BMW Z3/M Roadster User manual

What’s Included
A new convertible top includes sewn-in plastic retainers and tinted plastic window. Also, we enclose new BMW original metal
attachments for the hold down cable as these are oen damaged during the removal of the old top.
Material Types
is convertible top is available in either the original Twillfast II or a lower cost Stayfast cloth.
Features
All of our Z3 convertible tops include these critical BMW engineering and design upgrades that xed issues in earlier Z3
models.
• Reliefpocketshavebeenaddedinthequarters
• Astienerhasbeenaddedabovetheplasticwindow
• Elasticstrapshavebeenaddedtosupportthetensionstraps
Tools Required
• Variousscrewdrivers
• Ratchet,12mmsocket
• Heavy-dutystapler,10mmstaple
• Pliersandcutter
• Contactcementsprayadhesive
• Drill,steelbit5/32”
• Rivetgun,rivet1/4”12mm(5/32”4mmdia.)
Convertible Top Installation Guide
1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster

1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Once the screws have been removed,
detach the header rail.
Findadry,comfortableworking
environment where youu have space
to place and organize items to be
removed that are to be reinstalled
later in the process.
Retracttheframetotheopenposition
as shown and begin removing the
screws that hold the header rail in
place.
ere are alot of screws to be
removedandyouwillneedtokeep
trackofthemtomakesureyouuse
the same screw when re-assembling
the new convertible top.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Once the rubbers are out of the way,
you can begin removing the screws as
shown.
Next, you will need to remove the
front side rubbers to access additional
screws to be removed.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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e next step is to remove the tension
side straps. Begin by removing the
tension cable screw.
Starttopeelbackthefrontedgeofthe
top.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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e next step is to remove the tension
side straps .
Removetheside“L”shapedbracketto
free the cable.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Removesidequarterrubberstoaccess
screws.
Detachall“C”channelplasticrails
from cross bows.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Removethescrewsunderthe
sidequarterrubberstodetachthe
brackets.
Now you can remove the screws along
the side to detach the existing top
fromthequarters.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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enextstepistodetachthequarter
inner ap from the frame.
Begin by cutting the existing top
across the lower section for easier
access.
Separatethe“L”shapedbracketfrom
the cable and pull out the cable from
the sleeve on the side of the existing
convertible top.
You will be re-using this cable on
your new top, so you will need to
keepitwiththeotherhardwarethat
will be re-assembled onto the top
later.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Detachquarterinnerapfromframe,
by pulling it downward.
Cutrivetslocatedattheendofthe
reartackingstrip.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Removethetopwellquarterplugsto
accesstackingbowboltnuts.
Cutordrillrivettoremoveelastic
straps from second bow.
e bows are numbered from front to
back,sothesecondbowisthesecond
from the front.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Pullawaythewellliningtoaccessthe
bolt nuts underneath.
Withyour5/32”socketwrench,start
toremovethetackingbowboltnuts
atthequarters.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Now you can detach the rubber strip
from the edge of the top well.
Removetheboltnutsacrossthetop
well.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Nowyouushouldaddsomemasking
tape along the edge to protect the
paintasyouareworking.
Starttopryapartthetackingbow
away from vehicle.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Removetheendscrewsandthereare
some staples here that will need to
remove as well.
Lioutthetackingbow.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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STARTINSTALLINGNEWTOP:
Begin by carefully inspecting the
new top, then protecting the plastic
window on both sides by using
maskingtapetoholdapieceoffoam
to similar material over the window.
Separate the existing top rom this
bracket.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Drapethenewconvertibletopover
the existing top frame.
Viewoftheplasticwindowsection
fully protected so it does not get
scratched during the installation
process.Useamaskingtapethatwill
comeoeasilyandcleanly.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Locatethecentermark.isiswhere
you will begin stapling the new top to
thetackingbow.
ecentermarkattherearofthenew
top is a small cutout for alignment
only.
Begin by attaching the top, using
screws,tothetackingbow.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Your staples should be evenly spaced
acrossthetackingbowasillustrated
in the image to the right.
Using your heavy duty stapler or
compressed air stapler as shown,
begin stapling from the center
outward.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Workyourwayaroundtotheside
quarterspullingthetopmaterialtight
as you go.
Staple the window section across the
rear bow.
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1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster Convertible Top Installation Guide
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Aer you have completed the
stapling,dropinthetackingbowinto
the top well and position it to the
body bolts.
Re-attachtheboltnuts.
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