How To Stop Roof Leaks On A E30 Convertible?.

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Uzi_Khan
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 221
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:00 pm

Post Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:27 am

My roof leaks & my hardtop also leaks... how do i stop the leaks?
Rtaylor2208
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3004
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:00 pm
Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland

Post Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:36 am

Where from on the roof? The usual suspect is the long seal that runs along the front section of the roof where it joins the windscreen surround. This usually crumbles over the years.

A replacement can be bought from BMW for approx £150. I am not sure if the hard tops use the same seal.

If its around the windows then they need re-alligned.

If its through the canvas water proofing with renovo may help prevent this.
Z3I
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3504
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: By Brooklands, in the sunny south.

Post Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:43 am

First thing to remember is that you have a 20+ year old convertible, with 20+year old rubber seals etc, and its never going to be 100% water tight.

But to help, buy some 3 in 1 silicon spray, and treat the rubber seats with it. It helps to repel the water and stop it finding little gaps in the rubber to seep through. Next, check that your windows are not crushing the rubber seats around the windows. Best you can do, like on modern cars, is close your doors with the window slightly down, then raise it when the door is closed, so the glass sits under the rubber lip.
Selection of BMW hardtops available, please ask!
User avatar
Laith
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 239
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:00 pm

Post Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:00 pm

I used black bathroom silicone, wrapped the window edge with cling film and covered the roof edge in silicone and closed for a day.