bmwe21.net forums

Hi

Did E21's ever come with electric windows from factory.

I want elec windows in mine. What is the best retrofit solution. I dont like aftermarket junk, so must be OEM BMW

Thanks

Never was a factory option but I'm sure some people have experience with this conversion, perhaps with E12 parts?

Arnold D. has them in his 323i and wants them out. Maybe contact him?

I am sure it was an option! I remember one ofmoine in period having them! Certainly the 323i SE came with them- I think

Ps I hate to contradict the expert here- But I reckon the UK cars were higher specs than continental ones

Herman has electric windows-switch looks like E30?

Better start digging the UK archives then for a options or SE brochure Sir

have a 315 parts car here in malta with what seems to be factory or dealer fitted electric windows. winder holes are blanked with plastic blanks and window switches are aft below the gear lever centre console. if this was retro fitted it was done to a seemingly good standard and looks almost oem apart from the suspicious plastic blanks instead of the winders.... can get some pics if interested of what it looks like

Pls post some pictures, since I am interested in installing them as well.
After brief search of the Internet, I found some pages (In RUS) describing the way of how to install the power windows from e28 front doors in e21. If compared to e21 facelift window mechanisms, they are very close in their dimensions. Swap of the glass holder planks are needed, very easy done, that's it. The biggest problem and what I do not like the most is that there is a need to cut a door panel for e28 power motors to fit in. Not a big hole needed, nevertheless the original look is lost when door cover is removed. I have experimented with this setup on my donor car's drivers door and it seems to work quite well. It still remains installed there. I haven't cleared my mind of what to do next, therefore I am interested to learn whether there are other options possible where door panel remains intact except some mounting holes drilled. My car has mixed doors installed, one from pre and other one from facelift model. Pre-facelift doors lack one important elongated hole, which helps to regulate window's tilting angle, due to old style window tilting mechanisms. This hole is needed for e28 power mechanisms as well. This fact also makes it more difficult for me to move forward with this installation.
There were some Alpina cars with power windows installed, or this option offered at least. Recently one mechanism was sold on eBay in Germany, which looked like and was described to be made in 80's for e21's. Looked the same as advertised for use in Alpina's.

Dammizi wrote:have a 315 parts car here in malta with what seems to be factory or dealer fitted electric windows. winder holes are blanked with plastic blanks and window switches are aft below the gear lever centre console. if this was retro fitted it was done to a seemingly good standard and looks almost oem apart from the suspicious plastic blanks instead of the winders.... can get some pics if interested of what it looks like

Yes, please post some pics I am also interested to see the fitting of the switches

+1, me too!!!

will do my best to get some pics later on tomorrow. judging by the fact that I have not seen any oem electric windows installed in another e21 they most probably are aftermarket or installed by the dealer originally but not oem.

Probably, however a good fitting proposition/solution is always welcome !!

Just add my two pence. Like Dammizi I installed some aftermarket ones to my E21 that fit onto the orignal winders. It worked well for a while, but as parts wear I had problems leading to stuck windows. What I was happy with was getting my auto electrican to use window switches from an E30. They illuminate, have a nice feel and although they're not - give an OEM or at least BMW family look to it.

Some of the aftermarket kits are better than others. Spal would be one of them. https://www.spal.it/spal_accessories/en ... indow.html

In hindsight then I would personally use the Spal aftermarket kit with e30 switches. There is no need to cut into door cards. Just fit a plastic cap over the now redundant winders.

This e21 I'm building has e30 rear electric door mechs and e30 buttons and the control box thing.

The guy who fitted this stuff was bloody good cos it looked factory and he had even managed to adapt a gear stick surround that holds the buttons in.

Hes even managed to fit the e30 electric sunroof in and it works perfectly too.

On an another e21 ive seen the switches placed either side of the stereo surround. Looked good and non obtrusive.

Although im not a fan of all this electric window stuff i prefer the manual winders because I suppose if I wanted all this stuff I might as well of got An e30

nas80 wrote:This e21 I'm building has e30 rear electric door mechs and e30 buttons and the control box thing.
The guy who fitted this stuff was bloody good cos it looked factory and he had even managed to adapt a gear stick surround that holds the buttons in.

Would be nice to see a couple of pics of that too

Sure I'll grab some. But this guy also modified the door to take e30 door cards too.

I'm switching back to standard e21 door winders and cards.

Does anyone want this stuff?