Can you convert a fully automatic top to a manual top?

[haydenmeadows]

Like the title says I would like to know if its possible to convert my 1999 M3 with the fully automatic top to the manual top with the pull handle like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-M3-3...-/252509354634 . A little info about the car, I bought my car last year from a guy who said he got it from the original owner who worked at a BMW dealership in California. Now I suspect somewhere along this line the guy I purchased the car from used a drill to manually lower the top and broke the springs that span from driver and passenger side from the central motor that locks the top to the windshield.

TL : DR- Can I buy http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-M3-3...-/252509354634
to covert my fully automatic top to the less complex manual top with the pull handle.

[Crazy Dave]

My car was supposed to have an automatic top. And then every motor related to it is gone, so it's a manual top. Or maybe I have my info wrong and 97s are manual? There's a switch for the top though.

[haydenmeadows]

My current problem is trying to convert the tonneau cover to manual.

[tsbent]

The tension straps in my 1994 324 IC failed . The top would not fold in order therefore I disconnected the motors and manually open and close the top. It takes a little effort to lift but is easily a one person job. Just be sure the fabric and headliner are beneath the crossbar when folded to allow the cover to close fully

[MtekJosh]

My current problem is trying to convert the tonneau cover to manual.

I converted mine to full manual. Its pretty simple. For the tonneau cover you should just need the handle/cables/latches and this small box where the handle cable meets the two cables for the latches. The rear panel even has a mark of where to cut out an opening for the handle.

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[MParallel]

You can also keep the tonneau cover electric and just have the roof manual.

[66 6]

Full auto top frames are very different than semi or manual frames. You can remove all the full auto locking mechanism and motor and add the manual handle but you will still have to trim off some of the linkage that remains on the frame. I did this for a customer once. A 5inch grinder will allow you to access the metal linkage without damaging the canvas.

[Kaiserjack]

Can you do this conversion? How much and where?

[66 6]

I have all the parts to convert top and tonneau to manual. It's not cheap but if interested you can contact me. I also wrote up a tutorial.