Z3 Hardtop

(2/7/2011) Looks like final cost is $2,575.00 just for anyones info that's looking for a hardtop. This included some new trim, a couple of rubber seals and labor to remove & reinstall rear window (glass man) as well as paint job, install kit and BMW charges to install kit. Paint by independent body shop. Bill I know this has been discussed a lot on this forum but for people thinking about buying a used Z3 hard top I'll post my experience. (2000 Z3M) I found a nice used top about one hour from my local BMW dealer and the seller delivered it free. $1,400. Wrong color of course, new paint $300. Install kit $375.00. Install labor at dealership $218.00. (I did not connect the defrost switch as this would have doubled the labor and I don't need it where I live) After install BMW tech recommends new rubber gaskets for top. Including labor looks like about $350.00. So my total is $2,643.00 so far. I'm not disappointed even tho the rubber seals were not expected. Improvement in looks were great. Now where to store it during the 6 months of warm weather we have on the SC coast. Any one adding a top can expect to spend $2000 to $3000. figured this info might help someone that would have to hire labor out. Keep in mind I did not have any shipping cost. Bill

Local private sale HT $1200, mounting kit $375, repaint $300, assorted plastic pieces, adhesives post-repaint $20. Electric hoist for storage $250. Total $2145. I did all the installation myself so that's where my savings is. If your car has a power top, the defroster switch installation is quite easy -do it yourself

How high is your ceiling that you mounted the hoist to? Bill

Brand spanking new hardtop with mounting kit and defrost switch

1326.00 out the door

respray (from evergreen to montreal blue) 350.00


having a cozy winter cabin.... Priceless!

That's a good deal. I assumed when I posted this I would have paid the most. seems I always buy high and sell low. Bill

Used Hardtop in great shape 1150.00 mounting hardware 250.00 hoist was included with hardtop, OEM BMW hardtop storage bag 52.00 off e-bay. Hardtop was on wifes car for less than 48 hours spent the next 3 years hanging on a wall in the garage. Sold the top 3 months ago on Craigs List for 1350.00 Still have the hardware and Hoist just in case she wants one again.Don't think I would ever use the hoist the top is not that heavy.

Originally Posted by Bill Oberst

How high is your ceiling that you mounted the hoist to? Bill

Eight feet

Originally Posted by Bill Oberst

That's a good deal. I assumed when I posted this I would have paid the most. seems I always buy high and sell low. Bill

Bill, welcome to Bimmerfest. Thanks for your post and sharing your experience. It's always nice to see what other people are paying for things.

Also, don't worry what you paid for it. Ultimately, you pulled the trigger on something you knew you wanted and needed and it seems that you did your research.

We would love to see a photo of your car with the top on it.

Thanks

I ordered from Tischer, waited over two months and my order was cancelled, as all the low price ones, according to Tischer are NLA. So, will take a break and complete several needed preventive maintenance jobs on the Z3, before starting to seeking a used HT.

[QUOTE
having a cozy winter cabin.... Priceless!
QUOTE]

Congrats on the new hardtop. At 6'4" I am not certain I could fit my head in it as I barely fit with the soft-top up. Is there a clearence difference?

Not that I would necessarily consider a hardtop.... When I purchased my car in 2003, I made a personal rule that I had to have the top down when I drove it if it wasn't raining or threatening to rain, regardless of tempurature (cold or hot). This morning it was 22* and my right ear was numb by the time I shut down in the work parking lot. I'm not sure if it is easier to drive with the top down at 105* or 22*. I lean towards 22*. I can always use the seat warmers, turn the heat up high (which works well as long as you split the vents between feet and dash with the vents on the dash pointed toward the locations of your hands), wear warmer clothes/gloves and a wool/fleece hat to keep my right ear and, that partion exposed above the windshield, head warm. I can only take so many clothes off and the airconditioner is not very effective at that temp with the top down.

The Hardtop has more room than the soft top I am 6'3" and I have a hard time driving the car it is the wife's toy. You must have a long torso, my legs start to cramp after about 30 minutes driving her car but I have very long legs even for my height. The Hardtop will add head room though.

