11-Z3 Soft Top

CLASSIC BMW SOFT TOP

06.11.18 A 5 o'clock start, no rain and the GPS System was working well, once I had familiarised myself with the software. I arrived at Stockport at around 8:30am, ready for a 9:00am start on my soft top. No strange or unaccounted events during my journey, perhaps an acception, a kink in my neck from driving without a rear window for the duration. I was also surprised on how the M6 was so busy at that unearthly hour, doesn't anyone sleep anymore? The roads have changed dramatically in a space of a couple of years.

Paul Williams, the Soft Top Shop owner and fitter arrived soon after me, a shuffle of cars and he got started immediately after basic introductions. I chose to stay and observe his technique and workmanship, the alternative was to look around the shops for a number of hours and this I couldn't do, I had spent enough and needed to watch the purse strings.
With all honesty, I observed Paul throughout the full duration and I was impressed by his skills in the fitting process and this didn't seem to phase him, he didn't mind me recording the event by taking photos of various stages as some other establishments may have taken exception. I could not fault him, even at times when I thought he would leave or forget a task, he would recap and continue then to complete the next task; it was like seeing a robot or something programmed or working to a script, forgive me, it was not meant to be derogatory, it just showed me he was focused on the job at hand and nothing was left undone!

We had chats throughout the fitting on numerous topics, especially on the vehicles he was slowly restoring and some he will be selling, Paul was open to questions concerning the fitting too and proved to be knowledgeable on a number of subjects including this one.

I found today interesting and would suggest to any D.I.Y'ers to think twice before attempting this fitting. If you are confident and have a good grounding on disassembly and assembly this could be of interest to you. There is a particular sequence and each sequence or stage is relative, miss one and it can become confusing or even a nightmare if you lose track and focus, a logical approach is the key to a successful fitting. One needs to be organised with the tasks of dismantling, (knowing where the screws, bolts, slides, rubbers, brackets, wires are fitted and then, again retracing their new locations around the car when dismantled. Once this has been taken on board the next step is to be able to know where each part goes back to what location. Another key point is to know what to keep and what was for the disposal, such as keeping the inner lining ; this organisation is very important when ready for re-assembly of the new Soft Top.

Paul Williams has many years; professionally fitting Soft Tops to all types of vehicles and it is understandable that he has gained a routine over the years. I found it best to leave him and to observe him transform my car without interference, however I found myself distracting him with conversation, fortunately he coped very well, to my, what seemed endless string of questions, for those less experienced and sociable, could have led to a long period of refit. Paul was not phased at all, taking it in his stride.

1. Outside the Company Premises at 8:15am

2. Meet Mr Paul Williams- Around 5 minutes of arrival the doors opened and he got started in dismantling the old soft top.

3. Summerising the water damage and oxidization of the Aluminium and the condition of the inner roof fabrics.

4. The oxidization had taken the paint away, Paul prepared the surface for a paint touch up. This particular example was considered bad in comparison to others he had done before. The appearance was also considered as an important part of this process.

5. Paul was meticulous when it came to protecting the car paintwork and interior and this also required good housekeeping of materials and tools. This phase bonding and water-proofing.

6. Rubber bungs were also resealed and drain plugs cleared using a stiff length of wire. This is a common problem found with soft tops and the cause of leaks.

7. Placing on the New Soft Top, once on, it can be difficult and time consuming if stages had been missed out. In this case, every step was covered.

8. Cutting, drilling, sticking and riveting, to name a few tasks involved in the dismantling and reassembly - Remember the preparation, for disassembly and assembly took around the 4½ - 5 hours.

9. Nearing completion - meticulously replacing rivets screws and rubbers and addressing the fabric. Making sure the fabric stretches in all the right places...

10. I found through observation, the whole process looked to be very 'fiddly' from my point of view and one does need to have patience however, Paul seemed totally un-phased and made the tasks look easy and simple, but it was not - that is what a professional does….makes it look easy!...

11. Almost there..... notice the firmness of the soft top, one can bounce a coin off, the rubbers meet well, the soft top has also been bonded and is now water tight.

The Professional finished result!

Thank you
Mr Paul Williams

Note: A little off subject at this point however, an ideal time to refer to the image, I went for the White with red LEDs Third Stop Light upgrade in the renovation- see diary entry

12. The rear window is now in and the outer protection paper has been taken off looks great!

Please check prices with Paul as they can change in the future 0161 456 7634
These prices are very competitive in today's Market

Preparation took a long time and proved important for a good final result

Note: One recommends reading the diary first and then linking to workshop notes to maintain the continuity of the theme...

The quality of work and the detailing was exceptional and I would recommend this Company to replace my Soft top if the case ever arises again. I observed this procedure throughout.

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