Power vent windows?

[larryn]

I like using the vent windows in conjunction with the Cali Roof on the highway. There's no wind buffeting and you can go 100mph if you want to, without a problem.

I know I've been in BMWs with power vent windows, and I'm thinking of seeing if something like this is retrofittable. I searched here and haven't found anything regarding similar mod.

I think it was be relatively easy to get a wire to the center console and add another pair of window switches. Mounting the opener would really be the only challenge, along with making sure the window switches behave the same as the window switches in our cars (I want it to look factory delivered).

Thoughts, comment? (other than 'damn, you're a lazy bastage')

[adamud]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...t=side+windows

[larryn]

Originally Posted by adamud

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...t=side+windows

Thanks adamud. It seemed people were saying the e36 motor mounted from the seat, so mounting that motor would be very difficult. The e46 M3 vent window motor simply replaces the hinge in the similar location to where the hinge is for our cars.

Maybe it's now time to resurrect that original idea, that there's more parts in the parts bin. I bet the mount may need to be modified, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

I'm still most concerned with how the buttons work on the e46 versus the stock 318ti window switches. There may be a accessory relay that would have to be incorporated.

I think I'll track down one of these motors and give it a go. If I can get it working with one, I'll invest in the remaining parts.

[cosmos schwarz]

are you kidding!!!!!?
thats the biggest waste of money i can actually think of! you lazy bones, open them before you set off, lol.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by cosmos schwarz

are you kidding!!!!!?
thats the biggest waste of money i can actually think of! you lazy bones, open them before you set off, lol.

LOL!!

Today I treated the car to 550lb race springs, M Roadster Bilstein rear shocks, and Konis up front, and have the new LSD 90% installed. Finishing it all up in the morning.

So, I did the "go" mods (got autox on Sunday), now I need the lazy ass mod to offset it. The vaders that are installed also are heated, but the car isn't set up for it. I think I'm going to order the switches and connectors for that as well and run some wires.

Then I can open and close the vent windows in the winter and keep my butt warm, all from the drivers seat.

[96cali]

Seems like you should be able to find a properly oriented motor from something, even a minivan. It's just a motor- the car does not care if its american or german electricity.

[StealthBimmer]

You go LARRY!!! Let us know how the retrofit goes. Sounds like it might be doable.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by cosmos schwarz

are you kidding!!!!!?
thats the biggest waste of money i can actually think of! you lazy bones, open them before you set off, lol.

I don't think so.
There have been plenty of times when the air pressure in the cabin has bothered me and opening the rear windows was quieter than opening the side windows.

Particularly when I had my California Roof, I'd get an oscillation sometimes. Opening the vents is the way to go to reduce the pressure.

[newagecustoms]

Keep us posted on how it goes, I was wondering about this same thing the other day when I was driving down the highway.

[tastade]

It would be nice to have those power as they are hard to access. The easiest way I have found is through the hatch opening.

Originally Posted by cosmos schwarz

are you kidding!!!!!?
thats the biggest waste of money i can actually think of! you lazy bones, open them before you set off, lol.

[oakley]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...c+rear+windows I started it after I started this thread...but I got bored..keep meaning to pick it back up and have another go..Ps leaning in from the boot (hatch) is def the easiest way to open and close em!!

[larryn]

Seems like this mod would be a winner if I can pull it off. I'm going to try the e46 M3 vent window motor first, which I think will require mods to the mount. If that works, then I'll research other car manufacturers to see if there's a plug n play motor that doesn't look crappy.

Ordering an extra window switch and the motor tomorrow.

[MacUser]

Originally Posted by oakley

leaning in from the boot (hatch) is def the easiest way to open and close em!!

ARE YOU CRAZY?!?! By far the easiest way to do it is to throw two kids in the backseat! And if you do the Chevy 5.7L swap, you won't even need to relocate the battery!

Awesome plan! Do thorough documentation and take lots of photos.

I added the (all-mechanical) fuel door release lever to my Honda Element. What a PITA! To make it look stock, I changed both the driver and passenger kick panels, removed the old hood release and installed the new one on the right, ran a cable from the right front to the left rear, drilled a hole for said cable inside the fuel door, and replaced both the fuel door and its hinge. My job was made easier by the fact that there were actually Elements that came with the remote fuel door release, but it was complicated by the fact that all those Elements were in Japan! I had to look through a poorly-scanned technical manual page, all in Japanese, and try to figure out what parts I'd need. Since the Element is made in the U.S., all of these parts came from U.S. plants ... I essentially paid to have the parts shipped from the U.S. to Japan, then back to the U.S.. Hundreds of dollars later, I have the only known U.S. model Element with an all-stock remote door release. And until someone dumber than me comes along, it'll remain that way. If I'm traveling and take it into a dealership that's never serviced it before, I always have to show them where the hood release is. No one expects it on the right!

[oakley]

Holy cow old thread revival!! Its been done now anyways

[MacUser]

Originally Posted by oakley

Holy cow old thread revival!! Its been done now anyways

Has anyone done a write-up on it?