How To Remove And Replace a BWM Z3 Rear Plastic Window Project Z3

[@richardmulcaster4039]

Thankyou so many times! I watched your video a month ago, ordered the screen off ebay and got it done last weekend, I would never have managed it without watching you do it first! However - a couple of caveats for readers...: 1. I bought from ebay and it cost £106, when it arrived, the instructions were in German only and there was no double sided tape and no plastic parring knife for folding it. Google translate sorted our the German, but it was a comedy read basically telling me how difficult it would be. 2. When I lifted up the trim to remove the old window, it resulted in approximately 50% of the stitching that holds half of the zipper to the hood splitting / rotting away. This was disappointing! Nevertheless, another ebay order later and i had a sewing kit.... your confidence in stitching gave me the confidence to do it! It took me about 8-9 hours of sewing to re-do about half of the stitching, this being the vast majority of the work. I kept to the original holes both in zipper and hood material as it was the only way of being sure it would fit. Once the stitching was complete, putting the window didn't take long at all, but warning - lining up the window zipper with the zipper on the hood without a traditional start point on the zipper is not easy. Secondly; when finishing the zipper once you've been all the way around, there is a small, 50mm overlap of zip - BUT - pushing the metal zip tool through the tiny gap between the start point and the end point resulted in the zip breaking open, Twice! A Stitch to hold the start point together was needed. Oh - and I have that little miniture clamp thing thats supposed to hold the start and finish together - well - even trying to use it by pushing through the zipper cord resulted in the zip breaking open - so I ditched that idea in favour of more stitches. All in all, after many hours, it is a complete job, and looks amazing, I'm actually impressed with the stitches too! Thankyou for giving me the confidence to do this!

[@rstv84]

@@richardmulcaster4039 well done to you. As I stated it was my first time and I'm sure other will find your comments helpful. Don't get me wrong the video was heavily edited for the stitching etc lol. But again well done

[@gforcepdx]

Thanks for the video. You've answered so many questions. My window shattered last week on a chill morning. Was pleased to find out it was replaced with a zipper but heard they were difficult. Looked simple enough watching you do it. I was very pleased at the end to see you tuck the fabric under the new rubber edging. My fabric never tucked and always bothered me. Two-sided tape makes sense. Hopefully yours remains secure to this day. Happy motoring.

[@whitefang407]

Awesome job buddy, you make it look so easy as some other links state its a nightmare to do, my stitching has also come out where your has too so pretty similar fix to what I need to do, thanks again

[@rstv84]

Glad to help

[@windsurfer3329]

Thanks for the great video! I am wondering if it would be better to use silicone glue between the fabric and the window to repel water. Do you have any problems with double sticky tape in terms of water? Please let us know. Thanks again.

[@XaviaParson]

Hey, would you have a new link for the window replacement, the current link doesn't seem to be working?

[@patricio1270]

Hi I am trying to change my window too haz zipper is not closing do you know de size of the zipper to see if I can find the metal head

[@ricardasr32]

My new window didnt come with this plastic rubber suround was wondering if possible to glue it from my old window

[@stephenhayston4314]

Great video well done

[@MotorcycleMike846]

Great video!! I have a question though--I bought a used z3 and it looks like the rear window is heat sealed on. No sign of a zipper...which makes me believe there is an aftermarket top on it. My window just cracked on a beginning of winter chilly morning. Am I shit out of luck and have to replace the whole top? If so, what have people been successful with brand wise? Thanks in advance!

[@rstv84]

Yes if there's no zip it will be aftermarket. Not saying you might not be able to get an aftermarket replacement. You will need to be a brave man to attempt a roof replacement. Doable but watch out for saggy spots.... A mohair one is best

[@JaceC88]

What's the tape for mate? Thanks for the vid

[@dees4763]

Any hints or tips on where to order the replacent window

[@rstv84]

Sorry I've just seen the link in the description is no longer available..

[@JuanCruz-dt9rb]

I don’t have a z3 or a bad window but I want a z3 so bad!

[@rstv84]

Mines for sale lol 😆

[@memescentral6568]

Great video mate. I have water leak behind the seating area. Do you think a window replacement would be necessary? (Same car)

[@rstv84]

I would get a watering can and poor it over the roof when it is up then have a look inside and see if you can see where it is coming in. If you better yet get someone else to do it while you sit inside.

[@dixie8329]

Good job my man, but I call bullshit for my experience.. it didn’t fit properly and kept breaking at the zip whenever I had the hood fully closed.. I’m super jealous how easy you made it look! I ended up repairing my old cracked window and refitting it back. For me total waste of time

[@garyjackson2409]

Hi . Great video. I’ve followed your link to eBay. When I put in my car details , it comes up as the window for sale doesn’t fit your vehicle, but if I change the engine details it says the window does fit. Does a different engine details/size really make a difference to the rear window. Thanks

[@rstv84]

I cant see why it would make any difference if I'm honest, but i cant confirm this I'm afraid maybe sent the seller a question

[@garyjackson2409]

@@rstv84 ok thanks. I have sent the seller a message , hopefully they’ll get back to me from Germany. Thanks

[@garyjackson2409]

Could I ask what age your z3 is and what window you ordered? I haven’t heard anything back from the seller? Thanks

[@oskarsandberg7788]

Great video! I have a question, do you know if there is a zipper on all years/models of the z3? Tried to replace my window today on my 97' z3 but could not find the zipper. Just looked like it was sewed in. // greetings from Sweden

[@rstv84]

They do not come with a zipper you need to purchase it separately or it may come with the new window there will be a zip on the window tho is the same on all models

[@oskarsandberg7788]

@@rstv84 there is a zipper on the new window. But not on the car, should there not be a zipper on the car?

[@rstv84]

@@oskarsandberg7788 there should be a zipper on the car also yes. One half one each piece. Maybe it's a replacement roof that's not genuine bmw.. Could be possible

[@rok80r]

Cracking job mate!👍. Will be doing the same next month. Can I ask where you got replacement window, was it in UK? 🤔

[@rstv84]

Link in the description. But eBay via germany

[@phil180700]

How is it holding up?

[@rstv84]

Pretty decent actually.. You have to make sure it folds down correctly but I think that's the same with any roof. I think not folding correctly lead to the rip in the old roof

[@peterhillier-s3w]

Can you please tell the supplier for your z3 rear window. I purchased one from Cabrio Supplies but it was slightly smaller so had trouble zipping it in, Many thanks.

[@rstv84]

It was just an Ebay job, i think the link is in the description if it is still valid as it was over a year ago.

[@martinjames8271]

37 no way 😂😂😂

[@rstv84]

True fact

[@trevorjones5625]

2 things. I hope that was wax covered thread and don't swear on video. Very unprofesssional. lol

[@rstv84]

It was

[@netdude]

Does it require UV resistant thread as well? I'm looking to do the same so hoping to get some pointers. Thanks

[@Aikaramba12]

it's youtube, stfu about swearing

[@rogervonschleusingen4603]

WEAR SOME EAR PLUGS WHEN YOU WATCH VIDEOS, THATS PROFESSIONAL !!!