Z4 (E85) - DIY for Installation of Hard Top Prep Kit

[Kimo]

descriptions, or anything that might help to get me on the right track?

Mike,

The OEM hardtop cover set includes the two plastic legs, which lock on the posts with a 90 degree twist. When the hardtop is hung on a wall, the front edge the top will be upwards and the rear window facing downwards. The posts will be resting against the wall with only moderate pressure; I guess you could just protect them with any padding. Pics enclosed. No measurements, sorry.

DMike

The plastic feet indeed have a separate product number, 54210151219 at realoem.com. $7.50 for two.

Dmike

Thanks for this info. And Merry Christmas!!

 

[BettyBmw03]

Just curious, as I would eventually like to do this. Once you remove you soft top, which I know there is a thread for: how does the actual hard top install on and off?

 

[lacroupade]

Just curious, as I would eventually like to do this. Once you remove you soft top, which I know there is a thread for: how does the actual hard top install on and off?

Haven't read the whole thread so I apologise if I'm talking out of turn, but why would you remove your soft-top to fit a hard-top? It just needs folding down - ideally when dry or things will get mouldy.

The hard top just locates with two large 'pins' or lugs (one either side just aft of the window opening) which drop into the two holes on the car provided by the fitting kit. That locates the top fully in place, then its just a case of inserting the special tool into the hole in the lug and doing a 90 degree turn inwards on each side, followed by a 90 degree or so turn to the allen bolt at the top of the windscreen.

I've got my original BMW instructions somewhere so will try and scan them in but honestly, its dead easy.

 

[BettyBmw03]

Sorry, I did read the thread but was a little hazy still on the fitment. I live in the US and I have never seen one in person. I am actually really happy you don't have to remove your soft top.

 

[BettyBmw03]

Ok, I have a problem, just called the dealer and got my hardtop part number and they said after I installed all this the door windows would have to be adjusted to accommodate the new roof....are they blowing smoke or is this what others have found? I have a 2003 Z4 2.5i

 

[Kimo]

Ok, I have a problem, just called the dealer and got my hardtop part number and they said after I installed all this the door windows would have to be adjusted to accommodate the new roof....are they blowing smoke or is this what others have found? I have a 2003 Z4 2.5i

Have never heard of this, and I researched the topic pretty well before posting this DIY. Since I'm STILL waiting on my hardtop to get here, I can't definitively answer, but the window travel reset is quite easy (search for it). I recall that it involves holding the button for several (10 or so?) extra seconds at both the up and down travel stops.

 

[lacroupade]

I can't imagine theres anything required here at all? The windows on the ragtop drop a few millimetres when opening or closing the doors, rising again after the motion is complete. And they do the same for the hardtop......

I think its a bit of b/s but I'd ask them to explain in more detail anyway, just in case! Could be the usual "service receptionist with a little knowledge is dangerous" scenario....

 

[BettyBmw03]

Ok, I have a problem, just called the dealer and got my hardtop part number and they said after I installed all this the door windows would have to be adjusted to accommodate the new roof....are they blowing smoke or is this what others have found? I have a 2003 Z4 2.5i

Have never heard of this, and I researched the topic pretty well before posting this DIY. Since I'm STILL waiting on my hardtop to get here, I can't definitively answer, but the window travel reset is quite easy (search for it). I recall that it involves holding the button for several (10 or so?) extra seconds at both the up and down travel stops.

If you can let me know how your hardtop does with the windows. And if you can a few live pics on the hardtop and the process of locking it in. Thanks

 

[BettyBmw03]

Kimo, just wondering if you installed your hardtop yet? Still curious about the windows...thanks

 

[Kimo]

Kimo, just wondering if you installed your hardtop yet? Still curious about the windows...thanks

OK, so the top just arrived (exactly 4 months after ordering it) and it is now installed on the car and looks fantastic.

It's raining cats and dogs here so I can't really do too much testing until later, etc., but here is what I noticed on the drive back from the dealer.

While the windows do, in fact, go up and seat just fine with the hard top installed, the one-touch feature does not seem to be operating correctly.

Specifically, (and this is true for BOTH sides,) once the one-touch is activated, the windows roll up automatically, but at the top of their travel they then immediately go back down, parking in about the the 1/4 up position.

When the windows are going back down, the switch seems to be disabled, i.e. the window cannot be made to go back up until the downward movement is completed.

However, if the window switch is HELD in the up position throughout the entire upward travel, the window will go all the way up and stay there. I also note that when the door is opened/closed, the normal slight up/slight down clearing movement of the window occurs.

The immediate down window movement that I describe above is almost as if the safety (no pinch) feature is being activated, i.e. the top of the hardtop window frame cavity is sensed as an obstruction and the window immediately goes back down.

I certainly can't imagine that this is the way it is supposed to function, and haven't tried the window park reset procedure (need to find it again), but can anyone shed any light on what may be happening here?

I also have not figured a way to test if the rear window defog/defrost function is working properly since I currently have no fog or frost to remove. If anyone can suggest a way to test this, I'd be interested.

