Broken plastic tabs on convertible top boot

**hayvenhurstkid** · January 24th 2013, 23:26

I will take two pair, so now we are at 25.
Let's see if we can keep the momentum going.

**2112** · January 26th 2013, 02:25

Does the Club know about them yet?
.

**Z8 4JR** · January 26th 2013, 06:41

Please count me in for one pair! Thanks,

**mrcjackson** · January 29th 2013, 13:02

Count me in for one pair. Chris

**lzablot** · January 30th 2013, 04:48

Count me in for one pair please. Thanks, Len

**macfly** · January 30th 2013, 04:58

Fast & Lazy x1
macfly x1
Pandaman x2
Z8Mania x2
2112 x1
hlmiii x2
jawz x1
Tyler x1
M Blitz x1
JoshB x1
Z8LVR x 2
ZAchterbahn x3
The CE x2
Zzzz8 x1
DirkZ8 x1
NorCal x1
Hayvenhurstkid 2
Z8 4JR x1
mrcjackson x1
lzabot x1

Total - 28

**hayvenhurstkid** · February 1st 2013, 02:22

I will check with them to see how much more it would cost to run off 30 to 35 pairs.

**porscheguy** · February 1st 2013, 04:14

Put me in for a pair. Two if it helps make the volume for the order. Thanks!

**macfly** · April 13th 2013, 17:30

All seems to have gone quiet on this trail of late, what's the progress on this project?

**hayvenhurstkid** · April 13th 2013, 17:50

We never got anywhere near the required 100 orders to have them made.

**macfly** · April 13th 2013, 19:36

I will check with them to see how much more it would cost to run off 30 to 35 pairs.

What did they say to doing a smaller order?

**DirkZ8** · April 13th 2013, 20:28

Originally Posted by hayvenhurstkid

We never got anywhere near the required 100 orders to have them made.

Wouldn't the club in Germany be interested in purchasing 65 and re-selling it in their boutique ?

**Norcal** · April 13th 2013, 21:05

You woul think... Christian?

**pandaman** · April 13th 2013, 21:07

Christian commented that Europe didn't understand our concern about the tabs. He stated that almost all of them never cover there top when down. I know if you don't use the toneau in our Texas sun the exposed fabric will fade. I have seen several cars with faded material.
Panda man

**macfly** · May 2nd 2013, 03:18

Latest update is Marty's sold his car, so I'm going to try and pick this up, and see what we can accomplish. This is who I have done so far, so let me know if you are no longer interested, otherwise I'll keep this list as my bible for production.

**Norcal** · May 2nd 2013, 03:38

Wait... I've lost track.... Didn't Marty sell his alpine and buy a z8? Now he sold that? How many has he owned thus far? For those who don't know, he is a broker, so if he can turn a buck.....

**macfly** · May 2nd 2013, 04:40

I think five so far, a silver/red, a silver/black, the only stratus/red, the Alpina and the last one which was a silver/red!!

**hlmiii** · May 2nd 2013, 13:02

Will def remain IN.
For two.
Thank you.

**hayvenhurstkid** · May 2nd 2013, 15:19

Andrew is right. And so is Ian as far as selling them and turning a profit. I am sure there will be more in the future.

Z8Mania · May 3rd 2013, 00:32

Im still interested.

**thegunguy** · May 3rd 2013, 02:32

I have two BMW repair kits sitting in my parts cabinet, but I'll still go in with the group if you need me to fill a slot.

**macfly** · May 3rd 2013, 02:44

I might need one pair to make a design plan from, or better still can you guys make up a scale design plan at work? :-)

Right now Christian is seeing if he has an aviation lead in TX and I'm trying to get an answer from India & China as Seattle are in military budget fantasy land, they wants 13,500 for the job!!

**Norcal** · May 3rd 2013, 03:01

Originally Posted by hayvenhurstkid

Andrew is right. And so is Ian as far as selling them and turning a profit. I am sure there will be more in the future.

Don't worry, we don't take it personally!

**tomfakes** · May 4th 2013, 03:05

Andrew needs to buy another to keep up the count. I know this guy called 'Marty' who may be able to hook you up!

**Charles** · May 6th 2013, 16:35

I am in for a set. One of my tabs just broke. I will try to order an OEM set, but am in for the aftermarket one you are proposing regardless.

**macfly** · May 6th 2013, 16:43

Fast & Lazy x1
macfly x1
Pandaman x2
Z8Mania x2
2112 x1
hlmiii x2
jawz x1
Tyler x1
M Blitz x1
JoshB x1
Z8LVR x 2
ZAchterbahn x3
The CE x2
Zzzz8 x1
DirkZ8 x1
NorCal x1
Z8 4JR x1
mrcjackson x1
lzabot x1
porscheguy x1
VegasAlpina x1
Charles x1

Total - 29

**thegunguy** · May 6th 2013, 17:45

Originally Posted by Charles

I am in for a set. One of my tabs just broke. I will try to order an OEM set, but am in for the aftermarket one you are proposing regardless.

