[NashvegasR]

Hey gang - 2009 e93 Convertible M3 (new to me). Of course I have put the top up and down like 20 times in the few days I've had the car demonstrating how cool it is. Today the top gave me a warning -- and I *thought* I had something in the trunk that was preventing it 100% from stowing in the trunk -- but not the case.

After investigating I found this broken bracket. Passenger side. At the rearmost end of the headliner piece. Good news is... it looks like it just bolts on with 2 hex head or torx screws.

So I think -- I tried typing in this part # I found on the piece of plastic but doesn't search as a good BMW PN. 3001701104

UPDATE: I found this post which is the exact same issue (but no resolution on the board here) http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4672418

Here's a few pics. First pic is of the PASSENGER REAR corner of the car. Anyone know what this is?



[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[NashvegasR]

FOUND IT -- and cheap. Couldn't find it on any other part diagram other than realoem. So for anyone else who will have this problem, this should help ya out:

Bracket, C-pillar hatch, left 1 54377204891 $1.28
Bracket, C-pillar hatch, right 1 54377204892 $1.28

[Dark_Knight_335]

Nice find dude!

I definitely hate how much more complicated shit is in the convertible trunk as opposed to a coupe.

It was a pleasure to help a fellow board member install LED reverse lights in a flash, as opposed to the struggle and trial I went through removing them on my own car

[NashvegasR]

Same side, same c-pillar bracket as my post from about a year ago. Broke again today. CRRACK upon putting the top up after my drive into the office. Just as last time, when it cracked, it caused a rip in the convertible headliner as the top folded onto itself.

GRR. Anyone else have this problem with e93 convertibles? Clearly I have something that's causing it... but no other symptoms or issues. Anything to do with the little black strings / tension strings that keep everything moving with the mechanical top?

(2009 M3 Convertible)

[Dark_Knight_335]

Wasn't there some sort of service bulletin a while back on the old cords or tensioning strings on older E93s?

If I were you I would go to your local dealership and ask for them to comb through the service bulletins, as I think they should be replaced free of charge if it applies to your car.

Sorry I can't offer more assistance- this damn thing has developed a leak on both the driver side and passenger side six times over the course of my nearly 3 years of owning it so far.

So far so good though after getting it fixed one last time and having foam stuffed into some portion of the area where the hardtop meets the frame.

[NashvegasR]

So -- I replaced the tensioner cords on both sides using a video of some British guy on youtube. And replaced the bracket on the right. Took me less than an hour, perfectly done, took my time, a few beers and no issues. I think the cords were just messed up / stretched and causing the bracket not to spring back.

And then I found another big rip in my headliner so ... wish I'd caught this sooner lol.

B

[DetectiveLoki]

So glad I found this post. Mine broke a few days ago.

[Hannibal4444]

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

So -- I replaced the tensioner cords on both sides using a video of some British guy on youtube. And replaced the bracket on the right. Took me less than an hour, perfectly done, took my time, a few beers and no issues. I think the cords were just messed up / stretched and causing the bracket not to spring back.

And then I found another big rip in my headliner so ... wish I'd caught this sooner lol.

B

Link to video?

[Jozy]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Nice find dude!

I definitely hate how much more complicated shit is in the convertible trunk as opposed to a coupe.

It was a pleasure to help a fellow board member install LED reverse lights in a flash, as opposed to the struggle and trial I went through removing them on my own car

Oh you can install LED reverse lights on E93s? I too went through the trouble of removing the entire tail light and disassembling it to find how they were seated and stopped there. They don't seem to use the same bulbs as the coupes?

Yeah the coupes... plug out, press tab and everything's out

[fun2drive]

My E93 is a March 2007 build and I have never seen this issue. However I am careful to not operate my top all that often having great experience with other BMW convertibles namely E30/36.
Now if I could just find the rattle in my top which just started...

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by Jozy

Oh you can install LED reverse lights on E93s? I too went through the trouble of removing the entire tail light and disassembling it to find how they were seated and stopped there. They don't seem to use the same bulbs as the coupes?

Yeah the coupes... plug out, press tab and everything's out

They're the same, pretty much. Yes I can do them- just put my stock ones back last week!

[DetectiveLoki]

Just FYI for those that have this same problem, I got quoted for $180 (1.5 hr labor) to replace the c-pillar plus $15 for the part from a non-dealer.

[mike sevel]

You said that you replaced your cords via a video made by some British dude.
I believe that is the only DIY in existence. I would like to replace my cords as I see some minor fraying, but some of the video is not very well lighted and it seem to lose continuity. Did your cord replacement go smoothly?
Thanx,
Mikey

[Jozy]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

They're the same, pretty much. Yes I can do them- just put my stock ones back last week!

I'll try again and be braver this time and unseat the reverse light bulb.

if they break f it i'm getting LCIs

[NashvegasR]

Originally Posted by mike sevel

You said that you replaced your cords via a video made by some British dude.
I believe that is the only DIY in existence. I would like to replace my cords as I see some minor fraying, but some of the video is not very well lighted and it seem to lose continuity. Did your cord replacement go smoothly?
Thanx,
Mikey

Yep - replacement was pretty straightforward. I also thought the video was bad but you sort of just follow the little black cords, using the video as a very very rough guie -- the important part of the video is starting at the correct end, looping it the right way etc.

[mike sevel]

Sorry for the crappy connection to an ol' fart tune, "Zing went the strings of my heart". Do you have the strings part numbers? I understand the string was redesigned a few years ago as the originals sucked.
Pls advise,
Mikey

[Jamesn71]

Was replacing the bracket pretty straight forward? Is that spring under tension? I'm worried that when I remove that pin parts might go flying.

[yobdab666]

Argh. The same thing happened on my M3. I ordered the two parts needed:

54377204892 - Holder, C-pillar flap, right, and
54377277475 - Headliner Tension Rope

In the process of fitting the C-pillar flap I dropped the bolt that allows the flap to pivot down into the trunk and can't find the part anywhere.

I can't find the part number for the bolt (and 'C' lock ring) anywhere. Anyone got an idea what the part number is?

Thanks in advance

[craeg]

Just had this happen on my 435i - so this is obviously a problem. I had no idea anything had broken until it snapped and ripped the headliner. Arguing with the dealer over whether this is covered under my warranty - they are claiming its trim and therefore not covered.

Was anyone ever able to come up with a service bulletin on this?