Replacement of rear convertible window e36

Is everyone replacing the windows have a BLACK soft top? I notice the flap that comes on the window is black, would that show on the outside?

My 99 cab. is Tit. Silver/ dove int. with a blue soft top and my concern is the replacement window's flap. Is that flap black and would that show on the outside. My oem window shows no black flaps all you see in the blue top from outside and inside. It is zipped in and is the original top and window.

Currently my car's OEM top is in good condition because I use a hardtop; but being stored in the folded positions for extended periods of time, the OEM window is not in the best of shape and from what I am reading these replacement windows are a bit more forgiving when left folded etc.

Originally Posted by homermac

Is everyone replacing the windows have a BLACK soft top? I notice the flap that comes on the window is black, would that show on the outside?

My 99 cab. is Tit. Silver/ dove int. with a blue soft top and my concern is the replacement window's flap. Is that flap black and would that show on the outside. My oem window shows no black flaps all you see in the blue top from outside and inside. It is zipped in and is the original top and window.

Currently my car's OEM top is in good condition because I use a hardtop; but being stored in the folded positions for extended periods of time, the OEM window is not in the best of shape and from what I am reading these replacement windows are a bit more forgiving when left folded etc.

The flap on the emiata top is black and it gets overlapped and glued so it will definitely show. I'd contact emiata and see if he can make you a window with material that matches your top.

Originally Posted by dc_wright

The flap on the emiata top is black and it gets overlapped and glued so it will definitely show. I'd contact emiata and see if he can make you a window with material that matches your top.

okay so i was looking at the top again today. and the part that seems to cover up the zipers seems to be part of the top and not the window. I will post a pic to get better idea of what I'm talking about.

Originally Posted by homermac

okay so i was looking at the top again today. and the part that seems to cover up the zipers seems to be part of the top and not the window. I will post a pic to get better idea of what I'm talking about.

I'm assuming you have on original BMW top on your car. On the BMW window the flap that's part of the top does overlap the zippers and it gets glued down to seal the rear window. To remove your BMW rear window you'll separate this glued area and upzip the window to remove it. When you install the emiata top you'll pull the trim piece off the flap on the BMW top, zip in the window, then there is a flap on the emiata top that OVERLAPS the BMW top flap and gets glued down to seal the window. The flap on emiata window will be what shows around the window after you've completed the install. I installed an emiata window on my original BMW top before I later replaced the top so I'm familiar with the installation. If you want it to look like the original then you'll have to buy the BMW window because BMW has some patents that prevent 3rd party suppliers from making an exact copy.

^^^ As I'm looking at it and reading what you wrote, that makes sense. Oh man that sucks cause the OE window is like four to five hundred dollars. I'm gonna email emiata. Maybe they can give me one without a flap or get the same color flap.