Pop-out Window Retrofit

[roldan]

So the other day, I was moving a mini-fridge and didn't secure it. Sure enough, first corner I went around, it rolled over and broke one of the rear windows. The fixed glass was only on the 318is and M3, so it was much easier (and cheaper) to get the pop-out glass found on the 325. This howto describes the process for retrofitting the 318is with the pop-out style glass -- in this case, out of neccesity, although I think the pop-out style glass is probably an improvement anyway.

Parts required (sorry on no part numbers -- I got all this stuff from the Euro Depot junkyard and they included all the parts)

- Replacement rear window
- Weatherstripping for rear window
- Pop-out latch and mounting hardware (lever, mouting bar, mounting clips, and screws)

Start by removing the rear seat - pull up to remove the bench part from its clips:

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4908.JPG

Next, undo the two 10mm bolts on either side of the bottom of the back of the seat:

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4909.JPG

Now remove the side trim panel by gently prying it out with a screwdriver where the green clips are:

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4910.JPG

Unscrew and remove the coathook (phillips head screw) at the top, the seatbelt bolt (17mm hex bolt) in the middle, then remove the plastic cover that conceals the bottom window bolt at the bottom of the c-pillar.

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4913.JPG

Unscrew the two 8mm nuts that hold on the window -- one behind the coathook and the other behind the plastic cover at the bottom.

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4922.JPG

Remove the old window.

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4915.JPG

Put the new weatherstripping in, then bolt in the new window. Now for the tricky part -- cutting the fabric and exposing the area where the pop-out window bits mount. I started by peeling back the fabric -- there was a slight perforation in the yellow insulating foam around where the mount would be, but the mount wasn't there. I cut out the foam with a leatherman then used a screwdriver to scrape the adhesive off the frame:

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4917.JPG

Now insert the clips into the slots to the right of the holes as pictured:

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4918.JPG

The clips are threaded so you can run a screw through them. Put the bar in place and tighten the screws enough so you can move it around to get the positioning right, but not so much that it can't move.

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4919.JPG

Finally, maneuver the pop-out clip into position and assemble the pop-out mechanism into the window. Apologies on no picture of this, but it's actually rather straightforward.

Job complete! The procedure for replacing all the trim and seats is the opposite of removal.

http://students.olin.edu/2008/aroldan/howto/IMG_4923.JPG

One thing I didn't account for is that the "new" old window had oldschool chrome trim instead of black trim. Hopefully I'll be able to black it out so it doesn't look so goofy. Also, the weatherstripping at the top of the window wasn't included and was part of the single piece fixed window so I couldn't take it off. I may cut it off there or try to get some new weatherstripping that fits brand new elsewhere.

[Febi Guibo]

sweet! I gotta get around to this soon!

any leaks?

[ak96ss]

That is nice, and one thing that I definitely have wanted to do to the car since I bought it - I hate not having any ventilation back there!

Cool.

[haledj]

I would like to have power pop out windows, maybe wiht the motors from a minivan?

anyone think of that?

[Zoso]

I would like to have power pop out windows, maybe wiht the motors from a minivan?

anyone think of that?

Sounds like could be a real pain in the ass because you'd have to have some kind of section to mount a motor and all that.

The US E36 M3 coupe has pop out windows like the 325is.... but the European E36 M3 has motorized pop-out windows. I wanted to retrofit them into my E36, but after seeing the price and all that was involved, I never bothered. Too much work and money, not enough functionality or even cool factor.

[n2motorsports]

im thinking to doing this retrofit to my car. does anyone have any experience with pop out windows? do they rattle a lot or have sealing issues, cause increased wind noise?

im an old fart, getting rid of rattles and noise have become my obsession of late.

thanks in advance

[DesktopDave]

I have a set of pop-outs from an '87 325is if anyone wants to mess with this. I had no idea that the coupes had fixed rear windows. All the more reason to get a sedan:D Anyway, they're chrome frames, and a bit dented. PM me an offer if interested. I can include the chrome side trim across the gutters if required, but I honestly have no idea how to ship it.

I also had a minivan with power windows - that's where I'd go for the actuators as they'd be really cheap. All Nissan Quests and Mercury Villagers had really good ones (my kids opened them when the windows were frozen shut and they survived).

[DesktopDave]

I would like to have power pop out windows, maybe wiht the motors from a minivan?

anyone think of that?

You could probably fabricate brackets for actuators...and use the sedan center console for the switches maybe? Just an idea.

I really wish that they had those little vent quarters in the front. I loved those. In chrome...now that's some retro there!

[E30technik]

I have a good set of pop out windows as well if anybody is interested. Off an '84 318i