The Hardtop thread

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 5:38 pm

DMC63 wrote:
Mr Tidy wrote:
DMC63 wrote:
Is that a Ford Capri?
Definitely NOT a Capri - it's nearly 10 years old and the floor hasn't even started to rust!

Perhaps I should get a Webasto roof put in.
The good 'ol Capri eh! I reckon a webasto roof will look cool, start a trend even. A brown one

I may even get my hardtop done in white!

The garage I had my top booked into for the respray didn't instill much confidence in me, they weren't sure about how to remove the liner and spoiler...

Needless to say I left it on the car and made off sharpish.

I contacted BMW and they quoted £600 + VAT!

But they were completely confident about the whole process...So it's booked in for the 9th Nov. I don't really care about the additional expense... To be honest most of the paintshops I rang around had no idea how to strip it down. At least I know if the stealers mess it up they'll replace it.

Pastry · Post by **Pastry** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:26 pm

DMC63 wrote: I contacted BMW and they quoted £600 + VAT! But they were completely confident about the whole process...So it's booked in for the 9th Nov. I don't really care about the additional expense... To be honest most of the paintshops I rang around had no idea how to strip it down. At least I know if the stealers mess it up they'll replace it.

Depending where you are located but you could try Specialist Cars in Hitchen. They are a BMW dealership and although their service and sales are in Tring, they have an in house bodyshop in Hitchen. Last month I had the roof of my E89 completely replaced and they did a great job. Just a thought

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:43 pm

Pastry wrote:
DMC63 wrote: I contacted BMW and they quoted £600 + VAT! But they were completely confident about the whole process...So it's booked in for the 9th Nov. I don't really care about the additional expense... To be honest most of the paintshops I rang around had no idea how to strip it down. At least I know if the stealers mess it up they'll replace it.
Depending where you are located but you could try Specialist Cars in Hitchen. They are a BMW dealership and although their service and sales are in Tring, they have an in house bodyshop in Hitchen. Last month I had the roof of my E89 completely replaced and they did a great job. Just a thought

Thanks for the pointer. I'm gonna stick with Spire BMW Kentish Town. They've recently done a fair bit of work on my car (Guaranteed for 2 years). Really thought their customer service and quality of work was spot on, and all BMW Oem parts of course.

cj10jeeper · Post by **cj10jeeper** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 8:57 pm

I understand that if he spray shop didn't inspire then you walk away.

The irony being that BMW will not spray it and send it out to a specialist crash repair or spray shop..

My buddy runs a spray shop and often people go to the local Vauxhall dealer, hear the price and walk the 50m to his place. They are surprised to see all the pdi and crashed 16 & 66 plates on his park....

At least you get the warranty

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 9:19 pm

cj10jeeper wrote:I understand that if he spray shop didn't inspire then you walk away.

The irony being that BMW will not spray it and send it out to a specialist crash repair or spray shop..

My buddy runs a spray shop and often people go to the local Vauxhall dealer, hear the price and walk the 50m to his place. They are surprised to see all the pdi and crashed 16 & 66 plates on his park....

At least you get the warranty

Yep, and ultimately it becomes BMWs responsibility . And for them to supply a new top isn't going to be a problem if an accident happens like it gets dropped or a corner gets knocked off. Spire BMW have their own bodyshop, nothing's farmed out

cj10jeeper · Post by **cj10jeeper** » Thu Oct 27, 2016 10:14 pm

Looks like they have a top end body shop

Im sure the end result will be great

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Fri Oct 28, 2016 8:26 pm

cj10jeeper wrote:Looks like they have a top end body shop
Im sure the end result will be great

They told me it'll look like it's come straight from the factory

I feel comfortable using Spire BMW. Dealerships are hit and miss, this dealership has impressed me with cost and service. Of course the things I can do myself I'll still do. That's one of the joys of having the Z. The dealership labor is £100 p/h

. But they give a price based on the timelines to do the jobs given by Germanys HQ. Example, to replace the rocker cover gasket, 1hr. That's all they charge 1 hr. If it takes longer it doesn't cost more and all parts and workmanship are guaranteed for 2 years. My 'indi-mechanic' charges £65 p/h but if it takes longer it costs more. The thing with some jobs is that the indi doesn't always know his way around the car which can cost £65 for the hour he's been working things out and drinking tea. And I can never get a 'price' for a job from him. It's always, "Well, it depends on how the job goes". That's kind of a 'blank cheque' scenario. And It ALWAYS costs more than his estimate. That's one of the reasons I went to the dealership. Of course this is hypothetical, it's always swings and roundabouts. I give my fiesta and van to the indi. Any work on the Z either I'll do or give it to Spire. But there is of course the knowledgeable and capable folk on this forum who I'd also allow the work on the Z. I'm off to see Bowser on Sunday to have the roof motor relocated to the boot and I'm hoping that in the near future another forum member may be able to help me fit a new clutch and main seal.

