My rear window suddenly went to sh!t, I think the wash I took it too used the wrong cleaner. Not sure.

What's your suggestion for replacment? How hard is it for me to do it myself?

you may want to look at gahh web site...according to everything i've read or heard ..there is a specific type of polish/cleaner you need to use on plastic window...good luck in your search!

from what ive read, some people have a tough time zipping in a new window, some can knock it out in under an hour.

i guess its a hit or miss thing? a lot of people have had good results buying through eMiata. he also sells a smoked window, i hear. still waiting for pics of that though. :dunno

Mine's need replacement also, I am looking at eMiata also. Princeton BMW was trying to intimidate me by saying, "...oh that window cost over $400.."

Yeah, right! I am going to spend over $400 for a plastic window, better try that again Princeton BMW! I did not tell them about eMiata. They would probably said, "oh, it's not BMW therefore, it will damage the canvas top.. and it will void Warranty." Yeah, a car almost 8 years would void warranty, okay!
My rear window suddenly went to sh!t, I think the wash I took it too used the wrong cleaner. Not sure.

What's your suggestion for replacment? How hard is it for me to do it myself?

I bought the eMiata tinted window over a year ago and just installed it a few weeks ago. I like the tint, and the guy is a class act. It took me about 6 tries to get the zipper aligned to where the window didn't have diagonal wrinkles in it after I zipped it in, but it's really pretty simple. I dialed mine in and it is great to be able to look through the rear view mirror and see detail again.

Hey, everyone please rememeber...its plasic...and the only way to fix it is with a polish...don't be afraid to use a good polish on it...BMW provides just the product for about 15 bucks...its a polish with a slight grit to it...I've seen so many replace the window when they didn't need to....you need to bring up a fresh surface by POLISHING it up.....it works, I've done it so many times an shown many that replacement isn't required unless you have a crack in the plastic....no cleaners work....I'll find the product and post it...but it takes elbow grease, about a hrs worth, and poof....a like new surface on your rear plastic window.

Okay, will visit Circle for the polish. Thanks for the tip. I think the crease is normal for a plastic. I guess that's why BMW do not recommend the top to be stored for a long period, especially during winter. BTW, I took out the alarm unit, and set the DIP switch to both off position to make the alarm more sensitive for glass breakage, or any other noise in general near the car. I am also running extra wire for the alarm antennae to give it better range. I am planning to run the wire around the windshield edge on the bottom where it meets the dash. I'll let you folks know what the outcome is.
Hey, everyone please rememeber...its plasic...and the only way to fix it is with a polish...don't be afraid to use a good polish on it...BMW provides just the product for about 15 bucks...its a polish with a slight grit to it...I've seen so many replace the window when they didn't need to....you need to bring up a fresh surface by POLISHING it up.....it works, I've done it so many times an shown many that replacement isn't required unless you have a crack in the plastic....no cleaners work....I'll find the product and post it...but it takes elbow grease, about a hrs worth, and poof....a like new surface on your rear plastic window.

I used Macquires plastic polish from Autozone. It made a tremendous difference. About 45 minutes and a little elbow grease...makes a world of difference.

I'll try that thanks. It seems normal that these plastic gets the bent mark after a period. Personally, I think having dirty windows makes that crease come out quicker.
I used Macquires plastic polish from Autozone. It made a tremendous difference. About 45 minutes and a little elbow grease...makes a world of difference.

it would be nice if someone came up with a glass replacement that would get rid of our headachs

God, how can you take your car to carwash? Nothing but me and a handwash for mine

Yup, I tried that and now the window looks as if it just rolled off the dealer's show room. Thanks for the tip, and keeping my wallet thick!:buttrock
I used Macquires plastic polish from Autozone. It made a tremendous difference. About 45 minutes and a little elbow grease...makes a world of difference.

hey guys sorry to sound like a nood but where can i order the tinted rear window? i have a 98 328ic im looking for the rear tinted window.

hey guys sorry to sound like a nood but where can i order the tinted rear window? i have a 98 328ic im looking for the rear tinted window.
Try emiata.com

I am planning to run the wire around the windshield edge on the bottom where it meets the dash. I'll let you folks know what the outcome is.

Any update on your alarm range?

I already did. There's a DIY I posted but no pics. I don't have a good digital camera right now. It's quite straightforward installation and I am getting some good range numbers, somewhere around 50-ft. from where the car is. I'd say you can do better if you have no obstructions blocking the car. I think its useful since you can chirp your car in a parking lot so you can triangulate towards it.
Any update on your alarm range?

ANYONE DOING A EMIATA WINDOW INSTALL SHOOT ME A PM.
He's a great guy with an AWSOME product, you just need to know how to put the window in right, it took me a solid WEEK before I found the trick to put it in, THANKS!
zach

Zach:
Why not post the techniques so we all have the secret and maybe we can get it in as a DIY thing or something.

thanks guys.

