Multiple Water Leaks In 2001 Z3 3.0 Roof, Extremely Stressed Out

[z32001]

Hi Forum,


I am having a very difficult time with my Z3. Purchased in the summer, love the car overall, it's in amazing condition, well almost. Did not get to test the roof for water leaks with a water bottle (dumb mistake) and there was zero rain so I never noticed. In the past couple months it's been raining heavily. One day while driving I noticed the water coming in the rear window where the zipper seam is attached to the rag top. It was a tear about 1 inch at the corner. Water is also leaking all around the zipper slightly even where there is no tear. I was very sad, but that was just the begining. As it rained more heavily water started coming in mid way through the windows on both sides in the cabin. It seems there is not enough tension from the window glass on the rubber seal, but I am not entirely sure.


This would not be a big deal but there are some other factors that should be considered. First, this is my primary car, so I don't have the luxury of only driving it on sunny days. Second,I lost my job because of an injury, currently in physical therapy, so I dont have thousands of dollars to get this fixed properly (which I heard this can cost me)


Here is what I have tried to fix this


1) A pillar fix with black rubber sealant (3 Different Types -) , does nothing. Watched the youtube guide and studied the PDF. A very simple job but did not help sadly.


2) Used a product called "flex shot" black rubber sealant alongside the seam of the leaking zipper. This filled the 1 inch tear but water is still coming in slightly around it and lots of water just generally around the zipper all over.


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Here are my options, although I would be very grateful if there were other ideas


1) Buy the window from Emiata for $100 and try my best to install it or ask a local shop to do it for cheapest possible price. I am hoping the rubber sealant I put around the edge of the current window have not negated this idea.


2) Replace the rubber seals at the front windows? Have no idea the cost on this , if it would help. Also don't know how complex this would be.


3) Literally just accept it, try not to drive in rain. Wait a few months until I can have entire top replaced professionally for $1200. Again I dont' even know if this would fix it & honestly other then the leaks the top looks brand new.


4) Also I saw something online about creating more tension on the top by resetting screws as per a BMW manual? I am not sure as no more details were provided. I also saw a vague post about someone creating more tension with washers on the front clamps. Again, few details were provided and I dont want to guess.


I would be very grateful if anyone could help in any way.

 

[Bampz]

Hi and from Pembrokeshire in Wales UK , if you could post a few pictures of rear window this would help with advice , as for the window leaks there are two holes in the bottom of the doors through which you can adjust the windows to raise them to create better a better seal against the rubbers , also treat rubbers with gummi plefege to revitalise them

 

[Synclare]

Rear zipper problem is often caused by the hood material shrinking back from the black screen edging. If that's the case and using a silicone type sealant to fill the gap doesn't work then really I think it's a new hood. Here in UK you can get a new hood including fitting for £375, may be viable to have one exported and have it fitted. Side window problem is common, as Bampz says, at the bottom of the door (underneath the door) are two bolts, slacken them and this will allow the glass to tilt in or out a certain amount. Tilt it in as much as you can to increase pressure against the glass. The hood (roof) frame side rubbers are about £65 each, you can use a rubber conditioner to make them more pliable or insert some rubber tubing inside the rubbers to 'bolster' the rubber out more. Failing that spray some expanding foam inside the rubbers but this will tend to make them rigid though - although will increase the cross section dimension if that makes sense. Top of the windscreen frame 'A' pillar plugs can also leak, this rectification is covered on most sites and is well documented. The side rubbers tend to leak at the 'fold' point.