Manual Convertible Top Question & Others

[BeaLongoria]

Hey! I just (like... 8 hours ago?) bought a '90 325i Convertible & it has a manual top...

My question is: when I pop the lever behind the driver seat, the passenger side of the boot cover releases easily while the driver's side has to have a finger/key run under it to pull a latch. Is this normal? If it isn't, how would I repair this?

Thanks for your time! From my short time with the car, I can see that I'm going to have a lot of questions... A LOT... o.O

Oh! Also, since I have your attention! The console on the roof (top of the windshield) has the seatbelt & airbag lights illuminated, but when it got dark out, it looked like they weren't illuminated. Do they just look super bright during the day? How would I go about getting these to turn off if they are on?


Thanks again!

---Bea

[CorvallisBMW]

The driver's side latch should release along with the other side when you pull the lever. It sounds like it's just out of a adjustment. You can adjust it two ways:

First is by loosening the 2 bolts that hold it in, and adjust it's up/down position. This affects how and where the latch engages.

Second, you can adjust the tension in the cable that is attached to the lever if the latch is not releasing all the way.

The mechanism is fairly simple, it's easier than it sounds. Just play around for a bit and you'll see the answer soon enough.

The lights in your check panel can be turned off easily by pulling the cluster and removing the bulbs.

[Cha Ching]

I thought the latch under the driver's side boot was normal?!?! Holy crap, that guy lied to me! Seemed reasonable to expect, if someone pulls on the latch while driving, then the boot won't necessarily fly open, no?

[CorvallisBMW]

I thought the latch under the driver's side boot was normal?!?! Holy crap, that guy lied to me! Seemed reasonable to expect, if someone pulls on the latch while driving, then the boot won't necessarily fly open, no?

yes you are correct.

Sorry, I think I misunderstood the PO's question. Yes, there is a safety latch underneath the driver's side of the toneau cover.

[Stevie30]

The latch he is referring to is a safety catch. It is made like that to keep the cover from flying open if the manual latch is actuated.

[Stevie30]

The lights in your check panel can be turned off easily by pulling the cluster and removing the bulbs.

It is much easier to cover them with black electrical tape. LOL

[Ruffian]

I'm a big fan of swapping in a non-air bag check panel.

[87Blue325iC]

My question is: when I pop the lever behind the driver seat, the passenger side of the boot cover releases easily while the driver's side has to have a finger/key run under it to pull a latch. Is this normal? If it isn't, how would I repair this?

Totally normal. Also common for the passenger side of the cover to stick if not adjusted right.

[OrganicMechanic]

+1 for normal.

congrats on the cabrio purchase.