Z4 - Hardtop Prep for Model Year 2008

[Kimo]

Hey guys -

Having searched pretty extensively through the threads, I see that installing the Left and Right Hardtop Prep Kits (lockdown receivers) is a reasonably straightforward DIY job that entails removing the "dummy" receivers, locating the pre-wired harnesses by removing the subwoofer covers, etc., and then installing the new receivers and connecting the harnesses.

HOWEVER, it is not clear to me whether this procedure -- which clearly works for most 2003-2005 examples -- will also apply for 2006-2008 model years. I have seen posts that seem to indicate that the Prep Kit installation is considerably more involved for the 2006-2008 "facelift" cars, but I have seen other posts that seem to indicate that the procedure is the same simple exercise regardless of model year.

Can someone who actually knows -- or even better, someone who has actually done the installation -- definitively tell me, IS THE HARDTOP PREP INSTALLATION THE SAME FOR THE LATER (2006-2008) CARS AS IT IS FOR THE EARLIER CARS?

Thanks very much
Mike

 

[srhutch]

no such problem in the UK all our cars come pre wired. I would say that the only difference could be regarding the pre wired harness and whether it exists on the facelift cars, other than that the receivers etc are all the same regardless of year.

 

[Kimo]

no such problem in the UK all our cars come pre wired. I would say that the only difference could be regarding the pre wired harness and whether it exists on the facelift cars, other than that the receivers etc are all the same regardless of year.

Thanks for your thoughts. It is indeed the existence (vel non) of the pre-wired harness that is the determining factor here. If not factory-installed in the later facelift models, the "after the fact" routing required for the hardtop prep may very well require so much disassembly that it would serve to render the project cost prohibitive. That's what I'm trying to confirm here.
Thanks again.

 

[AlanJ]

Kimo,

Welcome to the Forum and hope you get an answer to your problem. Perhaps an entry in the Newbie section with a bit about yourself and your Zed - and of course some pics. of you Zed.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Kimo

It seems to me the only definitive way of answering this is to pull the covers off one side and see if the harness is indeed there tied up and ready.

As noted above all UK cars are prefitted so no experience this side of the pond. Also hardtops seem very rare in the US so little chnace of someone popping by that's both got a post facelift and fitted a hardtop.

An alternative cheeky approach would be to visit the dealer and get a quote to fit the kit and see if they need to add the harness or it's know to be in situ. They can probably tell from build sheets.

 

[WLH]

Kimo, welcome to the forum...
Very few of the US Z's had the pre-wire kit but it can be installed by a dealer.

 

[Kimo]

Thanks for the responses. Will post back if I find the definitive answer.