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Thread: My first BMW and plans

  1. #26
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
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    Canada
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    26
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    1996 Z3 1.9
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    I also got one of those half covers from roadster solutions. After putting it on I see some obvious design flaws. It is very loose for one. Second, it does not stay secure around the convertible top around the back. The slightest wind will blow the cover back letting water come around my broken and leaky sealing frame. I think I can fix this by adding two more straps that secure the cover to the trunk. This should have been fixed before this cover ever went to market though.
    I have the same cover, and noticed the same issue as you.

    When I put the cover on now, I pull it farther back so the tabs are actually in the trunk, not the drip rail, and tuck the cover under the drip rail. This seems to have solved the problem for me - and is a lot easier then redoing the top.

    I usually avoid driving in the rain, and only noticed water in the trunk after heavy rains anyway. The cover tucked in as above has taken care of it.

    Joel

  2. #27
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    I've already started the process of sewing in 2 more tabs. It's a little extra work but I'll post pics when I'm done. It's a much better design. You would think a nearly $200 cover would not have such a major design flaw.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

  3. #28
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Charlotte, NC/Denmark
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    2K Z3 2.8
    That headunit looks awesome! I was able to pick one up from Crutchfield which matches the rest of the dash lighting which I was very happy about, but man! I might have to pull the trigger on one of those Blaupunkts!

    I agree it's a lot of fun going through a car and fixing what's been neglected or mickey-moused.

    I just got done w/ My suspension (3 chapters) a few days ago and it makes OH SO MUCH of a difference.
    Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.

  4. #29
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    Wonderful. Which suspension setup did you go with?

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  5. #30
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Charlotte, NC/Denmark
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    2K Z3 2.8
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    Wonderful. Which suspension setup did you go with?

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
    I went with all stock bushings and shocks/springs etc. The primary use for this car is a spirited Sunday drive in the countryside.

    Only thing I changed was i used polyurethane for the subframe bushings.
    Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.

  6. #31
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    Here are the improvements to the cover. Soft top coverage is complete with two more straps securing the cover at the trunk lid. It should have been this way from the beginning.

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  7. #32
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    This is about to happen. Helix V Eight DSP. I have a Helix 3-way setup going in the front and one Kicker 6.5 sub for the stock sub location. I just need this rain to stop. I really could use a garage.

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  8. #33
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    A lot has happened since my last post. My interior is almost completely removed after discovering a very wet carpet. While everything is out and carpet is drying I've decided to clean up some problems, mainly broken plastic tabs.

    I picked up a plastic welder at Harbor Freight today. I fixed all of my broken mounts on my glove box and trim under the steering wheel. I had no idea you could do this until I saw a video on YouTube last night. I was thinking I was going to do something similar with fiberglass but this was way easier, faster, and cleaner.

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  9. #34
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Northwest NV
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    Audi B8.5 S4
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    A lot has happened since my last post. My interior is almost completely removed after discovering a very wet carpet. While everything is out and carpet is drying I've decided to clean up some problems, mainly broken plastic tabs.

    I picked up a plastic welder at Harbor Freight today. I fixed all of my broken mounts on my glove box and trim under the steering wheel. I had no idea you could do this until I saw a video on YouTube last night. I was thinking I was going to do something similar with fiberglass but this was way easier, faster, and cleaner.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
    What raw material did you use to re-build the tabs?

  10. #35
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    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    Quote Originally Posted by BMWBergy View Post
    What raw material did you use to re-build the tabs?
    The harbor freight kit comes with wire mesh and plastic. It's super easy to use.

    https://youtu.be/RUlbaDOnY_o

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  11. #36
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    Apr 2020
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    1999 Z3
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    The harbor freight kit comes with wire mesh and plastic. It's super easy to use.

    https://youtu.be/RUlbaDOnY_o

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
    Wow! That's a great tip. Thanks.

  12. #37
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    Dec 2020
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    '99 Z3M
    Yeah, I wish I had known about this a long time ago.

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  13. #38
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    Feb 2009
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    Charlotte, NC/Denmark
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    I have walked by that plastic welder so many times!!! Now I'm buying one!
    Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.

  14. #39
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Arida Zona
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    z3
    What is the thread title supposed to be? My first BMW and the plans? I keep reading it and thinking who the heck is Andy?

