E36 m3 Vert - True Roadster/Spyder Conversion

[M3Dynamic]

So Ive had my Hard top for over a year now and havent used my rag top for just as long .I have been toying with the idea of of removing it all together.
a Stock e36 m3 coupe weighs about 3175lb and the vert weighs 3491lbs! thats very porkie for m car so I set out to drop some weight.
I read through this over and over and decided to take the plunge http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...oft-Top-Weight

I began by removing every single electronic motor having to do with the automatic top its self. these two motors and linkages weight 20lbs easy. Next I removed the convertible top its self....
by my self.. don't recommend it.


the above thread says the soft top frame weighs about 100lbs but it sure felt like more. I quickly made mince meat of my old roughed up top and was left with these. I buy e36's for parts and sometimes get verts. I may start selling the as a hard top converstion kit for those of use who want to go on a diet.


So after its all said and done ive drop roughly 150lbs. and its really made the car come alive. it feels like a completely different car . Almost as if id been lugging around an avg sized person around everywhere . it only cost me the annoys auto top and about 2hrs time. Ive since aquired the bits for the fully manual top and have it sitting in my garage . Dont know if i'll ever use it but its good to know I could.

[TriniSpeC]

You need a cap for that hole.

[M3Dynamic]

which hole would that be?

[MParallel]

You removed the hardtop mounts?

[M3Dynamic]

You removed the hardtop mounts?

No sir, I removed the Soft top assembly all together. the bracket as show below is now how both sides look. I took a reciprocating saw to the rest of the ragtop assembly.

[MParallel]

Ha like so. Got it!

[CMG]

If you can fit a cover over the space like on e30 that would complete it

[shaft9ii]

Hah right on! I love my vert as is, but I can imagine taking 150 pounds off above the rear wheels might make things a little more fun. good deal man.

[flyfishvt]

I'll always defend someone's right to mod their car but if you put that manual top on it you save 20lbs. I agree that if you run with your hardtop most of the time it's kind of senseless to have the weight of that soft top sitting there...but....I still don't understand why people have a vert when they always have the hard top on. Get a coupe and save another 2 humans worth of weight.

Or do what I did.....get 2 e36s. Best of both worlds at your door step

[acbx]

True, but e36 vert with a hardtop looks so much better than a coupe imo. Good job

[MParallel]

True, but e36 vert with a hardtop looks so much better than a coupe imo. Good job

This 100%. And Fly..you of all people, you know this as well. The vert with hardtop makes one killer of a b-pillarless coupe. Much sexier than the coupe.

I do run the hardtop mocy of the time, it being a cold climate here. But I would never completely remove the top. The times I do enjoy open top driving, which mainly is my annual German Eifel trip, it's nice to be able to but a roof up when the weather goes bad.

[flyfishvt]

This 100%. And Fly..you of all people, you know this as well. The vert with hardtop makes one killer of a b-pillarless coupe. Much sexier than the coupe. I do run the hardtop mocy of the time, it being a cold climate here. But I would never completely remove the top. The times I do enjoy open top driving, which mainly is my annual German Eifel trip, it's nice to be able to but a roof up when the weather goes bad.

I guess we disagree on this. I drive with the top down every chance I get. Even if it's just a 2 mile run for snacks. I use the hardtop during winter. As soon as it hits 50 3 days in a row the hard top comes off.

[M3Dynamic]

I guess we disagree on this. I drive with the top down every chance I get. Even if it's just a 2 mile run for snacks. I use the hardtop during winter. As soon as it hits 50 3 days in a row the hard top comes off.

Well I live in houston... and and we dont get much of a winter really. I got a vert with the sole purpose and intention on getting a hard top. It looks worlds different then a e36 coupe.. which I also have. (In terms of sprung weight, 100 lb / 3500 lb = 2.85% improvement.)

The issue with Texas is that weather is a completely different demographic then where you live. Not sure you could understand unless you have lived here.. the weather here can be a mild 60 deg and you can still get a sunburn... the hard top as you know stiffens up the chassis by leaps and bounds and for an M car & that is a game changer. Not to mention it DOES look soooo much better from behind/side then a coupe. Guess I was just tired of hearing ppl say the hardtop vert M3 looks better but is to heavy to compete with a coupe. I have done tuning and just about every bolt on except for Cam's and I would get walked by by a coupe with identical upgrades. You disagree because you are happy with your cars performance as is. Show me one one person besides myself (none driftcar) on this forum who's had the stones to hack his soft top out in hopes to increase performance. Keep in mind I do have a spare manual ragtop and running gear to install if i want.

[MParallel]

I'm already happy I have the Euro M3 and love it. It has all the performance I ever need. Don't care if it's heavier or less stiff. I enjoy the hell out of it. Hardtopped or top dropped.

[M3Dynamic]

I'm already happy I have the Euro M3 and love it. It has all the performance I ever need. Don't care if it's heavier or less stiff. I enjoy the hell out of it. Hardtopped or top dropped.

You sirr can not speak here ... you have the REAL deal... 321hp is plenty to move 3400lb. we here in the states have to get creative

[flyfishvt]

. You disagree because you are happy with your cars performance as is. ]

Is that why I just removed my super charger? Is that why I'm doing a 500hp turbo build?

[M3Dynamic]

Is that why I just removed my super charger? Is that why I'm doing a 500hp turbo build?

wow. Good for you sir. Not sure what that has to do with my thread. specially because I already said you were happy with your cars performance as is.... you see what I did there? my statement still applies
This clearly means in my cars current state I wast happy with its performance. This thread was about me dropping weight.. not a opportunity for you to show everyone how relevant your are. Cheers

[TheSkipper206]

^^^hahahah. I think it's awesome what you did. I constantly get shit for buying a grandmas M having a vert. You should have done some timed runs before and after for comparison.

[Chasedrk1]

How do you keep the lid closed when the hard top is off?
I would love to see some pics illustrating that in the trunk or where ever the mod is to do so without the motor assembly.

[M3Dynamic]

How do you keep the lid closed when the hard top is off?
I would love to see some pics illustrating that in the trunk or where ever the mod is to do so without the motor assembly.

Ill take some pictures later today but im using a 95 convertible latch assembly. Cool thing about those is that are 100% manual so it has a door latch on the driver rear door panel to unlock the lid cover. it snaps close and locks its self when pushed down. It is essentially a storage compartment / second trunk.

Honestly the uses for this space are limitless, from hidden subs to air tanks for an air ride set up.

[skyhighsami]

I kind of condition was the soft top and frame that you took off? I need a top on my car and from a down time stand point if I can find a top and frame from someone like you that removed it for a hardtop I should be able to unbolt my frame with the top on it and bolt on the new frame top and headliner in an afternoon versus having to leave the car at a shop for a week while they replace the top and headliner

[M3Dynamic]

not any condition you'd want it in but i do have a guy who has one or two decent ones. 713-377-1502 Tim

[E60dad]

hey m3dynmic where in Houston are you? im from kingwood i rarely see M3 verts around mostly coupes.

[M3Dynamic]

Katy area near Greenhouse and i10

[egebhardt]

Nice! I applaud removing the sunroof. Just curious. If the sunroof weighs 316lbs and your removed 150lbs. Where is the remaining 166lbs?