Retrofitting late window regulators into early models

[rcfanatic]

EDIT: The info is on this thread

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=367271

I've read a thread about this before but I've been searching for an hour and cannot locate it.

Does anyone have information on performing this retrofit? I haven't compared the two regulators side-by-side yet, but if I recall correctly none of the holes in the door are tapped on the early models. If this is the same for late models then I would just need to cut clearance holes/slots where the late model regulator attaches, correct?

Thanks,
Adam

[siggy]

Hope someone knows of the thread. I looked at the situation few years back when parting out a late model. From what I recall, the motor/linkage aspect is all pretty straight forward. The trickier problem was mounting the perimeter track/channel that the late model needs. I have a few pictures of early vs late door. Alpine is early of course.

[siggy]

Couple more

[rcfanatic]

I seem to recall that StereoInstaller1 had input on this when I read it before.

Looking at the pics, the doors appear to be almost identical, especially the three bolts where the late model fastens.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by mounting the perimeter track?

[rcfanatic]

Well the solution for anyone that wants to know is to get the late model windows that go with the regulator and it will work

[vpilarrt]

So you don't need to change the slides?

[rcfanatic]

So you don't need to change the slides?

Nothing to change. Late model regulators fit with late model windows. The bolt pattern on early and late doors is the same, so they will bolt right on

[enigmaticdream]

Late can fit early but it needs to be around early 87. My 03/87 coupe has late model doors and fits both early and late model regulators. My passenger side is swapped to late model and driver's is still the early model since it still works.

You need the glass, regulator/motor and some nuts (10mm?) And you're good to go. Iirc if you have welded door hinges that's early and bolt through are late.

[boogle2]

Is there any other info on this? If I want to convert my 09/'87 325ix sedan front driver window, I can just buy the new style regulator and new glass and it will bolt right up? It looks like the motor plug is a bit different too...

[boogle2]

I guess more specifically, are the iX doors different from a standard 325i? I can't find part #'s for doors to check year differences.

If they aren't, I'll just buy the regulator and glass from any post '89 325i sedan and retrofit.

[ELVA164]

iX doors are the same.

[irocz0r]

It looks like the motor plug is a bit different too...

Bumping this thread for more information about the motor plug.

We've established that a new regulator and motor will bolt right up to the early e30, as long as you also buy a late e30 window.

But will the early e30 window motor plug plug into the late e30 window motor?

[boogle2]

I have early regulators/motors installed right now with a complete conversion sitting on my shelf. I'll check for you when I get back from vacation tomorrow.


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[enigmaticdream]

Yes they plug into each other. Early/late have the same connector.

[peete]

I was thinking about this conversion for my son's eta. To the point that I grabbed 2 later regulator/motors from pull a part and that was it. His driver window operates but it doesn't want to stop when it goes down. Is there a limit switch in the motor? If that is the case I'm just going to buy a new motor.

BTW, if anyone wants those later reg/motors I'll test them and figure out a price.