How To Guide BMW Z3 Roof Latch Adjustment

[GazHyde]

GazHyde published a new article:

There should be adequate tension on the locking mechanism for the roof to make a perfect seal against the top of the windscreen. If it's too loose you may find water gets through. You may of course find it's too tight and difficult to open/release the latches.

Both of my Z3's have...

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[DivideBYZero]

Nice write up. I did this on my mine after about two weeks. I had excess wind noise, even though it wasn't leaking, even in the hardest rain shower.

However, I temporarily lost the grub screw when tightening up the drivers side. Twang'ed into the rear shelf! I got it back though, thankfully.

 

[Rui Almeida]

Hi
When doing a maintenance clean on seals and all the soft top noticed it leaked between the soft top side seal and the windscreen seal so I thought it will be a good ideia to check this adjustments.
1 - I can't physically have both hooks at the same length as they don't screw in the same position.
2- Those hooks adjust forwards and backwards what about side adjustments? I notice when closing the soft top it goes more to one side and when pulling it down to do the latches found that wasn't aligned at all.

Any ideias?
Off topic now anyone aware if BMW still sells the soft top side seals?

Thanks in advance

Rui

 

[hard top]

Any ideias?

Sounds like your roof frame is twisted?
Could also be leaking from the A-Pillars?

 

[Dino D]

Hi
When doing a maintenance clean on seals and all the soft top noticed it leaked between the soft top side seal and the windscreen seal so I thought it will be a good ideia to check this adjustments.
1 - I can't physically have both hooks at the same length as they don't screw in the same position.
2- Those hooks adjust forwards and backwards what about side adjustments? I notice when closing the soft top it goes more to one side and when pulling it down to do the latches found that wasn't aligned at all.

Any ideias?
Off topic now anyone aware if BMW still sells the soft top side seals?

Thanks in advance

Rui

There is a couple of options to get the side window to hood seal tighter:

You can take the seals off (they just pull off) and space the runners they are attached on with washers to push the seals outwards a bit. It doesn’t need much, just one thin washer can do it.

The door window angle can also be adjusted I believe through a hole under the door.

 

[Rui Almeida]

Sounds like your roof frame is twisted?
Could also be leaking from the A-Pillars?

No leaking at all HT and no clue how will it get twisted and don't think it is. There's two bolts on the frame that you need to release when fitting the fitting kit for the HT and I done that on the past but yeah will have a look.

Thanks
Rui

 

[Rui Almeida]

There is a couple of options to get the side window to hood seal tighter:

You can take the seals off (they just pull off) and space the runners they are attached on with washers to push the seals outwards a bit. It doesn’t need much, just one thin washer can do it.

The door window angle can also be adjusted I believe through a hole under the door.

Thanks for you input but the idea is to replace the seals when they need to be replaced hence the question if still sold by BMW. None of the other tips are related to my questions but i am pretty aware of all the adjustments at the windows from all the hours open aligning an HT ahah.

Thanks
Rui