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BMW Z3/M Roadster Installation Manual
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BMW Z3/M Roadster Installation Manual

BMW Z3/M Roadster Installation Manual

Convertible top
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Convertible Top Installation Guide
1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster
What's Included
A new convertible top includes sewn-in plastic retainers and tinted plastic window. Also, we enclose new BMW original metal
attachments for the hold down cable as these are often damaged during the removal of the old top.
Material Types
This convertible top is available in either the original Twillfast II or a lower cost Stayfast cloth.
Features
All of our Z3 convertible tops include these critical BMW engineering and design upgrades that fixed issues in earlier Z3
models.
• Relief pockets have been added in the quarters
• A stiffener has been added above the plastic window
• Elastic straps have been added to support the tension straps
Tools Required
• Various screwdrivers
• Ratchet, 12mm socket
• Heavy-duty stapler, 10mm staple
• Pliers and cutter
• Contact cement spray adhesive
• Drill, steel bit 5/32"
• Rivet gun, rivet 1/4" 12mm (5/32" 4mm dia.)

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Summary of Contents for BMW Z3/M Roadster

  • Page 1 This convertible top is available in either the original Twillfast II or a lower cost Stayfast cloth. Features All of our Z3 convertible tops include these critical BMW engineering and design upgrades that fixed issues in earlier Z3 models. • Relief pockets have been added in the quarters • A stiffener has been added above the plastic window...
  • Page 2 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Find a dry, comfortable working environment where youu have space to place and organize items to be removed that are to be reinstalled later in the process. Retract the frame to the open position as shown and begin removing the screws that hold the header rail in place.
  • Page 3 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Next, you will need to remove the front side rubbers to access additional screws to be removed. Once the rubbers are out of the way, you can begin removing the screws as...
  • Page 4 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Start to peel back the front edge of the top. The next step is to remove the tension side straps. Begin by removing the tension cable screw.
  • Page 5 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Remove the side “L” shaped bracket to free the cable. The next step is to remove the tension side straps .
  • Page 6 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Detach all “C” channel plastic rails from cross bows. Remove side quarter rubbers to access screws.
  • Page 7 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Remove the screws under the side quarter rubbers to detach the brackets. Now you can remove the screws along the side to detach the existing top from the quarters.
  • Page 8 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Separate the “L” shaped bracket from the cable and pull out the cable from the sleeve on the side of the existing convertible top. You will be re-using this cable on your new top, so you will need to...
  • Page 9 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Cut rivets located at the end of the rear tacking strip. Detach quarter inner flap from frame, by pulling it downward.
  • Page 10 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Cut or drill rivet to remove elastic straps from second bow. The bows are numbered from front to back, so the second bow is the second from the front. Remove the top well quarter plugs to access tacking bow bolt nuts.
  • Page 11 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide With your 5/32” socket wrench, start to remove the tacking bow bolt nuts at the quarters. Pull away the well lining to access the bolt nuts underneath.
  • Page 12 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Remove the bolt nuts across the top well. Now you can detach the rubber strip from the edge of the top well.
  • Page 13 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Start to pry apart the tacking bow away from vehicle. Now youu should add some masking tape along the edge to protect the paint as you are working.
  • Page 14 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Lift out the tacking bow. Remove the end screws and there are some staples here that will need to remove as well.
  • Page 15 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Separate the existing top rom this bracket. START INSTALLING NEW TOP: Begin by carefully inspecting the new top, then protecting the plastic window on both sides by using masking tape to hold a piece of foam to similar material over the window.
  • Page 16 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide View of the plastic window section fully protected so it does not get scratched during the installation process. Use a masking tape that will come off easily and cleanly. Drape the new convertible top over the existing top frame.
  • Page 17 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Begin by attaching the top, using screws, to the tacking bow. Locate the center mark. This is where you will begin stapling the new top to the tacking bow. The center mark at the rear of the new top is a small cutout for alignment only.
  • Page 18 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Using your heavy duty stapler or compressed air stapler as shown, begin stapling from the center outward. Your staples should be evenly spaced across the tacking bow as illustrated in the image to the right.
  • Page 19 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Staple the window section across the rear bow. Work your way around to the side quarters pulling the top material tight as you go.
  • Page 20 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide After you have completed the stapling, drop in the tacking bow into the top well and position it to the body bolts. Re-attach the bolt nuts.
  • Page 21 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Re-install the rubber strip to the edge of the top well. Next, we need to assemble the inner, above the window, elastic strap.
  • Page 22 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide You will need to stretch these forward to attach them to the second and then the first bow as illustrated. Hook the quarter flaps to the frame.
  • Page 23 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Now you can insert your existing tension cable removed earlier through the top sleeve.
  • Page 24 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Then, connect the new “L” shaped brackets that came with your new convertible top to the existing side tension cables.
  • Page 25 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Secure the bracket and cable to the frame. Secure the front side of the top and quarters to the frame, but do not install the screws yet.
  • Page 26 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Using a spray contact cement adhesive, attache the new convertible top to the front header. We recommend an adhesive spray designed for fabric such as 3M yellow supertrim adhesive. The 3M adhesive spray is sold in an...
  • Page 27 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Press firmly to stretch the top to the header bow. Work with the top nearly closed to judge the tightness of the new top. Don’t overstretch. You will find the top is tight initially and this is normal and preferred. Secure the quarter flaps.
  • Page 28 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Begin adding the screws all along the bracket. Secure the front header rail to the frame.
  • Page 29 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Re-attach the side rubbers.
  • Page 30 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Position top side straps to frame arm. These are the elastic tesion straps that assist in pulling the top material inward as you are opening it.
  • Page 31 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Use rivets to secure in place. Re-attach the rear top well lining.
  • Page 32 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Attach all three top listers by using contact cement adhesive. Secure with “C” channel rails.
  • Page 33 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Complete attaching the “C” channel rails, then take off the plastic window protection to finish the project.
  • Page 34 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Now that you have everything installed close the new top. You will find that it is tight if everything went well. This is how it should be at first. If your new top is not tight at first, then it can become too loose in a few months and will not look as good as it could .
  • Page 35 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide Auto Tops & Seats Warranty Convertible tops, headliners and related products are guaranteed to be free of defects in materials and workmanship at the time of shipment from our facility. The warranty applies to the original owner and is not transferrable.