Z3 Black Hardtop £300

[lightning]

I am sure you are correct.

In my case l bought the Z3 to use, although as often happens l have become more careful with it than l planned to be.

My original soft top is still good. It should not become unserviceable after two years storage in the well (say if the hardtop is fitted) l once owned a Truimph Stag, where the hardtop had been fitted since new, and the soft top had remained unused for fifteen years.

I took off the hardtop and raised the soft top. It was perfect. The plastic window had been protected by a towel, but it took a few hours in the sun before the header rail catches would close!

 

[hard top]

When I bought my Z, I drove it for three years with out taking the hardtop off.
When I did eventually take the lid off, the soft top was in perfect condition.

 

[badman gee]

Your lucky then, most seem to have wear marks.

One of the downsides of a cloth roof.

 

[DavidM]

I had fitted a new rear plastic window around 10 months ago. I find it very difficult to keep clean and free from minor marks. It's now beginning to show slight signs of a crease mark in the usual place even though I carefully fold a length of fleece material on the outer side as the soft top folds. Also, I have to manually coax the window into a suitable crease position as it folds, I am therefore out and in of the vehicle, stopping and starting the top down procedure to make sure a kink does not form as the window disappears into the fold position. The wind blocker does not help either as it prevents you from, a) cleaning the inside of the window and, b) being able to access the inside of the window as it folds. I have the soft top down ocassionally and for short periods only. Would anybody recommend a good anti static cleaner and one that removes minor marks/scratches - sorry if this has been covered before.

 

[badman gee]

Hello david,

I would recommend that when you fold the window with a blanket, insert some pipe insulation (grey foam piping)

That will increase the curve of the fold and reduce the creasing.

Greygate do a good plastic window cleaner:

http://www.greygate.com/product/plastic-polish/

As do meguires plastrx:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/meguiars-plastrx/prod_283.html

 

[badman gee]

I use both the megs and the Greygate

The Greygate has a bit more cutting ability.

The meguires is more of a cleaner IMHO.

 

[FRANKIE]

The rub marks appear when the top is left down for a long period i.e when the hardtop in in place.

When a car is put away the top should be stored up at all times.

This will protect the window and the material.

There was a car on here owned by matt (offyourmarks). It was an M roadster with 5000 miles on it.

It needed a new softtop at that mileage because it was always stored with the softtop down.

My softtop is 2 years old and is as new still.

The reason is its only down for short periods.

I use the window protector and pipe insulation to increase the fold angle.

Take it from me, I know what im talking about, im anal about my car and the condition.

BB

When you say "pipe insulation", are you referring to a piece of foam that is wrapped around a pipe in the winter to keep it from freezing? If so, do you place it in the area of the plastic window that folds so that the fold is not so sharp? Frankie

 

[badman gee]

When you say "pipe insulation", are you referring to a piece of foam that is wrapped around a pipe in the winter to keep it from freezing? If so, do you place it in the area of the plastic window that folds so that the fold is not so sharp? Frankie

That's the stuff Frankie and yes, you are correct it reduces the creasing. I use the 2 inch diameter pipe insulation not the smallest stuff.

 

[badman gee]

This stuff:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Economy-Pipe-Insulation-22mmx1m-PK5/p/210454

 

[FRANKIE]

This stuff:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Economy-Pipe-Insulation-22mmx1m-PK5/p/210454

I'll make sure i get some.
My plastic window is totally useless. The German company over there wants 72 pounds for a new one and 29 dollars shipping. Then I saw this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160838892988?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and contacted a man on the internet who sent me this:
Hello,

I don’t have your car on DVD yet, but if these conditions are acceptable to you, we can talk about an appointment to install yours for $100.00.

Regards, Karl


1. You must provide a high quality new top, window (Preferably made by EZ-on Auto Tops Company) and if your car uses
them, tension cables and bow pads.

2. Your car must currently have a top and window installed (Top/window condition does not
matter).

3. We will need your car in Sunbury, PA for 5-10 business days. If we encounter problems (Broken or missing parts, new parts that do not fit, etc) we will, of course need extra time.

4. The car must be complete and the top mechanism, doors and windows must
all operate as originally designed.

5. The car must be highway legal.

6. All personal items must be removed from the car.

From: FrnkTofini@aol.com
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2014 3:01 PM
To: aok1@ptd.net
Subject: Top
So I think I might go for it.

 

[DavidM]

Thank you BMG I will source the pipe insulation and plastic cleaner.

 

[badman gee]

Go for it Frankie

Never worth messing about changing out the window.

New roof every time for me.

Mark

 

[t-tony]

Sounds like a good deal Frankie.

 

[hard top]

Reads all a bit weird to me Frankie........

 

[zedonist]

The rub marks appear when on top, I know what im talking about, i love anal.

BB

We know Mark, we know...........

 

[oldcarman]

Not so David, although not common items they come along regularly on ebay. Either UK, Europe or USA. Shipping is cheap from any country but for some reason the UK HAS A very high percentage of hardtops, fittings, etc available. So check around with breakers as well. As for fittings, there is an alternative available in the UK for £250 on ebay regularly. HTH JIM

 

[DavidM]

That's useful to know. I spotted a fitting in the depths of EBay last night made by someone in Scotland. It's hard to tell if all of the correct parts are included.

David.

 

[hard top]

@Boysie will probably know about that seller, if I remember correctly?

 

[bmac109]

I spotted that fixing too ...looks like it was straight from Isambard Kingdom Brunel school of heavy engineering, but hey form and function I guess.

 

[Boysie]

@Boysie will probably know about that seller, if I remember correctly?

Hi HT
No I didn't go that route,
but a lot people did, and I read their comments
so I went the OEM route
But I went breakers route buying the hardtop and that was an expensive lesson, always check it has all fittings and fixings