Z4M - Squeaking roof (when up) query

[GarethA]

Hi Folks

Well, after much classifieds browsing on a certain website plumped for a Z4M to replace the E36 M3. Early days but suffice to say it's different!

A question for you seasoned veterans. The roof squeaks when it's up. I don't know how else to describe it. First noticed it on an early run when I had a bike rack on the back and was cursing it as assumed it was the rubber feet moving on the boot. But it wasn't. Even on v smooth motorway cruising if the roof is up there is a constant orchestra of squeaks emanating from somewhere behind my head. And it gets rather annoying. Needless to say nothing at all audible with the roof down.

Is this normal? Any words of wisdom out there much appreciated.

I test drove the car with the roof down and then when parked checked it's operation. Hoping I haven't blundered on some basic pre-purchase check.

Many thanks

Gareth

[illmonkey]

The roof should be down at all times, so really there is no issue!

Seriously, though, neither of my previous Z4's done this. Is there any movement when it's up, maybe the clamps need adjusting to give a tighter grip?

[GarethA]

Nothing whatsoever (at least that I can hear) when it's up.

Did you have an M just as a matter of interest?

Clamps easily adjusted?

[AARONM3]

This may seem like a silly question (I have a coupe so you'll have to excuse me!) but it's not the seat back rubbing on trim behind? Just that I noticed that with my passenger seat...

[GarethA]

No it's not the seats but good thought thanks

[illmonkey]

GarethA said:

Nothing whatsoever (at least that I can hear) when it's up.

Did you have an M just as a matter of interest?

Clamps easily adjusted?

Yes.

Are you sure it's the roof, rather than a constant noise that you can't hear when the roof is down due to wind? The back of the chairs makes a noise if they're too far back.

[GarethA]

Neither seat is all the way back on the rails and the backs of the seat not touching behind.

Mmmmh

I'm NW London - if anyone's going to the ace cafe anytime happy to bring it along for a diagnosis!

[JimexPL]

It's most likely dirty rubbers. Give them all a good clean and try a dry lubricant. BMW parts used to sell some amazingly expensive stuff (I seem to recall c.£50 for a small tube), but it works.

My M was silent, but my 3.0 squeaked. It was a combination of the rubbers and where the roof touched the top of the roll hoops. I never found an ideal solution for that, other than keeping two pieces of felt in the car to put between the roof and roll hoops.

[Froomee]

Clean the seam above the windscreen and with the roof partially open clean underneath the lip.

Autoglym roof cleaner with the two sprays are useful for this, I find this stops any noises or creaks although iv never really had any.

Could be the chair against the transmission tunnel, centre console, loose trim in the boot, etc or maybe there is something more mechanical. The roof motors can go and this is usually identified by the roof struggling or moving very slowly, you could test this by operating the roof manually and see if it works better.

A few searches online or the Z4 Forum should help you find a solution relatively quickly and tell you how to manually operate the roof

[GarethA]

Ok thanks few things to try there. I can certainly clean the lip but no way the noise is above my head - rubbers or hoop contact points more believable source location.

Hood operating in c.10-15 secs so believe motor is fine.

If anyone has had a good experience with an indy garage on this I'd be interested to hear. Thanks