96 Z3 Convertibel window replacement

Anybody know how to install a replacement rear window in a 96 Z3 convertible top? I am getting the factory replacement kit.

Theres a hidden zipper I believe tucked behind some material. Its a pain in the ass to do a window replacement too.

One other thing to consider (yes - the replacement of the window is difficult) is to get an non OEM part.

At http://www.emiata.com/Z3Window.asp you will find a guy to takes your old window as a trade and supplies you with a new window cheaper than a BMW dealer. Here is the kicker though, when he supplies it, the wondow comes with all the necessary glues, etc as well as instructions. It will still probably take you 5 hours to do it, but at least you have instructions.

This guy seems to be in the US - so that suits you too.

i have replaced the plastic window on my wifes z3 in about 30 minutes. the key is to have a second person helping you to get the zipper started and to hold the window in place from inside the car. take your time and work slowly...

it is not difficult but take your time and have a second person help to hold the window from inside the car. release the convertable top slightly to release the tension on the plastic window.key is to get the zipper started evenly. it took about 30 minutes to complete the installation..

So after getting a few quotes for fitting a rear screen, I decided to take on the challenge and show you how I fitted mine, or should I say Claires :wink:
First of all I gave it a bit of a wash,
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1944.jpg
just a quick one on the drive way, Now to show you the reason why it needed changing
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1947.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1945.jpg
So after getting some useful documents off Les :) I started, first I waited till the weather was a bit warm, then I removed the roll bars
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1963.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1950.jpg
Then putting the hood back up, but not all the way, I lifted the cloth around the old screen
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1946.jpg
once done I moved inside and removed the fastener holding the zip together.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1952.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1953.jpg
Once this clip was removed with the help of a screw driver the window was pushed in very gently in a anti-clock motion following the zip line.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1955.jpg
This now left a big hole that needed to be filled before the rain came, so next thing to do was get the new screen in place and locate it. You get an allowance of 1 notch either way so don't continue if this is any more!!!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1958.jpg
so that it didn't come apart I stitched the start with some thread and started to zip the window up. From inside the car the fastener travels in an clockwise motion with the fastener on the inside. Once you come full circle the zip overlaps the top piece, keep the fastener in place and then push the staples through from the outside/(locking the zip in side) in wards and then fix the second part over the spikes and fasten down with a screw driver but be careful you dont slip!!! you get two clamps so use them both.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1960.jpg
Now all that was left was to fasten the new clips in and return the edge of the cloth into the rubber seal around the screen.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1962.jpg
Once this was done it's now a case of putting back the roll bars and job done.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1963.jpg
And now here is the car with the new back screen.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/cambello/DSCN1965.jpg

I am going to replace the rear window in my z3 convertible and have read the site for ideas. Has anyone used the e-miata aftermarket rear window and if so what was the quality of the product and installation like? I am looking for a quality window and would like some assistance please.

I am looking to install a new rear window in my 2001 Z3 convertible and would like to hear from anyone who has done this job. Does anyone have a recommendation of where I can get a quality window and how the installation went. Would I be better with an OEM window or are there quality aftermarket windows out there. All input greatfully received. Thank you.

Just a tip to everyone. If the threads are loose or broken in spots around the top zipper. Remove the window and have someone restich them before zipping in the new window. I'm talking about the tread that hold the zipper section on the top. I've seen many people try to zip in a new window with lots of broken treads and rip the zipper off the top. If no treads are broken make sure you stick something in the front of the top at the windshield to keep it loose. If the top at the windshield flops down while your zipping in the window this could also rip the zipper off the top. Hope this helps everyone.

Anybody know how to install a replacement rear window in a 96 Z3 convertible top? I am getting the factory replacement kit.

Just installed a BMW OEM rear window. From start to finish was less than 1 hour. Zipper worked just fine. The hardest part was installing the keeper clips over the zipper at the end. I had to get a helper to hold the outside while I bent the ends of the keepers over.

Not hard at all.

cw