Soft top retainer mechanism issue

[Clive68]

Hi All,

I have a manual roof on my 1999 Z3...

I just noticed that the soft-top retaining thread has become detached from the spring that holds it.
It looks like the end has actually broken off the black string.

I guess I could just tie a knot in it, but that would make it shorter and put extra tension on the spring and/or hood,
which might make things worse down the line.

So does anybody know what this black string is actually called in the parts catalogue?
In case I decide to go all out and order a new one.

Even better - Has anybody had this issue before - and found a DIY fix?

Pictures with the roof down are below...

1. Passenger side is detached from the spring.

2. Drivers side is threaded through the retaining clip and attached to the spring.

 

[Althulas]

Is this the right part tension rope left https://www.mlperformance.co.uk/products/genuine-bmw-54318413877-e36-left-tension-rope-inc-z3

Right https://www.mlperformance.co.uk/products/genuine-bmw-54318413878-e36-right-tension-rope-inc-z3

If you was nearer to Banbury you would have been welcome to take it off my old roof before it gets skipped but a new part would be better. If you want I can have a look at the condition of it and pop it in the post for you.

 

[Stevo7682]

Pull it through tie a knot in it
Stephen .

 

[Duncodin]

Hi All,

I have a manual roof on my 1999 Z3...

I just noticed that the soft-top retaining thread has become detached from the spring that holds it.
. . .
. . .
View attachment 308879

I've just stripped my 1999 z3 roof and the tension wires and mine don't look anything like that? The first post says it's a Z3? Is it?

 

[AntStark]

They are the tensioners for the inner liner not the roof itself. Roof tensioners are metal

 

[Duncodin]

They are the tensioners for the inner liner not the roof itself. Roof tensioners are metal

Ah. That explains it. I don't have a liner. I was confused by OP saying "soft top retainer".

 

[DrWong]

Yep, it's the tension rope part that Althulus linked. The string on my left one snapped last year and I got new one from BMW. Dead easy to replace, you just have to move some of the roof sealing rubbers out the way to access the bolts retaining the triangular metal bracket thingy.

 

[DrWong]

You could probably thread a new piece of string through the bracket and tie the ends to the spring/headlining tbh. I don't think it's actually under that much tension, despite what the part's called. It mainly keeps the headlining located so it doesn't flap about when operating the hood.

 

[Jam03]

My springs are missing, makes no difference. You can probably live without them.