 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  12-28-2007, 03:38 AM | #1 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |  Need Advice/Help with Cali Roof
So the roof on this 96 ti, has leaked like a sive since we bought it 2 years ago. Tried different things to get it not leak, had it into shops, not a lot of interest from any one wanting to work on it. It has been a real issue since we live in Oregon, but other then the leak this car has been a sweet ride. Well about 3 months ago some one punched the roof or something fell on it because one of the ribs is now bent on the roof. So we called the insurance company and they say they will pay to have it fixed but it is going to need a whole new roof.    The car has been at the local BMW shop for 6 weeks now and the parts are not in yet.  We called the insurance company to see how much longer they were going to pay for a rental car, they said they would call the shop and find out what is going on. Insurance company calls back and say the shop told them the total bill was now going to be $7,000.00. The insurance company says that they will just total the car for $6600 to us, wich is fair, we paid $4900 for it 2 years and 20,000 miles ago. My question is, Should I buy back this nice TI wich now has only a sheet of plastic for a roof, and a salvaged title. I am thinking somebody might know where I can get a roof for this thing installed at a reasonable price. I sure hate to see this car go. __________________
96 Jet Black California Package |  |  | | 12-28-2007, 04:05 AM | #2 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
is this a cali top or standard sunroof? from the avatar, i would guess cali top. mallard has PDFs of the TIS articles covering cali top removal, installation and maintenance. it should be fixable (although i'm not sure that the ribs are available separately). thesk8nmidget indicated there was a cali top listed in the austin, TX craigslist a bit ago. i was thinking about it, but you can certainly have dibs as my top is working! i would PM sk8 and see if he can help you out. if you send me your email address (PM me), i can send you the docs from the TIS that mallard sent me. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 12-28-2007, 04:16 AM | #3 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |
It has the Cali rag roof.
If I was to buy a roof would a used one be a good idea.
I am fairly certain this roof is done and can not be fixed to the point that it would still look good and shed water.
Wife wants to take the insurance setlemant and be done with it.
I do not want to work on it myself but would not mind paying to have it fixed or replaced. __________________
96 Jet Black California Package | | | | | 12-28-2007, 04:25 AM | #4 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
well, the bad part would likely be that you don't get to see it in action (as i'm guessing it was no longer in the car) and thus know that everything is working properly. i fully understand your hesitation there.
you might try PMing mallard. he just swapped in a complete cali top (not sure if it was new or used). from what i've read, finding a shop to work on the cali top isn't always the easiest (sounded like even some bmw dealers say they won't deal with them). __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 12-28-2007, 06:58 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Gunnails  I am fairly certain this roof is done and can not be fixed to the point that it would still look good and shed water. | If it was built, it can be fixed. Any fabricator worth his (or her) salt could measure, bend and weld a new rib in there for you. You may have to go to a custom cycle shop, or poke around with race garages. Got a picture of the damage? __________________
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | | 12-28-2007, 07:18 AM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 1,067 |
If you can get it back real cheap, I've always had this crazy idea of removing the Cali roof and putting in a non sliding glass sheet on top. | | | | | 12-28-2007, 08:11 AM | #7 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Gunnails I am fairly certain this roof is done and can not be fixed to the point that it would still look good and shed water.
| ===================================== This is not accurate. The last time I saw the car it had a bent rib in the sun roof. since it has been in the shop it has been copletely removed, and is no longer attached to the car. I am not sure of its status but I think it is not coming back with the car if I buy it back. So if I get the car back it will have no sunroof and a salvage title. The question realy is now, how much does the insurance company want to sell it back to me for, hopefully I will know in a day or so how much the will sell it for. __________________
96 Jet Black California Package | | | | | 12-28-2007, 08:14 AM | #8 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Ji Money If you can get it back real cheap, I've always had this crazy idea of removing the Cali roof and putting in a non sliding glass sheet on top. | ================================= Sounds like a great idea. Be expensive though to get a nice piece of custom glass made. Neat idea to make a retro kit for Cali TIs. __________________
96 Jet Black California Package | | | | | 12-28-2007, 08:16 AM | #9 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |
Quote: Originally Posted by aceyx
Got a picture of the damage?
| ================================= No.  __________________
96 Jet Black California Package | | | | | 12-28-2007, 01:11 PM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Land of the Vikings Posts: 2,700 |
to remove the top fabric cover isnt a major problem, although it is a bit of a biatch from what ive read
the ribs are just steel rods that are sewn in. they are easy enough to swap out.
normally the leaks are because the seal around the roof frame isnt holding the water out.
i thought it was the drain tubes , but when i removed the roof i could see the drains were free of blockage and all tight as could be
removal of the roof is about 1 ½ hour labour and requires no major skill or special tools
mabey just a T25 torx driver
pm me your email and ill mail you the roof PDFs
Br Andrew __________________ 
Vin Number decode and Retrofit Pdfs Available Free ! Just PM  | | | | | 12-28-2007, 04:37 PM | #11 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
i was looking for the cali roof for sale and couldnt find it.
i tried figuring out how to get a hold of an expired ad and couldnt.
mallard can you still buy cali roofs from the factory?
it would probably be quite expensive.
also if you end up deciding to buy it back and dont want the car i am moving back to oregon in 5 months and would be will to take it off yours hands down the road.
a plexi glass top or glass would be a great feature! but hard to do.
keep us updated and maybe if the buy back isnt to much from insurance i could buy it back.
but only if you decide its not worth the trouble or you cant find a replacement roof or fix the exsisting one __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
| | | | | 12-28-2007, 06:14 PM | #12 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Land of the Vikings Posts: 2,700 |
Roofs are available, but limited supply
prices new are major buckeroonies __________________
Vin Number decode and Retrofit Pdfs Available Free ! Just PM | | | | | 12-29-2007, 07:33 PM | #13 | | Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 85 |
Update:
The insurance company says they will take the car to auction, and give us the option of matching the highest bid.
A manager at the BMW repair shop called my daughter and told her that the new roof had just arrived from Germany and is non returnable. He said that you can make an offer on the car before it goes to auction. He said that they will most likely place the new roof in the back seat and sell it with the car at auction.
I am going to offer the insurance company $2,000 for the car and all and any associated parts that go with it on Monday.
I figure if they will sell me the car with the roof, and I can get the new roof installed for $500, a total of $3,000 or less, then this would be very fine deal for us.
I find it hard to believe, but we just might get a new roof on the car plus, $4,000 in our pockets. __________________
96 Jet Black California Package | | | | | 12-29-2007, 07:39 PM | #14 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
have to wonder how much the dealership is going to get for the top from the insurance company. they have to get paid for the top. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 12-31-2007, 09:31 PM | #15 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
dang well best of luck!! hope it all works and then once im bac in oregon you can also join us for a ti meet! __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
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