ben g · Post by **ben g** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 4:02 pm

Finally got around to getting the hardtop on yesterday. I had been putting it off as I needed to remove the seats to find some stuff I dropped down the side

anyway, cleaned the soft top aswell, so that'll be tucked away now for a few months.

It was lovely this morning, albeit cold, so went for a drive and took some photo's.

Ruined this photo due to my shadow

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 5:59 pm

Looking good Ben

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:36 pm

Great pics.
Just reminded me- didnt get a chance to givthe softop a proper clean before i rushed out to grab that hardtop bargain. It was also a soggy day that day when i got the hardtop on. Would that pre-empt mould problems and a mess when i take the hardtop off next spring anyone reckon?
Damn i also didnt check for leaves as i lowered it when i was backing into the sellers garage.
Damn, damn and an extra slice of damn for the weekend! I'm winding myself up now!

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:47 pm

Chris_D wrote:Great pics.
Just reminded me- didnt get a chance to givthe softop a proper clean before i rushed out to grab that hardtop bargain. It was also a soggy day that day when i got the hardtop on. Would that pre-empt mould problems and a mess when i take the hardtop off next spring anyone reckon?
Damn i also didnt check for leaves as i lowered it when i was backing into the sellers garage.
Damn, damn and an extra slice of damn for the weekend! I'm winding myself up now!

I would recommend taking the hardtop off and drying out the soft top before putting it away for winter.

cj10jeeper · Post by **cj10jeeper** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:50 pm

Marlon wrote:
Chris_D wrote:Great pics.
Just reminded me- didnt get a chance to givthe softop a proper clean before i rushed out to grab that hardtop bargain. It was also a soggy day that day when i got the hardtop on. Would that pre-empt mould problems and a mess when i take the hardtop off next spring anyone reckon?
Damn i also didnt check for leaves as i lowered it when i was backing into the sellers garage.
Damn, damn and an extra slice of damn for the weekend! I'm winding myself up now!

I would recommend taking the hardtop off and drying out the soft top before putting it away for winter.

+1 it should be bone dry before stowing. I would think most moisture would come out but wouldn't not take the risk

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:54 pm

Marlon wrote:
Chris_D wrote:Great pics.
Just reminded me- didnt get a chance to givthe softop a proper clean before i rushed out to grab that hardtop bargain. It was also a soggy day that day when i got the hardtop on. Would that pre-empt mould problems and a mess when i take the hardtop off next spring anyone reckon?
Damn i also didnt check for leaves as i lowered it when i was backing into the sellers garage.
Damn, damn and an extra slice of damn for the weekend! I'm winding myself up now!

I would recommend taking the hardtop off and drying out the soft top before putting it away for winter.

Sh!te that means trying to coordinate something on a dry sunny day with mates who all live miles away or asking one of my neighbours who all seem to be suspicious and/or apprehensive of me...except for one nice old bloke a few doors up but I couldnt ask him, as he's old and frail and would prob drop it and then i'd have to kill him.
Drat.

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:28 pm

Chris_D wrote: . . . Sh!te that means trying to coordinate something on a dry sunny day with mates who all live miles away or asking one of my neighbours who all seem to be suspicious and/or apprehensive of me...except for one nice old bloke a few doors up but I couldnt ask him, as he's old and frail and would prob drop it and then i'd have to kill him.
Drat.

Wonder why they're so suspicious and/or apprehensive towards you

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:33 pm

Marlon wrote:
Chris_D wrote: . . . Sh!te that means trying to coordinate something on a dry sunny day with mates who all live miles away or asking one of my neighbours who all seem to be suspicious and/or apprehensive of me...except for one nice old bloke a few doors up but I couldnt ask him, as he's old and frail and would prob drop it and then i'd have to kill him.
Drat.
Wonder why they're so suspicious and/or apprehensive towards you

I'm bet if they went on this forum, they would be 100% sure of the mad man next door

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