My rear plastic window was unzipping, so I took it in to a couple of shops and apparently my top has shrunk to the point where the window can't be zipped back in. Sucks b/c I just had it replaced 8 months ago. :mad

I've been shopping around a bit online. Does anyone have experience with purchasing a top from bavauto.com? Their top is $600. I was also checking on ebay...anyone have experience with this seller? ($400)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E36-3-SERIES-M3-CONVERTIBLE-TOP-NEW-BLUE-325-GERMAN_W0QQitemZ250094222341QQcategoryZ33652QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

He seems to have good feedback and sells tops for pretty exotic vehicles (Porsches, Rolls, Jags, etc.) Everyone seems pretty satisfied... I am a fairly skeptical person, so when I see these prices I sometimes cringe and think about the quality of the product. I know most of the feedback is entered soon after they receive the product and doesn't really tell me how the quality stands up over time. That's why I wanted to see if anyone here has purchased a top from them and if so, how it's holding up.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

I would check if it has a zip in window. Some tops have windows that are sewn in. Also try emiata.com

I would check if it has a zip in window. Some tops have windows that are sewn in. Also try emiata.com

emiata doesnt sell tops, only windows.

as you should know by experience, a new top is not something to go cheap on.

bavauto should sell a quality top and have a decent warranty.

Shrunken top?! Now way!

They didn't try to fit a Z3 window now....

You don't need a new top if the plastic window is too small. Just go to any good upholstry shop and have them cut the old one out and sew the new one in. Most BMW tops you find will have a sewn window in place.
Something is wrong as the top is a quality canvas cloth top and they don't shrink....

You don't need a new top if the plastic window is too small. Just go to any good upholstry shop and have them cut the old one out and sew the new one in. Most BMW tops you find will have a sewn window in place.
Something is wrong as the top is a quality canvas cloth top and they don't shrink....

I was told by two different upholstry shops that these tops shrink if run thru car washes...which is normally how I wash it. Maybe it is BS...but if so, these shops are doing a hell of a job being consistent.

Yes, I have looked at the sewn window option, but that's going to run me $550, and my top is on it's last leg anyway (it's the original, so 7 or 8 years old now). I was trying to milk it as long as I could. But I don't think I want to pour that much money into a top that might not last me another year or so.

Shrunken top?! Now way!

They didn't try to fit a Z3 window now....

The window was fine for 8 months, so I don't think so.:dunno

I was told by two different upholstry shops that these tops shrink if run thru car washes...which is normally how I wash it. Maybe it is BS...but if so, these shops are doing a hell of a job being consistent.

Yes, I have looked at the sewn window option, but that's going to run me $550, and my top is on it's last leg anyway (it's the original, so 7 or 8 years old now). I was trying to milk it as long as I could. But I don't think I want to pour that much money into a top that might not last me another year or so.

While not forbidden, I would highly NOT recommand going through a car wash.
Only thing I know is not to ever use a waxing program on the roof.

I'd never go through a car wash either. In my opinion, that's too much pressure (water OR brush) for a fabric top.

Wow 500 bucks is a huge screwing for the plastic window install. I do recall some of the guys on here that did replace their top with a Hartz quality cloth top and had better install then the dealer did. I don't have a clue how they did it but it might still be on the search engine.

If 500 bucks is the best deal you can cut then you are right to consider the entire top change out. I recall that most replacement tops are sewn in however...

I'd never go through a car wash either. In my opinion, that's too much pressure (water OR brush) for a fabric top.

I know...I prefer to hand wash, but have a kid now and haven't been able to find the time. Looks like I'm going to have to find the time now...

Car wash :nono dude take the time to hand wash it will look better.

So...back to my original post. Does anyone have experience with either of these tops?

Auto Car wash ftw when it's below freezing and you have a hardtop.... Otherwise I usually wash it by hand when water is a liquid and not a solid.

-Al.

I went with one of the ebay top seller for around $450. The quality of the top is just as good I think, no issues there with one big caveat:

The OEM top has plastic edging along the back and sides with holes for the rivets. The aftermarket tops (at least the one I bought) have an extra fold of canvas (for strength) instead of the plastic edging.

The problem is that this adds a huge amount of time to the installation because you have to pull the top and attach through the canvas. It makes lining it up correctly a lot more involved. With the OEM top, the holes in the edging line up with the holes on the car and you're good to go.

I'm sure the top will last just as long but if I had to do it over, I would go OEM for this reason alone. I also replaced the tension straps at the same time which is a piece of cake once the top is removed. Used pretty much every repair kit available on the headliner too....

Bob