Z3 Coupe (E36/8) New top installation

My new top is a robbins top with all of the oem upgrades. Robbins cannot tell me what the proper installation of the straps for quarter panel relief pockets is.
I have searched this forum and the internet to no avail. Would appreciate some help with this. Early 1996 z3

Originally Posted by ssollars

My new top is a robbins top with all of the oem upgrades. Robbins cannot tell me what the proper installation of the straps for quarter panel relief pockets is.
I have searched this forum and the internet to no avail. Would appreciate some help with this. Early 1996 z3

Sorry I can't provide an answer. I'll be interested to read the replies to your question as I'm having a debate in my head about if I should attempt to install myself or pay someone.

Does Vinci's diy instructions for the OE top give any clues? Is Robbins that different?

I probably have seen them,but could you direct me to them to make sure.

I probably have seen them,but could you direct me to them to make sure.

http://webspace.ringling.edu/~dplassma/str/str.html

It was one of the sets of instructions i researched and followed. I do not think that top had the relief pockets with the additional strap on each side.
I have a couple of ideas about how they could be attached, but would rather not guess.
By the way, i have used this site extensively. This is my first bmw and the people who contribute to this site have made a huge difference with their info.
Thanks to all.

Just from some general searching, BMW did not have relief pockets until 1997. I'm wondering if that might be part of the problem since you have a 1996. I'd look at my factory top but it's down and covered with a hardtop until spring. Robbins seems to sell a version of their top with and without the relief pockets.

http://www.convertibletop.com/blog/b...tible-top.html

Are not relief pockets just watertight side vents to allow flow-through ventilation, and also release cabin pressure at speed? How do they affect installation of the top?

There are several upgrades that bmw did to the top itself and then some others that are year specific. If you look at several of the top manufacturers, they all reference the top upgrades. I think the relief pockets and several other items have to do with how the top folds into the well and affect window creasing
and other problems. The quarter panel relief pockets have an elastic strap attached which would apply tension when the top is up and be relieved when stowed. This is the only question i have left with this top install. It was all straight forward except for this one problem. By the way, the robbins top without the upgrades is their economy top. My top is a model r-2750cblb.