The Right Way to lower your BMW Z3 Soft-Top

[@ElliutN]

Well done and thanks for the great info. Just picked up a Z3 over the weekend and love the car so far. Trying to learn all I can and these vids help a ton!!!

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thank you so much! It really means a lot. This is my first project car so I'm learning as I go. Everything that I've learned in the last year I want to share in hopes it helps somebody else out.

[@tth715]

I own a 96 Z3 that was handed down to me from my dad in 2011 and it mostly sits in my garage, hence it just made it to 52,000 miles… When I got it it had around 30k miles. Anyway, after learning the hard way over the years that letting a vehicle sit-up unused creates hella avoidable problems 😢 so for the last 3 months I’ve been driving it 1-2 times per week and learning so much about caring for it, including trying to make a few cost conscious & practical adjustments/upgrades like LED light bulbs and a Bluetooth stereo. Anyway, in the almost 13 years I’ve owned this car, I’ve never let the top back and now I’m curious if it even works and just want to know how to use it properly so thank you for this detailed and easy to follow video👍🏾🙏🏾🥰❤

[@CoolcatsAlley]

You are most welcome and when you open the trunk of your car look on your left hand side behind the liner. There is the hydraulic pump right there check to see the fluid level cuz if the pump don't work your top won't go down.

[@gatorkissman]

Yeah I dont even have a manual for mine, let alone a window cover - had no idea it ever came with that from the factory. Going to look for one online now, wish me luck.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

They're pretty expensive to be honest. A thin blanket or towel is your best bet.

[@gatorkissman]

@@CoolcatsAlley I noticed your softtop is looking brand new, is that the original or did you replace it recently? I got two quotes for a new one that blew my mind and would blow my wallet, and I dont wan't to spend that much. Just curious if you have any suggestions.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

@@gatorkissman I replaced it myself last year. Bought it from Autotopsdirect during the Memorial Day sale. I think I spent less than $500 total for all parts and tools I needed to do the job. A professional shop wanted $4000 so that is why I did it myself.

[@gatorkissman]

@@CoolcatsAlley Thats likely the route I will go as well. Thank you for that!

[@CTSpook6]

Good info. However, the two locking levers are supposed to be closed before the roof is opened completely to avoid bending the locking levers. 🤔

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thanks for watching the video. And yes this was a tip I neglected. Another viewer mentioned the same thing. This is helpful information so thank you.

[@navydocgeorge]

I like the red strips on your dash Is that something you can purchase, I also have the red interior Thanks

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Yes it's car interior trim I bought off Amazon. It doesn't stay in place well on the dash behind the gauges. I could add adhesive to make it work but I want the option to be able to remove it easily. Here is the link to the one I bought. amzn.to/3ZTb5Fs

[@DriverlessBus]

8:18 great video! Thanks a lot (clive uk)

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@OnlyIKnow_]

This video was so helpful! thank you!

[@rugerar5567]

Can you make a video showing how to lower the spare tire? I'd like to see that!

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Yes I can. I filmed it a week after seeing your comment and it's now up if you haven't seen it yet.

[@JuanCruz-dt9rb]

Great video, I just wish I could afford a car like that!

[@CoolcatsAlley]

These cars are very affordable! The majority sell for around $6k and will need some TLC. The best condition ones are around $10k.

[@9-1-juan6]

Another tip would be to use one of those foam pool noodles cut to the length of the of plastic window so that when the top is down the plastic window doesnt leave a fold crease (Leaving top down in hot weather will soften the plastic window enough to create a crease)

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thanks for the tip

[@JohnHynes_at_lookituplive]

Thank you for sharing we just found one of these amazing fun cars and did not know this even that it has a powered lower top button, If anyone else has one could I ask about some particular noises I am hearing in the shifting of the manual transmission?

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thanks for watching my video. I hope you find the others helpful as well.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

What kind of noises and does your transmission shift properly?

[@JohnHynes_at_lookituplive]

@CoolcatsAlley yes it shifts properly, but when you go from first to second gear, pushing in the clutch, it makes a clunky/rattling sound. It doesn't do it in first gear, it does it from first to second and second to third. When you release the clutch it's fine.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

@@JohnHynes_at_lookituplive OK it sounds like your throw out bearing needs to be replaced. How many miles are on your transmission? Has the clutch been replaced? If you have high mileage or all original parts then I highly suggest you also get the clutch and pressure plate replaced since you are inside the the transmission. Not worth tearing it apart a second time. If you replace the clutch and pressure plate then you have to get the flywheel resurfaced otherwise it will destroy the new clutch. Now you can get away with only replacing the throwout bearing, but like I said, you're already inside the transmission. Might as well take care of the other stuff while you're in there. Save yourself from a headache later.

[@JohnHynes_at_lookituplive]

@CoolcatsAlley thank you very much for sharing and hoping that is it I have seen many videos now where people go into replacing many shaft bearing and the rear diferential I'm sure these will need serviced also but not all at once. This 2.3 has 160.000 miles and so far no repair records but we do see carfax history since new it was serviced at bmw till around 2012 and then, after some yearly either emissions test or tune ups

[@RobF15E]

I always wondered what that grey material was for... Nice job, thanks!

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thanks for watching

[@SPIDERKING777]

What year is yours? What work did you do to the interior?

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Mine is a 2001. I go over everything I've done with the car in my walk-around video. Check it out!

