My soft top "works" but it has some problems. After doing these two "repairs" I noticed that my soft top consistently folds up nicely now. Hope this could help others as well. :thumbup

- Some of the fabric near that is closest to the front of the car bunches up during the folding process. The storage lid cannot close completely when this happens. I pulled out the infamous "metal rod" and straightened it, but that only helped a little bit. On closer inspection, I noticed some of the fabric sleeving that holds the metal rod has ripped. So I sewed it up. I used the purple and blue colors to show how I matched up the parts to be sewn.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/BMW%20328/MetalRodSleeve-B-A.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/BMW%20328/MetalRodSleeve-B-E.jpg

- While doing this, I noticed a stray strip of fabric that didnt seem to have a purpose. After looking at it, and examining the area during the folding process, I figured that it was supposed to help keep the headliner in its proper place while folding.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/BMW%20328/RippedStrap-B-B.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/BMW%20328/RippedStrap-B-E.jpg

The only issue that I have now is that the stiff, flexible straps (my hand is holding them in the first 3 pics) and/or the outer canvas sometimes fold towards the front of the car instead of the rear of the car during the folding process. It seems to make the storage lid not sit flush when it is closed. Haven't found a fix for these yet. :(

Thanks for the write up Palomino...I have also read that the metal rod is supposed to be straight...however I ordered a new one from the dealer and it had the same bow as the one that was originally in the vehicle. I too have the same problem with the headliner not going behind the lip also. I will look at my top and check for the loose strap.

i see my finger!!!!! it's the natasha love vert top and i helped...

Thanks for the write up Palomino...I have also read that the metal rod is supposed to be straight...however I ordered a new one from the dealer and it had the same bow as the one that was originally in the vehicle. I too have the same problem with the headliner not going behind the lip also. I will look at my top and check for the loose strap.

yeah, i noticed that there really isnt a way for the metal rod to stay straight permanently due to the way the top folds and the position of that rod in the folded position.

i wonder if the curvature of the rod helps the outer canvas fold towards the back of the car? at the least, I think it might keep the headliner tucked in during folding so that it doesnt get caught on the mousefur behind the headrests. :az

the sewing that was done in the first set of pictures definitely keeps the sides of the headliner tucked in and away from the mousefur.i see my finger!!!!! it's the natasha love vert top and i helped...

and yes, my car's name is Natasha and extemporia was my wonderful assistant during the soft top troubleshooting. :)

and yes, my car's name is Natasha and extemporia was my wonderful assistant during the soft top troubleshooting. :)

:b_mirror

Just checked mine. (1999 M3) Fortunately all straps appear to still be properly sewn in place. No rips, no tears.

You're correct about the upperstrap needing some slack.

When the front part of the roof opens up, this upperstrap bows up. Supposedly to pull the rear bows forward (I believe this strap becomes the elastic strap near the rear).

From what I have seen on my car, the sleeves on the metal rod are still in place. (there 4 sleevs iirc) on the side where you put the rod in there's a sleeve on the strap, then the long one on the headliner itself and than 2 small ones on the other's side strap (one on each side) Could be that it's the same on both sides.
There should also be a plastic endcap on the rod do it doesn't just pull itself out of the loops as it did on mine.
My cap is gone, so for now, I just put some layers of tape on it to make it not slip out of the 2 small sleeves.

And I'm still suprised how much slack is in the elastic straps. Now I know they stretch over time, but even when they are new they seem so loose that I still not understand how they work in getting the rear bow to vertical.

I took almost all slack out of mine and put a zip-tie through it. But as not expected...the rear bow couldn't come down anymore. So they should have some slack after all. Hard to find out how much, so that:

It helps the tension bow come up to vertical, while this same bow can still fall back on the lid.
And as I found out, the straps don't directly make the rear bow come to vertical, but the 2 bows in front of it, so it makes room for the rear bow to do so.
I used to lift the rear bow, folding the window up in the process (can do this while in my seat and holding down the button). Not good for the plastic window!
But now that I found out...I now just pull the 4th/5th bow back and this will let the rear bow come up to vertical as no other part is preventing it from doing this.

But now that I found out...I now just pull the 4th/5th bow back and this will let the rear bow come up to vertical as no other part is preventing it from doing this.
You mean pull the 4th/5th bows towards the front of the car, right? Thats what i am doing since i haven't found any permanent solutions for that... But tought about attaching additional elastic stripes between the 1st and the 5th bows..

You mean pull the 4th/5th bows towards the front of the car, right? Thats what i am doing since i haven't found any permanent solutions for that... But tought about attaching additional elastic stripes between the 1st and the 5th bows..

That was what I was thinking too!!
And then make very sure you run the strap UNDER the 2nd and 3th bow, so as the 1st bow raises from the windshield, it will pull on the 4th/5th bow.(running the strap above bow 2 and 3 will make it do nothing).

Now, the strap is secured on all bows and since bow 2 and 3 are rigid, no way in hell it can pull any other bows forward...

I just checked my top. I have that exact same loose strap piece as on your picture 3. But I don't have anything that would indicate it come from the strap below (no ripped stitching).

Also that metal thin rod for the headliner..these loops should be on the lower strap, so it seems yours have come off.

these tops are so complicated.

they give such a feeling of accomplishment when you are able to fix them though.

ill look over a few of the things you said, MPar.