2003 BMW Z4 Convertible Top Hydraulic Pump Motor Replacement. pt 2

This is part 2 which is the replacement of the hydraulic pump and motor assembly. For a great video on the disassembly procedure check out this channel: • Video
Please note some new pumps have the hydraulic lines and electrical connections reversed.
Here is part 1: • 2003 BMW Z4 Convertibl...

[@XGempler]

Wow! Good job. It was killing me to watch your wrestle with the decision about swapping the electrical connectors... glad you found a relatively easy remedy. Actually came here trying to learn about replacing a pump on a Mini Cooper and was happily surprised to see that it looks like a very similar part! Thanks for making this video. Nobody seems to want to repair the tops themselves and shops cost a fortune for this type of repair!

[@abdolf]

Greetings from São Paulo - Brazil. I've been strugling with my 3.0 SI 06 soft top for 3 months. We replaced a chinese motor and instaled a OEM BMW...no power at all to close the top. I had to give it a push everytine and my mechanic simply could't figure It out. After inverting the lines everything is fixed! Thanks a lot for the tutorial! Great Job.

[@PhillipBailey]

Wish I was there right now. It's-30c here now...

[@abdolf]

@@PhillipBailey here it's +23C 02am ... Just came back from a night ride with the top open

[@PhillipBailey]

@@abdolf sweet!

[@philemon2795]

Thank you for your video, i'm going to do the change thanks to you !

[@PhillipBailey]

Good luck it's not a pleasant job...

[@donaldisrael7147]

Note to self. Don't even think about getting one of those darlings. By the way-awesome job.

[@tim-hill]

It's actually much easier than this. Everyone I know relocates the pump to the trunk without removing the top. I've done a few myself. It takes about 45 mins to pull from the side well.

[@neverstoplearning382]

Great job again. Thanks for the video.

[@tim-hill]

You would have saved a lot of heartache if you relocated the pump to the trunk. I'm surprised there are still a few Z4s out there without without this modification.

[@PhillipBailey]

I thought about that but did put a couple of extra drain holes in the bottom of the B pillar are to better drain the water. I also advised the customer not to allow leaves to build up on the car.

[@anthonywheelus4845]

Nice Job! Not looking forward to repairing mine.

[@PhillipBailey]

Yes was a fun job for sure.

[@tim-hill]

I did mine in about 45 min wihtout removing the top.

[@randomelvis3359]

@@tim-hill Did you?… have you any useful tips/links? I’m about to attack mine this weekend coming 🥴

[@kaibinrubber]

فيديو رائع! مشترك.

[@nickanning]

Hi, I’m having similar problems on my project Z4 - I think that the emergency release wire has corroded into a fixed position which is stopping the roof from working. (The roof unlatches at the top and I can hear the main motor working but the roof doesn’t move). Do you have any advice?

[@PhillipBailey]

That's possible if the main motor in the b pillar behind the driver door is running but the top does not move. The cable pulls on a small pivot that opens a relief valve in the hydraulics to allow the top be opened or closed manually. If you can push the top open after its unlatched the the release is likely stuck. Make sure the cable in the trunk is not pulled out and try to manually push it in. If that does not work unfortunately the entire roof must come off to service anything at the motor/pump. I've seen a couple videos where people access it from inside the trunk but in my opinion that is a huge hack job as the pump/motor is covered with a plastic housing. good luck...

[@nickanning]

@@PhillipBailey on the arm of the roof?

[@PhillipBailey]

@@nickanning Not sure what you are asking. The release cable is in the trunk by the left trunk hinge under the back window.

[@nickanning]

@@PhillipBailey sorry I’m not being clear - I’ve found the release cable and haven’t been able to push it in so I think that it may be broken/corroded/no longer attached to the cable. Presumably if I take the roof off I can find the lever it’s attached to and put this in the correct position so that the hydraulic system is re-engaged, and the roof will start working again? I’ll let you know tomorrow if I have any luck!

[@PhillipBailey]

@@nickanning I believe you have to twist it 90 degrees to unlock it...

[@moi7248]

Nice video, BMW wants to charge me for the labor $2300.00 plus parts$2800.00 to change the pump and wires, as "it is recommended" due to rust. UHM... I'll just change the pump. Thank you

[@PhillipBailey]

That seems pretty steep to me. Is that USD as well? Parts retail here for around $950 Canadian. It's around a 5 to 6 hour job. I think you should shop around. It is a PITA job and at some point requires two people to lift the top on and off. Where are you located?

[@PhillipBailey]

This job cost my customer $1950.00 parts, labor and 13% tax. That was a genuine BMW part and Canadian dollars.

[@SpicyTamale]

It’s been 11 months but JIC; I did it by myself in 3 hours and I didn’t have to take off the top! You can get to it through the trunk! (: I found a cheaper part through eBay w all wires included and relocated my motor to the trunk so it wouldn’t drown in water in the original location. If it got clogged once from all the gunk, it’s going to happen again and drown the pump again. Everything cost me $180 USD. Meanwhile I waited for my part to arrive I disconnected everything so I can put my top down manually.. hope this helps.

[@vegale1]

@@SpicyTamalehi do you a video doing the job?

[@carlosdacosta5910]

Hi Phillip. Are you still in business and are you interested in doing another roof motor on my 2008 z4 e85? How do I get a hold of you? Carlos

[@PhillipBailey]

I am still in business but am located just outside of Thunder Bay in Ontario Canada. If that works for you email is [e-mail].

[@bal4cars]

Where did you buy the part?

[@PhillipBailey]

Ordered from a BMW dealer out of Toronto.

[@mhndfgihi]

Can it be opened without repairing?

[@PhillipBailey]

I believe it can be manually opened. There is a release cable in the trunk near the left hinge that needs to be pulled and a mechanical release above the mirror. Should be information in the owners manual.