HERES WHAT I WROTE TO "BIG A"

When replacing the window:

Do this in a warm place, I used a friends garage. Also put your top down a little(ie if the top is up then stanr to lower it a little)
and VERY IMPORTANT!!!
as you start to zip the window in, use your fingernail to push out the teeth of the zipper you are about to zip.
So if your having problems with zipping it up the use the finger nail to expose more of the teeth and it will zip in SO easy!
let me know if I clarified. also dont forget to use some needle and thread to secure the starting and ending points to keep from it seperating.
let me know if you need anything else!
Thanks, zach
__________________

Here's another tip on installing the rear window:
If you don't get the window oriented correctly the very first time (IE you end up with diagonal wrinkles) you don't have to re-start the zipper all over again. Just unzip it back to the point where the two ends were put to gether to thread the zipper on, and you can move the window half of the zipper inside the metal 'zipper joiner' in the direction you need in order to counteract the wrinkles. It really beats trying to re-thread both halves of the zipper while zeroing in on where the window will be perfectly aligned/rotated inside the window opening of the canvas top.

I bought the eMiata tinted window over a year ago and just installed it a few weeks ago. I like the tint, and the guy is a class act. It took me about 6 tries to get the zipper aligned to where the window didn't have diagonal wrinkles in it after I zipped it in, but it's really pretty simple. I dialed mine in and it is great to be able to look through the rear view mirror and see detail again.


pics?? like to see what this looks like

Are the E30 back windows the same price?

Iam waiting for a reply and sample of the window form emiata/ htats what i want!!! a tinted back window..... nice posts

Not being able to have a smoked/tinted rear window all these years has stopped me from tinting all of my other windows because then i'd have a mismatch.

Nice to hear about eMiata!

millertime and Jimmiejazz - Do you have the emiata top withthe canvas trim around the window? Have you had any problems with leaks?

Thanks
-Mike

Yes, I have it. No problem with leaks at all. It has a nice rubber seal that goes around the window and laps over the canvas. You actually have to tuck the canvas in underneath it. You are supposed to glue it but it has been so cold here I'm waiting for higher temps to actually glue the canvas down.

It has a nice rubber seal that goes around the window and laps over the canvas. .
Due to a dispute with BMW patent, he now is making them with a canvas seal in place of the rubber.

I was hoping to find out if anybody had used one of the canvas seal ones on their vehicle and how it worked for them. He e-mailed me that he has sold lots of them with no complaints, so it will probably be fine...just hoping to get a verification from a third party.

Thanks

going to give this another try, zipper is much stiffer than I imagined. I'll burn this car to the ground before I pay someone 550 dollars to install a piece of plastic in it.

Yeah, I hear you about the stiffness of the zipper. In a word: finesse. That is the key.

Tip: gently rubbing those zipper teeth with a dry piece of toilet soap helps a lot.

Plexus will clean that window

Due to a dispute with BMW patent, he now is making them with a canvas seal in place of the rubber.

I was hoping to find out if anybody had used one of the canvas seal ones on their vehicle and how it worked for them. He e-mailed me that he has sold lots of them with no complaints, so it will probably be fine...just hoping to get a verification from a third party.Thanks

Can anyone post a pic of the canvas seal? My window is still good but that damn rubber trim is coming off.
http://members.cox.net/ashlandj/Misc/PICT0496.jpg
I e-mailed emiata about buying the trim but he said I would have to take the top off the car to sew the canvas trim on straight.

I e-mailed emiata about buying the trim but he said I would have to take the top off the car to sew the canvas trim on straight.

What!!!??? I can't picture that. Why?

I bout mine with the rubber seal. works GREAT! I'm sure anything he sells will be awsome! damn patent laws :P

Tip: gently rubbing those zipper teeth with a dry piece of toilet soap helps a lot.

yep, dunno why I didn't think of that :embarrasm


window went in fine, glueing down today.



now just need to figure out the easiest way to replace the gas struts on the rear lid, they look damn near impossible to access.

oh, shorten straps as well...then redo seats...ugh, not enough time in the day!

What!!!??? I can't picture that. Why?

Yeah, from what I can tell from the e-mails with emiata, he does sell the window but not the rubber trim but instead suggests that you sew a canvas lining/edge to that part of the top.

I need a different option.

There is stitching around the window so how are you guys dealing with that? Is it not stiched up on the inside or something or am I understanding that the emiata replacment has a different option? I'm developing the same problem as Brashland.

not sure what you mean?

the windows use zippers, there is no stiching involved.

I just went down and took a look and I was mistaken. From the inside it is accessable. From outside it would appear that stitching is required. I'm still left with the seal problem though.

Apparently in addition to the zipper, the replacement of the rubber trim piece with a canvas trim piece may have incurred a stitching requirement in some installations.

From the emiata website: "Lift the canvas trim of the window and insert the top material into the canvas trim. If any part of the canvas is sticking up, use needle and thread to sew it down."

As for the seal problem.. the website states: "Apply the contact cement to the area under the canvas trim of the window and let it dry for 10 minutes or until it gels. This is the seal with the top."

