Roof strap broken

Christos · 10-13-2023, 03:14 PM

So I’m one week out of warranty and as I sat down in the drivers seat, I noticed a strap is hanging down where the roof meets the window. I open up the roof and can see that this strap is connected to the metal mechanism frame and is supposed to be threaded through a fabric tab and sewn to the roof line, the stitches at the roof line came out.

I took pics of the broken strap, drivers side, it needs to be threaded thru the tab and then sewn to the edge of the roof. The second pic is the passenger side, shows how it is connected. The pic should be in portrait view

It looks like the strap pulls in the bottom corner of the roof in as it folds down. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, but I’m trying to think how I would reconnect it to the roof. It would have to be sewn in I guess

Westside Guy · 10-13-2023, 04:09 PM

Some dealers might be willing to give you a little grace period on a warranty/ out of warranty claim like this. It doesn’t hurt to try asking.

StanDiego · 10-13-2023, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

It looks like the strap pulls in the bottom corner of the roof in as it folds down. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, but I’m trying to think how I would reconnect it to the roof. It would have to be sewn in I guess

Talk to your service manager about a goodwill gesture.

Westside Guy · 10-14-2023, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Talk to your service manager about a goodwill gesture.

Definitely, and when you speak to him be ready to make a donation!

Westside Guy · 10-14-2023, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argo

Update: managed to find a schedule containing the Wild Rose Leader in NYK's website (link).

Looks like this is the Wild Rose Leader voyage #4, and it is scheduled to arrive in Port Hueneme on November 8. However it was also estimated to leave Europe by October 7th and it actually left on the 13th. I do believe they generally build some slack into the trans-oceanic transit times though.

p.s.: Still wish my car had been loaded onto the Hercules Leader instead though.

FYI, posted in the wrong thread.

Argo · 10-14-2023, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

FYI, posted in the wrong thread.

Whoops, the perils of having multiple tabs open! Deleted and will move to the right thread. Thanks for the heads up.

goat30i · 10-15-2023, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

So I’m one week out of warranty and as I sat down in the drivers seat, I noticed a strap is hanging down where the roof meets the window. I open up the roof and can see that this strap is connected to the metal mechanism frame and is supposed to be threaded through a fabric tab and sewn to the roof line, the stitches at the roof line came out.

I took pics of the broken strap, drivers side, it needs to be threaded thru the tab and then sewn to the edge of the roof. The second pic is the passenger side, shows how it is connected. The pic should be in portrait view

It looks like the strap pulls in the bottom corner of the roof in as it folds down. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, but I’m trying to think how I would reconnect it to the roof. It would have to be sewn in I guess

Happened to mine in first month (or two months, don't remember) of owning it. Top definitely still worked with it being torn, and I couldn't tell what looked different from the other (not torn) side--but really bugged me dangling as it was. BMW replaced the entire top.

Christos · 10-17-2023, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat30i

Happened to mine in first month (or two months, don't remember) of owning it. Top definitely still worked with it being torn, and I couldn't tell what looked different from the other (not torn) side--but really bugged me dangling as it was. BMW replaced the entire top.

BMW got back to me, they will replace the Roof, my out of pocket will be $1,300

Westside Guy · 10-17-2023, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Some dealers might be willing to give you a little grace period on a warranty/ out of warranty claim like this. It doesn’t hurt to try asking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Talk to your service manager about a goodwill gesture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

BMW got back to me, they will replace the Roof, my out of pocket will be $1,300

This is a very fair settlement when you consider that a new roof would have cost you a fortune!

Christos · 10-17-2023, 10:07 AM

Curious, parts evolve over time, My production was Dec-2018, do the newer model years have the same style strap?

z4monster · 10-17-2023, 10:39 AM

Nice result from BMW.
I had to have my roof replaced due to an error message I was getting and BMW paid for that. I am still in warranty so to be expected but they also paid for a hire car while waiting for the parts to arrive from Germany and then be fitted.
Took 5 weeks in total as the dealership couldn't get it aligned first time and I rejected the car on collection. Took them a further two weeks to resolve it but all sorted now.
Make sure it's all perfect before you take it home. Much easier to get it fixed while they still have it than take it back afterwards.

Argo · 10-17-2023, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

BMW got back to me, they will replace the Roof, my out of pocket will be $1,300

$1,300 for a new OEM roof done by a dealer is a steal.

StanDiego · 10-17-2023, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argo

$1,300 for a new OEM roof done by a dealer is a steal.

Yeah, that pretty much just covers the labor.

MisanoblueZ4 · 10-17-2023, 01:21 PM

I saw a price floated around of $2500 just for the top material….before labor. So indeed 1300 isn’t too bad.

Question is could it be somehow repaired without a full replacement needed? I’m sure more of us will see failures as these cars age.

Balr14 · 10-17-2023, 02:12 PM

That would not be difficult to fix. I would glue or melt the end so it can't fray any further, then sew it to the outside of the piping using monofilament and the existing holes. I would not try to put it under the piping, because that would require cutting the existing threads.

My top is entirely lined, so the straps don't show at all and I can't verify it even has straps. So, what happened to your lining?

Christos · 10-17-2023, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balr14

That would not be difficult to fix. I would glue or melt the end so it can't fray any further, then sew it to the outside of the piping using monofilament and the existing holes. I would not try to put it under the piping, because that would require cutting the existing threads.

My top is entirely lined, so the straps don't show at all and I can't verify it even has straps. So, what happened to your lining?

