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    Top to Rear Deck/Trunk Fitment

    First time poster so hello. I am looking to buy an E30 to go along with my 1987 E24 M6. I like the lines of the convertible and have looked at several.

    In looking at them I found one with a new, owner installed top that has a much greater gap between the rear bottom part of the top where it seals against the deck/trunk than another that I have looked at that appears to be the stock top. See pictures.

    Question: Is this an install issue or is this gap adjustable?
    Attached Files
    1986 E30 325E
    1989 E30 325iX
    2003 E54 X5.
    1993 Mercedes W124 300E
    1995 Mercedes W124 E320.
    2009 VW Touareg
    2007 Porsche Cayman S

    #2
    That 1st pic made me do a double take since I've got the same car for sale (but w minty basket weaves) :)

    If the gap is uniform you can lower the entire top by removing a shim or 2 under the hinge. As far as the uneven gap I'm still working on that one. The top hinge arm has an adjustment bolt (look inside) which in theory would allow you to raise or lower the corners but that bottom "beam" is incredibly rigid so I'm not sure the adjustment will flex that and change your gap rather than just change the tension in the canvas from the C pillar to the rear vinyl window.
    Last edited by jeffnhiscars; 08-26-2016, 06:22 AM.
    Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

    https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
    Alice the Time Capsule
    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
    87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

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      #3
      Originally posted by jeffnhiscars View Post
      That 1st pic made me do a double take since I've got the same car for sale (but w minty basket weaves) :)

      If the gap is uniform you can lower the entire top by removing a shim or 2 under the hinge. As far as the uneven gap I'm still working on that one. The top hinge arm has an adjustment bolt (look inside) which in theory would allow you to raise or lower the corners but that bottom "beam" is incredibly rigid so I'm not sure the adjustment will flex that and change your gap rather than just change the tension in the canvas from the C pillar to the rear vinyl window.


      My top is also not sitting against the rear deck, and the gap is even across side to side. Funny part is that I have one solitary shim between all 4 mounting bolts. If I remove the one shim I'll probably just make the gap smaller on one side. The header is tight against the windshield, so no issues there.

      Can I INSERT a shim on the front bolt to close the gap against the deck lid?





      The Bentley manual is not helpful at all. My one shim is on the B bolt on the driver side. Should I put one or two shims on the A bolts?


      Driver side




      Passenger


      THANKS!



      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
      R135 /// 1990 Alpinweiß II 325is
      └┼┼┘ /// 1993 Black/Black Convertible (sold)
      ..24

      Comment


        #4
        For what I understand it's the top fabic part that has been installed like that . If the seal is against the frame then you cant do much to close the gap you see.

        I had two e30's verts

        One has OEM BMW too and the other appears to be cheap replacement. OEM sits flush almost in rear and the aftermarket one has gap you guys are looking at. I tried to adjust and figure out what could be causing this but could be bad install, or the way the top was made... sorry for Grammer but my phone is really laggly and hard to type at the moment..

        Comment


          #5
          There's a pic in my cabrio build thread that shows you how to measure for the shims.
          Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

          https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
          Alice the Time Capsule
          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
          87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by fight4life28 View Post
            If the seal is against the frame then you cant do much to close the gap you see.
            Correct-That's the way I see it too.
            Mine has a gap as well and the seal on the frame seals perfectly tight against the deck, so I don't know how removing shims would reduce that gap.
            I would say, top installation error, or top material shrinkage due to age.
            "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"
            -Mario Andretti.

            ___________________
            River City Bimmers BMW CCA
            2005 X3 3.0i ZPP, Htd seats, Htd strng, Black Sapphire on Terracotta.
            2002 ///M3 Coupe, Steel Gray Metallic on black leather, HK, three pedals.
            1991 E30 325ic, AW, Black Leather, Black top, Three Pedals.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by fight4life28 View Post
              For what I understand it's the top fabic part that has been installed like that . If the seal is against the frame then you cant do much to close the gap you see.

              You were right. The seal is tight against the body, and the gap is just the way the top was installed. It doesn't leak water, so I'm OK.
              R135 /// 1990 Alpinweiß II 325is
              └┼┼┘ /// 1993 Black/Black Convertible (sold)
              ..24

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