Thanks both. No instructions on line for these bushes - have fitted standard ones to the x5 previously and also a couple of e46s and they are very much softer/more supple and easy to open up. Will see what happens with some hot water. I did find a video of some guys fitting to an older e34 5 series - and they had to slide onto the roll bar from one end - which might be the way to do it - and the slit might give the extra few mm needed to get round the corner on the bar - it a sokutely wont open up more than maybe 2-3mm though!