Mine is lined too, same model, G29, Z4. The strap can only be seen when the top is half up

perryinva · 10-22-2023, 02:19 AM

Yes, my 2022 has those straps (they’re small, maybe 4” long) and they get twisted in normal use. I straightened them out and found them twisted again after a few cycles of the top.

Christos · 11-01-2023, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argo

$1,300 for a new OEM roof done by a dealer is a steal.

My out of pocket went up a $1,000 to $2300. I opted to have it fixed, sewn, at a local Auto Top and Upholstery shop for $25. So far so good!!

perryinva · 11-01-2023, 06:11 PM

That is a better outcome, anyway. I mean, really, how hood are the dealers techs in removing and replacing a top so it is as good as the factory install, and not doing any damage!

goat30i · 11-01-2023, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryinva

That is a better outcome, anyway. I mean, really, how hood are the dealers techs in removing and replacing a top so it is as good as the factory install, and not doing any damage!

Thanks for reminding me. Idiots did much damage, didn't want to own it, then "fixed" it several more times before finally getting it close enough to acceptable--definitely not perfect. I mean, really, the body shop didn't know how to get rid of the scratches?? After they fixed the dings (trunk, and both rear panels) and the smeared gas filler door, repainted twice more, polished twice more . . .I finally just decided to polish the swirls and scratches myself. They clearly had used the panels as fulcrum points to leverage the rain rail which was reinstalled upside down. Yeah, "idiots" is not too strong of a word for how much damage they inflicted. Arrghhhh . . . just duct tape that dangler. lol.

Balr14 · 11-01-2023, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

My out of pocket went up a $1,000 to $2300. I opted to have it fixed, sewn, at a local Auto Top and Upholstery shop for $25. So far so good!!

A wise choice.

10-13-2023, 03:14 PM	#1
Christos Captain 189 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2019 Z4 s3.0 Msport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central, NJ iTrader: (0)	Roof strap broken So I’m one week out of warranty and as I sat down in the drivers seat, I noticed a strap is hanging down where the roof meets the window. I open up the roof and can see that this strap is connected to the metal mechanism frame and is supposed to be threaded through a fabric tab and sewn to the roof line, the stitches at the roof line came out. I took pics of the broken strap, drivers side, it needs to be threaded thru the tab and then sewn to the edge of the roof. The second pic is the passenger side, shows how it is connected. The pic should be in portrait view It looks like the strap pulls in the bottom corner of the roof in as it folds down. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, but I’m trying to think how I would reconnect it to the roof. It would have to be sewn in I guess Attached Images __________________ 2019 Z4 sDrive 30i Msport, Previously owned BMWs, 2014 428i Msport, 2008 335i Coupe, 2007 328xi sedan, 2002 325i sedan 1996 318ti (loved this little car) Last edited by Christos; 10-13-2023 at 04:22 PM..
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10-13-2023, 04:09 PM	#2
Westside Guy Brigadier General 5733 Rep 4,411 Posts Drives: 2022 Z4 M40i, 2021 228i GC Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.81] 2021 BMW 228i Gran ... [7.83]	Some dealers might be willing to give you a little grace period on a warranty/ out of warranty claim like this. It doesn’t hurt to try asking.
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10-17-2023, 10:07 AM	#10
Christos Captain 189 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2019 Z4 s3.0 Msport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central, NJ iTrader: (0)	Curious, parts evolve over time, My production was Dec-2018, do the newer model years have the same style strap? __________________ 2019 Z4 sDrive 30i Msport, Previously owned BMWs, 2014 428i Msport, 2008 335i Coupe, 2007 328xi sedan, 2002 325i sedan 1996 318ti (loved this little car)
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10-17-2023, 10:39 AM	#11
z4monster Enlisted Member 48 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 G29 M40i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [0.00]	Nice result from BMW. I had to have my roof replaced due to an error message I was getting and BMW paid for that. I am still in warranty so to be expected but they also paid for a hire car while waiting for the parts to arrive from Germany and then be fitted. Took 5 weeks in total as the dealership couldn't get it aligned first time and I rejected the car on collection. Took them a further two weeks to resolve it but all sorted now. Make sure it's all perfect before you take it home. Much easier to get it fixed while they still have it than take it back afterwards.
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10-17-2023, 01:21 PM	#14
MisanoblueZ4 Lieutenant 1380 Rep 576 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40I Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	I saw a price floated around of $2500 just for the top material….before labor. So indeed 1300 isn’t too bad. Question is could it be somehow repaired without a full replacement needed? I’m sure more of us will see failures as these cars age.
	Appreciate 2 Westside Guy5732.50 StanDiego6248.50 Quote

10-17-2023, 02:12 PM	#15
Balr14 Lieutenant 559 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Menomonee Falls, Wi. iTrader: (0)	That would not be difficult to fix. I would glue or melt the end so it can't fray any further, then sew it to the outside of the piping using monofilament and the existing holes. I would not try to put it under the piping, because that would require cutting the existing threads. My top is entirely lined, so the straps don't show at all and I can't verify it even has straps. So, what happened to your lining?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-22-2023, 02:19 AM	#17
perryinva Private First Class 123 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2022 Z4S30i 2019 X3x30i Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	Yes, my 2022 has those straps (they’re small, maybe 4” long) and they get twisted in normal use. I straightened them out and found them twisted again after a few cycles of the top.
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11-01-2023, 06:11 PM	#19
perryinva Private First Class 123 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2022 Z4S30i 2019 X3x30i Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	That is a better outcome, anyway. I mean, really, how hood are the dealers techs in removing and replacing a top so it is as good as the factory install, and not doing any damage!
	Appreciate 1 goat30i146.00 Quote