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Thread: Manual conversion for convertible top

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    1993 850ci 2001 M5 / Z3M

    Manual conversion for convertible top

    Has anyone successfully removed the hydraulic mechanism and converted the top to manual?
    Regards,

    Brian
    Cave Creek, AZ

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Victoria BC Canada
    Posts
    378
    My Cars
    2004 Z4, 1700 Nomad MC
    Pull the hydraulic release and turn it 1/4 turn and it is in “manual” mode….


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  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 2.5
    My hydraulic hinges messed up after I moved my motor. All the fluid leaks out when using the motor, so now it's manual until I remove the top and have the hinges rebuilt.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    1993 850ci 2001 M5 / Z3M
    My plan was to remove the hydraulic system completely and add the gas pressurized spring

    https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...i/54317111155/

    This is the part found on the manual top cars, #13 shown here:

    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=54_0312

    I did this on my Z3m, and love the simplicity and ease of use - different part of course on the z3.
    Regards,

    Brian
    Cave Creek, AZ

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Mechanicsburg, PA USA
    Posts
    123
    My Cars
    2003 2.5 BMW Z4
    I'm guessing you would still retain the electric release /lock motor at the windshield frame to release the top when lowering and later to lock the top when closing. These springs would cut the weight when lowering the top and perhaps more importantly when bring the roof up for closing.

    1st, I hope this works. Please take pic's and when your done, share your results and pic's on this forum.

    You know, years ago when I initially read about people in Germany pulling the roof motor thru the trunk I considered it to be impossible ......until I had no choice but to used the trunk method myself.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    1993 850ci 2001 M5 / Z3M
    JAS1169 - correct, electric release for the lock and unlock portion of the operation. I will take pics and report back!
    Regards,

    Brian
    Cave Creek, AZ

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    1993 850ci 2001 M5 / Z3M
    Reporting back. New pump assembly was relocated to the trunk and out of harm's way in the drain, then rebuilt hydraulic hinges were installed. Top is now working again.
    Regards,

    Brian
    Cave Creek, AZ

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 Z4 2.5
    Well, I've removed my top,and removed the hydraulic cylinders to be sent off to Top Hydraulics to be repaired. I'd planned on using my top as a manual but was given the repair as a Christmas present. I hope the reinstall is easier than the removal.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    1,117
    My Cars
    1993 850ci 2001 M5 / Z3M
    I used Top Hydraulics as well, highly recommended!
    Regards,

    Brian
    Cave Creek, AZ

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Tallahassee
    Posts
    1,052
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster.
    Quote Originally Posted by bdiefAZ View Post
    I used Top Hydraulics as well, highly recommended!
    Same here for 2 Z3s.
    Great service.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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