Rear Window Folding Question

**z3aficionado** · 03-23-2018, 12:16 AM

Hey Z3 Gurus,

I have an electric convertible top, and when I am opening the top I notice that the rear window does not bend in the right spot unless I stop it halfway, get out of the car and give it the ol' karate chop in the middle of the window. Is this necessary to do or it really doesn't matter as the window will be just fine whether I chop it or not. Any trick that I can do while inside the car so that the rear window bends in the right spot while opening the top?

**z3forlife** · 03-23-2018, 07:11 AM

I always stop part way get out and smooth the window crease and put a rolled up towel at the fold and finish lowering the top.

**Nomad1** · 03-23-2018, 08:37 AM

I place a swim noodle when I put the top down. I have it rapped in a beach towel,cut to length. I do this in hopes of decreasing folds and scratches on the plastic window.It seems to help.

**khammack** · 03-23-2018, 09:29 AM

Many of the scratches come from the floor of the top well and are on the inside of the back window. Make sure you keep the well clean.

No issues with the window not folding correctly though.

**vanne** · 03-23-2018, 10:30 AM

I've got one of those soft BMW blanket things that's supposed to fit on the window, (just replaced it) but I have no clue how it's supposed to fit on there??? Anyone have any idea how it's supposed to fit?

- - - Updated - - -

I've got one of those soft BMW blanket things that's supposed to fit on the window, (just replaced it) but I have no clue how it's supposed to fit on there??? Anyone have any idea how it's supposed to fit?

RWG_30.jpg

**magnetchief** · 03-23-2018, 10:41 AM

When I first fitted a replacement window it refused to fold correctly.
I resorted to using a pool noodle and laying this inside the bend prior to colsing fully.
After about a month I noticed that the window had developed a perfect contor down across the center and now folds correctly.

**z3aficionado** · 03-23-2018, 11:04 AM

Hopefully the pool noodle with 'train' my top to fold correctly. It seems pointless to have an electric top and have to get out each time to ensure that it folds down correctly. Kind of defeats the purpose.

**Randy Forbes** · 03-23-2018, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by khammack

Many of the scratches come from the floor of the top well and are on the inside of the back window. Make sure you keep the well clean.

No issues with the window not folding correctly though.

Also rubs on the lower stepped-edge of the bulkhead divider; I have kept a rolled up towel there__both Rdstrs__forever, like since before we even got the '01.

I'm not as religious about the blanket as I used to be, I do however always fit it before putting the hdtp on, along with a piece of foam pipe insulation__the pool-noodle's skinnier cousin__and Vanne, the clips on the ends of the elastic straps hook to the top bows on each side.

**lil z3** · 03-23-2018, 01:05 PM

I disabled my motor and now raise and lower mine manually so that I can watch and manipulate the window.

QUOTE=z3aficionado;29982326]Hey Z3 Gurus,

I have an electric convertible top, and when I am opening the top I notice that the rear window does not bend in the right spot unless I stop it halfway, get out of the car and give it the ol' karate chop in the middle of the window. Is this necessary to do or it really doesn't matter as the window will be just fine whether I chop it or not. Any trick that I can do while inside the car so that the rear window bends in the right spot while opening the top?[/QUOTE]

**z3aficionado** · 03-23-2018, 01:50 PM

[QUOTE=lil z3;29982693]I disabled my motor and now raise and lower mine manually so that I can watch and manipulate the window.

How did you disable the motor?

**BimmerBreaker** · 03-23-2018, 02:29 PM

Go in the trund and look behind the carpet on the driver's side, there is a hydraulic motor for the top. Rotate the T-handle on the motor to allow the hydraulic fluid to bypass the motor and function as a manual top.