Hardtop or Hibernation

GZed

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 28, 2018
Points
95
Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 Prefacelift
I am going to drive down the A49 from wet Wigan to Abergavenny
Put the hard top on
Then head towards Aberystwyth find a nice hotel/B&B for me and the wife then home the next day via Ffestiniog.
Know all those roads, that’s a great road trip. Can be fairly clogged up with traffic these days, so if it is just enjoy the scenery. If it isn’t-enjoy the bends
 

bronty

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Points
53
Location
Ashton in Makerfield
Model of Z
2.8 auto pre facelift
I am looking forward to the road trip as much as getting the hardtop
I love going to Wales
My mum was from Welsh stock so some nice memories
 

as400

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Points
108
Location
Arundel(ish)
Model of Z
2.8 Widebody
@as400
The wife has bought it now at least I get something for xmas I like
If I don't like it I can always sell it on but thanks for your advice
No worries.

She'll have fun wrapping it!:D
 

Fender2004

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Points
105
Location
Durham
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
I wouldn’t buy the hard top, and put that money towards a garage which would be much more useful, as in doing repairs etc.
 

bronty

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Points
53
Location
Ashton in Makerfield
Model of Z
2.8 auto pre facelift
I wouldn’t buy the hard top, and put that money towards a garage which would be much more useful, as in doing repairs etc.
I already have 1 large garage full of useful stuff that I never use and never will until I get rid of it
My other car also lives in there also a hot tub summerhouse shed thing(I want to get rid of the hot tub but wife still like it)
I will build a car port on the side of the house that will turn into a garage before next winter

Back on to the hard top
I have spoken to the seller today and arranged to drive down and put the hard top on Friday afternoon
The fitting kit will arrive on Wednesday so I will fit that on Thursday
Ordered the wiring adapter the car already has the heated window switch fitted but had hart attack when I saw for the price of the 2 plastic cover so they will be ordered at a later date.
I have made a slight mistake
My car is a July 1997 2.8 Arktissilber metal 309/7 or artic grey and the hard top is Titanium silver 354
So the roof is going to be a lighter grey!
I hope it suits the car as Don't need any constructive ( sarcastic )comments from the wife to put a damper on the evening.
I have booked a lovely 4 star hotel(non refundable) and meal Lampeter with late check out followed by a nice road trip home on Saturday.
Fingers crossed it will work out ok
 

bronty

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Points
53
Location
Ashton in Makerfield
Model of Z
2.8 auto pre facelift
My brackets arrived from Fleabay
I thought they where OEM but only the mount was
I was very disappointed with the quality off the brackets I had to do some filing to make them fit
They would have gone back had I not already booked the hotel and arrange to pick up the hardtop on Friday
Now I am on hot bricks if they line up with the new hardtop
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Pontrhydyrun
Model of Z
Z3 M44
My brackets arrived from Fleabay
I thought they where OEM but only the mount was
I was very disappointed with the quality off the brackets I had to do some filing to make them fit
They would have gone back had I not already booked the hotel and arrange to pick up the hardtop on Friday
Now I am on hot bricks if they line up with the new hardtop
Any chance of a photo?

Edit: Sorry. Didn't see the ebay link with pics. Now I see it.

Don't expect the roof to just drop on and fit first time. It'll likely need some adjusting. There's a few guides around so I'd suggest you get one of those and have a look at it so you know what to expect.
 
Last edited:

GZed

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 28, 2018
Points
95
Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 Prefacelift
My brackets arrived from Fleabay
I thought they where OEM but only the mount was
I was very disappointed with the quality off the brackets I had to do some filing to make them fit
They would have gone back had I not already booked the hotel and arrange to pick up the hardtop on Friday
Now I am on hot bricks if they line up with the new hardtop
There are two manuals that might help. One is for installing the fitting kit then the other is for the first fitting of the hardtop

I’ve got them both in pdf but don’t know how to attach them here.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Pontrhydyrun
Model of Z
Z3 M44
The OEM kit only has the 'tabs' for the electric/heated screen on one side (Left). Won't make any difference though once the covers are on.
 

bronty

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Points
53
Location
Ashton in Makerfield
Model of Z
2.8 auto pre facelift
hard top... perfect for the winter months, ours is on now,
That look gorgeous

I drove down from wigan a nice drive traffic not to bad
The roof took a bit off adjustment on the mounting brackets but the guy had two Zeds so he was a great help
We arrived at our hotel safe and well
IMG_4570.jpg

Time to relax and have a glass of wine or two with dinner
 

Jam03

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Points
136
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
2.2i
That look gorgeous

I drove down from wigan a nice drive traffic not to bad
The roof took a bit off adjustment on the mounting brackets but the guy had two Zeds so he was a great help
We arrived at our hotel safe and well
View attachment 318599
Time to relax and have a glass of wine or two with dinner
Enjoy the rest of your trip. Looks good!
 

Mint

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Points
222
Location
Stafford
Model of Z
2.2 & 3.0 Sport
That look gorgeous

I drove down from wigan a nice drive traffic not to bad
The roof took a bit off adjustment on the mounting brackets but the guy had two Zeds so he was a great help
We arrived at our hotel safe and well
View attachment 318599
Time to relax and have a glass of wine or two with dinner
Looking good, enjoy your wine and trip home:thumbsup:
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Pontrhydyrun
Model of Z
Z3 M44
That look gorgeous

I drove down from wigan a nice drive traffic not to bad
The roof took a bit off adjustment on the mounting brackets but the guy had two Zeds so he was a great help
We arrived at our hotel safe and well
View attachment 318599
Time to relax and have a glass of wine or two with dinner
Oh Yeah. Looks great. Totally different driving experience isn't it? Real quiet in the cabin even at autobahn speed. Radio on quietly, missus nagging in my ear telling me to slow down and ... er . .... anyone want to buy my hardtop? No. Only joking.

Oh. Nearly forgot to ask. What's the colour match like? IIRC you said you'd bought a different shade of grey?
 

bronty

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Points
53
Location
Ashton in Makerfield
Model of Z
2.8 auto pre facelift
Just got back
Had a great drive back apart from the 20mph
I must say the welsh road are better maintained then the English counter parts

Oh. Nearly forgot to ask. What's the colour match like? IIRC you said you'd bought a different shade of grey?
It is a good match
The wife did not even notice
These are better pictures in morning sunlight
IMG_4575.jpg


IMG_4576.jpg
 

Jam03

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Points
136
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
2.2i
Just got back
Had a great drive back apart from the 20mph
I must say the welsh road are better maintained then the English counter parts


It is a good match
The wife did not even notice
These are better pictures in morning sunlight
View attachment 318693

View attachment 318695
I like a Welsh road. They seem to mostly be very much nicer than my local roads.
 
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