Hardtop parts advice

[Malcolm]

Hi everyone,
Iam getting ready to list my hardtop for sale and need some advice.
It’s off 1999 pre facelift with electric power hood and providing its going to pose no major issues I will include heated switch with loom.
Would removal be straightforward and not interfere with other electrical circuits etc,any advice would be greatly appreciated for removing it.
Also the trim on top of fixing kit that’s held with 2.5mm Allen bolts,is it worth holding on to them for appearance sake as wondering how things look once kit is removed.
Thanks in advance,
Malcolm.

 

[Stevo7682]

You are looking to be selling the top
2x brackets
2x covers
6x bolts
1 x switch
You dont need the switch loom zeds have a central loom so switch wiring should be there.


Stephen.

 

[Malcolm]

You are looking to be selling the top
2x brackets
2x covers
6x bolts
1 x switch
You dont need the switch loom zeds have s central loom so switch wiring should be there.

Stephen.

Hi Stephen,
The covers are they the plastic ones I refer too that attach to the brackets also,
the switch,is it ok just to pull the connector off the switch and insulate with tape?
Sorry but just like to do things right and be genuine.
Many thanks again
Malcolm

 

[Stevo7682]

Pretty much yes and yes to all that.
If you are going to make the car original looking again there is 3 things you will need first you will need to get a blank for the heated rear window switch hole and you will need the 2 infill foam bits that fill the hole created by the removal of the hardtop brackets.

As the majority of Z3 didn't have a hardtop these bits should be relatively easy to aquire from one of our breakers like @spurs fan in a coupe .
Stephen.

 

[Malcolm]

Pretty much yes and yes to all that.
If you are going to make the car original looking again there is 3 things you will need first you will need to get a blank for the heated rear window switch hole and you will need the 2 infill foam bits that fill the hole created by the removal of the hardtop brackets.

As the majority of Z3 didn't have a hardtop these bits should be relatively easy to aquire from one of our breakers like @spurs fan in a coupe .
Stephen.

Pretty much yes and yes to all that.
If you are going to make the car original looking again there is 3 things you will need first you will need to get a blank for the heated rear window switch hole and you will need the 2 infill foam bits that fill the hole created by the removal of the hardtop brackets.

As the majority of Z3 didn't have a hardtop these bits should be relatively easy to aquire from one of our breakers like @spurs fan in a coupe .
Stephen.

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for answering all my questions and sharing your knowledge.
Best regards,
Malcolm.

 

[Stevo7682]

Happy to help as are many on here.
Stephen.

 

[bertiejaffa]

There is a little loom on the passenger side bracket that fits into the electric hard top circuit. That is required for power to the switch. You will need to disconnect it at the 2 ends remove the loom and then reconnect the remaining 2 ends back together to make the roof work again. Also, I cant remember if the Green relay is required on the pre-factlift cars. But will look at my old notes. EDIT - Only required for facelift as below

Updated:

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 M Hardtop parts

www.realoem.com

2 brackets (must have part number 4)
2 Torx screws (must have - but could be bought from B&Q - part 2&3)
4 short bolts (must have but can be bought from B&Q - part 6)
Orange handle Torx driver (can use a socket set and TORX head if needed)
Wiring loom (must have for rear demist but can be bought from BMW)
Little plastic connector for wires to connect to rear demist (Ebay or BMW - Part 5)
Rear Demist button (round edged one for facelift cars - Ebay)
Unloader relay (for redemist on facelift cars - Ebay) http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28521
2 x Covering trim (rare as hens teetch but can be bought from BMW - part 25)
2 x Covering trim Tabs (rae as hens teeth but can be bought from BMW - part 35)
Patience to find the 2 ends of the loom on the car depending if you have manual or electric soft top

The wiring loom: https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22401


See this link too

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33759

 

[Malcolm]