Let us know how the factory supply is. I grabbed my two last year before the stock ran out. I'm curious to know if they've built supply back again.

Z8Mania · May 6th 2013, 21:52

Charles, which tab broke? I bought a replacement boot cover a few years ago because of this and I have the original one still around here somewhere. If you broke the one I didn't break, I could have the good one removed and sent to you....

**2112** · May 7th 2013, 21:23

Originally Posted by macfly

Seattle are in military budget fantasy land, they wants 13,500 for the job!!

I agree it was very expensive with the set up charges. They want volume orders. They are busy supplying the 787 as well as Airbus now.

If we were able to order 500, it would get more affordable but that probably is out of reach.

.

**porscheguy** · May 7th 2013, 21:55

It seems that these parts would be ideal candidates for the emerging 3D printing technology industry. I don't know a lot about it, except that it is excels in small size and quantity runs, and can be done in a variety of materials. I will do some homework to see what more can be learned.

**hlmiii** · May 7th 2013, 22:47

I wonder if BMW would go for a run, if it had a guaranteed number of customers?
I obviously don't know their economics on something like this, but is there a possibility it could work?
They could use the up-front product sales to fund their order and end up with a (replenished) stock for future orders.

**thegunguy** · May 8th 2013, 16:59

Has anyone checked on the BMW inventory lately?

**lanny** · May 8th 2013, 18:33

I just called BMW and there are 21 sets available in the US and 38 in Germany and the part is NOT discontinued.

**macfly** · May 8th 2013, 18:51

Hah, well that's good to know, maybe we should just use these up before going to all the trouble and expense of making up the indestructible ones.

**thegunguy** · May 8th 2013, 18:56

Originally Posted by lanny

I just called BMW and there are 21 sets available in the US and 38 in Germany and the part is NOT discontinued.

That makes a lot more sense to me. It seems that while inevitable failure is likely, the frequency is pretty low, and BMW appears to be producing a steady supply. I wonder if these parts are common across multiple models (Z3 perhaps?).

**Z-acht** · May 9th 2013, 08:30

Originally Posted by thegunguy

That makes a lot more sense to me. It seems that while inevitable failure is likely, the frequency is pretty low, and BMW appears to be producing a steady supply. I wonder if these parts are common across multiple models (Z3 perhaps?).

The Z3 does not have a cover like the Z8. BTW You can order it online at the BMW classic shop.

**ZAchterbahn** · May 9th 2013, 11:32

Problem solved, at least for now. I may just order a spare set to have templates in hand and pursue nice metal replacements without any time pressure. But if BMW Classic has the support of the manufacturer who hopefully still owns the tools, that may remain the more sensible solution.

**Charles** · May 15th 2013, 01:21

Originally Posted by Z8Mania

Charles, which tab broke? I bought a replacement boot cover a few years ago because of this and I have the original one still around here somewhere. If you broke the one I didn't break, I could have the good one removed and sent to you....

Thanks, Jerry. I have been off the board for a bit. The one that broke is the passenger side one. Pat Arnold at Classic said they are available and ordered one for me last week. If it does not arrive soon, and you have the one I broke, I may take you up on your offer.

I did find out that the cover will stay on with just one tab. I am still in for the permanent fix if we get enough takers.

Z8Mania · May 15th 2013, 16:29

Very nicely done. FWIW, from memory, the one I broke is the longer one which I think is on the drivers side.

**Charles** · June 28th 2013, 06:32

Ok, I have my tab set. Anybody figure out procedures for removing the plastic rivets? I started to use a small screwdriver, but was afraid I would scratch the cover plastic. The guys at Classic BMW were going to use a drill on one they were doing for a customer, but had not determined exactly how.

There must be a right and wrong way to do that. Maybe start a drill hole with a nail, so the bit does not travel, and then slowly use a drill with a 1/8" bit? Must be very careful not to drill through to the leather? I think I may be able to slide a piece of sheet metal between the plastic and the leather.

Surely one of you that is less of a clutz than me has done this

**macfly** · June 28th 2013, 13:11

I'd suggest using a drill mounted on a table stand like this...

**jawz** · July 2nd 2013, 16:35

Not using THAT wood bit though, I hope...

**Charles** · July 14th 2013, 20:08

Here are some pictures I took. There is enough space to slip your hand under the plastic covering and to slip a piece of sheet metal so you wont drill through to the leather. Then I used a nail to tap a hole to guide the drill bit so it would not slip. I used progressively larger bits until the rivet top could be separated from the bottom, and reached in and got the bottom piece of it.

For step 2 it is easy to line up the new tab with the rivet hole, but when I went to buy a rivet gun to install it, the guy at Home Depot said the length of the top shaft of the rivet which is pushed down by the gun, was too small for the standard guns they have.

Anybody know what kind of rivet gun to use for the second step of installing the rivet?

**macfly** · July 15th 2013, 02:15

Very nice detailed explanation, thank you!

**Charles** · September 2nd 2013, 04:22

Following up, I could never get the new rivet in. All the rivet tools I could find were too big and required a longer, bigger rivet.

