BMW Z3 REAR ZIP SCREEN

[Gareth Jones]

Hi all. I recently purchased a replacement Z3 rear screen from Art design Munster after reading a post off here.
Mine had cracked down the middle but lasted 21yrs so not bad I guess. €105 euro including UK postage so was really looking forward to its arrival. Taking the old one out was easy but very awkward to re-zip ths new one but eventually worked it out. The sticky tape provided was pretty useless so used a bathroom bonding silicone to seal the fabric and sewed the zip ends The problem came when trying to electrically fold the roof which didn't want to fold away as per usual as the plastic seemed to distort. I placed my old screen over the new one and realised with dread the new one was 3-4mm taller and 13-14mm wider so there was excess plastic which had no where to go except bulge. I was pretty gutted as the only way to fold the roof down was to do it manually while carefully flattening the excess as it folded. I assumed all aftermarket screens would be the same especially being from Germany. I contacted art design and via PayPal resolution got a full refund. I'm kinda stuck now until I eventually replace the entire roof as un-gluing isn't an option. Makes me annoyed when I look at the car and puts me off driving it now. Lesson learned.

 

[Shelly]

 

[ViperKen]

Hi from the North East. Just fitted one of these windows two weeks ago,
Checked the new window against the old one before fitting, it was exactly the same size.
However, I did struggle to get it zipped in, got to the point where the zipper would not move,finally sorted it by lubricating the zip teeth and compressing the zipper body.
Only problem I have is when lowering the hood the window will sometimes 'kink' and I have to stop and manually fold the plastic.

 

[Ianmc]

Do you know the price of an OEM one?

 

[Gareth Jones]

Do you know the price of an OEM one?

Did you get your screen from Art design Munster? A genuine OEM screen will set you back around £250.

 

[Ianmc]

A genuine OEM screen will set you back around £250.

And will fit properly and last another 20 years

 

[Gareth Jones]

And will fit properly and last another 20 years

Yeah lesson learned. Do it cheap do it twice.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi from the North East. Just fitted one of these windows two weeks ago,
Checked the new window against the old one before fitting, it was exactly the same size.
However, I did struggle to get it zipped in, got to the point where the zipper would not move,finally sorted it by lubricating the zip teeth and compressing the zipper body.
Only problem I have is when lowering the hood the window will sometimes 'kink' and I have to stop and manually fold the plastic.

I think the kinking in the window is just because it is new and the plastic is not used to contorting into the folded position my wife's zed had a relatively new rear window when we bought it and used to do the same thing ( still does sometimes) once the roof has been in the open position for a bit a few times the rear window is a lot more happy to settle into the correct open position itself.

Stephen.

 

[ViperKen]

I think the kinking in the window is just because it is new and the plastic is not used to contorting into the folded position my wife's zed had a relatively new rear window when we bought it and used to do the same thing ( still does sometimes) once the roof has been in the open position for a bit a few times the rear window is a lot more happy to settle into the correct open position itself.

Stephen.

Hi Steve, Everytime the sun's out and the window warms up I have been opening the roof and letting the window sit in the sun, hoping the plastic adopts this folded position, good to know I'm not the only one that has this problem, and yes the window came from the same supplier.

 

[Stevo7682]

This is Lynne's roof as it currently sits ( Picture taken 2 minutes ago)

When I bought it the window had been replaced but what had happened at some point after fitting the band of stitching that goes round the window ( its what holds the roof side half of the zip to the roof) had split open both sides

Don't know how long it had sat outside like this but was well waterlogged inside I have stitched it all back together but still let's in water slightly both sides ( but roof also porous in places ) so unfortunately unless weather is good lives with a roof cover on permanently ( which especially over winter is not good for the paintwork on the top edge of doors and quarters) so end result is I will have to make the journey south from Scotland to Jack Smith in Swansea to get new roof.
As after much searching still cheaper to drive there get hotel get roof fitted and drive back than get one done up here.
Stephen.

 

[Mint]

Hi @Gareth Jones, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. I find a rolled up towel helps the window fold correctly, it does make it a bit of a faff when putting the roof down though.

 

[gookah]

I had one of their screens and ended up with a refund from PayPal

This is the "Art Munster Design' aftermarket screen I fitted, after a few months of use.

the creases in the black surround were from it folding, and they never came out.

The screen itself developed a cloudy haze that was in the plastic not just a coating that would polish out.
I almost wrecked the roof zip trying to get it to start, as there was next to no lead in on the window zip. The roof part of the zip just about lasted for the final attempt.
Never again, and AMD not interested in the slightest. PayPal refunded.
For me, it would have to be a BMW window in future, but when you compare the prices, then a new roof is always the way forward. at just over £300 from Jack Smith.

If you regularly have the roof down especially in the colder months, and want one that lasts, then I would avoid AMD like the plague (virus).

Too late for you, but I have posted that quite a few times before on here.

 

[Clockwatcher]

Has anyone recently used Art-Design-Munster? I ordered a rear screen and not had any delivery after nearly a month. I should have read this thread!

 

[Duncodin]

I had an art design window and first time in it just didn't sit right. Noticed that I hadn't lined the zip up correctly. Has to be dead center. Just one click out and it sits wrong. Unizipped it, lined up the start and it zipped up perfectly. Had it maybe 8 years or so and it's still clear.

I could never get the fabric flap to stay under the plastic trim though and reluctant to glue it.