Water in the boot

[D Fitch]

I have a 1999 Z3 just recently getting moisture in the trunk. Ruined the owner's manuals and a few other things. With my 2001 Miata I coulld blame the water intrusion on rain coming in from the top. Drains on either side of the car wre blocked. Therre was a plastic gutter that water from the convertible top would drain into and from there to drains on both sides of the car. Keeping those drains open would usually solve this problem. Is there such a trough for the top of the Z3 and where might it drain? The water is entriely to the rear of the trunk. Thanks.

 

[hard top]

The water is entriely to the rear of the trunk. Thanks.

Sounds like your 3rd brake light seal to me.

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria, England. The 3rd brake light as stated is usually a good place to look.

 

[Antm72]

As above you don't normally get water in the boot from the roof it will be the brake light seal or maybe even the seals on the rear lights depending where the water is gathering.

 

[Zeti]

Hi @D Fitch !
I agree with the previous opinions and looking at your avatar, I dear to kindly ask you if you can share with us some of your "catches" (with the wonderful tools that you have), in the field of oldtimers! Some of us are really addicted to old cars/ vehicles and would love to see...
Wish you a dry thrunk!
Dan

 

[GazHyde]

Also worth checking out the aerial grommet as well.

 

[raymond]

Read an article saying the rear screen can leak if the car is parked uphill when it is raining.

 

[BladeRunner919]

Read an article saying the rear screen can leak if the car is parked uphill when it is raining.

Not sure that's true.

 

[raymond]

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6787

Not sure that's true.

 

[BladeRunner919]

That's referring to the seal where the roof meets the body - nothing to do with the window.

Also, not sure that a post on a forum can be considered as 'BMW advice' when it actually makes no sense. Is the suggestion that rain only runs down the rear of the roof when parked facing uphill?

The idea that this is a designed leak area that BMW forgot to add drains to is nonsense - it's not a leak area unless there's a fault with the seal.