convertible top leaking at corners and visors

[rokitz]

I bought a 1988 325i cabrio about a month ago, and I've had this issue where the front top corners of both windows leak single beads of water into the car and on the corners of the seats leaving them soaked. In heavier rain, beads of water will run down behind the visors and down onto the floor.

Most of the things I've read say it's the gaskets/seals wearing out and need to be replaced, but I'm not sure exactly what I need to buy, where I'm looking, part numbers, or if this is even the solution at all. Here's some bad shots of where the water mostly gets in at and the spots where the drips form.

[hyetide]

Most convertibles leak. Mine leaked from the day I got it 1994, I use to keep a towel on the seats, know I just keep it in the garage when it rains.

[dnguyen1963]

I posted a fix for this a couple of years ago...too lazy to look it up for you.

[TimeMachinE30]

Either the big seal up front which runs along the windshield frame top...about $175 IIRC.

The makeshift fix is to build it up with black sealant or at the hardware store look in their selection of weatherstripping. It should have a capital B crosssection. That is to be a makeshift replacement for the expensive OEM replacement.

I need this done...my passenger floor board got soaked in today's rain.

[fight4life28]

I have same problem, Sad. I need to get new metal parts where the top latchs. Mine are pretty worn due to one of main rods being broken. Hopeing that helps. I've tired everything I can think of.

[rokitz]

I posted a fix for this a couple of years ago...too lazy to look it up for you.

i looked through all of your posts, all 20 pages and didn't find it :zzz:

[dnguyen1963]

Open up the roof then spread some black silicone between (really get under and all the way to the metal) the rubber gasket (just the front) and the top. You need to put a lot of silicone at both corners. Don't worry about putting a lot of silicone because you can wipe the excess off when you close the roof. Do not open the roof for 24 h after you apply the silicone. Also, make sure that all of your drain holes are not clogged. If your latches are leaky then you need to take the screws out, apply the silicone under the brackets, and tighten them back up. Good luck.

For Video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLnI2aQyExg

[CorvallisBMW]

"correct" way: buy new OEM seals for the front (along top of windshield), handles, and A-pillars

significantly less expensive way: use black silicone sealant and assorted weatherstripping from your local hardware store

edit: you should also replace the tension cables that run just inside the outer edges of the top. They secure at the front and back, inside the c-pillar.

[rcsoundn1]

Both of mine leak as well, some chalk it up to owning a convertible, some try to fix it. I would love to drive mine all the time but I cant deal with the leaking. My old top was so bad it would soak your legs, and I mean SOAK

[Semblance]

Not all verts leak.

First, check the front seal. If it's not trashed, then it's possible you just need to adjust the top. There is a hex adjuster on the rear part of the frame, on either side of the window, that will push the top towards the front (or away).

I have a partial front seal you can have for free if yours is toast. The rubber has a front and two side sections that are glued together. The part I have is missing the passenger side but otherwise should be serviceable.