Getting a Hardtop for the MZ3

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 01:26 AM

Why would you want a hardtop in LA? Well, I did. And given the Z3 series is going out of production, I thought now was a good time to make the purchase.

While I toyed with getting a non-silver hardtop to go with my silver M Roadster, I went the safe route and got a matching top.

First, it looks better in person than in any of the photos that I've see. From the front or front quarter, especially from slightly above, the car takes on a "silver bullet" look. There are lots of photos around with a rear quarter shot -- that's its least photogenic angle. Leaving the dealer, and driving home, I got a lot of "what is that" looks (hopefully not of the "why is this idiot driving a vert with a hardtop in this town in the summer" kind of looks). I'm pleased with the look -- kinda felt like having a second, different M Roadster.

Now the process:
1. The dealer had not done a lot of these before.... it's Southern California after all.
2. They gave me a good discount off list (list was $2195, $1950 new w/o tax, cheaper than shipping from a S Carolina dealer at $1850).
3. The parts included in the basic package were:
(a) the hardtop,
(b) all the mounting hardware, and
(c) a storage cover for the hardtop.

The rear defroster switch (which mounts on the rear center console) is NOT in the package -- make sure they order that for you (about $25).

BMW just happened to have my color in stock at their Ontario, California, distribution center, so I only had to wait a couple business days for delivery.

The dealer was busy, so the 1 day time estimate for installing the mounting kit took 2 days. The BMW instructions say 1.5 hours install. I did not want them to rush it, given they install so few in SoCal, so I was giving my "quality work takes time" speech -- and since they had committed to a fixed installation fee. It took them at least twice what BMW estimated for the install time (especially if you count supervision time), but they stuck with their estimate for my fee. The next person who wants one installed... should expect to pay a little more (they were saying twice the time yesterday, but I bet they might go lower). Now they know how to do this, so you should be able to get a parts discount and a decent install price from at least one LA dealer (they liked how it looked, too -- my salesman was asking for the digital photo).

I did get the Z3 Solutions hoist -- and I have not tried taking the top off yet. <i>Any hints from the experts on this process?</i>

The owners and BMW tech instructions are attached as a PDF image file inside a zip file (someone was asking for these).

I'll post a photo later....

-------------------
PS: Courtesy of a fellow Z3 fan, I have gotten a copy of the key "First Fitting" document for the hardtop initial install. It's 380k in size, so I can't upload it under the current rules.
PPS: First fiting instructions are in thread http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114608 at post http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr...20#post1700720

PPPS (2007 June 28): The Zip file attachment seems to have disappeared, perhaps because zip files are no longer allowed, and the PDF is too big. You can now find the "Substructure Install Instructions" at http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthr...96#post2473796 -- these need to be used together with the First Fitting instructions at the link above.

**///MTV** · 08-02-2002, 06:37 AM

Congrats!

That was a great idea with production having ended. The hardtop looks really nice on the roadsters....like the old style, pre-1987 SL from Mercedes..

**SilverStreak** · 08-02-2002, 08:17 AM

Great info, thanks! I have toyed with the idea myself, mostly hoping to snooker the track officials into thinking it's a hardtop, but even so, when you run 11's in a coupe, you still need a 4 point cage...

But I do like the way the hardtop looks installed!

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 09:58 AM

Tommy, I got started admiring roadsters in the 1960's -- and liked the MB 230 SL's alternative softop / hardtop. So the very-pre-1987 SL's were part of my original interest. Now I've got a better alternative!

Dave, on track officials, they know this top is fiberGLASS. For one approach to this problem, see the Soapbox at http://216.101.133.200/tbz3page/ and the approach to 4 point under Info/Photos (this looks like it requires buying an extra trunk lid, which ought to be easy to find for a silver Z3 roadster especially as time goes on).

**Dark Helmet** · 08-02-2002, 09:59 AM

the hardtop rules, definitely worth it. it made my car a 10-month car in stead of an 8-month car.

