I would be immensely grateful if some one knows the answers to these Q's:
Are all cabby hard tops genuine BMW items, or are some aftermarket?
How do you tell a genuine BMW item?
Are there any accessories that go with them (clips, etc)?
How do you judge the condition of a hard top?
What sort of money are they worth?
Cabby Hard Top
Moderator: martauto
A few answers from me (I've just picked up a BMW hardtop as part of my new cabby purchase last week):
1) Not all hard tops are BMW - some are aftermarket (and could be considered nicer, as some are painted).
2) It has the BMW partcode on it + installation manual (it needs to be "installed" as the windows need to be setup to fit)
3) Main Accessories - 2 x Posts. 2 x splined Nuts. Special spanner to turn splined nuts. Storage bag. Installation manual.
- If you are lucky, then you may get a frame or Garage roof lifting system with it as well (mine came with a frame)
Look on Google for "E30 Hardtop" (look for pics and read the articles).
Example link -> http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=54&fg=15
Another link -> http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/C ... top_parts/
I cannot comment on condition, but I did pay a lot more for the cabby due to the hard top (I've left it on for the moment as the cabby is at the garage getting a service + new cambelt fitted - I'm trying to prevent soft top damage... ).
- One of the additional benefits of the hardtop is that it has roof rack installation points...
- It does look a little bit strange with the roof on. But the main reason for this is that the hardtop is slightly longer and wider than the soft top roof - so running water is directed onto the bodywork past the horseshoe seals. Considering that I've seen a cabby with water sitting inside the soft top storage compartment, this is a good thing IMHO...
S.
1) Not all hard tops are BMW - some are aftermarket (and could be considered nicer, as some are painted).
2) It has the BMW partcode on it + installation manual (it needs to be "installed" as the windows need to be setup to fit)
3) Main Accessories - 2 x Posts. 2 x splined Nuts. Special spanner to turn splined nuts. Storage bag. Installation manual.
- If you are lucky, then you may get a frame or Garage roof lifting system with it as well (mine came with a frame)
Look on Google for "E30 Hardtop" (look for pics and read the articles).
Example link -> http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=54&fg=15
Another link -> http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/C ... top_parts/
I cannot comment on condition, but I did pay a lot more for the cabby due to the hard top (I've left it on for the moment as the cabby is at the garage getting a service + new cambelt fitted - I'm trying to prevent soft top damage... ).
- One of the additional benefits of the hardtop is that it has roof rack installation points...
- It does look a little bit strange with the roof on. But the main reason for this is that the hardtop is slightly longer and wider than the soft top roof - so running water is directed onto the bodywork past the horseshoe seals. Considering that I've seen a cabby with water sitting inside the soft top storage compartment, this is a good thing IMHO...
S.
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ImysE30
- Married to the E30 Zone
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Aftermarket hardtops are called Wiesmann (spelling) and have a different shape to an 'original' hardtop.
Original:
Wiesmann (aftermarket):
Notice the different curve and the difference in the rear window.
There are 2 hardtop bolts and some clips to secure it.
Condition wise, look for bubbling in the vinyl and also check the inside headlining for any sagging.
Price depends on condition, minty mint 'original' one's are worth £800ish and not so mint one's around £600ish (from what i've seen recently).
Aftermarket one's are cheaper.
HTH
Original:
Wiesmann (aftermarket):
Notice the different curve and the difference in the rear window.
There are 2 hardtop bolts and some clips to secure it.
Condition wise, look for bubbling in the vinyl and also check the inside headlining for any sagging.
Price depends on condition, minty mint 'original' one's are worth £800ish and not so mint one's around £600ish (from what i've seen recently).
Aftermarket one's are cheaper.
HTH
Current Fleet:
E30 335i Turbo M3 Convertible Replica
E30 335i Turbo M3 Convertible Replica
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chinchilla
- E30 Zone Regular
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Genuine BMW hardtops are better looking than the aftermarket Wiesmann hardtop. Although the Wiesmann are painted the shape of them doesn't suit the straight line on the e30!
