e30 power top -- preventive maintenance and parts

[brian_vancouver]

hello,

i have recently purchased a 1993 325ic (e30) with a working power top. this is a long term purchase for me.

i know there are a number of discussions on how to repair the most frequent failures on these units, but i have three more preventive maintenance related questions:

1. what if anything should i be doing as preventive maintenance to head off a top failure?

2. what part(s) should i try to source and keep on hand to repair a likely failure? and;

3. i know there are some after-market repair kits out there, are there any that i should consider having installed now to head off a top failure (and possible secondary damage) -- that is, a kit(s) that are better engineered than oem systems that are prone to failure?

thank you guys,

brian

bjcarroll@cci.eu.com

[NV325i]

I am in the same boat, if you come up with any anwers let me know. Thanks

[Vivek]

Paging Cabriolet.