How do you remove lining from Z4 hardtop?

[Chris_D]

Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel


I'd expect it to be made of GRP or some other rigid polymer material although I initially thought it was a thin steel panel due to the sheer weight of it.

[Marlon]

I though it was steel too?

[kis]

I though it was steel too?

May well be!
However due to the weight I thought its too light for steel? Unless as Chris said it's only a thin sheet...

I initially thought it was a thin steel panel

One of the fasteners nicked its housing in the hardtop as well... this showed that same white resin/glass fibre type material. So that's why I said resin. May well be a predominant thin steel sheet which is moulded with the resin to form the overall shape?

[kis]

Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel
.

Cheer Chris. I was thinking the same myself! I'm rocking the no trim look in the car at the moment! haha

[Chris_D]

Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel
.

Cheer Chris. I was thinking the same myself! I'm rocking the no trim look in the car at the moment! haha

lol hardcore! i bet it's noisy as hell too when driving?

Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.

My mum's MGB hardtop has a big glass/polycarbonate roof section - almost the entire roof space and it's actually more rigid than the same hardtop without the roof window panel - the reason: it's a stiffer material than the grp roof. makes sense.

Last time I saw it on her car I made the fundamental mistake of asking her 'when was the last time you had it off?' her reply: 'oh you'll have to ask your father about that dear.' priceless.

[kis]

lol hardcore! i bet it's noisy as hell too when driving?

It's not actually as bad as I thought it would be, then again the trim piece isn't exactly sound proofing in itself. It's just an aesthetical cover up... so far as I can tell anyway.

Last time I saw it on her car I made the fundamental mistake of asking her 'when was the last time you had it off?' her reply: 'oh you'll have to ask your father about that dear.' priceless.

Oh dear

[kis]

Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.

I though it was steel too?

Just done a hard and fast test, I figured what is it made of then?? So I did the only thing I could



LOL just kidding! I did the magnet test. The only thing magnetic in the top is the a pillar section (left and right) where it bolts down onto the car. There must be a small section of metal there that's moulded somehow into the hardtop.

So not made of steel! ....Unless it's made from alu?

[Chris_D]

Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.

I though it was steel too?

Just done a hard and fast test, I figured what is it made of then?? So I did the only thing I could



LOL just kidding! I did the magnet test. The only thing magnetic in the top is the a pillar section (left and right) where it bolts down onto the car. There must be a small section of metal there that's moulded somehow into the hardtop.

So not made of steel! ....Unless it's made from alu?

interesting. would have expected maybe a steel panel or at least a frame. quite possibly aluminium then. who knows...?
either way it's a decent hardtop imo and i'm very glad to have found one, especially on days like these. 2degrees in vleuten this morning. brrr

[kis]

who knows...?

I'm sure someone out there does!

And agreed, makes a big difference with it on imo. Also prefer the shape with the top!

[DMC63]

Great detailed reply kis, along with lots of really useful pics - should help DMC63 sleep and avoid the shrink.

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics Kis...I sleep like a log now and have cancelled the sessions I'd booked with the shrink
It never fails to surprise me how helpful the members of this forum are. Gratitude moment And some great humor too

[kis]

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics Kis...I sleep like a log now and have cancelled the sessions I'd booked with the shrink
It never fails to surprise me how helpful the members of this forum are. Gratitude moment And some great humor too

Welcome mate

[DMC63]

I though it was steel too?

May well be!
However due to the weight I thought its too light for steel? Unless as Chris said it's only a thin sheet...

I initially thought it was a thin steel panel

One of the fasteners nicked its housing in the hardtop as well... this showed that same white resin/glass fibre type material. So that's why I said resin. May well be a predominant thin steel sheet which is moulded with the resin to form the overall shape?

I was told they're fiberglass. Maybe an email to BMW HQ would reveal the specs....I'm going to email them now

[kis]

Nice one! Keep us updated!

[Blackpony]

Had to remove my lining from my Z4 hardtop as the glue failed after fifteen years. Thanks to kis and all for this thread , the job was much easier than expected. Did anyone have to replace the three hidden plastic clips in the head liner, forward of the rear window?
Cheers

[kis]

You're very welcome! Exactly why I posted the pics... although quality of the photos looks diabolical! I've a much better camera on the phone now
Not sure what 3 hidden clips you mean? Photos might help