Just became the proud owner of a Z3 and wanted to say Hi to everyone

[Sally]

Hi
After many years of yearning for a sports car again, I recently bought myself a rather nice Z3 for my birthday. I had a health check done prior to the purchase but the owner would not allow my mechanics much time so they didn't get chance to test the roof. I was assured by the owner that the soft top was sound and never leaked - first time it rained I had an impressive swimming pool in the boot - not an additional birthday gift I particularly wanted. Has anyone used or had experience of the following

Soft-Tops The Car Hood Specialists
I found these on eBay after doing an Internet search. They are in Surrey and as I live in Warwickshire I would prefer to check them out before driving that distance. Alternatively can anyone recommend a good place for a replacement new soft top nearer to home.

I really enjoy my Z3 and love driving it but I have now become an avid follower of the weather forecast to avoid refilling the swimming pool!
On the plus side - my dog loves going in the car with the roof down

 

[t-tony]

Hi Sally and welcome to the forum. The soft tops sadly do have a life span but to leak into the car is more likely to be another fault. Either the stitching/seal around the rear "window" or the seal on the rail around the rear bulkhead. Another possibility is the seal at the top of the "A" pillars. The actual material of the roof is not likely to be the culprit.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome Sally!

What year is your Z3, and are you sure the water is coming through the hood? Early models had issues with the third brake light seals perishing and leaking water through in to the boot. Just something extra to consider

Otherwise enjoy your Zed and happy birthday!

Gary

 

[Mrs Mint]

Welcome to the forum Sally from Staffordshire

 

[Rha]

Welcome Sally from me in Hertfordshire, shame your birthday present has a problem, don't be put off, you've chosen a good sports car in the Z. Rha, Roy.

 

[g8jka]

Welcome, is it soft tops in Croydon? If so I can highly recommended him, my dad and myself both went down and had our zeds done on the same day. Took him about 5 hours to do both and his work is second to non and the price is far lower than most others advertised. Definitely worth the drive down there. Have a look at my journal for some pics.

 

[Brian H]

Hi Sally and welcome,

first time it rained I had an impressive swimming pool in the boot

As Gary has previously mentioned this to me would indicate a faulty seal around the brake light situated in the boot lid, you can still get new ones for a few pounds.

Have fun with your new car.

 

[billz]

Hi Sally and welcome from Nottingham

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome to the forum
From Bradwell near Great Yarmouth

 

[Low Rider]

Hi and welcome to the group. From Sunny Redditch

 

[Brian4]

Hi and welcome from over the border in Leicestershire. As others have said leaks are from door seals , window seals, front heater area and roof fixing to body at the rear.

There is a very good soft top specialist in Coventry who replaced my and a few others rear window so worth contacting Tony or dropping by if close for you.

http://www.softtops.org.uk

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello Sally, welcome from Truro

 

[Grumps]

Hi from me and @jue1 in Mansfield

 

[Gizmozed]

Welcome aboard Sally, lots of nice folks on here - enjoy your Zed

 

[ZTec]

Hi Sally and from Llantwit Major near Cardiff

 

[Sally]

Welcome Sally!

What year is your Z3, and are you sure the water is coming through the hood? Early models had issues with the third brake light seals perishing and leaking water through in to the boot. Just something extra to consider

Otherwise enjoy your Zed and happy birthday!

Gary

My z3 is a 1997. The stitching around the rear window has rotted and the fabric has rotted along the sides near the door where the wire runs through. The leaking into the boot is because of the stitching so I arrived at the conclusion I need a new roof hence my question

 

[Gail]

Hi and welcome. I can't help with Z3 problems but I am also in Warwickshire.

 

[Mint]

Hi @Sally , to the forum from me too in Staffordshire. If the water is in the boot, as others have said, my money would be on the brake light seal in the boot lid. Hope you get it fixed soon.

 

[GazHyde]

My z3 is a 1997. The stitching around the rear window has rotted and the fabric has rotted along the sides near the door where the wire runs through. The leaking into the boot is because of the stitching so I arrived at the conclusion I need a new roof hence my question

Thanks for the extra info. We just want to make sure that it is the correct decision, as Z3's leak in many places

Personally I would still check the 3rd brake light gasket in addition, as yours is the right year range to suffer from it being perished (https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-3rd-brake-light-gasket-replacement.69/)

 

[g8jka]

As people say above, just double check the brake light but as your roof sounds a little worn and you want to replace it anyway here is the post from my journal about the roof I had fitted from soft tops in Croydon.

Its coming up to 3 years since I brought the zed and the roof on it was always a little tatty and had started to wear quite badly in a couple of places below the rear window. I replaced the rear screen last year after it split and I had dyed it a while ago and it was started to fade again, so now was the time to replace it.

I didn't really want black as I wanted a change and after ruling out red as they were too expensive I ending up going for a blue one from soft-tops in Croydon. I have to say his work is fantastic and at £350 fully fitted you cannot go wrong. The guy (Steve) did both my dads and mine by himself in just 5 hours.

The blue roof looks great on the silver and I am so pleased with it, now I think I'm going to drive around with the roof up more than down

Anyway, some pics