Cost of soft top replacement -Chicago

[chronopete]

I'm looking to take my roadster to a professional to replace the soft top. How much $$$ is reasonable for the whole job? Can anyone share what they have paid?

Also, any recommendation for a shop in Chicago area?

Thanks

[Vintage42]

I'm looking to take my roadster to a professional to replace the soft top. How much $$$ is reasonable for the whole job? Can anyone share what they have paid? Also, any recommendation for a shop in Chicago area?...

I had my top replaced by a small professional auto upholstery shop. They supplied the top, which is usual, and preferred GAHH, which is one of the good suppliers. They were the only shop I could find on short notice, though later I found a BMW indy shop that could have done it. My shop was apparently familiar with the job (sealing ring type top used on Miatas and Z3s) and their man did it in from 8 AM to 4 PM with a helper part of the time. They charged $500 for the top, which is a little high, and $1,000 for the labor, which is usually around $700.

Quality Twillfast material tops are supplied by these vendors:
http://www.autotopsdirect.com/1996-2...04-e37-005.htm
https://www.topsonline.com/model/Con...E37_Body).html
https://www.germanautotops.com/bmw/b...plastic-window
https://www.gahh.com
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/
Consider new bow straps, and the features of rear quarter relief pockets (thru vents), and rain guards (against drips when opening door).

For a Chicago shop, you could start by calling this indy and asking who they would use:
http://www.thewerkshop.com
When you find a shop, ask if they routinely do Z3s or at least sealing ring type tops. I think some Z3s have begun their decline when the top was replaced. Sealing rings can break on removal and get reused rather than ordered new, or not all the butyl tape is removed and replaced but is patched or overlaid, or a bolt or debris can be dropped into a drain hole. Once a car has a wet floor, it can take a long time to run down and fix the source, while corrosion is working on the electrical connectors laying on the carpet.

[chronopete]

Thank you for the detailed response! So it sounds like I should be able to get it done under around $1200. I will make calls tomorrow and start with thewerkshop. I may look into doing the work myself, the pricing of the new tops is actually pretty low, but I have a feeling that in order to get the job done properly, I will need to have a pro shop do it. I am handy, but I have 0 experience with the soft tops.

[Mr Bingley]

There are extensive DIY's available on line if you want to do it yourself. Plan on it taking a solid two + days with a helper. Difficulty level 5 out of 10--no one thing is so difficult, but there are a lot of steps and a lot to keep track of. Best to order a new sealing strip and tension cables ahead of time if you can't let it sit for a week with the top undone waiting for parts (but you might not need them depending on how it goes). Butyl tape and butyl caulking provide a sure seal. Cleaning off the old butyl is probably the hardest part and the messiest if you're not very careful. A competent assistant is required. Consider replacing the window seals while you're at it. Mask off the surrounding paint with 2" masking tape and stiff paper or similar protective covering. Read up thoroughly first. If you can find a competent shop that will do it right, it's probably better and cheaper (depending on how you value you're time) to have them do it, but note the emphasis.

[BimmerBreaker]

If you can manage to buy a complete top (fabric on the frame already) that difficulty becomes a 3 if you have help. Honestly very easy that way. But hard to find them like that in good shape

[ptimko]

I had my top replaced by Riggs Brothers in 2004. They have 3 or 4 locations in the west suburbs. Good guys, they know what they are doing with interiors and convertible tops. My top was replaced through insurance, a big rock put a hole in it. I think it was around $1500 for the BMW top, a little less for an after market top. Of course that was a long time ago. Keep us informed as it is getting to be time for me to replace my top again

Paul

[RedZeddy]

If you can manage to buy a complete top (fabric on the frame already) that difficulty becomes a 3 if you have help. Honestly very easy that way. But hard to find them like that in good shape

Hey Bimmer, Ive seen you post this several times, but Im wondering if you have any pictures or a DIY of the process on how to swap tops (including the frame). It would be great to know parts needed and steps and maybe put it on the stickies.

[BimmerBreaker]

You literally just peel away the carpet in the rear to expose and unbolt the bolts at the rear hoop, 14ish as I remember, then remove the rubber trims that hide the mechanism when it's down, under those you unclip the hydraulic ram and undo the electrical connectors, then a few more bolts. It lifts out as a complete assembly in it's closed position. If it's something you ever have to do I can walk you through it more in detail but honestly it's very easy. When reinstalling I get it in place but leave all the bolts slightly loose, then close the top. With it closed I then start to tighten everything.

