Replacement Top

[Doc Hoy]

Just brought home an 03 Z4 and would like to replace the top.

Upholstery shop wants 1700.00 out the door.

I see tops on eVil bay for between 600.00 and 700.00.

Does anyone have experience with these in the way of quality or ease of replacement?

[Huz-Z]

I would look at this company:

http://www.autotopsdirect.com/

In particular:

http://www.autotopsdirect.com/BMW-Z4...-Tops-s/55.htm

They have a top that they state is equivalent to OEM, but at a much lower cost.

[jdoublehcubed]

I think there are some additional pieces you need besides the top, straps, rubber seals, etc. Call it $600 for the top, $300 for all that other stuff, and $800 for labor. Not cheap, but not unreasonable I would say. I don't think I could get my top replaced anywhere here in Philly for that much.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

I think there are some additional pieces you need besides the top, straps, rubber seals, etc. Call it $600 for the top, $300 for all that other stuff, and $800 for labor. Not cheap, but not unreasonable I would say. I don't think I could get my top replaced anywhere here in Philly for that much.

I think that the folks at the link above provide all that stuff with their top. They also have an interior liner like the OEM one and it is complete with all the straps etc.

For the top:

"PLEASE READ BEFORE DECIDING which convertible top you should purchase for your BMW Z4 or M Roadster, we recommend you look for factory-style details like these in the picture below. With a BMW Z4 convertible top from Auto Tops Direct, you get the factory-style extruded weather seal, factory-style elastics, factory-style listings, deck seams that are heat-sealed like original, sewn-in die-cut plastic retainers, and more.

FACTORY STYLE WEATHER SEALS
We believe that the only way to make sure you get a great fit on your replacement Z4 top is to have these factory style weather seals and extruded components. They are sewn onto the top below the rear window and attach to your car's frame, which makes it a critical component of a replacement top to get that OEM installation appearance."

For the separate liner, it has all the elastics etc.

[WAMz4]

I wonder if insurance would cover soft top replacement - minus the deductible - if say it were ripped, cut or otherwise met with an unfortunate "accident" through no fault of your own.

[StickMon]

There's a term for that. Has something to do with lightning.

I keep hoping somebody with good insurance will back into my front bumper cover.

[Huz-Z]

[QUOTE=WAMz4;15739940]I wonder if insurance would cover soft top replacement - minus the deductible - if say it were ripped, cut or otherwise met with an unfortunate "accident" through no fault of your own.[/

Vandalism to any part of your car should be covered by any good insurance company.

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by StickMon

There's a term for that. Has something to do with lightning.

I keep hoping somebody with good insurance will back into my front bumper cover.

Good luck. I spent years hoping someone would back into my TT, to no avail. I bought my Z4M, with perfect bumpers, and someone rear ended me 4 days later. Not sure if there's a lesson there or not.