Needed: E85 Convertible top hydraulic cylinders

Vin Man · 09-27-2022, 10:14 PM

One of my cylinders is leaking. I'm looking for options to get the top working again. Is it best to rebuild the ones I have or are the aftermarket options for replacements?

jns_e85 · 09-28-2022, 09:09 AM

Rebuilt FTW! I have had both of mine rebuilt by top hydraulics. What I do regret was not doing both at the same time. My passenger side one leaked in 2019 so I only had that one rebuilt, just for the driver side one to start leaking in 2021 and had to do the whole top removal twice. Do both sides at the same time and save the headache! Plus, doing both allows you to do the core exchange as well. https://www.tophydraulics.com/bmw/61...draulics_first

PS: Relocate your top motor at the same time if you haven't already, and make sure you have a half liter of hydraulic fluid on hand to refill the system after replacement

Vin Man · 09-28-2022, 10:07 AM

Yes, top motor replacement was the thought. tophydraulics has been at the top of the google searches I've done.

Are there no aftermarket replacements available?

jwolf · 09-29-2022, 04:39 PM

Tophydraulics was the route I went. Do both at the same time. Pull the rubber bungs from the drain pans. Don't use a shop that has never done this exact repair.

Vin Man · 09-29-2022, 04:52 PM

I went ahead and ordered from tophydraulics. I will be doing the job myself. Will search out videos to guide me.

09-27-2022, 10:14 PM	#1
Vin Man New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4, 2020 BMW 430i Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	Needed: E85 Convertible top hydraulic cylinders One of my cylinders is leaking. I'm looking for options to get the top working again. Is it best to rebuild the ones I have or are the aftermarket options for replacements?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-28-2022, 09:09 AM	#2
jns_e85 Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 264 Posts Drives: '05 X3 2.5i, '06 z4M, '17 M2 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago Area iTrader: (3)	Rebuilt FTW! I have had both of mine rebuilt by top hydraulics. What I do regret was not doing both at the same time. My passenger side one leaked in 2019 so I only had that one rebuilt, just for the driver side one to start leaking in 2021 and had to do the whole top removal twice. Do both sides at the same time and save the headache! Plus, doing both allows you to do the core exchange as well. https://www.tophydraulics.com/bmw/61...draulics_first PS: Relocate your top motor at the same time if you haven't already, and make sure you have a half liter of hydraulic fluid on hand to refill the system after replacement __________________ 2017 M2 - Camber Hubs, MPE, and some other goodies 2006 Z4M - Epic Tune / Eventuri CAI / Euro Headers / Stromung / FA 500 / AS SSK / Arc 8s 2004 Z4 3.0i - Gone, but not forgotten!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2022, 10:07 AM	#3
Vin Man New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4, 2020 BMW 430i Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	Yes, top motor replacement was the thought. tophydraulics has been at the top of the google searches I've done. Are there no aftermarket replacements available?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-29-2022, 04:39 PM	#4
jwolf Private First Class 63 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 135i M-Sport MT N-55 / Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Tophydraulics was the route I went. Do both at the same time. Pull the rubber bungs from the drain pans. Don't use a shop that has never done this exact repair.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-29-2022, 04:52 PM	#5
Vin Man New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4, 2020 BMW 430i Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (0)	I went ahead and ordered from tophydraulics. I will be doing the job myself. Will search out videos to guide me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote