e36 OEM top, rear window zipped or sewed?

[beniot9888]

Hello everyone,

My 96 328i's top is getting old, so I currently look for a replacement part.

On a couple of european websites (I'm french), I have managed to find what I'd call an OEM soft top, with zipped rear window. But when I search for a good deal on international sellers, on eBay, Amazon or sellers such as germanautotops or else, I only find stitched rear Windows, which makes them irreplaceable.

Examples :
https://www.germanautotops.com/bmw-3...plastic-window
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Series...-/110885902539

I don't understand why they call that OEM tops. Where north american e36 sold with stitched rear windows?

Or are them just bull***ing?

[Pyropete82]

We had zip in from stock. Too hard to replace the zipper style plus most POs glued the seams which screws replacing the zipped version. Most just replace the whole soft top. There are comprehensive write ups here for the DIY. Takes roughly 8 hours, preferably 2 days...can be done in 1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Twistytee]

Also consider definition of "OE" vs "OEM". OE is original equipment - the exact same twill top with zippered window that BMW installed as Genuine BMW equipment. OEM is original equipment manufacturer. Typically applies to similar parts made by a firm that supplies to BMW, but the materials and/or product design can differ. Many of these suppliers state "OEM" on eBay or elsewhere because the tops are Haartz cloth or Twillfast material, but the products may have been produced more cheaply by using a sewn window rather than zipper.

[beniot9888]

OK,

Always thought OEM had a strict "made by the original manufacturer/supplier and conform in design to an original part" meaning.

[emccallum]

I bought one from ebay for my 99 m3. Fit perfect, zipped in and has the proper rubber trim just like the OEM. Very pleased.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-Cabr...72.m2749.l2649

[smithbmwm3020]

I just replaced my rear window with this same window and I was also very pleased with the window and the results. I had to fix some of the stitching around the zipper but I just got some heavier thread and sewed it myself.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-Cabr...72.m2749.l2649