Looking for a mounting kit for a hardtop. Does anyone know where to get one and how much? Thanks, Mike

The complete mounting kit is available new from BMW, part number 54219408699. Not cheap though, probably around $500 now. You can get the essential parts (rear brackets, front Torx screws, and defroster switch) for about half that

hardtop looks nice not bad

Looking for a defroster switch for a hardtop install. Need older style switch pre 04/99 part number 61311376444. Please let me know if anyone has one they're willing to sell. Thanks, Michael

FYI: it's not necessary to remove the rear glass of a hardtop to get a good paintjob. The vinyl trim is VERY easily removed, exposing the edge of the bonded in glass. This makes it very easy to obtain a clean masking joint. I had my hdtp repainted a few years ago (same color) and it looks like a factory job.







Also, the correct tape for reapplying the rain gutters is a 3M product 1/2" wide X .040" thick UHB double-sided tape. I recommend using their accelerator to improve the bond.

did you answer my question regarding the switch? I'm looking for older style defroster switch for hardtop install part number 61311376444. Thanks, Michael

Or just leave the rain gutter molding off like I did. (looks good-esp on bright colors like hellrot). My cost for HT: $1000 for top and mounting kit + $479 for painting (a bit high in my opinion) + a few $ for headliner plastic bits ~$1500 total (all labor other than paint was my time).

Bill, recently purchase my z3 with hardtop, I believe I might enjoy the car more with the top on than off.
I Live in Murrells Inlet, look for my black z3 in Pawleys Island, my wife and I are down there all the time,

Bill: I agree we don't need a hardtop down here. Did you purchase your car at East Coast VW in Surfside? They had a black Z3 with hard top about 6 months ago. I'm lucky I have a place to store my hardtop and really don't know what I was thinking when I purchased it. You can always sell the top, people looking all the time. We live in north Litchfield beach but I've only put 750 miles on my Z3 in the year that I've owned it. I'll keep a eye open for you. Also a another Blue Z3M down in Pawleys Island I see once in a while. Bill Oberst

Thanks Bill, that was the car,I did buy it from East Coast, trader in my 1991 red afla spider.
About two months owning this bimmer, $2000 repair/service bills, replacing the tranmission ( thank God East Coast honor the 90 / 3000 mile power train warranty ), paint work, and still some other issues, I'm beginning to ask myself what did I do.But being a ex bmw sales manager from Valley Motors In Fay. NC and owning several diiferent BMW over the years,I know that overall BMW is a great car.I had a 1976 2002 bmw that I drove for 16 years, that car I do miss daily.
The problems I am having right now is from the battery going dead in the boby shop, radio code is on plus airbag light, and passerage side powers locks do not work with key in that passerage door, will lock from driver side thank God.
Could you help me with someone you trust for repairs, sinces I'm being charge to much for what I getting. I have try both locations on Inlet Dr in Murrells Inlet.
Thanks again in advance.
Bill

Email me at (bill@svctrains.com) . Bill

On the repair thing, as you know BMW repairs can make you cry. I use the local dealership "Fowler motors" the tech I use is Andrew he drives a "M" car and knows his stuff. But it is always expensive. Doubt you'll find any reasonable shops that can service BMW's. I don't have any personal experience with any independent shops that repair BMW in our area. but I'm sure there at must be at least one in the Myrtle Beach area. Ask around. Mine is a garage queen and so far after the original $1,100.00 first visit I'm hoping she won't have to go back any time soon. If you want to email me at bill@svctrains.com we can keep the small talk off this board. Bill

wow... just stumbled on this thread in a search. I guess I got really lucky. found a mint condition hardtop in jet black, which isn't that noticeably different than my sapphire metallic black for $600 with a drive to the border of Nevada from San Diego. tank of gas was about $90 for the trip. got the mounting kit off eBay for $300. self install so no labor costs. total about $1k. if I didn't have the patience to wait, I told myself to prepare to spend about $3k.

Originally Posted by bimmerZ5

wow... just stumbled on this thread in a search. I guess I got really lucky. found a mint condition hardtop in jet black, which isn't that noticeably different than my sapphire metallic black for $600 with a drive to the border of Nevada from San Diego. tank of gas was about $90 for the trip. got the mounting kit off eBay for $300. self install so no labor costs. total about $1k. if I didn't have the patience to wait, I told myself to prepare to spend about $3k.

Don't know why you'd want an HT in San Diego though. The weather there is fantastic.