Damage to hardtop with pics

[DMC63]

I've recently bought a hardtop for my 2003 2.5i Z4.

It was the worst purchase situation with very little time to negotiate with the way things were done. A 'take it or leave it'. But it's done now so I'm hoping that all this is repairable. I'll swallow the cost, money comes and goes, well it seems to go faster.

I've just put the hardtop on and theres some slight damage that's worrying me.

IMG_1395.JPG (34.37 KiB) Viewed 1288 times

1. A small chip about half and inch on the drivers corner that fits to the windscreen.
I've read all the threads I could find on here but no info on repairs that have been done, the cost and if worth it.

2. The passenger side front has been dented/flattened, again where it meets the windscreen. (No leaks from these areas thus far).

IMG_1385.JPG (33.24 KiB) Viewed 1288 times

I'm hoping that the body shop will be able to roll the flattened area back to its shape.

3.The gaskets are a bit worse for wear, looks like damage from storage hooks and some cracking about 3mm along the fibreglass where it meets the gasket.

IMG_1380.JPG (119.01 KiB) Viewed 1288 times

so I'm contemplating to replace the gaskets at £100 each..Ouch!

Has anyone replaced the window gaskets?
Do they just pull out?
I'm wary of damaging the inner hard top lining when removing them.

The bonus is it doesn't leak. But going to test again tomorrow at the jet wash
Any pointers to places to get the repairs done or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[ronk]

If it doesn't leak then why worry?
It's only a winter weather fitment to make the car more comfortable when it's cold wet and miserable until the springtime comes again and the roof is off!

[cj10jeeper]

Looks like a bad storage is the cause.

It won't leak as there are good seals well away from the cosmetic areas you mention. I would not attack it with a jet wash for fear of damaging the seals.

All is reapirable at a body shop by filling, shaping and spraying. Might run to £200+ to get it all resprayed. Depends if they want the job..

Windscreen seal is replaceable but very expensive. Never tried to replace any seals on the top so can't comment. You're better to adjust it to fit to the seal. PM me and I'll email you instructions to adjust

Sounds like if you're not careful you'll run to a bill close to the cost of another top

[Yorkie Z]

How much did you pay for it.?

[GreyZed]

Don't beat yourself up. It doesn't look that bad. Just run with it for a while. If it does not leak then think about cosmetic repairs in the Summer.

Just looks like it has been mishandled and/or badly stored with weight bearing on front leading edge. The front corners are very vulnerable even when properly stored.

You can't roll repair glass fibre but it can be sanded and filled.

[DMC63]

How much did you pay for it.?

£780 including petrol to pick it up.

[1972nail]

I've DIY worked on various GRP hardtops, panels, wing, bumpers etc over the years and this does not look too bad. If the GRP is cracked along the edge just scrape the crack out with the blade of a screwdriver and fill with a two pack epoxy adhesive like Araldite or Chemical Metal, fill the damaged corner up in the same way, gently sand smooth and touch up with a £4 bottle of touch up paint from ebay. Use a better brush than the one provided in the bottle and dab on (rather than brush on) a couple of coats over a few hours. I find that cheap water colour brushes are OK and clean the brush with acetone or nail polish remover.

There are of course more professional ways to fix it but this method uses materials and tools that you as a 'once only body restorer' will use for other things around the house. Your hardtop will look almost as good as a professional job costing a few hundred pounds.

[DMC63]

I've DIY worked on various GRP hardtops, panels, wing, bumpers etc over the years and this does not look too bad. If the GRP is cracked along the edge just scrape the crack out with the blade of a screwdriver and fill with a two pack epoxy adhesive like Araldite or Chemical Metal, fill the damaged corner up in the same way, gently sand smooth and touch up with a £4 bottle of touch up paint from ebay. Use a better brush than the one provided in the bottle and dab on (rather than brush on) a couple of coats over a few hours. I find that cheap water colour brushes are OK and clean the brush with acetone or nail polish remover.

There are of course more professional ways to fix it but this method uses materials and tools that you as a 'once only body restorer' will use for other things around the house. Your hardtop will look almost as good as a professional job costing a few hundred pounds.

Thanks for taking the time to give this info...I've sold the top to 'firebobby' but I'm sure he'll be interested in this cheap method of DIY restoration.

[firebobby]

I've DIY worked on various GRP hardtops, panels, wing, bumpers etc over the years and this does not look too bad. If the GRP is cracked along the edge just scrape the crack out with the blade of a screwdriver and fill with a two pack epoxy adhesive like Araldite or Chemical Metal, fill the damaged corner up in the same way, gently sand smooth and touch up with a £4 bottle of touch up paint from ebay. Use a better brush than the one provided in the bottle and dab on (rather than brush on) a couple of coats over a few hours. I find that cheap water colour brushes are OK and clean the brush with acetone or nail polish remover.

There are of course more professional ways to fix it but this method uses materials and tools that you as a 'once only body restorer' will use for other things around the house. Your hardtop will look almost as good as a professional job costing a few hundred pounds.

Thanks for taking the time to give this info...I've sold the top to 'firebobby' but I'm sure he'll be interested in this cheap method of DIY restoration.

Thanks for the info

[Papa_Zee]

I've recently bought a hardtop for my 2003 2.5i Z4.

It was the worst purchase situation with very little time to negotiate with the way things were done. A 'take it or leave it'. But it's done now so I'm hoping that all this is repairable. I'll swallow the cost, money comes and goes, well it seems to go faster.

I've just put the hardtop on and theres some slight damage that's worrying me.
IMG_1395.JPG
1. A small chip about half and inch on the drivers corner that fits to the windscreen.
I've read all the threads I could find on here but no info on repairs that have been done, the cost and if worth it.

2. The passenger side front has been dented/flattened, again where it meets the windscreen. (No leaks from these areas thus far).IMG_1385.JPG
I'm hoping that the body shop will be able to roll the flattened area back to its shape.

3.The gaskets are a bit worse for wear, looks like damage from storage hooks and some cracking about 3mm along the fibreglass where it meets the gasket.IMG_1380.JPG so I'm contemplating to replace the gaskets at £100 each..Ouch!

Has anyone replaced the window gaskets?
Do they just pull out?
I'm wary of damaging the inner hard top lining when removing them.

The bonus is it doesn't leak. But going to test again tomorrow at the jet wash
Any pointers to places to get the repairs done or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m in the same boat. I bought a silver hardtop for my Z4 but I am keeping it now for my Z4M R. It unfortunately has damage on the corner drivers side. I don’t know if this can be repaired properly and the whole roof painted Imola Red.

Has anyone done anything similar or know who can, preferably in Kent, please?

See pics...

Andy

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks for the info

That's OK then - just nail a bit of wood on, and smother it in Cuprinol!

[Papa_Zee]

Thanks for the info

That's OK then - just nail a bit of wood on, and smother it in Cuprinol!

Not helping

[Mr Tidy]

Not helping

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Papa_Zee]

Not helping

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Lol very Tidy