**Rachel** · 08-02-2002, 10:08 AM

:

:

Hey- does this board archive the threads? Can I just make a link to this thread on Emmy's Fixit Page and it will still be here in years?

TIA and thanks again!

**SilverStreak** · 08-02-2002, 10:10 AM

HMS makes a 4 point cage that fits right into the stock roll hoops openings, I'm just not convinced I like the look of it overall yet...

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 10:21 AM

Tom, in his Soapbox at http://216.101.133.200/tbz3page/ ,comments on the HMS bar.

**Dark Helmet** · 08-02-2002, 10:33 AM

rachel... go ahead and link it, you should be OK... until the next server crash

(j/k)

**Rachel** · 08-02-2002, 10:51 AM

I love to hear about the old SLs...

my other car, my other roadster... is a 1972 Mercedes 350 SL... pre- pollution controls, V8, chrome...

But.. she has been in the body shop for longer than I have had my "beater" Z3....

Thanks, will post to Emmy's page

**Dark Helmet** · 08-02-2002, 11:00 AM

yes.... I found a '67 230SL that I COULD afford to BUY... but alas, the house is gonna need paint, a retaining wall..... oi.

anywho, nice SL silvy!

**Rachel** · 08-02-2002, 11:12 AM

I take it as a compliment you confused me with Silvy... both of us Z3 driving Roadstergals... and Silvy rocks- as you already know...

This is me and Silvy at the '00 Malibu German Roadster Rebellion

Silvy's on the left, I'm on the right, Silvy drives a white M Roadster, I drive a Boston Green 2.8

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 04:03 PM

The more photogenic angle --

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 04:05 PM

From the rear quarter

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 04:09 PM

Detail of rear fit (note slight overlap of top vs body):

**///MINI** · 08-02-2002, 04:21 PM

Do you happen to have a straight side shot? Nice looking bullet!

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 04:35 PM

The side view...

**///MINI** · 08-02-2002, 04:52 PM

That looks very good, especially since the autmn and winter months are fastly approaching. I wonder...

DAMN YOU!!!!

**Dark Helmet** · 08-02-2002, 05:03 PM

hmmmm, maybe I DO want another roadster..... ????

dave... you might look into this so I don't go runnin' for a coupe...

**phrider** · 08-02-2002, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by ///M Roadster
That looks very good, especially since the autmn and winter months are fastly approaching. I wonder...

Well, you do live in NoVA, and isn't it August? Congress is leaving town, and it isn't just to see their home towns. It is to escape that awful DC August weather: hazy, hot, humid, and bug infested (I'm itching just to think). You aren't gonna have your top down day or night this month, are you?

And that devil is the heat, not my spending influence.

In the autumn, however, I could see switching back to the vert top.

Then there's winter. But, who knows? BMW may be out of inventory by then.....

**Rook** · 08-02-2002, 10:18 PM

It looks great! How heavy is it? and is it possible to remove the softtop if you plan on driving the car like that for a few months? I still want to pick up a 1.9 Z3 sometime after the M Coupe, and being in Seattle it would almost be necessary to get a hardtop

**phrider** · 08-03-2002, 01:05 AM

The hardtop weighs about 60 pounds. The ragtop stays in place (you do not want to mess with the weather seals if they work).

Question for hardtop owners: <i> Do you cover the ragtop in any way when you have the hardtop on? </i>

**///MINI** · 08-03-2002, 01:36 AM

What is a reasonable amount to pay for such a hardtop...not that I am even contemplating such a purchase?

Just curious.

**TurboMcoupe** · 08-03-2002, 03:34 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1847606265

I already got me a hard top.

**///MINI** · 08-03-2002, 09:29 AM

Where's the Vegas porno guy with the black M Roadster and hardtop?

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Getting a Hardtop for the MZ3

Thanks phrider! Q for bimmerforums

Cool, and about old Benz SLs...

Me and Silvy...

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Custom photo just for you

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