I have a 1998 323ic. I am eventually going to have to buy a new back window. The plastic has a little crack on the side. Isn't there a place we can bring it to have it installed besides BMW? I looked at the site that you all recommended "Emiata". I would most definitely order from them, but I am not about to try and do it myself. Would it be expensive to have someone install it for me? Any ideas?

I have a 1998 323ic. I am eventually going to have to buy a new back window. The plastic has a little crack on the side. Isn't there a place we can bring it to have it installed besides BMW? I looked at the site that you all recommended "Emiata". I would most definitely order from them, but I am not about to try and do it myself. Would it be expensive to have someone install it for me? Any ideas?


Why not? Check for a few posts on how to do it and give it a try.

I'm all for learning new things, but I'm an inexpereinced female with a lack of time. I would definitly need someone to do it for me.

try calling auto upolstery shops in your area first. there is a specialty place in redwood city, but they won't tell you a thing unless you actually drive the car in. I gave up on them and just did it myself, no time to go running around getting quotes for a job they've probably done hundreds of times... but if I were you I'd make sure you get a shop to say they will install first, couple I asked wouldn't touch an aftermarket one.

oem's will set you back 550 ish for window and install.

I spoke with a shop that would install my window (I bring it in) for $45 an hour of actual labor. I was ready to order from Emiata then I got a price of $1000 for the whole top, plus $150 for replaceing the tensioning straps. I just had to go for it because of a couple of friends recomendations to just get it done right! I will have my new top on the 28th of this month, can't wait! :D

so do all E36 models fit the Emiata method of installing??

so do all E36 models fit the Emiata method of installing??

unless it's a zipped in window. purty darn easy to check.

yea i found the zipper inside.... so im good to go with emiata???
just making sure before i spend $150 on something

then yep, you are good to go, only one e36 zip in window.


...priced the oem one? I called with a wholesale number, it was still over 300 dollars.

only difference being now I guess the emiata one uses a canvas surround instead of a rubber one (thanks bmw for threatening a lawsuit).

but the guy that does emiata windows is VERY cool and will make sure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.

installation is really pretty easy, just go easy on the top if it's got any age on it, the zippers can rip or become unstitched.

alright so once i have the new window installed,
what do you guys suggest for maintenance and keeping that annoying folding crease thing to never appear??

put a towel in the window when dropping it and make sure it folds down properly. put some non abbrasive microfiber lining over the horrible, gray carpet in the top compartment so you don't get scratches on the inside of the window.

I just installed emiata on 1995 under the worst conditions possible. At night, misting, mosquito infested, no helper assistant and with hot ac light 200 watt burning me and almost the window. Remember plastic melts. After 2hrs finally secured it on second zip.

DO
1. Use soap(dry ivory bar) like previous expert guy said. Put it on both window side and inner zipper top(car) side BEFORE YOU START
2. Open top at least 12 or so inches. IF NOT PREPARE TO HAVE HALF ZIPPED WINDOW SEPARATE!!! and maybe even ruin zipper teeth.
3. Note that you are likely to encounter two separate stiched (one round of stich like on your body when you get a deep cut) portions, and that metal clip which you must remove from both sides before you start installation.
4. MY CONTRIBUTION!! Take white out or light colored pencil to mark the black zipper on your top and on the window on your fist attempt to eyeball it or line it up. That way, if you do have wrinkles and must rezip AT LEAST you have a reference point for which to measure how many teeth you need to move to the right or to the left.

DON'T
1. Do it without an assistant because you risk scratching your new, over hundred dollar window, Not worth the risk.
2. Get frustrated and flail around your fat body breaking the plastic seat belt guide or other parts of your interior.
3. Back up the zipper to often, as it can cause the little parts to vomit out of the slider or the pull-tab to break off the slider body. (Thank you emiata. If they wouldn't have included a second slider body I would have been infuriated.)
4. Drink too much before you start, as I don't advocate drinking. But you do need to relax while putting it in.

THANK you emiata for providing a more affordable alternative for us e36 guys.

Thanks for the tips. It's always good to hear experiences from another novice that has gone through the project.

Has anyone installed the tinted version of the rear window? I was thinking about going with that and having the windows tinted to match. Anyone with pics of a tinted rear vert window?

Subscribing for any new info. My window has a rip in it (I think it was dry an it cracked when I closed it). I had just ordered some plastic polish, when I saw the tear :cry:

I have a 1998 323ic. I am eventually going to have to buy a new back window. The plastic has a little crack on the side. Isn't there a place we can bring it to have it installed besides BMW? I looked at the site that you all recommended "Emiata". I would most definitely order from them, but I am not about to try and do it myself. Would it be expensive to have someone install it for me? Any ideas?

I just did it on my car. Same year and model as yours. I would not hesitate to do it again by myself. It was really easy. All the tricks mentioned in the post sound like they would work fine. Just don't rush it and be carfull when glueing it down. I need to find something to clean the glue up as some squished out from under the seal. Don't pay someone to do this, it really is easy.