For BMW it's all about moving down the assembly line, install everything at one time. Let the customer deal with the crappy design. My daughter has a 2003 Z4 purchased new and I have had the top out more than I want, motors are now running over $600.00, one guy used a 09-14 Mustang pump motor, however it appears to sell for the BMW price. I have located the motor to the trunk. Nice video, people don't realize how much work it is to put together a decent video.
My z4 top wasn’t working properly seem like it was low on fluid. I managed to remove the motor from behind the back seat, I’m 61 and not as agile as I used to be but still got it out and fixed it without removing the top or the rear tray.
Hi Dusty...my motor closes the roof but very slowly...needs some manual assistance...was that your problem? Should I check the fluid levels first? Cheers...C
@@cm-kl2wx Hello cm The motor closes the roof, so , you do not have a problem with the hydraulic oil. Your problem is the electric motor of your hydraulik unit. Remove the complete unit, open the black noise cover and you will find a corroded electic motor inside. It is a bad place to mount the pump inside the roof-box. Over the years, water will penetrate the pump housing, the motor starts to corrode and the roof opens and closes slower and slower. One day, the motor stops working because of the corroded bearings. If you have any question, feel free to ask. Kind regards Wurmbunt
It must be an old man thing. Yes you don't need to remove the roof to gain access to the motor and pipes. You can even clean out the pocket before replacing the motor. People just like to use it as an excuse to charge you a fortune
To add insult to injury, the pre and post 5/2006 motors have the two hydraulic and the two electrical connectors swapped locations. the older motors did not number the hydraulic connectors but the newer have the cable number stamped on the motor (and corresponding number on the cable if not worn off)... Also, no sure 'full' mean that the entire reservoir is filled to the brim but look that up before filling.
I reckon.. We have this problem right now due to a storm which happened here where we are.. But what's the point of repeating it by putting a brand new motor back into what is a bad design where motor submersion is inevitable and only a matter of time.. Bad design Bmw.! I can't believe they made such a retarded design like that..
Hi Dave, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
does all the z4 versions drain hole can get access from the underneath of the car? and what can you suggest to make the cleaning more easy maybe just take out the rubber grommets off so the dirty water can flow. thanks for help.
How did you get the u-frame back into the clips inside? Ive got everything else done and working, just cant seem to push it down into those damned clips!
@@radicalkonrad765 Very easy. Just remove the shelf and reach in to the left side and pull hard to cut the ziptie securing it to drain ditch. Right now min just hangs in the trunk until I decide on what type of bracket to get to secure it to the back wall. It took me about 20-30min.
Hi! Tanks for your educattional video, Iwonder if you can help me, my cabb doesn't lock when I open it, so the red light keeps flashing all time, what's wrong? thanks in advance! Greetin Iradj
2 questions what happens if you connect the two wires in the bottom of the motor wrong? I did not mount everything back before I tested, but did not work I could hear the electric motor spool but no movement.. same thing when I had the whole convertible out and I tried with a car battery, no movement of the pistons just heard the electric motor spool. Please help me out
Gears? There are no gears if u r referring to opening, closing top. Two hydraulic hinges do The job, both connected to the frame , left and right, the pull and push the frame.
The price of the motor and hydrlic pump on ebay you can change it from the boot/trunk you need a stanly knifecut tie and pull it into the boot the swoop over the new pump/motor and wires and cable tie to back of boot 2hr job
So it took three guys several hours to remove the roof and reinstall? You do know that you can pull the motor out through the trunk in about 90 seconds by yourself without touching the top? I just did it to mine and it took me about 2 1/2 minutes because it was my first time doing it, but it works fine. Plus you have removed the motor/pump assembly AND relocated it to the boot at the same time. Just build a bracket for the boot. Whole job done in about an hour or less.
Thanks Bob. In our slight defence, this video was 'recorded' over 5 years ago and back then we simply followed BMW's technical instructions of how to access the Z4 Roof Motor. Since then we agree there has been a marked improvement on information regarding how to remove/access/relocate the Z4 Roof Motor through the boot area, which we agree with. We are making a new video. Thanks for your comment.
@@bobbrockway453 Do you have photos of the bracket you built. I'm going to pull my motor out and I'm *not* putting it back in that hole. I will mount it in the trunk. I assume you didn't change length of hose or electrics... just drag it out to the trunk, replace the motor and mount it? Thanks Bob.
@@RedishMotorsportbmw I'm going to do this right away. I have a couple of questions. First, do you know a way to make the top manual without damage and second, do you have a good way to mount the motor in the trunk? Does it get hot? I intend to leave it in the trunk and thinking that I will not have to change the hydraulic lines or electrical harness. Thanks for anything that you can share.
WHY!!! whould you put the motor back in a the same faulty place? Just move it to the trunk and never have to worry about this flawed design in the first place???
