Get Controls and features -> Convertible top Guide for BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

⁴⁰ⁿManual convertible top, roadster

Weather protection

The convertible top combines reliable

protection from the elements with

simple, convenient operation. Here are

a few tips to ensure that you have plea-

sure with your roadster.

It is advisable to close the convertible

top when the vehicle is parked. The

closed convertible top not only protects

the passenger compartment from

unforeseeable damage from the

weather, it also provides a certain

degree of theft protection. In addition,

To open

3. Raise the convertible top approx. 8 in

(20 cm) from the convertible top

frame on the inside to relieve tension

on the top, refer to arrow 1

1. With the doors closed, lower the side

keep valuables only in the locked

luggage compartment, even with the

convertible top closed.

windows a few inches (centimeters)

2. To release the convertible top: pull

the levers outward on the left and the

right of the convertible top frame

(refer to the illustration)

Never mount a roof-mounted luggage

rack on the convertible top. Please

contact your BMW center for suitable

securing devices and additional acces-

sories.

Be sure that the convertible top

folds at the front linkage joints

first, refer to arrow 2. If it does not, the

convertible top linkage could be bent.<

To prevent damage, do not operate the

convertible top at temperatures at the

freezing point.

4. Continue to raise the top at the front

and push it toward the rear into the

convertible top compartment.

In the process, make sure the rear

window is laid down evenly and free

of creases. To prevent the rear

window from being scratched, a soft

cloth should be laid in the window

fold

Manual convertible top, roadster

41n

5. Fold the release levers against the

convertible top frame.

In order to avoid subsequent

moisture damage, do not open

and store the convertible top when it is

wet.<

To mount the cover

The attachment points of the cover are

indicated by the four arrows in the illus-

tration.

The illustration depicts a representative

schematic of the fasteners for the

convertible cover.

1. Position the convertible cover on the

convertible top compartment and

align the upper portions of the

fasteners with the lower portions on

the vehicle

To secure, press the outer ring of the

cover fastener onto the mating piece on

the vehicle (refer to the arrows).

2. Lift the cover at the rear, reach

underneath it and engage the two

middle fasteners

3. Attach the front fasteners

⁴²ⁿManual convertible top, roadster

To close

4. Push the peripheral frame of the

cover under the edge of the convert-

ible top compartment

> Loosen the front fasteners (outer

arrows)

1. To remove the convertible top cover:

> Pull the outer frame of the cover

under the edge of the convertible

top compartment

>Loosen the fasteners. Pull the cap

of the latch upward, refer to the

arrow

5. Check the convertible cover to be

sure it is properly secured.

> Lift the cover from the rear and

release the middle fasteners

(middle arrows)

In order to avoid damage and

soiling of the inside of the convert-

ible top, always drive with the cover

secured in place.<

Be sure that the cover is secured

properly on the vehicle. If it is not

firmly secured, the flow of air while

driving could loosen the cover at higher

speeds.<

Manual convertible top, roadster

43n

Be sure that the fastener hooks 2

on the left and right are securely

engaged in the frame of the windshield.

If they are not, the convertible top could

open while the vehicle is moving.<

At higher speeds, it may occur

that the lower air pressure which

is created in the passenger compart-

ment will cause the top or the rear

window to flutter. Increase the air

supply via the ventilation controls so

that a low pressure draft does not occur

in the vehicle.<

3. Pull the release lever away from the

frame as far as possible

> To avoid damage, carefully fold the

cover and store it in the luggage

compartment.

4. Holding the convertible top at the

front convertible top frame, lift it out

of the convertible top compartment

and fold it forward

Do not position heavy objects on

the cover.

If you store the cover away from the

vehicle, the cover should be spread

out.<

When folding the convertible top

forward, do not grasp it by the

side linkage. If you do so, there is a risk

of injury to your hands and fingers.<

2. When the doors are closed, lower the

side windows slightly

5. Insert the pins 1, on the left and the

right, into the guides in the wind-

shield frame. Using the handle

recess in the center of the convert-

ible top frame, pull the convertible

top down. Hold the top in this posi-

tion and secure both fasteners, refer

also to page 109.

⁴⁴ⁿPower convertible top, roadster*

Operate the convertible top only

Weather protection

when the vehicle is stationary.

Do not lay objects on the convertible

top, since they would fall off when the

convertible top is operated and cause

damage or injuries.

The convertible top combines reliable

protection from the elements with

simple, convenient operation. Here are

a few tips to ensure that you have plea-

sure with your roadster.

