E36 Convertible broken into... caused some issues
Discussion
Hi all,
Very annoyingly, my E36 convertible (T plate, 1999) was broken into recently leaving me with a couple of issues to sort out.
Firstly, they've knackered my glovebox. The most annoying bit here is that it wasn't locked in the first place, but they felt the need to force it open, knackering the catch so that it no longer shuts. So any ideas where I could get a replacement (I'm in SE London/NW Kent)? I've had a scout around the web, EuroCarPart, GSF etc but am not having much luck (nor time to look at the moment). Is the glovebox a complete unit, or could I just replace the closing flap (therefore still keeping the original lock)? Also, is it the same glovebox as that from other E36s and regardless of year?
Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not?
I'm conscious of cost on getting this done (wedding next year and not wanting to spend thousands on an 11 year old car!), so any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Very annoyingly, my E36 convertible (T plate, 1999) was broken into recently leaving me with a couple of issues to sort out.
Firstly, they've knackered my glovebox. The most annoying bit here is that it wasn't locked in the first place, but they felt the need to force it open, knackering the catch so that it no longer shuts. So any ideas where I could get a replacement (I'm in SE London/NW Kent)? I've had a scout around the web, EuroCarPart, GSF etc but am not having much luck (nor time to look at the moment). Is the glovebox a complete unit, or could I just replace the closing flap (therefore still keeping the original lock)? Also, is it the same glovebox as that from other E36s and regardless of year?
Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not?
I'm conscious of cost on getting this done (wedding next year and not wanting to spend thousands on an 11 year old car!), so any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
The glove box is a very easy swap & comes out complete with the flap. Have a look on ebay for someone breaking an e36, It doesn't have to be a convertible. Check the colour though as there a a few! Ive never swapped a lock on a glove box but can't imagine it being difficult to do.
No idea about the window sorry, but it does sound like the mechanism or runner is still bent.
No idea about the window sorry, but it does sound like the mechanism or runner is still bent.
wiggy001 said:
Hi all,
Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not? Thanks in advance.
- commiserations: I'm going out on a limb as mine isn't a cab, but I've had to tweak mine in a similar way (for a similar reason Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not? Thanks in advance.
), but, the windows on saloons have some adjust built into the mechanism, in that it bolts to a slot so you can loosen the bolt & tweak it to bring it in. It's possible the cabs are the same, but you'd need the door card off to check. The health warnings would be that mine has a frame whereas yours would be frameless, & there's not a huge adjustment range, so if the mechanism is knackered, rather than just out of line, that might not do it on its own.Edited by MarkwG on Wednesday 10th November 16:25
cushT said:
The glove box is a very easy swap & comes out complete with the flap. Have a look on ebay for someone breaking an e36, It doesn't have to be a convertible. Check the colour though as there a a few! Ive never swapped a lock on a glove box but can't imagine it being difficult to do.
No idea about the window sorry, but it does sound like the mechanism or runner is still bent.
Thanks for the response cushT. Useful to know it doesn't need to be a cab glovebox, so that will widen my search.No idea about the window sorry, but it does sound like the mechanism or runner is still bent.
MarkwG said:
wiggy001 said:
Hi all,
Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not? Thanks in advance.
- commiserations: I'm going out on a limb as mine isn't a cab, but I've had to tweak mine in a similar way (for a similar reason Secondly, I thought they had simply smashed the passenger window to gain access. I went through my insurer's glass cover to get that replaced but, on closer inspection, the guy that came out thinks they have prized the window out from the top, smashing it in the process. He believes he's adjusted the mechanism as much as possible but, on closing the window, it comes up about half an inch outside of the roof rather than going up into it. A little manual force and I can get it to push in to where it should be, but this obviously isn't ideal. Any thoughts on whether this is solveable or not? Thanks in advance.
), but, the windows on saloons have some adjust built into the mechanism, in that it bolts to a slot so you can loosen the bolt & tweak it to bring it in. It's possible the cabs are the same, but you'd need the door card off to check. The health warnings would be that mine has a frame whereas yours would be frameless, & there's not a huge adjustment range, so if the mechanism is knackered, rather than just out of line, that might not do it on its own.Edited by MarkwG on Wednesday 10th November 16:25
Thanks for the feedback.
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