Lucky 2.8 convertible owner

[Peter147right]

I have recently bought my 1997 2.8 convertible from an old friend of mine. I’m very pleased with the car but I need to replace the rear plastic window. Apart from anything else the recent storms seem to have found a weakness. The boot has a lot of water in it! I live in West Sussex UK. Might anybody know who could help?

 

[Nodzed]

The likely candidates for the water are the aerial grommet and / or the 3rd brake light seal, both easy repairs. If you move the boot carpet next to the passenger side rear light and stick your hand in the hole behind it you will find a well and I would put money on it being full of water, you will need to empty it there's alarm units in there, tilt sensor I believe that will most likely have rotten terminals, you can easily do without it so don't panic if its knackered.

As for the window, that depends if its an original zip in window, if it is then you can replace it, but I believe its a total PITA to do. If its a sewn (roof not OEM) in then the only real option is a new roof and that's what I would do regardless, a new roof can be supplied and fitted for circa £350 by Jack Smith in Swansea, you will find many posts on here referencing his work.

 

[andyglym]

to the Forum from West Cumbria. What Niall said

 

[Peter147right]

The likely candidates for the water are the aerial grommet and / or the 3rd brake light seal, both easy repairs. If you move the boot carpet next to the passenger side rear light and stick your hand in the hole behind it you will find a well and I would put money on it being full of water, you will need to empty it there's alarm units in there, tilt sensor I believe that will most likely have rotten terminals, you can easily do without it so don't panic if its knackered.

As for the window, that depends if its an original zip in window, if it is then you can replace it, but I believe its a total PITA to do. If its a sewn (roof not OEM) in then the only real option is a new roof and that's what I would do regardless, a new roof can be supplied and fitted for circa £350 by Jack Smith in Swansea, you will find many posts on here referencing his work.

That’s really helpful thank you. I’ll get in touch with Jack Smith and investigate my boot further! I’ll have to wait until the rain stops though which could be a long time.!
It’s actually an original zip in window but I’m much too amateur at it to try it myself

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[Peter147right]

That’s really helpful thank you and I’ll contact Jack Smith. I’ll also look at my boot but fear it might be beyond me And it hasn’t stopped raining eithe.
Its an original zipped roof but I’m much too amateur to try it myself.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Oddly Godly]

The rear window if it is just discoloured should polish up OK with plastx or something similar. Need to do inside and outside.

 

[Peter147right]

The rear window if it is just discoloured should polish up OK with plastx or something similar. Need to do inside and outside.

Many thanks for the suggestion. I’m not aware of plastx but will definitely try it.

 

[Peter147right]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

Thanks for the welcome. It’s already been helpful to be a member from suggestions and information from various people.

 

[Ian&Sue]

from North Yorkshire.

Ian & Sue.

 

[PaulG]

Welcome to the club!

 

[Peter147right]

I suspect my boot leak is from the 3rd brake light seal? I think it’s a long plastic strip which I’ve tried but failed to fix firmly. It seems to have stretched slightly but I suspect I need a new one and then try to fix it firmly to stop the leak. It seems that rain accumulates behind it and when I open the boot a large amount of water cascades! Am I missing something or where might I get a new one from?

 

[Mus Musculus]

Welcome on board.

Like @Nodzed said, the likely culprits are the rubber grommet for the antenna, or the rubber gasket of the third-brake light. In my case, once I lifted the carpets, I found quite a lot of water inside the well by the left-hand rear light assembly (the seals of the light cluster were fine).

The antenna grommet was looking really shabby, so I bought this replacement: Antenna grommet, and followed this (quite cheesy) video to get an idea of what was where. Replacing antenna grommet

After removing all the water from the well (there is a rubber grommet at the bottom) I took the opportunity to remove all the remaining carpets, and took them inside to dry.

Then I tackled the third brake light gasket. Ordered this BMW Genuine Third Stop Brake Lamp Light Gasket E36 Z3 from Amazon, and then followed this fine article by @GazHyde : BMW Z3 3rd Brake Light Gasket Replacement (pre-facelift).

Your rear window does seem to be original, or at least a replacement that was done correctly. My own car had a bodged window replacement that was done with inferior materials, and even though the window was zipped up, the clever bugger also cut the outer flap and glued the new window.

My hood is shot anyway, so I am booking a weekend trip to Swansea to get a new soft top from Jack Smith. I will take the opportunity to visit a good friend who retired to the Mumbles.

Edit: Grammar and missing words.

 

[Fender2004]

Welcome, also have a look in the compartment where the battery fits in to, there could be water there also.

 

[Mus Musculus]

Welcome, also have a look in the compartment where the battery fits in to, there could be water there also.

Yes, good point. Forgot to mention that...