    I can fix it for you just let me know what it should have said

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  15. #40
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    Dec 2020
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    Albany, OR
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    '99 Z3M
    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker View Post
    What is the thread title supposed to be? My first BMW and the plans? I keep reading it and thinking who the heck is Andy?

    I can fix it for you just let me know what it should have said
    It should be "and". There is no Andy. Lol. It just wouldn't let me edit the title. Thanks!

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  16. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    It should be "and". There is no Andy.
    Tell that to Andy.

  17. #42
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
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    Louisville, KY
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    1997 BMW Z3 1.9L 5MT
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    I just added copious amounts of silicon around the sealing frame. I'll let it cure up for a few days and test it again for leaks...
    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post
    After 3 days of rain the trunk is bone dry. I guess the silicone at least provided a temporary fix...
    What kind of silicone was that -- was it this flowable sealer?
    https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8173.../dp/B000BKEBO0
    How did you apply it -- just relax the top a bit, slip your hand down past the body, and put the tip of the tube on the sealing frame?
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  18. #43
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    Dec 2020
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    '99 Z3M
    Well this is embarrassing. I can't remember exactly what sealant I used. I got it off the shelf at Home depot. It wasn't anything too special. It was on the more expensive side. Around $8-10. I just tried to find the most extreme silicon caulk I could find. I think it said it could even be applied to wet surfaces.

    As far as application, I only cut the tip off leaving a smaller hole, but a thin tip. I relaxed the top slightly and removed the top rubber seal. The area you want to focus on is not the side that touches the convertible top. It's between the sealing frame and the trunk. Jam the tip of the caulk as far in the crack as you can between the trunk lid and the top of the sealing frame. Be careful because if your sealing frame is too brittle you could break it. You put a decent amount of pressure on the sealing frame where the top rubber seal sits. Then just dump in as much caulking as you can.

    I'm positive that whoever replaces my convertible top in the future will reveal my silicon job and think I'm an idiot. It's not the right way to fix this leak at all, but it worked... at least for now...

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  19. #44
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    Dec 2020
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    '99 Z3M
    Something like this. I used a whole 10 Oz tube. More is always better right?
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Ultr...8388/306389477

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  20. #45
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    Dec 2020
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    '99 Z3M
    Well, I'm done with the physical installation of my sound system. I need to tweek the subwoofer box, eventually figure out how to fasten the broken lid, clean up the wiring in the trunk, then figure out how to reinstall the carpet in the right side around the amp.

    I also have a lot of playing around to do with the DSP, which is something I have never done before. So far I only have the crossovers set so nothing goes boom. I have a long way to go to tune everything and get the sound right. I have a lot of learning to do with this one. I'll throw some pictures up here. I think I'll start a new thread on all the specifics for more details.

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  21. #46
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    Sep 2018
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    Houston, TX, USA
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    1999 BMW Z3 Coupe 2.8
    Nice work dude...I’m living vicariously through you right now (no time to get out and work on the z these days...)


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  22. #47
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    Jun 2007
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    McLean, VA
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    Quote Originally Posted by RX7ames View Post


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    Don't lose that clip for the windscreen. 99% of OE windscreen owners are missing those.
    Kelvin

  23. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBH22102 View Post
    Don't lose that clip for the windscreen. 99% of OE windscreen owners are missing those.
    Passenger side is missing. I am certainly not in the 1%.

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  24. #49
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    Aug 2012
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    Kansas
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    2000 m roadster 2010 x3
    1%er here. I’ve had to remove the original Velcro and sew new back on after it quit holding. It looks like the trunk carpet should be close to fitting around the amp. You may want to consider future access but once you get it adjusted hopefully you won’t need to touch it again. If you can’t get the lid back on the sub you can always swap in a 8” and problems solved.

  25. #50
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    '99 Z3M
    Quote Originally Posted by z3forlife View Post
    1%er here. I’ve had to remove the original Velcro and sew new back on after it quit holding. It looks like the trunk carpet should be close to fitting around the amp. You may want to consider future access but once you get it adjusted hopefully you won’t need to touch it again. If you can’t get the lid back on the sub you can always swap in a 8” and problems solved.
    There are no adjustments on the amp. Everything is digital through a laptop. But yes, it may be hard to fit the carpet around it. I will most likely have to cut the top of the carpet leaving a part of the amp peaking out. I'm not too worried about it. I'm not trying to get this thing to a full original restoration.

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