New top for my Vert

[BadCab]

I bought a new top with straps a couple weeks ago from autotopsdirect on the bay and finally installed it. I must say i am extremely happy with it. The build and fit quality are pretty damn good. Funny, i built my niece an 88 325 for her to use at ECU and it's top was a mess, too big, some jackleg installed it all wrong. When installed either one door window or the other would hit the top so i did my best to reinstall it and it is doing OK although because it's too big one window still hits. I thought my top was 10 time betters. Now i think this new top is 10 times better than my old one. Something i didn't know is the factory top has a metal spring that goes around the rear bottom perimeter where it meets the back compartment door. My old top didn't have it but my parts 325ic that has a real BMW top has it. When i was looking for a new top on the bay there was only one place that mentioned it so i figured i'd give them a shot since they seemed to go the extra step. It took me a couple days to install it because i am recovering from some cracked ribs but it wasn't too bad. I bought some urethane from Advance auto that comes in a metal tube and is supposed to be used with a caulking gun. I highly recommend it. It is expensive as crap at $25 but well worth it if you ask me. It's as clost to the stuff they use in the BMW install video as i could find. It is called 3M Windo-Weld super fast urethane #08609. Stuff is awesome for gluing/sealing the front seal rail and front seal ends.
Hardest part of it all was cleaning off the old glue. I was scraping for 2.5-3 hrs. All in all it wasn't too bad.

Top fits like a glove and is really sexy looking. I like it so much i bought another top with straps from the same place for my nieces car and will be doing that one in the next couple weeks.

Now if i can get the rest of my S52 conversion parts and some other odds and ends together i can strip it and repaint this car. I guess i need to get my new E36 project DD going first.....

[N2MYE30]

Wow, thats borderline hardtop looking! Nice job. Almost makes my top look tired.

BTW, I think I saw your car xmas morn on 64 going west. Laguna cabrio on kopis are hard to forget. :up:

[BadCab]

Yes that was me, my sis lives in Clayton so i was going to Smithfield Rd.

You can usually get the top a little tighter if you adjust the big allen set setscrews in the arms at the C Pillars. They have plastic caps that hide the screws. I actually loosened them after i put the new top on so it could settle for a bit before i retightened them. Is you top manual or electric?

[N2MYE30]

I have a working power top that doesnt need changing. Its one of those projects that I know, one day, I will have to tackle either on my car or another. So, no rivets needed?

[BadCab]

Yes rivits needed. I had some 3/16 and 1/8 rivits and the ones in the frame were something in between. I just redrilled all the holes to 1/8". There were 6 total to hold the straps at the rear to the frame. Then there are 6 total for the rear window guide/seal rails to top frame. And also 1 on each side on the same seals at the bottom that were a PITA to get in because you have to ram the rivit gun nose into the seal. There was another set of holes even lower but i don't see any way to get the rivit gun in there. I need to check my factory top to see how many were originally installed. Biggest pain was getting some of those seals back in the rails.

[Cha Ching]

You installed that top yourself?? Looks tits! Great job! Did you change the elastic straps or any seals when doing it? What does you use as an install guide? Seriously, that thing looks nearly hardtop perfect!

[BadCab]

Thanks, yes it was my first top install. I have another to do hopefully next week for my nieces 325i.
Yes i bought new straps for mine and the one i am going to put on. In the end it was $565 to the door for the top and straps. It is the german canvas. My side cables were fine so i left them for now. I can always change them out later.
There is a 3 part video on youtube that looks like is it the factory install training video. I used that, watched it a few times and since you really need to do the install over 2 days i watched it again in between to make sure i didn't forget or miss anything. I will probably take pictures on the next one i do and post pics for everyone. Wasn't hard as long as you think about what you are doing first and take your time. You need to make sure it is straight and lined up right. Since the top i was taking off fit real good i measured all the hoops to make sure they went back to the same spots they were at when i installed the new straps. I am very happy with it. Hopefully the next one will look this good.
I didn't need to change out any seals but i did get a roll of double sided tape and reattach the side seals to the seal guide rails.

[smooth]

How can we find out more about this rear metal spring you mentioned?

[stamar]

direct link the ebay seller please.

I was actually trying to look for one that had a zippered window I think thatd be a good upgrade.

[BadCab]

They tell about the spring in the Ebay auction but i had to go look at my parts car to see WTF they meant. I'll try to get a pic taken to show where it is.
The other reason i went with them is they put the piping around the rear window. Some of the other places don't.
I thought about getting a zippered window top but it just another thing to go bad.

Here is the top

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Convertible-Top-1987-1993-German-Classic-Black-/330610427359?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cf9eac5df

and the straps i got.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Series-1987-1993-Convertible-Top-Tension-Strap-Pair-/330679377146?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cfe06dcfa

Update, here is what the spring looks like on my old factory BMW top. I cut it open to see.

[smooth]

hmm, I tossed my top in the trash. I had no idea about the spring. Does it matter or what is it supposed to do?

[stamar]

ya the hartz cloth is better than any us cloth you even have both together in the same picture. worth 60$ definitely.

I would bet its heavier to put up and down though.

[ZM Blue Devil]

that is an amazing job. You are hired!

[scottinAZ]

the top looks fantastic, I will probably be doing my top in the next month or so. How hard was it to replace the tension straps, and how are they attached? My straps are totally shot, but if I can replace them separate from the top, I may be able to get a few more months out of the top itself.

[OnMy2ndE30]

Totally off topic, but how many people here have an identical matching parts car, down to the top and color???? That is being in the right place at the right time my friend.....