Hardtop

[Zeti]

And I was expecting an Indian Summer..........
Seems that you have to change your avatar , back in "the first day of winter"?
You will use the hardtop earlier than expected!

 

[oldcarman]

And I was expecting an Indian Summer..........
Seems that you have to change your avatar , back in "the first day of winter"?
You will use the hardtop earlier than expected!

Time to get HT onto a new avatar for sure! This is way too early for me! Don't NEED the hardtop yet and I could just let the snow blow out the hole where my back window used to live until I get a new top on. Still trying to figure the fitting hardware for the hardtop so I can clamp it down.

 

[oldcarman]

Hi Zeti, I guess you already know about the snow today in and around Calgary! I may be leaving this weekend for Cochrane which is about twenty miles west to stay with my Mom while my sister and hubbie take a break. Not looking forward to the white stuff at all. Told sis it had best be gone or forget it. lol. JIM

 

[oldcarman]

Update. Someone put the guide pins from the soft top into the hardtop. So now I have somewhere to anchor the front. Took the rears out and the PO had used short pieces of metal to hold the fittings in which turns out to be why nothing went back together. Don't know how they managed to latch the top down but at least I'm making progress. I remember reading somewhere about the thickness of the pads used to gauge the rear of the top to the body. Anyone have any idea what it is if I can't find the BMW items. Or is it trial and error?? JIM

 

[Griswald]

Yes but fitting kits are different for the BMW and the Wiesmann hardtops.

Does anyone know the difference between a Wisemann hardtop and a OEM hardtop? I bought a hardtop not realizing there were Wisemann models out there. I think the BMW OEM top is more curved on the sides and the Wisemann has more of a straight design on the sides? I wonder if this is a true difference? I want to buy the hardware, but I want to be smart and not buy the wrong fitting hardware. Thanks to anyone that can answer!!

 

[hard top]

Wiesmann Hardtop

BMW Hardtop

Hamann Hardtop (Rare as rocking horse poo)

 

[oldcarman]

Are there no labels attached to the rear lip?, chances are pretty good you have a BMW TOP as Weismann's are not that common.

 

[Griswald]

Are there no labels attached to the rear lip?, chances are pretty good you have a BMW TOP as Weismann's are not that common.

No, I could not find one label. I have seen serial number stickers on the back end of others. I am guessing the previous owner pulled it off for some reason. After looking at the pictures, I feel that I have BMW top. Thanks !!

 

[DavidM]

Update. Someone put the guide pins from the soft top into the hardtop. So now I have somewhere to anchor the front. Took the rears out and the PO had used short pieces of metal to hold the fittings in which turns out to be why nothing went back together. Don't know how they managed to latch the top down but at least I'm making progress. I remember reading somewhere about the thickness of the pads used to gauge the rear of the top to the body. Anyone have any idea what it is if I can't find the BMW items. Or is it trial and error?? JIM

Jim,

I am currently preping my car for a hardtop. I noted from BMW fitting instructions that the mounting gauge is 6.2mm thick and a further 0.2 mm (6.4 mm in total) is set with a feeler gauge between top of mounting gauge and hardtop in the locked position. These are the guidelines I will be using - I hope they are correct.

David.

 

[Griswald]

Hello,
Is there only one size fits all for the Z3 hardtop for 1996-2002 models?

Hello,
I realize that BMW and Wisemann require different hardware. I have recently read an article stating that the hardware for a 1996 z3 is different than years 1997-2002. Could there be any truth to this? I have a BMW probably off a newer Z3 because it is titanium silver and I think that color was for 1998-2002. My car is Artic Silver which was the silver color for the older models.
Thanks for any help especially on the 1996 hardware difference.

 

[Griswald]

Does a 1996 Z3 require a special hardware kit vs the 1997-2002 models? I have a BMW hardtop, not a Wisemann.

 

[oldcarman]

As long as you have the BMW install kit you should be able to install it on a 96 model judging from all I've read. Only Weismann hardware will work with a Weismann top. Perhaps HT can verify what the differences are as he has an original Weismann to the best of my knowledge. I have pretty much figured out what was done wrong with my install kit and just need to acquire the two front bolts in order to make the rear adjustments. Unfortunately I'm away from the car and home for two weeks so it has to wait. Hopefully it won't snow at home in the meantime. JIM