Convertible top questions, long post but I need advice

O

Old-Duckman

Active member
 SW Pennsylvania USA
2004 Z4, E85.

Background:

Have owned it for 5 years, garage kept, 86K miles. I believe that it was garage kept most of its life. Just got it back from a local mechanic who kept it outside for over 2 months, rain and shine.

Since I got it back I have put the top down and up twice. First down all sounded normal, first up I heard an odd squeak, hard to describe. Second down sounded okay, second up the squeak again and I could hear the motor running for a short time after it was completely up.

Questions:

1 – Coincidence, that it happened after 2 months outside? I did check the drain plug on the motor side (after the first up), a little bit of debris but dry. Or did sitting outside for that amount of time contribute to the issue?

2 – After calling a different mechanic about the repair, he told me the top had to come off and the part is only supplied by BMW. I know that the motor and pump are available from many suppliers. His quote $2300 USD!

3 – If you suggest doing the repair myself (I have watched a lot of videos on this repair/relocation), would you recommend getting both pump and motor or just the motor?

4 – I have seen pump/motor assembly from less than $200 to over $400 USD. The $400 part was a URO Parts brand. Are they all the same quality or is it worth spending more?

5 – if I get both pump and motor, how are the hydraulic hoses disconnected and reconnected?

6 – when I get it out, if it appears that it is low on fluid, what fluid is recommended?

7 – a coworker suggested that I just put it up and down several times hoping it might work since it was sitting for some time without being used, make sense or not? I mean it has sat in my garage over 4 winters and didn’t seem to suffer from not being used.

Sorry for the long post but these are questions that I have before I tackle this job.
 
Hello,
The convertible top motor on my 2005 Z4 failed twice due to water in the quarter panel (blocked drain holes). The second time I brought it to a BMW independent shop and asked them to replace the motor and relocate it to the trunk of the vehicle. They did the repair and relocation. The motor is now located behind trunk carpeting, making it easy to service in the future and prevents water damage. Its a well-known modification on these cars.To my knowledge, the existing hydraulic lines should all reach. Your quote of USD 2300 sounds about right based on my experiences (dealer and independent). The work is labor intensive, not really DYI... Good luck, hope this helps!
 
Whoa whoa whoa there cowboy 🤠….as Mikey said lube the roof frame joints first, second, use the roof for a week or so quite often and see how it is, you’re assuming something is wrong without having used it much, there might be nothing wrong, just needs a lube and using.

IF there any issues after this, then if you want to try the job yourself, it’s bloody awkward but perfectly doable, you’ll save a shed load of dollars, the roof absolutely doesn’t need to come off, get the motor out and see its condition before you buy anything. You’ll get plenty of help on here if you tackle it yourself.

Let us know how it’s working if you do use it first before doing anything drastic and potentially in-necessary. 👍
 
JAL001 said:
The work is labor intensive, not really DYI...
Click to expand...
What?
Done correctly it takes about 15 minutes to have the motor in your hand.
By the sound of the OP's description, there is not actually anything wrong with the motor anyway. It'll either work or it won't.
So if he did want to relocate it to the boot (sorry, trunk) then it's a simple case of moving it and securing it.
All these people that put up videos showing how to drag it through from the boot are deluding themselves and making life too difficult. Lift the left side of the roof, undo the securing screw and cable ties and pass the motor through. Then resecure the roof and tidy up the motor location in the boot.
 
My personal experience was a sluggish motor for a few cycles, then failure altogether after a couple of days of use. Motor was well rusted. If lifting the top left side of roof is a simple process that's great and worthwhile effort to remove and replace the motor. Good to know. In any case relocating motor to the boot (trunk) prevents water / rust issues going forward, notwithstanding blocked quarter panel drainage holes.
 
Grease attract dust and grit and will eventually wear out the joint. BMW use brass and nylon bushes which don’t need lube.
Two years for a roof that’s been up and down a few dozen times…,not much wear really.
 
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