early vs. late - power window motors/regulators??

[J102]

Difference between sedan and coupe motors / regulators?

Is there any difference between the motors / regulators in sedans and coupes?

I found a regulator and motor from a late model sedan and want to do the conversion into my early model coupe.

[StereoInstaller1]

Sorry to bump an old thread but just so people know the switch over from early to late model regulators is 3/88.

Nope. The '88 I parted was '7/88 and was early style.

Well, of course, some lazy body shop hunting parts could have hacked it years ago, but that was the 2nd '88 I had earlys in.

Hell, Imma say BMW just did whatever the hell they felt that day...

[GOOBER]

Sorry to bump an old thread but just so people know the switch over from early to late model regulators is 3/88.

[ubernasty]

No fucking way. Get your fab skills out, do something better.


GL!
Luke

Haha i started laughing when i read that. Should have said "....easiest bet..."

[gearheadE30]

Nope. 2 different '88s had early style regulators.

huh, this is news to me. I've parted 3 '88s now and they've all had the newer style. They are all very late build dates though, so maybe that had something to do with it.

[expressfish]

bump..........sooooooooo window motors, regulators from a 320 will fit a 325 ??? 86-88 models ??? I found a great deal, just want to make sure before I buy !!! Thanks

[StereoInstaller1]

For what it's worth, the changeover date is march of 1987 if you are looking for a reg or door.

Nope. 2 different '88s had early style regulators.

[gearheadE30]

For what it's worth, the changeover date is march of 1987 if you are looking for a reg or door.

[MatRacer]

I swapped my early 87es with a late model. I Didn't modified anything.

However, the windows is kind of locking itself when going down at mid opening. This only happens when the door is close. If the door is open, the window wont lock... I didn't looked at it yet...

[brandondan1]

It's pretty much a direct swap. In my 87is, I ended up getting a late model regulator/motor, insulation strip and the window because it has different mounting points than the early window. Got it all from pick n pull for around 60ish. Beats paying 200+ for a brand new early motor/regulator.

The late mechanism worked much smoother and quieter. Just note the way it bolts on before you take it off the late model car, and you should have no problems installing it on an early car.

[BeirBrennerE30]

Subscribed... I hate the screw type regulators in my es. Even more so now that I have an is to compare them to

[Jean]

Thanks for the comment. Would prefer to fix this today, not have to go find/order another early motor.

How does the actual glass release from the late regulator track? I dn't see any bolts. Where the glass sits in the channel on the two locations, just see two tiny holes drilled inthe aluminum channel, appearing to hold clips

The glass has two metal "guides" that connect with the regulator (power or manual). The front ones just slide in, the rear ones do have 2 bolts that hold it in place.

the difference is in the early/late glass and the location of the guides. also early/late doors have different electrical connectors/plugs at the door jam.

[StereoInstaller1]

^love the location...

[blueapplesoda]

there are some parts that do not fit (mainly the glass guide near the rear side of the door), but if you are diligent you can make things work. the bolts bolt up to holes already on the doors. I have scissor type window regulators in one of my doors that came previously wire screw type. I probably was missing some part...but majority of the parts fit correctly....window functions fine.

[robrez]

Subscribed. I put an early model door on my late model due to damage to the original door, but I want to re-use my late model regulator and motor.