When I took her in for all new fluids, Pat Arnold at Classic BMW in Dallas was kind enough to fix it gratis. Thanks, Pat!! He either had the right tool or some other secret, but a least it is now fixed.

**mrcjackson** · November 25th 2013, 09:39

Have just ordered too and was told there are 26 kits in Germany. Chris

**Z8 4JR** · November 26th 2013, 22:58

Anyone knows the part number? Thanks,

**Z-acht** · November 26th 2013, 23:13

Originally Posted by Z8 4JR

Anyone knows the part number? Thanks,

54347057683

**Z8 4JR** · November 27th 2013, 00:11

Thanks for the quick reply!

**mrcjackson** · November 27th 2013, 11:57

Just collected mine - 48 hour service! And to confirm it is made up of the two tabs (of differing length) and the plastic rivets. Not sure I understand why so much has been written on this subject when they are readily available. Chris

**Z-acht** · November 27th 2013, 12:10

Originally Posted by mrcjackson

Not sure I understand why so much has been written on this subject when they are readily available. Chris

Hi Chris,

The (broken) tabs were always seen as a part of the cover and no one wanted to buy a new cover so the idea of self-fabricating the tabs was there. The tabs were "accidentally " found. Ordering all kinds of parts for my car I ordered also "a repair set for the cover"( did not know what it was) and this set contained a pair of tabs with rivets :-)

**Dogsbreath** · October 9th 2014, 04:47

Ive always had a loose windbreaker and also noted that the tonneau would occasionally pop up at the back.

I noted that the windbreaker tabs and tonneau cover plug into plastic oval inserts in the vertical panel behind the seats. There are 4 inserts All 4 of mine were broken. The price to replace them was about 10 dollars. I did this recently and the tonneau and windbreaker issues are totally resolved.

I had noted intermittent resistance to inserting the tonneau It occurs to me that the broken inserts could be contributing to the broken tonneau tabs. The windbreaker ones should be unaffected as they are metal. .

The inserts can be popped out easily by hand. If you are having issues with the tonneau or the windbreaker it may be worth checking

Dave P
Vancouver, BC

**keith1998** · October 27th 2021, 20:18

My tonneau tab just snapped as I prepared to winterize does anyone know if these are still available from Germany and or did Marty go forward with custom made sets?

**Musta10000** · October 27th 2021, 23:33

Keith - Try these guys: https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...it-54347057683

If there are not any in the us, they will order from Germany (if available). I bought a back-up set years ago locally.

**Z-acht** · October 28th 2021, 15:18

Originally Posted by keith1998

My tonneau tab just snapped as I prepared to winterize does anyone know if these are still available from Germany and or did Marty go forward with custom made sets?

Still available: 54347057683

**keith1998** · October 28th 2021, 16:01

Hi Skip,

I was able to get a set from Germany CAD $55.00.

Thanks

Keith

**2112** · November 1st 2021, 03:14

Does it matter which side the long tab is on?

**Z-acht** · November 1st 2021, 09:56

I think they put it on the right side because that is the "safe curbside"

**jawz** · November 7th 2021, 16:15

The long tab is on the right side with the short one one the left (original configuration). The reason one is longer than the other is to make installation of the boot easier. Start on the right side of the vehicle and insert the long tab. The long tab will hold the boot in place while you move to the left side to insert the short tab. That’s the reason one is longer than the other.
It probably doesn’t matter which side the long tab is installed if you prefer to install the boot beginning on the left instead of the right and reverse the installation as described above.

**2112** · November 7th 2021, 18:22

Thanks, I was just curious if it was a deal breaker if mounted the other way.

**BJCZ8** · July 7th 2022, 00:30

Finally joining the Z8 Forum after 21 years of ownership and these boards have been quite helpful. Has anyone had the problem of deteriorating plastic wind deflector slots that hold the wind deflector clasps? Of the four that sit behind the driver and passenger side, one has broken up, another has fallen out. Have had no success in locating them or another solution. Would value any input. Thanks!

**Charles** · July 7th 2022, 16:02

I searched Realoem.com, which is the go to place for locating parts and part numbers, but could not see them. There was one part that looked like it, but it came in different colors, and I thought these were all black. You may look closer and find it. You might also call or email Dana Caldwell at BMW of Fremont. His full contact info is on another thread. He has seen most evertything Z8.

**boomster** · July 7th 2022, 20:21

Originally Posted by Charles

I searched Realoem.com, which is the go to place for locating parts and part numbers, but could not see them. There was one part that looked like it, but it came in different colors, and I thought these were all black. You may look closer and find it. You might also call or email Dana Caldwell ant BMW of Fremont. His full contact info is on another thread. He has seen most evertything Z8.

Mine are red (red sport interior).

**BJCZ8** · July 8th 2022, 22:10

Thanks Charles! Two things worth pursuing.

Thread: Broken plastic tabs on convertible top boot

Thread Tools

Search Thread

plastic tabs

Step 1 Getting the rivet out

Folding top cover repair kit

Bad tabs - or inserts ?

Z8 wind deflector slots