S380 Hardtop-preparation

[Ianmc]

Looking at the vin decoder, my Z3 is listed as above.

Do we know what this actually means please?

My guess is that the wiring is in place for a heated rear window? Is this so? I don't have a switch though, so assume that a hardtop has never been fitted.

Is there any thing else included with "Hardtop preparation" that I could spot on the car?

Toying with the idea of a hardtop for winter, but the fitting kit seems to be as much as the hardtop second hand. If I just needed a switch the idea would be much more viable.

Grateful for any knowledge on this.

 

[DavidM]

When I fitted my hardtop - all wiring was in place - passenger side - located below to where the LHS bracket of the fitting kit is secured to the chassis - switch was all I needed - worth checking the fuse is in place too. As I’m not too experienced in car mechanics / electrics - some other members may correct my answer to your query. Good luck.

 

[Ianmc]

Thanks @DavidM. Did your car have the brackets (or whatever) that the hard top mountings fit into?

 

[DavidM]

I purchased the fitting kit which is essentially the brackets (including connection wire to car wiring as mentioned above) - bolts for brackets / 3 each side - two torx screws to secure hardtop to front window frame - and plastic covers. I purchased the switch for centre console.

 

[DavidM]

 

[Ianmc]

So it seems that a fitting kit is required even though the car is said to be "hardtop prepared". If this is so, "hardtop prepared" appears to mean that a wire/plug for the heated rear window is installed. Hope the original buyer didn't pay extra for this option.

 

[Jack Ratt]

So it seems that a fitting kit is required even though the car is said to be "hardtop prepared". If this is so, "hardtop prepared" appears to mean that a wire/plug for the heated rear window is installed. Hope the original buyer didn't pay extra for this option.

A previous owner could have removed the brackets and sold them on I'd wager. I would expect a car that was "hard top prepared" from the factory to be fitted with everything required to fit a hard top and that includes all wiring, switches and brackets

 

[Ianmc]

A previous owner could have removed the brackets and sold them on I'd wager. I would expect a car that was "hard top prepared" from the factory to be fitted with everything required to fit a hard top and that includes all wiring, switches and brackets

Yes, I would have thought that also. Problem is I don't know what should be there.

 

[DavidM]

Yes, I would have thought that also. Problem is I don't know what should be there.

Look at both sides of the chassis frame with the soft top down around where the soft top hooks are located just behind the seats at waist level - take a few photo of the area and upload in a post.

 

[Stevo7682]

@Ianmc
S380 means that the basics are in place the wiring will be there for the rear window switch and the body / hood has the captive threaded holes to allow the hardtop fitting kit in the picture above to be fitted