Questions for cali top owners

[Ken]

Three questions:

1) Do you have little 'bends' that point upward on the side when the top is closed from where it folds when it's open?

In the pictures I see of the tops, I don't ever notice it.. but mine are fairly pronounced.. when people see it, they're always like, "cool, but doesn't it leak?" because you can stick your finger under it and see the interior of the car if you lift it up slightly.

2) Part of the inside hangs down when I close it, my shop said some kind of velcro or whatever had come loose and it just wasn't holding it properly.. anyone have an easy fix for this, or am I going to have to try to replace the material?

3) What do you use to take care of it? I've noticed mine is starting to have some light spots around the edges, and I'd like to start treating the rest of it.. I've read that people say to treat it like a convertible, but I've never had one so I don't know what the best stuff to use is.

Thanks guys

[96cali]

Your top should not have any "bumps"- it should be almost smooth and flat across with the ribs giving slight peaks. Is it symmetrical or is it cocked? Does it still open and close? Does the motor sound smooth and then slows down nicely toward the end or?

I wouldn't open it till you're ready to address the issue which will involve some disassembly. I would suspect a slipped or broken cable if the motor still works. As for care buy some covertible top sealer from the dealer.

[Ken]

I'll try to get a picture tomorrow, the bumps are only on the edges, like where the folds are.. I was just wondering if that was natural.

It opens fine, closes fine, everything about it works. Doesn't leak when I'm driving in the rain or anything. And sorry if I wasn't clear, but the part hanging down is just a piece of fabric that isn't sewn or attached correctly, it's not like a mechanical part hanging down.

[Ken]

Here are the pictures of the ridges I was talking about:

From the driver's side, one of the ridges:


If I push up from the inside, I can see into the car:


Passenger side ridge:


And pushing up on from the inside.. this one isn't as clear, sorry:


And a view of several of them from the driver's side toward the back of the car:



A view of several of them from the passenger's side toward the front of the car:

http://x.w3rd.org/318ti/ridges/top-r...assenger01.jpg

And another:



Now, I mean, the 'ridges' I'm describing are located where the roof folds back when it's opened all the way. I didn't know if this was something that was normal, or if mine was screwed up in some way.

Despite the fact that I can push up and see into the car, even going through a touchless carwash.. or driving on the high way in the rain.. it doesn't leak through.. but somehow, when sitting over night.. it does.

Anyway, any information you have is appreciated.

[Ken]

Also, the water I was talking about.. I noticed today that I found a drip that went down the side of the door panel, I suppose it could have moved over and made a puddle on the floor mat.. Here's the pictures of that:

A drip from the side of the panel that houses the spedometer, etc..


Closeup:


And the corresponding drip on the actual door panel:


Any idea where that's actually leaking from?

[Mallard]

its leaking from the front leading egde and corners of the roof, then running down the A pillar.

I had a similar problem

Feel the top of the A pillar trims in the car. they will most likely be wet also.

The best way around this is to remove the roof. Treat any rust or damage in the area. then run a thin bead of silicone sealant on the inner roof edge.

when you insert the cali top in again, the silicone will create a waterproof seal.

[Ken]

What about the ridges? Are they pretty normal or should I look into replacing the cover?

(The motor and everything are fine)

And how hard is the roof to remove?

[Mallard]

I think the "ridging" is because the roof isnt correctly set, or under tension..

what you may need to do is take off the panel that covers the motor, and "wind" the roof completly tight to the frame..

this may sound easy, and probably is , but i cant promise you its an instant fix,,

it could be the retractor cables are streched out now over the years.. and cant tug the roof in tight anymore?

[Ken]

hmm.. i'll let you know how it goes

[96cali]

I would start this when you are able to not drive the car for a few days (i.e. a friday night) and be patient. If you break something this is definitely not something you can pick up at NAPA. My guess is similar to Mallards- you may have a cable that has slipped or stretched but nothing broken. If you have to replace anything it won't be the top which will run you around $1800 at the dealer IIRC.

Can you push the top down and have it stay? I am curious what the motor noise sounds like- it should increase resistance at the end and have a little clutch mech kick in (or off) when closed. Did your top ever close completely?

[Ken]

Well, this is how it looked when I bought it. But, I did a water test before purchasing it, and it didn't leak through, and it has never leaked on me when driving, going through a touchless carwash, etc..

I'm not sure what you mean by push it down and have it stay. You mean if I push on the ridges, do they stay? No, they come right back.

As far as ever closing completely, as far as I'm aware it closes completely now? Unless you mean being more flat, in which case.. no.

This is what it sounds like when it opens and closes:

http://x.w3rd.org/318ti/cali-top-sound.mp3

[Mallard]

The audio sound fine. The squeekage is just from the rollers at the end, not to worry

I mean , you may need to manually roll the roof closed as much as posible. The roof itself may be closing as tight as poss, but the cables are not tensioning the roof enough?

By winging the motor manually, your resetting the "cut off" position for the motor, and therefore re-tesioning the roof

[Ken]

That's the first time I've ever heard it squeak as well.

Do you have instructions for how to manually roll the roof closed somewhere?

[Mallard]

http://www.318ti.org/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=3

heres a little PDF we put togeter for exactly this situation guy

The motor is under the clap on the headlining

there is a tool in the "toolbox" for winding in , incase your sunroof gives up on day (BMW thinking for you )

Use this to wind in

[96cali]

Also lubricating the tracks is proper maintenance and will help with it closing properly. At the leading edge of the roof are 2 sliding rubber strips with large "C" clips that grab onto large metal studs. Make sure you have these and they are not dislodged. They should slide in /out at the final inch or 2 of closing. Maybe these are in the way?