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

[BettyBmw03]

Just curious, what is the inside of the hardtop made of? Is it similar to the soft top or is it all hard plastic?

 

[ZED_NOT_ZEE]

Don't understand why U.S. models didn't come pre-prepped. Canadian Z4's are pre-prepped. Unfortunately for me, my car was imported from Pensylvania. Thanks for the detailed write-up, I will be using it in the future to prep the Z4. (although I found the soft top had great insulation last winter too.)

 

[Kimo]

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

So . . . . it's been 8 weeks. Do you have it yet?

 

[BettyBmw03]

I will give you three guesses.......but to save you the trouble....no. It came to the US about 2 weeks ago and when it arrived it was damaged. So they are ordering me another one.....

 

[Kimo]

I will give you three guesses.......but to save you the trouble....no. It came to the US about 2 weeks ago and when it arrived it was damaged. So they are ordering me another one.....

Bummer . . . sorry to hear that.
With the way the thing is packed in double crates, I'm not sure how it could have been damaged (unless they just dropped it). But at least it's not yet hardtop "season". And it's definitely worth the wait.

 

[BettyBmw03]

Kimo,

I was going to check, how did the top fit when you first put it on? Did you have to adjust anything or was there any gapping issues or wind noise? I hope my new top should be here in a couple weeks....

oh and did you figure a way to test the defog?

 

[Elerner61]

Hi, don't mean t hijack this thread but I have a question I haven't seen answered in the many hardtop threads I've read. What function do the wiring attached to the hardtop post receivers provide ? Does one provide defroster connectivity and the other communicates that there is a hardtop installed (to disable the soft top switch)? I am talking with someone about buying there hardtop and they mentioned that it has the wires for connecting the defroster, so that has me equally confused.

I would really appreciate some help/knowledge on this. Was much simpler on my Miata, just not as fast

Thanks !

Evan

 

[Kimo]

Hi, don't mean t hijack this thread but I have a question I haven't seen answered in the many hardtop threads I've read. What function do the wiring attached to the hardtop post receivers provide ? Does one provide defroster connectivity and the other communicates that there is a hardtop installed (to disable the soft top switch)? I am talking with someone about buying there hardtop and they mentioned that it has the wires for connecting the defroster, so that has me equally confused.

I would really appreciate some help/knowledge on this. Was much simpler on my Miata, just not as fast

Thanks !

Evan

Not a hijack at all as this is exactly the kind of info that I started this thread for
From what I have been able to piece together from numerous sources, there is no doubt that the primary function of the wiring in the posts is to supply current to the defroster circuitry in the hardtop. Note that the posts themselves carry the current, so there is no need to plug anything in once the hardtop is set in place and locked down (in my Mercedes SL, a separate pigtail had to be connected for the defrost circuit).
A second function is indeed to disable the soft top's operation via the switch, but I understand that this disabling function occurs only if the ProgMan (car's computer operating system) has been programmed by the dealer such that the hardtop retrofit kit's presence is set in the coding. I also understand that if such option has been programmed into the system, then the electrical current going to the defrost circuitry in the hardtop is increased somewhat, i.e. a little quicker defrost.
Finally, even without the coding described above, the hardtop will receive sufficient current to defrost adequately, and an accidental depression of the soft top switch will trigger a hydraulic fail safe such that no damage can be done -- it will simply stop trying to go up. Some owners actually pull the soft top fuse, but the easiest thing is to just NOT push the button.
I suspect that 95% of those who have retrofitted the hardtop prep kit have never bothered to have their car's reprogrammed (I have not), and everything is just fine.
Kimo

 

[BettyBmw03]

Good news Finally got my hardtop on Friday, all went well installing. No air leaks, no water leaks, just perfect. Windows worked out as well. Kimo, thanks again for all your help, I will try and post some pics later this week.

 

[Psygnosis]

Has anyone tried adjusting the hardtop? I've spent the last hour messing with mine trying to get rid of the gaps in the front corners. Above the windshield closer to the side of the car I can slip a card between the top and the seal and no amount of adjusting the locking posts seems to make much difference. Air doesn't get into the car, but the wind catches the gap. I gave up and just adjusted it so that when locked in place the top had about 5mm of space along the sides behind the door.

Also what he said about the wires and programming is pretty much spot on. When I had the alarm activated I had them code the car for the hardtop. Now with the top on the buttons do nothing.

 

[mjsz4]

Had to jump the car and replace battery and windows quit going up when putting top up. I thought for sure I screwed some electronics up when I jumped it. But the window reset worked, that was amazing. This forum is great! Thanks to all you guys.