[@williamalthoff2305]

Where can I get the protective cover ?

[@CoolcatsAlley]

I've seen people selling them online on eBay but they all want over $100 for it. I would say just get yourself a nice towel that isn't too heavy or thick and that will do the trick.

[@VirgilVanhelsun]

You are great

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Thank you

[@Umoronz]

Nice thanks

[@CoolcatsAlley]

No problem

[@coolbreezetaylor6290]

Instructions for installing new convertable top

[@CoolcatsAlley]

I replaced my soft top and didn't make a video on it. With I did.

[@colinvannbohemen11]

That was a really informative tip, thank you.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Glad I could help 😁

[@aliasmari]

I ❤z3

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Me too

[@lokitaplayz]

Awesome!

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Glad you think so!

[@estebansierra1307]

I use a towel.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

That definitely works!

[@tommyers3792]

One step missed. After unlatching the top always raise the first section as you did and CLOSE THE LATCH LEVERS before lowering the top.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

This is good to know

[@VOGTLANDOUTDOORS]

NICE VIDEO... I'm a happy owner of a 1998 z3, but I continue to learn that the z3's convertible top is clear evidence that some VP's-stupid-son-in-law-with-a-degree-in-political-science was the designer of this top. There are SO MANY owner-conceived, owner-led "fixes" and "right ways" for the z3 top that it SCREAMS this most-important-of-all-aspects-of-a-CONVERTIBLE was delegated off to a team of buffoons. Period. IMAGINE designing a top that was GUARANTEED - literally BY DESIGN - to only last barely 10 years - and that's only if it's GARAGE-KEPT and PAMPERED. It's stupifying. It's right up there with making DOOR PANELS - parts that LIVE IN THE RAIN REGULARLY - out of PRESSED SAWDUST (basically) - it's maddening. And all your "be sure and do this" and "be sure and DON'T do that" about something that is barely 2 meters by 2 meters and mostly CLOTH? And don't even get me STARTED on ZIPPERED WINDOWS where the ZIPPER FAILS literally YEARS before the STITCHES FAIL, and plastic dash and "Oddments" lids that literally DISTINTIGRATE after barely 10 years... WE ALL NEED TO STOP "ADAPTING" TO THE INESCAPABLE AND OBVIOUS FLAWS IN THIS TOP AND INSTEAD DESIGN A SIMPLER, BULLETPROOF AFTERMARKET ADD-ON TOP - one whose rear window and cover are BRUTALLY REPLACEABLE. WHERE IS THIS TOP? -Mark in North Aurora, IL

[@CoolcatsAlley]

I agree but I think the major downfall was BMW insisted that the designers use parts from older models to keep costs down. So reusing old parts for the E36 and E30 didn't help.

[@Gunflame454]

I will never forget nor forgive BMW or the people of land of Bavaria for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the human race in regards to the removal and installation of that soft top.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Took me two weeks to replace the soft top but your assistance kept me from giving up.

[@CoolcatTerri]

This car was made in America

[@Gunflame454]

@@CoolcatTerri The minds and money and resources behind it were from Germany. I care not for where the cruel hands stitched together this nightmare. I know where it came from... it came from Deutschland.

[@victorsarmiento8835]

Deutschland! Deutschland!! RAh! RAH!! RAH!!!

[@JohnHynes_at_lookituplive]

Is it that bad?

[@boabie1463]

May as well take a shit beside the road after applying the window cover, just Incase no one seen you applying the window cover when the sun came out😅. 100 bucks gets you a new zip window every few years

[@boabie1463]

Death to the window cover right way proper lol

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Many replacement tops do not come with a zip up window. People are less likely to pay extra for the OEM top when it will add another $500-$1000 to the total cost of installation. I replaced my top last year and opted to go without that option for this very reason.

[@doppelwaffen]

@@CoolcatsAlley You will have to replace it anyway after a couple of years. The plastic ages and becomes brittle and then the window cracks and there is nothing you can do about it. A zip up window is money well spent.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

@@doppelwaffen I agree the plastic will age. My Z3 is a garage queen and stays under a cover. I'm careful with the products I use to clean and protect the plastic window. Mine won't turn yellow or crack for a very long time since it doesn't see much sun. I drive it occasionally for car events and even then the top is down so the window is not exposed to the sun.

[@tommyers3792]

@@doppelwaffen Stop using inferior aftermarket crap. My original BMW zip in I just replaced for the first time after 23 years. Replaced with the BMW genuine and expect it to last as long with proper care.

[@scotts1354]

⚠️ It’s not clear what this gray article actually did or it’s purpose. Can anyone actually spell it out??

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Are you referring to the rear window cover? That protects the plastic window from scratches when folding the top down. Can't tell if your comment was serious or sarcastic but I hope the video helped you.

[@raymondhall8629]

Be careful of your paint with that cover clips

[@CoolcatsAlley]

My paint is riddled with paint chips and some scratches. I couldn't care less about my paint. I'm saving up to get the car repainted.

[@GreenWitch1]

Ffs

[@CoolcatsAlley]

...

[@michaelswanton2224]

I'm sorry. I can't watch videos when people hold the camera in one hand and try to work with the other.

[@CoolcatsAlley]

Not everyone has a dedicated camera person to help them and sometimes having the camera mounted limits what can be seen.