Were I to replace my top (on the Z3 roadster I don't own), I'd seriously consider one of the colored variants. They had green in Europe, the red also looks really cool with the right color car (and of course, red interior).

I really like the green

[1933beer]

I have not done my z3 but 4 years ago I did my 944. No tutorial to be found. Do it yourself save and know there where no shortcuts. Read through tutorials and watch videos that are out there for Z3. Like others have said have all parts available before you start.

[Vintage42]

I had my top replaced by Riggs Brothers in 2004... through insurance... I think it was around $1500 for the BMW top, a little less for an after market top. Of course that was a long time ago...

The BMW has a zipped-in window, while the aftermarket tops have sewed-in windows that cannot be replaced. The aftermarket tops are under $500, while I think the BMW top now costs over $2000. I have not heard of anybody buying a BMW top.

... I may look into doing the work myself,... I am handy, but I have 0 experience with the soft tops.

Some DIYs to show what's involved:
http://www.roadstersolutions.com/med...Z3%2096-02.pdf
https://webspace.ringling.edu/~dplassma/str/str.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyxy50jfkhY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGiDhxNkOKc

[rasmuw]

[QUOTE=Vintage42;29695084]The BMW has a zipped-in window, while the aftermarket tops have sewed-in windows that cannot be replaced. The aftermarket tops are under $500, while I think the BMW top now costs over $2000. I have not heard of anybody buying a BMW top.]

When I owned an E-type Jaguar, I learned the originals had a window that was sewn-in. The top was replaced with one that was zippered, but only the top and sides. Since the Jag didn't have A/C, opening the rear window in the hot sun allowed the air to flow without getting the direct sunlight on my bald head. Do any aftermarket manufacturers make one of these? Since the Z3 has A/C, maybe it isn't as important.

[Rcs476]

Installed a top (on mine) from autotopsdirect last year, while overwhelming looking at the steps (glue? stapling?) initially, it was all very simple and I never felt over my head while installing.

[Z-Thrizzle]

Installed a top (on mine) from autotopsdirect last year, while overwhelming looking at the steps (glue? stapling?) initially, it was all very simple and I never felt over my head while installing.

Glad to hear that. I may consider tackling the job myself. Did they supply instructions in pdf? if so, do you mind sharing.

[Rcs476]

Glad to hear that. I may consider tackling the job myself. Did they supply instructions in pdf? if so, do you mind sharing.

See attached. If the attachment doesn't work, this link from bimmerfest has the file.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...9&d=1399727229
https://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/590b71c6...%20%281%29.pdf

[Vintage42]

The BMW has a zipped-in window, while the aftermarket tops have sewed-in windows that cannot be replaced. The aftermarket tops are under $500, while I think the BMW top now costs over $2000. I have not heard of anybody buying a BMW top...

I was mistaken about the cost of the BMW top. It is over $5,000:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/54348411532/

... When I owned an E-type Jaguar, I learned the originals had a window that was sewn-in. The top was replaced with one that was zippered, but only the top and sides... Do any aftermarket manufacturers make one of these? ...

As far as I know, all the aftermarket tops have sewed-in windows. That is probably because it is so expensive to make a top with a zipper for the windows. The opening in an aftermarket top would have to be made very precisely to accept a window. Zipping a window into a BMW OE Z3 top is already difficult enough, without blaming an aftermarket top.

[mfitz62]

So, if my top does not have a zip out window it is probably a replacement top already?

[ProductUser]

So, if my top does not have a zip out window it is probably a replacement top already?

That seems to be the consensus. In my case, the PO said he replaced the top. The replacement top he installed did not have a zipper window.

[Vintage42]

... The replacement top he installed did not have a zipper window.

The zipper window is included with the $5,000 OE top. If ordered separately, the zipper window costs as much as some replacement tops.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...w/54318401027/

[ProductUser]

The zipper window is included with the $5,000 OE top. If ordered separately, the zipper window costs as much as some replacement tops.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...w/54318401027/

Yikes!