BMW Z3 - How to fix a leaky roof! (EASY)

[@fabandell]

I can confirm that this has worked! We've had rain all day and so far, so good 😊 a couple of things I left out though... if you use an old credit card to spread the sealant over the bead then it will make the finish a lot cleaner, you can also use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess. All of this is mentioned in the PDF. Thanks for watching ✌🏼

[@shirlprada2447]

Hi all the way from New Zealand. I have a Z3 with a hard top. Same issue you described. Removed the hard top, cleaned around the A pillar drainage plug with turpentine, used a fine wire to make sure the drainage whole was not blocked and flushed it with turpentine. Lightly filled round the rubber plug with black windscreen rubber sealant. Wearing gloves to smooth sealant around the surface. Had some heavy rain couple 3 hours after drying, wohoo no more leaks from down under NZ.

[@SebastianDra]

ProTipp: To clean the hole and the whole way down use a syringe with dish soap filled. I could clean the whole drain with a litte pressure from the syringe. Keep up the good videos!

[@fabandell]

Sebastian D. Good tip! Thanks for watching

[@DaytonCarCare]

Nah just clean it by going through the car wash with the top down ;P

[@CindyCallaway]

Once add the sealant. Use an old Credit card or something with a clean straight edge and it will make smooth. Versus using the screw driver. Also turn your interior light off and open your two doors. Leave over night. Reason being pressure on the seals with doors shut. Good job.

[@bendaniels498]

Legend! No more driving around with a towel on my lap. Much appreciated 👍😊

[@kalathasl]

hey it actually worked !!!!!!! used a silicone black sealant you can hardly tell the difference once the top is out.no water coming in even in heavy rain.

[@neilcassar7931]

Really useful. Gonna try this at the weekend. Fingers crossed it’s stops the drips and wet seats/knees

[@markgowland3852]

Wow man thank God I found this vid... on closer investigation the cracks your filling is an actual plug bout an inch an a bit long I managed to ease it out leaves it clear to check the drainage down! I then cleaned it and the hole thourouly and replaced it with fresh silicon all round sealing it back in.. beautifull it's made my new year and I can't wait for it to rain. Thanku

[@willsherwood-y8v]

I'm not massively clued up on cars but I'm loving the Z3 videos! Keep it up mate!

[@fabandell]

Will Sherwood thanks bro

[@charlesharris6732]

Exactly the problem on my 1997 Z3! Thanks for the solution.

[@lighswarm175]

Did this same fix a couple years a go in my z3 with RTV silicone and it solved my leaking problems and is still fresh as when I did it.

[@fabandell]

lightswarm175 nice one! It's such an easy fix but so effective

[@senne3315]

It's actually smarter to buy a convertible in the winter, because prices are lower ;)

[@fabandell]

Senne yeah that's true! Didn't think of that 😂

[@robertgrant008]

I did that on my e36 in may 2020 and it works cheers

[@InHouseBangers]

I’m going to do mine this weekend. What sealant did you use?

[@michaelodonoghue9385]

Great video, and will help me to fix the leak on my Z3 thanks.

[@scryla2000]

Thank you soooooo much!!!!!! Ben trying to figure out where the water was coming from!!!

[@DaytonCarCare]

I just go to the local hardware store. They have different width weather/water seal strips that are easy to attach.

[@ronpittman1968]

Looking to buy a 98 z3 2.3, 160,000 mi. and well maintained, from a friend who has no mechanical ability and telling me that repairs are expensive so I shouldn't. I have mechanical ability and also own a 91 toy 22re 4wd 5 speed pu that I do all the repairs on major and minor. Understand different in so many ways but mechanics is basically mechanics, somewhat. Been test driving for a couple of weeks, performs well but soft top does leak at the posts, video very helpful also will need to replace driver side window gasket, repair ac, repair conv. top linkage for motor driven opening/closing and put new brakes. Under the hood looks a little intimidating as of now compared to my truck but I love the vehicle and it is the opposite of the truck plus I'm 67 and like keeping old things going. Would love to read other peoples reviews on this car.

[@santiagoorozco6321]

Hi fabien I just buy a blue 1998 Z3 1.9(like the james bond movie) for the same reasons that you say in one of your videos after only have V8's motors I love this car for a lot of things if you wanna see my channel you are welcome! keep doing videos like this and greetings from mexico!!!!!

[@fabandell]

Santiago Hernandez Orozco awesome man!! Hope you enjoy it :) thanks for the support

[@dirkjanotten7916]

Thanks buddy this works for my z3 also i have now a cabrio witout leaks

[@fabandell]

No worries bro! glad i could help

[@rolandwells8398]

Any chance you could show how to install the rubber strip that goes between the body and the soft top? Mine is loose and there does not appear to be anything to attach it to. Thanks! I appreciate the videos and Z3 culture!!

[@leiladyer1821]

Fantastic.Could not understand directions on web.When it stops raining i will give it a go and hopefully be able to give my gold fish a new home.

