Unpleasant surprise

[eluther3z3]

Look what I found in the back window yesterday.

Does this mean I need to replace the top, or can I repair the windo separately?

[DeepZ3]

Only thing you can do is patch it up with some silicone type substance or even tape, other than that you're going to
have to replace the plastic window. It does have a zipper track on the inside seams so you won't have to replace the whole top.

[z3540i]

Only thing you can do is patch it up with some silicone type substance or even tape, other than that you're going to
have to replace the plastic window. It does have a zipper track on the inside seams so you won't have to replace the whole top.

It may have a zipper...some do some don't...mine doesn't have a zipper. If yours doesn't have a zipper, an upholstery shop can sew you in a new plastic window rather cheap.

As for fixing it now temporarily....they have plastic/vinyl repair kits at local auto parts stores to keeping fromleaking...not pretty tho

Also you could duck tape it

[E37]

Looks like someone KO'ed your rear window.

[boncovi]

I drove my Z3 with shiny silver plumbing tape across the rear window for a year. (cracked while putting the top down)

[dimm6]

Clear masking tape will cover it up nice and won't be as noticeable. My hand went through mine years ago while wiping some snow off of it. It was so cold that the plastics became prett brittle.

[eluther3z3]

That's probably what caused it. It's been pretty cold here lately, so the plastic probably got brittle.

Oh well, maybe it's time to put the hardtop on.

[z3540i]

Oh well, maybe it's time to put the hardtop on.

Awe man....i wanna hard top :/

Way to rub it in!

[Mr Bingley]

No big deal--put on the hard top and replace the window when it gets warm. They all came with zip in windows from the factory, aftermarket replacement tops have the window sewn in. Search the forum for "rear window" and you'll come across some good threads on what to buy and how to do it. It is a definite DIY project.

[SNR727]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1317095

I think we all go through rear windows.

My favorite rear window story was when I was in New Hampshire back in like, 2006, it was December, and it was freezing out. I didn't think anything of it when I jumped in the car and put the top down. It was the manual kind- I just jumped in, popped the latches and threw the top back.

BOOM!

Frozen plastic window explosion.

My 2nd window was just last year when some overzealous folks at the hand car wash in Waco pushed it out. Forum member BigUgly from the Houston area came down and zipped in a brand new window in about half an hour. It was epic.

I'm positive it would have taken me all day.

-dan

[z3540i]

Guess mine must be aftermarket them bc i have no zippers.... Guess i could have seen that coming as i have a power top switch and motor in my trunk but a manual top

[lokijibber]

Guess mine must be aftermarket them bc i have no zippers.... Guess i could have seen that coming as i have a power top switch and motor in my trunk but a manual top

That also means someone has disconnected your power top mechanism. If repaired, you'd no longer need to go through the trouble of reaching your arm back

Zipping in a new window will take ~1hr the first time, and considerably less after that. I think the last one I did took less than 15 mins.