Buying a hard top

[mrjmt]

What should I be looking for when buying a hard top?

I understand there should be lock covers, how many of them?

Anything else?

:?

 

[Paulj100]

Hi. There should be 2 lock covers but like mine the hardtop came without them. Makes no difference when fitting as the covers just over the locking mechanism and tidies it up. Check all the front top corners of the hardtop as very fragile and can break also check the the rear window bottom edge for chips or cracks as there is nothing that protects the glass edge. Also worth checking the inner lining for any bubbles as it's known for the lining glue to where off making the lining sag. Should also come with 2 Allen keys ( 2 sizes ) as you will need these to fit it. Good luck the hard top is a great item for the Z4 roadster and transfers its appearance.



Paul

 

[mrjmt]

Great, thanks for the quick comprehensive reply.

 

[Darkangelv2]

Hi. There should be 2 lock covers but like mine the hardtop came without them. Makes no difference when fitting as the covers just over the locking mechanism and tidies it up. Check all the front top corners of the hardtop as very fragile and can break also check the the rear window bottom edge for chips or cracks as there is nothing that protects the glass edge. Also worth checking the inner lining for any bubbles as it's known for the lining glue to where off making the lining sag. Should also come with 2 Allen keys ( 2 sizes ) as you will need these to fit it. Good luck the hard top is a great item for the Z4 roadster and transfers its appearance.



Paul

Mine came with one allen key with a circular head at one end (for locking in the rear both sides) and the hex head at the other (for to the front screen)? No need for 2.

 

[85genius]

Hi. There should be 2 lock covers but like mine the hardtop came without them. Makes no difference when fitting as the covers just over the locking mechanism and tidies it up. Check all the front top corners of the hardtop as very fragile and can break also check the the rear window bottom edge for chips or cracks as there is nothing that protects the glass edge. Also worth checking the inner lining for any bubbles as it's known for the lining glue to where off making the lining sag. Should also come with 2 Allen keys ( 2 sizes ) as you will need these to fit it. Good luck the hard top is a great item for the Z4 roadster and transfers its appearance.



Paul

Mine came with one allen key with a circular head at one end (for locking in the rear both sides) and the hex head at the other (for to the front screen)? No need for 2.

Same here, one key 2 different sides.

to be honest not the end of the world if it doesn't, you can lock the sides without it and a normal allen key will do the top

 

[ranski]

You need the key to lock the sides, just rotating the 'lock' tabs doesn't lock it

 

[Paulj100]

Mine came with one allen key with a circular head at one end (for locking in the rear both sides) and the hex head at the other (for to the front screen)? No need for 2.[/quote]


As I have two keys then I'm guessing I don't have the original Allen key.



Paul

 

[Paulj100]

You need the key to lock the sides, just rotating the 'lock' tabs doesn't lock it

I must be fitting my hardtop wrong as when fitting the hard too I just use the Allen keys I've not heard of locking tabs



Paul

 

[85genius]

You need the key to lock the sides, just rotating the 'lock' tabs doesn't lock it

Now I'm confused mine feels locked, I just stick the round end in the hole and turn it to lock it in place, the key just gives extra leverage but can do it by hand just turning the tabs the same amount.

Am I doing it wrong? Mine didn't come with any instructions so just been doing it the way the seller showed me, I'm not that worried as it feels very secure but if there's a way to secure it further then I'd like to go do it now just to be on the safe side

 

[igeak691]

Wait, so buying the hard top is more simple than I thought? I was under the impression that the roadster has to be set up to accept the hardtop, and requires a "hard top install kit".. is this true?

 

[85genius]

Wait, so buying the hard top is more simple than I thought? I was under the impression that the roadster has to be set up to accept the hardtop, and requires a "hard top install kit".. is this true?

IIRC all UK models come hardtop ready but in the US its an option you had to specify or retrofit the install kit

 

[JINGLE]

IIRC all UK models come hardtop ready but in the US its an option you had to specify or retrofit the install kit

+1

 

[Darkangelv2]

You need the key to lock the sides, just rotating the 'lock' tabs doesn't lock it

Now I'm confused mine feels locked, I just stick the round end in the hole and turn it to lock it in place, the key just gives extra leverage but can do it by hand just turning the tabs the same amount.

Am I doing it wrong? Mine didn't come with any instructions so just been doing it the way the seller showed me, I'm not that worried as it feels very secure but if there's a way to secure it further then I'd like to go do it now just to be on the safe side

You're doing it just fine 85genius. It's just the locking tabs at the rear and the hex lock at the front.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/6183EN.pdf

 

[igeak691]

Wait, so buying the hard top is more simple than I thought? I was under the impression that the roadster has to be set up to accept the hardtop, and requires a "hard top install kit".. is this true?

IIRC all UK models come hardtop ready but in the US its an option you had to specify or retrofit the install kit

That's correct, just checked.

 

[ranski]

What the OEM key looks like

 

[ranski]

You need the key to lock the sides, just rotating the 'lock' tabs doesn't lock it

Now I'm confused mine feels locked, I just stick the round end in the hole and turn it to lock it in place, the key just gives extra leverage but can do it by hand just turning the tabs the same amount.

Am I doing it wrong? Mine didn't come with any instructions so just been doing it the way the seller showed me, I'm not that worried as it feels very secure but if there's a way to secure it further then I'd like to go do it now just to be on the safe side

You're doing it just fine 85genius. It's just the locking tabs at the rear and the hex lock at the front.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/6183EN.pdf

Odd, as my hardtop side locks need the OEM key to lock them into place. attempting by just using my fingers would require me to up the protein shakes 10 fold!

 

[Darkangelv2]

Now I'm confused mine feels locked, I just stick the round end in the hole and turn it to lock it in place, the key just gives extra leverage but can do it by hand just turning the tabs the same amount.

Am I doing it wrong? Mine didn't come with any instructions so just been doing it the way the seller showed me, I'm not that worried as it feels very secure but if there's a way to secure it further then I'd like to go do it now just to be on the safe side

You're doing it just fine 85genius. It's just the locking tabs at the rear and the hex lock at the front.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/6183EN.pdf

Odd, as my hardtop side locks need the OEM key to lock them into place. attempting by just using my fingers would require me to up the protein shakes 10 fold!

Gotcha Ranski - I think we were both interpreting what you said as needing the hex end of the key in addition to the rounded end.

 

[ranski]

arh cool

 

[85genius]

Now I'm confused mine feels locked, I just stick the round end in the hole and turn it to lock it in place, the key just gives extra leverage but can do it by hand just turning the tabs the same amount.

Am I doing it wrong? Mine didn't come with any instructions so just been doing it the way the seller showed me, I'm not that worried as it feels very secure but if there's a way to secure it further then I'd like to go do it now just to be on the safe side

You're doing it just fine 85genius. It's just the locking tabs at the rear and the hex lock at the front.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/6183EN.pdf

Odd, as my hardtop side locks need the OEM key to lock them into place. attempting by just using my fingers would require me to up the protein shakes 10 fold!

My mistake just been out and checked and you are right, can turn the tabs by hand although it leaves a nasty indentation in your fingers, but they do actually turn independently of the locking mechanism, not sure if they are supposed to or I messed it up trying lol.

When the top is off the car turning the tabs does turn the full locking mechanism but on the car the extra friction means you do need to use the tool or at least use something small enough to fit in the hole