It's not that easy. The passenger hydraulic lines are not long enough to make for the best re-installation. But You can get two longer lines for The passenger side. But that means to replace them, pulling out the old lines from the aluminum "half ring", bleeding the lines by removing the both hinges and pumping them about 50 times, new crush washers for the pump, the pumps wires need to lengthen as well. Much less work to park away from leaves, debris, keep drain hole cleaned. Park in garage or cover it.
Hi Christian, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
Words fail me.. Get the motor relocated to the boot like every other indy/enthusiast is doing. Don't put it back where the problem started and is a known design issue! The job can easily be done without removing the roof too.
Hi Christian, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
@@save2rave61 really? Have another listen. Maybe look at the leading edge too as it unlocks to come forward or closed again. You'll see it moving as the motor whirrs happily.
Why the heck didn't BMW install an enclosed intrinsically safe electric motor? The 10 seconds it takes for this top too retract or close is not going to overheat this motor to damage it! I laugh at German engineering superiority!
The worst owner to by a used car from is a bloody bastard who lived in an apartment building, has no garage and won't spare some extra time to carry out necessary maintenance. And to make matters worse, they are the ones who want the exact initial investment they put on the 15-year old car that is now beaten up and corroded. By the way, if the drain grommets stays unclogged, don't you think the motor still get exposed to water in that plastic compactment?
For BMW it's all about moving down the assembly line, install everything at one time. Let the customer deal with the crappy design. My daughter has a 2003 Z4 purchased new and I have had the top out more than I want, motors are now running over $600.00, one guy used a 09-14 Mustang pump motor, however it appears to sell for the BMW price. I have located the motor to the trunk. Nice video, people don't realize how much work it is to put together a decent video.
Remove those drain grommets for good. The risk of the drain getting clogged is far worse than an insect crawling up it.
My z4 top wasn’t working properly seem like it was low on fluid. I managed to remove the motor from behind the back seat, I’m 61 and not as agile as I used to be but still got it out and fixed it without removing the top or the rear tray.
Hi Dusty...my motor closes the roof but very slowly...needs some manual assistance...was that your problem? Should I check the fluid levels first? Cheers...C
@@cm-kl2wx Hello cm
The motor closes the roof, so , you do not have a problem with the hydraulic oil.
Your problem is the electric motor of your hydraulik unit.
Remove the complete unit, open the black noise cover and you will find a corroded electic motor inside. It is a bad place to mount the pump inside the roof-box.
Over the years, water will penetrate the pump housing, the motor starts to corrode and the roof opens and closes slower and slower. One day, the motor stops working because of the corroded bearings.
If you have any question, feel free to ask.
Kind regards
Wurmbunt
@@wurmbunt Hi...thank you for your reply...very clear and concise. I'll check the motor out...cheers C
Every Z4 I have seen does not have a BACK SEAT I'm 65 and know that. I'm reading this 5 yrs later. WEED
It must be an old man thing. Yes you don't need to remove the roof to gain access to the motor and pipes. You can even clean out the pocket before replacing the motor.
People just like to use it as an excuse to charge you a fortune
To add insult to injury, the pre and post 5/2006 motors have the two hydraulic and the two electrical connectors swapped locations. the older motors did not number the hydraulic connectors but the newer have the cable number stamped on the motor (and corresponding number on the cable if not worn off)... Also, no sure 'full' mean that the entire reservoir is filled to the brim but look that up before filling.
Madnesses to put it back in there, lt will fail again in the future. It’s now well known that you move the motor to the boot where it’s dry
I reckon.. We have this problem right now due to a storm which happened here where we are.. But what's the point of repeating it by putting a brand new motor back into what is a bad design where motor submersion is inevitable and only a matter of time.. Bad design Bmw.! I can't believe they made such a retarded design like that..
drain grommets, inspect it regularly and make sure it stays unclugged, that way the motor won't sit in a pool of water.
Hi Dave, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
does all the z4 versions drain hole can get access from the underneath of the car? and what can you suggest to make the cleaning more easy maybe just take out the rubber grommets off so the dirty water can flow. thanks for help.
How did you get the u-frame back into the clips inside? Ive got everything else done and working, just cant seem to push it down into those damned clips!
Excellent content. Very informative. Thank you.
I relocated my roof motor to the trunk, or boot, for brit speak I do love my Z4.
How easy was it to do
@@radicalkonrad765 Very easy. Just remove the shelf and reach in to the left side and pull hard to cut the ziptie securing it to drain ditch. Right now min just hangs in the trunk until I decide on what type of bracket to get to secure it to the back wall. It took me about 20-30min.
Hi!
Tanks for your educattional video, Iwonder if you can help me, my cabb doesn't lock when I open it, so the red light keeps flashing all time, what's wrong? thanks in advance! Greetin Iradj
Why not make the drain hole bigger and move the motor out of the water passage??????????
Why can't the motor be completely sealed and waterproof? The 10 or 15 seconds is going to run operating the top will not overheat that motor!
The motor is sealed in a case, not saying it's waterproof. But it is sealed rather well.