Do not reach into the convertible top

mechanism during opening and closing.

Keep children away from the moving

parts of the convertible top during

operation.

It is advisable to close the convertible

top when the vehicle is parked. The

closed convertible top not only protects

the passenger compartment from

unforeseeable damage from the

weather, it also provides a certain

degree of theft protection. In addition,

keep valuables only in the locked

luggage compartment, even with the

convertible top closed.

The automatic sequence is interrupted

immediately if the button for actuating

the top (pages 45 and 48) is released.

The sequence can be continued in the

desired direction by pressing the

button.<

To open

1. With the doors closed, lower the side

windows a few inches (centimeters)

2. To release the convertible top: pull

the levers outward on the left and the

right of the frame of the top (refer to

the illustration)

Never mount a roof-mounted luggage

rack on the convertible top. Please

contact your BMW center for suitable

securing devices and additional acces-

sories.

To prevent damage, do not operate the

convertible top at temperatures at the

freezing point.

To conserve the battery, it is advisable

to operate the top only with the engine

running.

Power convertible top, roadster*

45n

If the convertible top has not been

lifted far enough, or if the foot-

brake is not applied, the motor which

operates the convertible top will not

operate.<

In order to avoid subsequent

moisture damage, do not leave

the convertible top open when it is

wet.<

3. Raise the convertible top approx. 8 in 5. Hold the footbrake down during the

(20 cm) from the convertible top entire opening procedure

frame on the inside to relieve tension 6. Lift the convertible top frame. Press

on the top, refer to arrow 1

and hold the button for convertible

top operation in the "Open"

Be sure that the convertible top

folds at the front linkage joints

direction (2) until the opening

process is completed and the

convertible top is folded into the

convertible top compartment.

first, refer to arrow 2. If it does not, the

convertible top linkage could be bent.<

4. Press the release lever against the

frame of the top

⁴⁶ⁿPower convertible top, roadster*

To mount the cover

The attachment points of the cover are 4. Push the peripheral frame of the

indicated by the four arrows in the illus-

tration.

cover under the edge of the convert-

ible top compartment

The illustration depicts a representative

schematic of the fasteners for the

convertible cover.

5. Check the convertible cover to be

sure it is properly secured.

1. Position the convertible cover on the

convertible top compartment and

align the upper portions of the

fasteners with the lower portions on

the vehicle

To secure, press the outer ring of the

cover fastener onto the mating piece on

the vehicle (refer to the arrows).

In order to avoid damage and

soiling of the inside of the convert-

ible top, always drive with the cover

secured in place.<

2. Lift the cover at the rear, reach

underneath it and engage the two

middle fasteners

Be sure that the cover is secured

properly on the vehicle. If it is not

firmly secured, the flow of air while

driving could loosen the cover at higher

speeds.<

3. Attach the front fasteners

Power convertible top, roadster*

47n

To close

> Release the front fasteners (outer

arrows)

> To avoid damage, carefully fold the

cover and store it in the luggage

compartment.

1. To remove the convertible top cover:

> Pull the outer frame of the cover

under the edge of the convertible

top compartment

>Loosen the fasteners. Pull the cap

of the latch upward, refer to the

arrow

Do not position heavy objects on

the cover.

> Lift the cover from the rear and

release the middle fasteners

(middle arrows)

The cover should be spread out if you

store it away from the vehicle.<

⁴⁸ⁿPower convertible top, roadster*

At higher speeds, it may occur

that the lower air pressure which

is created in the passenger compart-

ment will cause the top or the rear

window to flutter. Increase the air

supply via the ventilation controls so

that a low pressure draft does not occur

in the vehicle.<

2. When the doors are closed, lower the 6. Insert the pins 1, on the left and the

side windows slightly

3. Pull the release lever away from the

frame as far as possible

right, into the guides in the wind-

shield frame. Using the handle

recess in the center of the convert-

ible top frame, pull the convertible

top down. Hold the top in this posi-

tion and secure both fasteners, refer

also to page 109.

4. Hold the footbrake down during the

entire closing procedure

5. Press and hold the button for

convertible top operation in the

"Close" direction (1) until the closing

process is completed and the

convertible top frame has docked

against the windshield frame

If the footbrake is not applied, the

motor which operates the

convertible top will not operate.<

Be sure that the fastener hooks 2

on the left and right are securely

engaged in the frame of the windshield.

If they are not, the convertible top could

open while the vehicle is moving.<

Controls and features -> Convertible top for Your BMW Z3 SUV First Generation (1995-2002)

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