How do you remove lining from Z4 hardtop?

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 8:20 pm

About to take hardtop in for re spray. Not sure the garage knows how to remove lining though I'm probably underestimating their skills. I'd like to know how to do it so I can give them pointers. They'll need to remove it to unbolt the spoiler. Can anyone tell me how this is done please.

markeg · Post by **markeg** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:22 pm

Looks like it's the side plastic connectors and clips: there is a head lining on eBay here in case it goes wrong...

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:01 pm

markeg wrote:Looks like it's the side plastic connectors and clips: there is a head lining on eBay here in case it goes wrong...

When you say 'clips' what do you mean?

markeg · Post by **markeg** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:28 pm

I would expect the front and back to have some of the usual BMW trim clips?

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 8:05 pm

markeg wrote:I would expect the front and back to have some of the usual BMW trim clips?

That's my guessing too. I'm a bit worried (understatement

) about taking it in for it's respray. I'm laying awake in bed thinking
about what could possibly go wrong, and I've come up with a lot of 'things'.
The garage it's going to deals with some serious cars, take a look at this link...
https://www.carcare1.co.uk/
But I'm still worried... I'm going to give them the full 'list' of all the things I've thought of..I may need to see a shrink

85genius · Post by **85genius** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 8:07 pm

Mine came unclipped at the back, had some number plate tape ready to stick it back down but it just clipped into place

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:55 am

Having recently removed my hard top lining and having searched for this very answer myself I thought I'd post for future reference.

The hardtop has those usual BMW plastic screws.

See picture below for what I mean:

These are stupidly annoying to get out, some are tight and require a mixture of pressure on the screw head plus pulling from underneath. Others won't budge and you'll just strip the thread, had to use force to just pull them out (obviously will need replacing). Others just screw out fine.

There are 3 on either side, 5 on the top (windscreen side) and 4 on the bottom (heated rear window side). See the annotated picture below:

: IMG_2636 - Copy.JPG (34.29 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

Just requires taking these screws out and then pulling the trim off. I would remove the first small piece of trim that sits under the HRW, then take the main part of the trim off. This also gives you access to the rear spoiler which can then be removed (has 4 screws).

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:58 am

More pictures - before:

: IMG_2636.JPG (36.16 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2637.JPG (38.43 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2638.JPG (34.92 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:58 am

: IMG_2639.JPG (38.34 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2640.JPG (32.64 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:59 am

After:

: IMG_2641.JPG (43.66 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2642.JPG (38.47 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2643.JPG (36.19 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:00 am

: IMG_2644.JPG (47.87 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2645.JPG (39.77 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

: IMG_2646.JPG (35.18 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:40 am

Great detailed reply kis, along with lots of really useful pics

- should help DMC63 sleep and avoid the shrink.

markeg · Post by **markeg** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:49 am

^^ +1, that's great info. Did you find any metal framing in the roof - it doesn't look like it's all Glass Fibre resin in there?

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 12:04 pm

Marlon wrote:Great detailed reply kis, along with lots of really useful pics - should help DMC63 sleep and avoid the shrink.

Cheers Marlon

kis · Post by **kis** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 12:13 pm

markeg wrote:^^ +1, that's great info. Did you find any metal framing in the roof - it doesn't look like it's all Glass Fibre resin in there?

No metal framing in the roof? Not sure if you mean some sort of mesh system or possibly some sort of brace?

As far as I can tell the whole unit is made of some sort of resin type material. Got a slight chip on one of the edges and it's got a bit of white showing through. Not dissimilar to glass fibre insulated tools we sometimes use at work (when they're worn and showing their age). I removed the trim and you can see the pictures showing the internal of the hardtop. Nothing more inside or inbetween these layers. Although now you mention, it's probably a good idea to add some sound insulation. Only a bit mind.

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