2 questions what happens if you connect the two wires in the bottom of the motor wrong? I did not mount everything back before I tested, but did not work I could hear the electric motor spool but no movement.. same thing when I had the whole convertible out and I tried with a car battery, no movement of the pistons just heard the electric motor spool. Please help me out
mabe low on fluid
Good job that’s my problem on my top but got it on manual for the time being!
But not sure it’s the drainage ,I got it in the garage all the time
What gears can wear out and or strip out? 2. Do you wave a video on total rooftop removal
Gears? There are no gears if u r referring to opening, closing top. Two hydraulic hinges do The job, both connected to the frame , left and right, the pull and push the frame.
How much would this cost?
$2000.00 US
The price of the motor and hydrlic pump on ebay you can change it from the boot/trunk you need a stanly knifecut tie and pull it into the boot the swoop over the new pump/motor and wires and cable tie to back of boot 2hr job
why do you call this car a Zed 4?
Great job!
So it took three guys several hours to remove the roof and reinstall? You do know that you can pull the motor out through the trunk in about 90 seconds by yourself without touching the top? I just did it to mine and it took me about 2 1/2 minutes because it was my first time doing it, but it works fine. Plus you have removed the motor/pump assembly AND relocated it to the boot at the same time. Just build a bracket for the boot. Whole job done in about an hour or less.
Thanks Bob. In our slight defence, this video was 'recorded' over 5 years ago and back then we simply followed BMW's technical instructions of how to access the Z4 Roof Motor.
Since then we agree there has been a marked improvement on information regarding how to remove/access/relocate the Z4 Roof Motor through the boot area, which we agree with.
We are making a new video.
Thanks for your comment.
Looking forward to the new video. Thanks.
@@bobbrockway453 Do you have photos of the bracket you built. I'm going to pull my motor out and I'm *not* putting it back in that hole. I will mount it in the trunk. I assume you didn't change length of hose or electrics... just drag it out to the trunk, replace the motor and mount it? Thanks Bob.
@@RedishMotorsportbmw I'm going to do this right away. I have a couple of questions. First, do you know a way to make the top manual without damage and second, do you have a good way to mount the motor in the trunk? Does it get hot? I intend to leave it in the trunk and thinking that I will not have to change the hydraulic lines or electrical harness. Thanks for anything that you can share.
Redish Motorsport how much would the roof fix cost if the motor needs replacing?
WHY!!! whould you put the motor back in a the same faulty place? Just move it to the trunk and never have to worry about this flawed design in the first place???
It's not that easy. The passenger hydraulic lines are not long enough to make for the best re-installation. But You can get two longer lines for The passenger side. But that means to replace them, pulling out the old lines from the aluminum "half ring", bleeding the lines by removing the both hinges and pumping them about 50 times, new crush washers for the pump, the pumps wires need to lengthen as well. Much less work to park away from leaves, debris, keep drain hole cleaned. Park in garage or cover it.
Hi Christian, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
Hi. Do you have light blue vinyl on your headligths? Looks like it!
By thw qay, i reinstaled mine on the Trunk. It was easy and the horrible loud noise of the motor is gone.
Great video - Really informative 👍👌
Words fail me.. Get the motor relocated to the boot like every other indy/enthusiast is doing. Don't put it back where the problem started and is a known design issue! The job can easily be done without removing the roof too.
Hi Christian, that's what we've been doing for a while. Here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
Is the buzzing noise at the end as it closes normal ??? My Z4 has allways done it ?? Thanks
That is the lock mechanism motors locking it in the closed or open position once the pump motor has done it's bit.
sam dunn no it’s not. Mine was only whining right before it went out. It should be much more quite
@@save2rave61 really? Have another listen. Maybe look at the leading edge too as it unlocks to come forward or closed again. You'll see it moving as the motor whirrs happily.
Do these cars have any rear subframe or strut tower issues like the e46 has?
freedomlifemake 25 nope
Not as heavy as an E46.
so its designed so water drains past an electric motor??? Who says german engineering is good?
Germans, Lol
Can’t believe anyone would have that much crap hanging off the key fob!😳🙄
good job
Why the heck didn't BMW install an enclosed intrinsically safe electric motor? The 10 seconds it takes for this top too retract or close is not going to overheat this motor to damage it! I laugh at German engineering superiority!
Taking that plug of to replace it? You know you’re overdoing it!! Just clean it .
Very helpful thanks
haha puts the new motor back in the same place...proper garage.
Hi Breach, here's our video showing our Roof Motor RELOCATION. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/qVi6BNcNWEk/w-d-xo.html
The worst owner to by a used car from is a bloody bastard who lived in an apartment building, has no garage and won't spare some extra time to carry out necessary maintenance. And to make matters worse, they are the ones who want the exact initial investment they put on the 15-year old car that is now beaten up and corroded.
By the way, if the drain grommets stays unclogged, don't you think the motor still get exposed to water in that plastic compactment?
That's the reason i don't like convertibles.
Fucked up design...bmws r junk...