Thanks

 

[Kimo]

As it turns out, I went out intending to try the reset procedure and, surprisingly, I didn't have to -- as the windows seem to be functioning correctly now. Go figure.

For those who might need it in the future, though, I've appended the reset procedures from my owners manual (model year 2008) as well as another version of the same method (borrowed from a post I found on one of the forums).

Finally, after waiting four months for the hardtop, it was installed on the car for less than 24 hours before it went into winter storage -- as it is now hanging on my garage wall until next winter

The Window Reset Procedure From the 2008 Z4 Owner's Manual:
Ensure that the doors and the Roadster's convertible
top are closed before initializing.
1. Open the window completely.
2. Press the switch 4 times within approx.
10 seconds.
Afterward, perform the following procedure
twice for each window:
1. Close the window completely by pulling the
switch.
2. After the window is closed, keep pulling the
switch for approx. 2 seconds.
3. Open the window completely by pressing
the switch.


The Same Window Reset Procedure courtesy of a BMW tech on another forum:
Initialization is performed on the power window switch of the relevant door.
Requirements for correct initialization:
• Initialization with engine running
• Convertible top, doors and windows closed

Initialization comprises:
• Erasure of initialization
• Reinitialization

An initialization must be performed:
• In the event of malfunctions, e.g. no one-touch control function, no opening or if available no comfort function is possible
• After the power window drive has been replaced
• After work is carried out on the power window mechanism
• After a power supply interruption, e.g. disconnection of the battery or disconnection of the power supply to the door
• After the door window glass has been removed and installed or replaced
• After adjustment work on the door window glass
• After adjustment work on the convertible top
• After replacement of seals

Erasure of initialization:
• Open door window glass fully
• Operate power window switch in "Open" position four times within 10 seconds

This erases initialization of the power window, anti-trapping protection and toll function are inactive.
Check whether one-touch control (toll) function is inactive, otherwise repeat procedure.

Reinitialization:
Avoid a break between the two steps!
• Open door window glass fully
• Operate and hold power window switch in "Close" position (second switch stage)
• Once the upper end position has been reached, hold power window switch in "Close" position for approx. 2 seconds longer
• Open door window glass fully
• Operate and hold power window switch in "Close" position (second switch stage)
• Once the upper end position has been reached, hold power window switch in "Close" position for approx. 2 seconds longer

 

[BettyBmw03]

Kimo,

can you post any pics of how the hood locks into place? I am ordering mine this week

 

[Kimo]

Kimo,

can you post any pics of how the hood locks into place? I am ordering mine this week

Sorry, but I didn't take any pictures, and now the top is stored for the "top-down" season.
But it couldn't be simpler.

There are four anchor points -- two behind the windows, and two in the windshield header.

In the rear, the two points are the receivers/receptacles on either side (installed during the retrofit of the prep kit), just behind the windows. The hard top has a "probe" on each side that inserts down and sits in these two receptacles. These are manually locked down individually with one end of the tool.

In the front, the hardtop uses the same two receptacles on the header that the soft top uses -- but both receptacles are manually locked down together by rotating the locking cam with the other end of the tool via a removable access cavity in the hardtop.

Note that the hardtop is shipped with the manual locking tool, instruction manuals and -- most importantly -- the elusive (now discontinued) hanging storage bag and protector feet.

 

[BettyBmw03]

Thanks Kimo, that makes much more sense...and I am glad to hear that I get a bag included and the tool.

 

[BettyBmw03]

So, just wanted to say thanks for the write up, installed my mounts this past weekend. Everything went so easy thanks to Kimo. My top is on order...pics to come

 

[Kimo]

So, just wanted to say thanks for the write up, installed my mounts this past weekend. Everything went so easy thanks to Kimo. My top is on order...pics to come

Glad to hear my DIY write-up helped!! Do post some pics.

Where did you order your top from, and when did they estimate arrival?
Again, mine took exactly four months from order to receipt -- Tischer BMW of Silver Spring via their www.getBMWparts.com discount site.

Good luck! Now search this forum for -- and do -- the gapTech mod!!

 

[BettyBmw03]

I ordered from the vsame place, jason stated around 4 weeks? I will look up the gap mod...doesn't sound good

 

[Kimo]

I ordered from the same place, Jason stated around 4 weeks? I will look up the gap mod...doesn't sound good

Yeah . . . they originally told me THREE weeks.

Trust me, ain't gonna happen.

At least you'll have it by winter :headbang:

gapTech: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25705

30 pages. Happy reading!!

 

[BettyBmw03]

So good news, emailed Jason at Tischer. Kimo, looks like your top had to be painted and wasn't in stock at the time, and going to Europe added a lag time. Jason said mine was painted and in stock, so should be around 4 wks.

I have always had great service from getbmwparts.com, evan and jason are great. So, hopefully it won't take long. Kimo, have you done the gaptech mod?

 

[BettyBmw03]

Ordered the gaptech mod.....