Originally Posted by fmzip

I'd double check those part numbers. The spring and rod assembly changed. Early model convertibles are different.

There should be a plastic rod as well that sits inside the spring. You likely need items 13 and 14. The spring and rods are identical on both sides in pre 2003 convertibles:

51438163692 Spring
51437029018 Rod

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...87&hg=51&fg=50