Rollover Package - a must???

[Pirate40]

I am looking at buying a 1997 or 1998 328i convertible. I can get a really good deal on a 1997 but it does not have the rollover package. Any thoughts on whether this is a must?

I could pay 7K more for a 1998 with lower miles (59K miles) and a roll package.

I am comfortable buying the 1997 with (126k miles) from a mechanical point. I have had the car checked out and it is in sound running condition with all maintenance records. I can get it for 11k. The only thing holding me back is that it doesn't have the roll package.

On one hand rolling a 328i is not any easy thing to do unless I am looking at I high speed off road incident. I am not an insane driver, so I don't plan on off road adventures. I know plenty of people who have driven verts for years without a rollover package and no incidents.

Any thoughts on whether or not I should hold out for the roll package.

 

[manuel]

personally, id get the rollover package...as a precaution.

 

[carcus]

I have the rollover package on my 97, really was not something I was considering when I got the car. I would not pay alot for the option if you are looking at a used car. Yes, nice to have as a safety thing. Tell you the truth, if you flip the car, doubt those little things help much. I look at mine and wonder if they will actually do anything. Just my 2 cents, take the 97 and save some bucks.

 

[MEIN RITT]

go for the 97, and than buy from a salvage yard the rollover rear seats. The car will be prewired for it and everything. I know of two sets of them over here near me. Grey and tan seats tho, so i guess if you have black than it wouldn't do much good. But you should be fine, the windsheild frame is extremely durable on the e36 convertables. The roll over protection is more so for rear seat passengers, there is barely room in the back anyway, so I figure you will rarely have any people back there. I have only had people in the back of my coupe like twice.

 

[Pirate40]

Mein Ritt,

Great Idea with the retro fit on the seats. Actually the Tan is the correct color. Two questions,

1. Where is the salvage yard that you refer to? Do you have contact info?
2. Where do the Roll bars mount? to the bottom of the frame. Seams like the seats themselves would be robust enough to hold the weight.

Thanks

 

[MEIN RITT]

you know I am not 100% sure. I will try and do some research at the dealer since I work there now, and see what all goes into it. I would have to go to this one junk yeard and pull the seats for you. I have no idea what they would charge tho. It is a really shitty junkyard tho w/ almost only american and Jap. cars, I accidently found this e36 325 convertable there one day w/ tan interior, and I am pretty sure it had the roll over system in it. If you give me a few days maybe I can find something out for you. here is my email [email protected] Send me an email so that I can contact you when I get some info.

Patrick

 

[MEIN RITT]

this is what i found out...............So far what i know you will need would be the seatbacks, and the airbag brain w/ is under the bottom of the rear seat. I inspected the system today. It was deployed, but the good thing is that on the e36 rollover system you can simply reset the system by using a tool that is made to push down the springs in the bars. Which i found in the car and grabbed so it wouldn't go anywhere and I alrady have one at my house anyways. So the system is in working order. Like I said it is the tan leather. I need to get in touch with someone who i know who works at BMW and ask him if there is anything else that is needed. oh and just so you know, the leather on these seat is kinda grimy because the windows were busted out on the car and made the leather weathered. But all you have to do is simply remove your leather covers from yours and apply them to these. It is not that hard to do. It is just a whole lot of little metal clasps. I have re-upholstered my vaders so I would know. I don't have a steady price yet at all cuz I couldn't find out from the yard how much they want. They told me to ask them tomorrow. So I will call them and ask. It def. will not be a lot because it is a really crappy junk yard. But this car has all of it's parts, and I don't think it is going anywhere any time soon so the parts will def. be there for a long time. Just let me know when you need it or what you want to do. Than I can go and pull the sytem out of the car for you, and ship it to you.

Patrick