

[@AvoidStealership]

I believe the seat covers were OEM, but I can't tell you that for sure because I bought them secondhand off an enthusiast website

[@yurikz9]

helpppp, I cant for the life of me understand how the D string ends up going behind the front pillar then to the front of the batwing, given that the batwing already has the string attached, it's not like i can pull it through and then route it, im so confused lol

[@AvoidStealership]

Hi Fae! I know that it looks like some crazy voodoo magic happens but it most certainly does not. Does your batwing look like the one at 1:17? Have you started the install yet or is it just daunting to look at?

[@michaellabarge5307]

The serviceability of this retraction system is not good to say the least. I ended up not able to remove the springs which were ok, so with the back of the top up perpendicular to the deck, I just removed the spring on the kit and hooked the string to the existing spring. Not sure how BMW controlled fasteners but one was a 10 torx which stripped out and caused lots of grief. overall I wish the kit had come with a termination to the string that could be added after threading it through all the guides loops. would have been much easier - in fact next time I'll just cut and add a short section to do so. Hoping the other side never needs to be done. thanks much to author and producer of this video!

[@AvoidStealership]

Glad it was helpful! You're 100% correct that the designers/ engineers didn't make it easy for repairs. 🤞 that you don't have to do the other side!

[@margie2303]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your video was perfect, it’s my second time replacing this in my 06 330i and the first time I didn’t find your video and now having to do it again because I did it wrong.

[@AvoidStealership]

Glad it was helpful! Sounds like you just had an 'opportunity to learn' the first time 🤣

[@oldjarhead1125]

Thanks for you video. I just installed the drivers side, as it was broken. Only took me about 3 hrs! I would get confused which went where (not in your video) but on my top. Your video helped me out. I put the "support strap back on wrong once & had to redo it. I guess I must see things backwards. BUT it works correctly. Thanks again

[@AvoidStealership]

Awesome! Really glad that it helped. Good news (or bad) is that if you have to do it again, it'll take you about half that time!

[@ChesterTheSpider]

Great video man. Just did a set on mine today. For anyone doing the job, be sure the spring component is routed correctly. Some aftermarket wings may not pay attention to the routing on assembly. Additionally, if you have someone helping you, they can manually raise and lower the rear and front of the top to make some of the fasteners more accessible. You can also use binder clips to test the actuation before gluing. Be careful because they can get caught but if you want to make sure everything is good before gluing, binder clips are strong enough and low profile enough to do most the travel with no issues.

[@AvoidStealership]

Good hints! Thanks for the insights!

[@betitoroks]

I can’t for the life of me get rid of that D screw. I don’t have a fancy ratcheting screwdriver like a lot of people. Any other tips?

[@AvoidStealership]

If you manipulate the top so the back portion is perpendicular to the car, you can sometimes get it from the back. You're gonna have to hold the cover out of the way tho

[@naxera]

Your videos replacing and fixing the batwing issues are the best on KZbin, I am waiting for my dyneema cord from amazon to fix my thorn strings today. I've been working on the E46 M3 all weekend, I will replace the both batwings sometime in the future, and this video will definitelly be of great assistance.

[@AvoidStealership]

@naxera - Really glad it helped and I hope you are enjoying your M3. It's a gorgeous vehicle!

[@kepskey]

Anyone know what screws I need for this? the previous owner left it hanging with everything but the screws.

[@AvoidStealership]

Sadly, I don't because I bought a kit both times. Hopefully someone else on here knows!

[@tomolson9752]

The fabric looks to be attached to the batwing with a sealant. Did you have any trouble removing the fabric from the old batwing?

[@AvoidStealership]

Personally, I didn't. My batwing broke and the fabric just sort of peeled away from the plastic. I would try a heat gun/ hair dryer to loosen the adhesive if your fabric is still sticking to the old batwing

[@rrossjr]

Thanks for the nicely done video. Not a fun job, but this saved me a lot of time!

[@AvoidStealership]

Glad it was helpful! It can certainly be a PITA 😂

[@chefrichrp]

wow very nice, how close to NJ are you would love your help...I am nothing but all thumbs

[@AvoidStealership]

Sadly not that close, I'm outside DC. I have faith in your skills though!

[@chefrichrp]

Ty

[@renee146]

What glue did you use for the fabric to the batwing?

[@AvoidStealership]

Gorilla Glue Super Glue! amzn.to/3sEnQIx I'm sure any super glue would work though

[@MichaelVagnetti]

The space allowed to remove the D hardware seems impossible. There’s no direct line for even a stubby driver and raising / lowering the roof won’t allow more space. ?

[@AvoidStealership]

It is REALLY tight. You can raise / lower the roof until is the best access angle for you. I have kind of small hands but overall, it's a PITA

[@MichaelVagnetti]

Torx key did the job!

[@AvoidStealership]

@@MichaelVagnetti torx key FTW!

[@wheelieup129]

Good video! Thanks. That brick though lol

[@AvoidStealership]

Thank you! 🤣 The brick was available and useful but probably not the best tool

[@gradypeterson9187]

Do you start the engine and raise the top partially and turn the engine off?

[@AvoidStealership]

I don't. I just turn the key to position 2 to move the top. However, I do know people that won't move the top at all without the engine running

[@gradypeterson9187]

@@AvoidStealership thank you!

[@hankgrimmick1762]

Spot on instructions, thank you. My son and I did his 03 E46 today.

[@AvoidStealership]

Awesome! Glad that you were able to knock it out! Solid bonding time, too

[@georgef1176]

Just remove the headliner it looks better without it.

[@AvoidStealership]

I don't think I've ever seen a picture without the headliner!

[@georgef1176]

I personally like it. The factory soft top has a beautiful texture pattern underneath and the mechanical parts look cool. My headliner was damaged from previous owner not fixing the batwings so it slightly ripped on one side. I pulled it to replace and was pleasantly surprised! I’m sure BMW purists are saying I’m an idiot right now. But I did take that headliner money and buy a hardtop!

[@AvoidStealership]

@georgef1176 My headliner is still in pretty decent shape, but if it ever gets a rip I'll have to consider this

[@teamgomez]

Wayyyy too fast and video lighting very poor. No way to easily see routing in this video.

[@AvoidStealership]

Sorry that it wasn't helpful for you!

[@davebishop4799]

Thanks! Will be doing soon!

[@moejordan3166]

It’s very nice video but it should be slower thank u

[@AvoidStealership]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@lygiacruz617]

There's a pause button!

[@rampantcolt]

Thank you!

[@AvoidStealership]

@rampant You're welcome! Glad the video helped

[@rampantcolt]

@@AvoidStealership tremendously.