HARDTOP WANTED FOR MY CONVERTABLE

Hi Guys

Anyone know where i can get hold of a hardtop for my convertable? Not sure if they changed through the years but its for a 1987 325i convertable. Any colour/condition considered. need one real soon as its starting to get quite cold in the mornings till the heater warms up.

cheers

There is one for sale at www.bmwcarshowroom.com its quite expensive though.  £1100. Its in the spares and parts section on page 11.

I have just had my hardtop colour coded - what a job!

The rear window seal and the underside rear rubber seal had to be removed. The vinyl roof type covering was an absolute pig to remove and I ended up resorting to a wallpaper steam stripper and about 3 days work. Once removed, a honeycombed skeleton structure covered in fibreglass was revealed. This had to be sanded down a fair bit to get a really flat surface, prior to a lot of filler primer and resanding. Once coated with the first coat of paint, all imperfections could then be removed. Finally painted and laquered - excellent.  The guy in the prep and paint shop said never again.

Just got to sort out some new rubber seals to finish a well worth job.

Hi

If you have not sorted out a hardtop for your car I can at least give you some ideas or options.

The prices are not too scary..promise

You can have anew one painted and fitted and trimmed in leather for a lot less than some people are quoting..

Let me know

Cheers

Neil

Basically there are two types of E30 hardtop. The original which came in three colours and had a vinyl type effect, tint and heated rear windows. The second is the Wiesmann hard top which is colour coded to your vehicle.

The originals came out at around 2k and are no longer off the shelf, secondhand good examples are available at anything from 700 - 1500 pounds and can be found on ebay or through good magazine classifieds.

Wiesmann are still made to order and cost iro of £1300, they are much more rounded at the back than the original.

It is a matter of choice, but IMHO I prefer the original.

Whichever you choose make sure you have the fitting kit to accept the hardtop.

Iain

Hi

The info from Iain is as accurate as you will get but prices and quality do vary

The cost a new Wiesmann top in the UK is currently £1250+vat from AutomacGB@aol.com, this would include fitting.  BUT 99% of E30s I have seen appear to have the fitting kit, but it should still check under the rubber bungs for plastic tubes with a white top piece.

This price would be with a textile finish, but you can also order a velour or even leather interior trim if you wish.

Second hand items do come available but often go for high prices whether original or Wiesmann.

Basically the hardtop is a great investment if you plan to use your car all year round, or for added security.

As to which type you opt for it is personal preference the original as stated is vinyl covered and primarily black but I have seen blue, beige and a brown one but I believe these other colours were produced in very small numbers.

Many people prefer the original as the shape mimics more like the hardtop car, whereas the Wiesmann unit makes the car look more like a coupe, and can be colour-coded.  The choice is always the customers.

Regards

Neil

There is a hardtop for sale in the for sale parts on the forum of the E30 Zone.

http://com2.runboard.com/be30zoneforum