I've done this conversion last month.
It can be done, but you will need to remove a lot of the trim panels and find a way to mount the hydraulic pump. I managed to get the brackets with the motor and had them welded to the nearside rear wheel arch, where it should be. I did originally try to get the mounting brackets from BMW but they said they could not supply them, or even find the relevant part numbers for them.
The main wiring loom is already in place so once the pump is mounted it is just a case of plugging in the connectors. You will need the appropriate carpet panel boot trim for the near side that goes over the pump, as the manual roof trim panel will not fit as it does not accommodate the pump size.
The switch connector should be located behind the dash so just needs the plugging into a roof switch.
The hydraulic cables and ram will need routing. You will need to remove:
- The boot carpet trim
- The carpet trim behind the seats where the roof folds into
- Rear console, seat belt cover and speaker trim (nearside)
This will then allow you to pull through the ram and cables for the roof, and install them.
In regards to the roof, you might be lucky and have a roof that already has a micro-switch installed. This is above the passengers head as they get out of the car:
Image from a Google search (and previous post on this forum)
If you have this then there should be a connection on that side where the roof meets the body behind the seat (2 pin connector - black and white wires, if I remember correctly). This should be plugged in. If not there is a connector tapped to the wiring harness that runs near there. Just plug these in.
If your roof does not have a micro-switch, which unfortunately mine did not (1997 - R reg), you will either have to try an retrofit one or install a roof that has one. My roof needed replacing so I installed another roof with the micro-switch.
You shouldn't need to install any new fuses in the fuse box, but double check if it doesn't work when connected up.
Hope this helps.