There is a little loom on the passenger side bracket that fits into the electric hard top circuit. That is required for power to the switch. You will need to disconnect it at the 2 ends remove the loom and then reconnect the remaining 2 ends back together to make the roof work again. Also, I cant remember if the Green relay is required on the pre-factlift cars. But will look at my old notes. EDIT - Only required for facelift as below

Updated:

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 M Hardtop parts

www.realoem.com

2 brackets (must have part number 4)
2 Torx screws (must have - but could be bought from B&Q - part 2&3)
4 short bolts (must have but can be bought from B&Q - part 6)
Orange handle Torx driver (can use a socket set and TORX head if needed)
Wiring loom (must have for rear demist but can be bought from BMW)
Little plastic connector for wires to connect to rear demist (Ebay or BMW - Part 5)
Rear Demist button (round edged one for facelift cars - Ebay)
Unloader relay (for redemist on facelift cars - Ebay) http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28521
2 x Covering trim (rare as hens teetch but can be bought from BMW - part 25)
2 x Covering trim Tabs (rae as hens teeth but can be bought from BMW - part 35)
Patience to find the 2 ends of the loom on the car depending if you have manual or electric soft top

The wiring loom: https://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22401


See this link too

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33759

Hi Bertiejaffa,
Sounds interesting regarding removing demister switch,I thought it was just a case of simply removing it and hopefully electric hood would still work.
I’ll see how I get on with it,may end up staying on car.
The parts list is excellent and noticed eye watering BMW price for the support bracket trims,probably why they are as common as hens dentures.
Thanks again
Malcolm.

 

[Malcolm]

Update
Demister switch removed and unplugged.
No further wiring required and electric hood working fine.
Thanks again Stephen and BJ.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Pretty much yes and yes to all that.
If you are going to make the car original looking again there is 3 things you will need first you will need to get a blank for the heated rear window switch hole and you will need the 2 infill foam bits that fill the hole created by the removal of the hardtop brackets.

As the majority of Z3 didn't have a hardtop these bits should be relatively easy to aquire from one of our breakers like @spurs fan in a coupe .
Stephen.

Thanks, yes have all parts to hide the removal of a hardtop fitting kit

 

[Malcolm]

Been trying to find pictures of these parts and how they look in situ,ie on car without hardtop fixing kit.
Will not need parts until impending sale of hardtop,advertising
Thanks

 

[bertiejaffa]

Hi Bertiejaffa,
Sounds interesting regarding removing demister switch,I thought it was just a case of simply removing it and hopefully electric hood would still work.
I’ll see how I get on with it,may end up staying on car.
The parts list is excellent and noticed eye watering BMW price for the support bracket trims,probably why they are as common as hens dentures.
Thanks again
Malcolm.

Hi Malcolm

Just to confirm - removing the switch is not an issue - it just unclips from the connector which remains under the center console. The loom that I meantion is up on the bracket at the passenger side.

From factory, obviously the fitting kit is not there and the soft top wiring is hidden under the trim. The wiring for the soft top motor is split into 2 parts with a male and female connector joining them. When you add the fitting kit, you split these connectors and insert the small loom in the middle. This retains the operation of the soft top motor whilst also putting power to the rear demist. The power to the demist comes from the button (obviously) and to the hardtop window via that small connector (part 5)

 

[Malcolm]

Hi Malcolm

Just to confirm - removing the switch is not an issue - it just unclips from the connector which remains under the center console. The loom that I meantion is up on the bracket at the passenger side.

From factory, obviously the fitting kit is not there and the soft top wiring is hidden under the trim. The wiring for the soft top motor is split into 2 parts with a male and female connector joining them. When you add the fitting kit, you split these connectors and insert the small loom in the middle. This retains the operation of the soft top motor whilst also putting power to the rear demist. The power to the demist comes from the button (obviously) and to the hardtop window via that small connector (part 5)

View attachment 344219

View attachment 344221

Thanks for this,I’ll have a closer look and hopefully will make sense,may come back to make sure I reconnect correctly but until a sale happens I’ll retain brackets on car.