BMW hardtops only came in black or navy blue vinyl. Some people have the vinyl stripped then filled and color coded, which looks really nice! Even better looking than a 2 door
Wiesmann Hardtop
Genuine BMW hardtop
Genuine colour coded BMW hardtop (excuse the kit
)
BMW hardtops only came in black or navy blue vinyl. Some people have the vinyl stripped then filled and color coded, which looks really nice! Even better looking than a 2 door
Wiesmann Hardtop
Genuine BMW hardtop
Genuine colour coded BMW hardtop (excuse the kit
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Z3I
- E30 Zone Addict
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BMW Hardtops also come in brown and cream! i've see a US car on Ebay with a brown hardtop on metallic beige (Luxor beige??) and it did look good. Never see a cream one but Ive been told they were bought in the US.
Condition can vary a lot, especially headlining.
I have a couple of hardtops for sale from 21st May, a rare mint blue one in near perfect condition, said to only have been used twice, looks stunning on white, blue and silver cabs, especially the Neon blue cab or those with blue-ish interiors, and also a standard black one. I'll be doing photos and listing them in the parts for sale in a week or so.
Meanwhile, heres what a hardtop looks like with the roof bars (very rare and specific only to the E30 hardtop)
Condition can vary a lot, especially headlining.
I have a couple of hardtops for sale from 21st May, a rare mint blue one in near perfect condition, said to only have been used twice, looks stunning on white, blue and silver cabs, especially the Neon blue cab or those with blue-ish interiors, and also a standard black one. I'll be doing photos and listing them in the parts for sale in a week or so.
Meanwhile, heres what a hardtop looks like with the roof bars (very rare and specific only to the E30 hardtop)
Everything that goes with the hardtop is still available at the dealers - nuts, flaps, locking tool. However the deal clincher is the quality of the interior and I would pay a premium for one with perfect headlining, no sags.
1988 Tech1 325i Motorsport Convertible
2005 Porsche Cayman S
2005 Porsche Cayman S
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Z3I
- E30 Zone Addict
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Yep, you fold the softtop away as normal, making sure its clean and dry and properly folded. The hardtop then fits on top.cube320 wrote:Im new to e30 cabs. When you fit the hardtop is the cloth roof foolded away in to the horseshoe.
In my original BMW manual, it also mentions the option of removing the softtop, and how to do it, if the hardtop is to remain in place for a long period.
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Z3I
- E30 Zone Addict
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No, the last thing you want to do is to attempt to dye a hardtop! The blue hardtop is a rare item anyway, and is a thing of beauty on its own!
Black hardtops are the most common anyway, just wait for the right one to come up..
Rodderz..will PM
Black hardtops are the most common anyway, just wait for the right one to come up..
Rodderz..will PM
Selection of BMW hardtops available, please ask!
I've been to see it and it's not perfect, small splits in vinyl, rear edge below window looks worn, roof rack strips would need repainting if possible. Headlining not sagging but has some marks on it.Z3I wrote:No, the last thing you want to do is to attempt to dye a hardtop! The blue hardtop is a rare item anyway, and is a thing of beauty on its own!
Black hardtops are the most common anyway, just wait for the right one to come up..
But you can't dye it black? - a blue hardtop on a black car would look a bit odd.
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BMW_E30vert
- E30 Zone Regular
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schocca can you please send me the hardtop manual. i bought my hardtop for 600 last year winter the headlining was sagging a bit but the vinyl was perfect, getting it colour coded to match my car main thing i would say is to check the window and the rubber seals aswell.
)
Could anyone tell me what would be a reasonalble offer for this hardtop in this condition?jslot wrote:"] I've been to see it and it's not perfect, small splits in vinyl, rear edge below window looks worn, roof rack strips would need repainting if possible. Headlining not sagging but has some marks on it.
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chinchilla
- E30 Zone Regular
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the guys asking too much for it, i sold it to him around £700.