Z3 2.8l top replacement

[rwk2009]

I am looking at replacing the top on my atlanta blue 98 2.8l Z3.
I am just looking on ebay and I am curious how hard it will be for me to replace my soft top, also is it worth paying the 70 dollar difference to get the original german canvas soft top or should I save the money and just buy the stayfast canvas cloth?

Thanks for any input.

[Vinci]

See the guide in my signature. An eBay (or any 3rd-party) top is going to be a lot more work to put on than an OE BMW top. Those are about as "plug and play" as they can be, while the 3rd-party tops need quite a bit more work.

[rwk2009]

Thanks, how long would it take me to replace the top with an OEM BMW top?

[Vinci]

I have no idea how long it would take you, but I did it over the course of a week. If I had not just taken it slow, I could have had it done in a 2-day weekend, I'm sure. I had never replaced a top before, but am pretty mechanically-inclined. Cleaning up the old adhesives is what takes the majority of the time. The rest of it (with the OE top) is pretty straightforward.

[pjhansman]

I bought an OEM top and took it to a shop that specializes in boat tops. Took them less than 8 hours (obviously the right tools and a bit of talent helps) to replace the top.

Perfect fit...looks great.

[rwk2009]

How much did that end up costing you?

[EOD Guy]

I paid 1300 for an aftermarket top complete with install in Alabama

[pjhansman]

How much did that end up costing you?

About $1,000 for the top and $800 for the install. Not cheap....but sure nice to have a new top again.

[CaptBimmer]

Do what I did and make an insurance claim and only pay the deductable ;). My BRAND NEW OEM TOP was only 500 with installation ;). Thing is some criminal stabbed it twice on the side when i was parked in the airport and I really don't suggest you hire someone and partake in some nasty insurance fraud :rofl:

[emyers]

EOD guy,
If I might ask, Who did you have do the install. Info good for future reference.
Thanks
Earl

[rwk2009]

Sad thing is I am replacing it because someone used their key to stab a hole into the middle of the plastic window.

[SUNZOUT]

Sad thing is I am replacing it because someone used their key to stab a hole into the middle of the plastic window.


Then just replace the window...as long as the top it's self is in good shape.

[rwk2009]

The top has a couple decent tears on each side that I have already patched, I've been waiting to get it replaced for a while now, and this just made it official.

[Skyhawk]

Man..the tops are expensive..Mine started to look kind of bad..the trim at the rear window has fallen off. So I glue it with black silicon..but luckily I have an hard top..so I just use the hard top for now, till I can find a better price for the tops..heheh Yea..yea.. I know I have a convertible and I am using a hardtop..hehe

[EOD Guy]

Rod's Customs off of University, next to the U-Haul place, Top Qty work!