[@fabandell]

Glad i could help! hahaha best of luck

[@adamivell]

Sick top! You were smart you bought a Convertible when theyre unwanted and cheap haha.

[@fabandell]

6TWO1 True... I'm tempted to sell it though man, too slow 😂

[@johnburns2485]

Just paid 1050 for one two weeks ago, two years ago got one for 900. Drove both home in snow :-) It's not slow, you're just not revving it hard enough, use the top end. Peak power is 4500 rpm so stay around there. Keep the stock airbox but give it a second air source from the fog lamp. It you want get it chipped on a rolling road, M42 and M44 have lots of potential as the factory tune was really conservative to avoid embarrassing the six cylinder cars.

[@fabandell]

Thanks for the info, top end power is the only place it shines really.. fun as hell to drive but I'm used to a turbo haha, i have seen the airbox mod! I might do that one soon

[@johnburns2485]

Remove all the foam from the inside too. It breaks down with age and gets sucked into the engine.

[@CindyCallaway]

Have you done rekeying the door locks? My passenger side one broke I bought a lock from junk yard but need to know how to rekey to my current key, so it will match driver and trunk locks. Thanks

[@cthume2]

I did this step to replace the break in the A pillar but I am still dealing with water getting in (have a 97 Z3). Any suggestions on where to look next? I have a gap between the top of the window, when rolled up, and the soft top canvas.. Could that be the problem?

[@Craig_Bolin]

Charles Hume I believe you can tighten the latches so that the top closes tighter.

[@DAZ1925]

I would have thought that if the soft top is waterproof and the hardtop isn't it would be an issue with the hardtop itself and not the A pillar seals.

[@jakewilson2474]

just on the off chance came across you're channel ! , also have a z3 all blacked out , 17" alloys having a full re spray in the next few weeks ill try and get you some pictures !

[@fabandell]

Jake Wilson that's awesome jake! Yeah I would love to see some photos

[@Jeereemyy3]

Is the sealant you’re using tha same as the ona that is used to seal engines? I haven’t found special one for rubbers. I’m gonna use this for my ford focus cc. Thanks a lot!!

[@infernal4232]

I love this video just what I was looking for, also I have a leak in the trunk do you know what it could be? The soft top is brand new just replaced

[@catotheyounger9339]

I a problem of moister accumulating on the floor of the trunk along the back wall. The water is somehow coming through the taillight. I wish I could give you more information but it was a repair shop that discovered it and fixed it.

[@cbgardenservices9322]

Love the seats ! Hopefully see you at edition 38 this year ?

[@fabandell]

i Meerrkat thanks man! Yes for sure! Favourite show of the year

[@cbgardenservices9322]

Fabien Beddard sweet bro ! Still got a long time yet 😔

[@allanlang7332]

where is the pdf file you mentioned?????????

[@ncopeman]

My z3 roof has started leaking at the same place but the pdf link on the forum is dead 😭

[@ichsanmasabb]

Please make a video about wet carpet how to solve it

[@jamiepfaff5885]

Get a shop vac (wet/dry vac), peel back the carpet from the door sill, put the slit attachment on vac (narrow, thin opening), jam the vac in there under the carpet and let it run 30-60 min. It can also help to punch a hole or two in the carpet to help air flow; doesn't look great but be discreet and it does help. Can also vac the top of the carpet.

[@ichsanmasabb]

Jamie Pfaff thanks , but i already try it and it still wet every time i wash my car

[@TheRobynhud]

Thanks for that.

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

Can we get some more Z4 Videos? also, how old are you and how much was insurance?

[@fabandell]

More coming man, I'm 20 and my insurance is expensive because iv had a claim in the past

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

Nice one, I'm 20 too, living in Warwick. I keep checking and the cheapest quote I'm getting is around 1900 quid... Which provider have you gone with? Cheers mate

[@thinklikeido]

Mine leaks into the trunk? Like to know how fix that.

[@catotheyounger9339]

I had the same problem of water accumulating along the floor of the back wall of the trunk. The water was coming through the taillight. Sorry I can't give you how it was fixed - a repair shop discovered it and fixed it.

[@clifford3494]

Not First🙆🏼‍♂️

[@fabandell]

Kelvin Clifford there's always next time 😉

[@lzgoldn7709]

Can the annoying music and this isn't a bad vid.

[@miggy2rawfilms470]

My z3 leaks the same place

[@fabandell]

Miggy2RawFilms hopefully this helps then 👊🏻

[@w.manders2817]

camera too much on your head instead of the car

[@tommyrimmer536]

1st

[@fabandell]

Thanks for watching!

[@tommyrimmer536]

no probz, sound channel

[@jessies_nutrition]

2nd 💜

[@fabandell]

Better luck next time ;)

[@Reflective-Matter]

3:33 for the actual process, way too much unnecessary talking before hand.

[@fabandell]

Mess my bad! I did ramble on quite a bit