BMW 3 Series (318i 323i, 325i, 328i, M3 (E36 Chassis), 1994-99
Convertible Top and Convertible Top Parts

The tops on this page fit all the "E36 Platform" BMW models: 
U.S. Models: 318is, 318zi, 325, 328, 318, 323 and M3  
European Models: 316i, 318i, 320, 323, 324, 325, 328 and M3

BMW 318i, 323i, 325i, 328i & M3 Convertible Top Information:

  • Quality: Made to BMW specs, 100% fit guarantee.
  • Original Factory Material: Sonnendeck (Twillfast) canvas.
  • Original Colors: Black, BMW Blue, English Green, Titan Grey and Grenadine.
  • Alternate Materials: Haartz Stayfast Canvas, Chrysler Sailcloth Vinyl.
  • About Top Materials: Twillfast and Haartz Stayfast Canvas are almost indistinguishable outwardly. Twillfast has  premium construction with a woven underside fabric. A very attractive alternative fabric is Chrysler Sailcloth vinyl (original to late model Mustangs and Sebrings and less expensive than canvas.)
  • Relief Pockets: In 1994-1995 these BMW tops were made with small pocketed areas in the corners for decorative purposes. Click here to see relief pockets. They serve no function and BMW eliminated them in 1996. Our replacement tops are made without relief pockets. The tops will fit all 1994-1999 BMW 3 Series perfectly. If you're fond of the pocketed tops please request (no price difference.).
  • Installation: Professional installation is suggested. A handy and meticulous person may consider DIY installation. This includes rivet work and use of contact cement. There is no sewing involved. We offer a very thorough installation manual (see at 'installation supplies.' ) To locate a professional installer please enter "automobile upholstery shops near me" in your browser search bar.
  • Tension Straps: These must be in good condition as they slow down wear in the top. Warranty may be voided if new straps are not ordered with top. We urge replacement of straps if more than 3 years old.
  • All seams are doubly electronically welded and sewn for added reinforcement. Convertible top fabrics are mildew & mold resistant, and UV treated for color fastness. Plastic windows are DOT rated heavy 40-gauge thick vinyl.
  • Warranties: Kee Auto Tops carries a 6 year factory warranty with no labor allowance. Robbins Auto Tops has a 5 year factory warranty with 18 month labor allowance.

Convertible Tops and Packages

Convertible Tops and Packages

A.) BMW 3 Series (E36 Chassis) Convertible Top
Original Twillfast OR Haartz Stayfast Canvas
Original Light Green Tint Sealed in Window


Made by Robbins (Robbins 2713C)
5 year factory warranty with 18 month labor allowance
Fabric & Color:

As low as:
$753.00
BMW 3 Series (318i 323i, 325i, 328i, M3 (E36 Chassis) convertible tops and parts in this category fit model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999


Installation Supplies

Installation Supplies

INCLUDED WITH TOP PACKAGES
1994-99 BMW 3 Series Convertible,
30 Page Step by Step Installation Manual with Over 100 Illustrations.
$0.01
1994-99 BMW 3 SERIES, Pair of Side Hold Down Cables.

American made in the USA (beware of inferior made imports)
   Details...

$29.95
Hand Riveter-includes: Four Nose Pieces for 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", and 1/8" and 30 Piece Rivet Assortment.
$14.95
Plastic pry tool, great for prying fasteners and seals, pushing seals into retainers, loosening fabric etc
$12.95
Pair of Elastic Tension Straps..
Should Be Replaced When a New Top Is Installed.
$329.95
ARROW RIVET TOOL KIT RL100 rivet tool is built to last Durable all-steel construction with a - comfortable hi-vis vinyl grip Spring loaded handle makes for easy loading Includes two interchangeable nose pieces & - 25 ea. 1/8" & 3/16" medium aluminum rivets Includes custom molded case for easy storage and 50 of our two most popular rivets 25 each of 1/8 medium rivet and 25 each of 3/16 medium rivets.
$22.95
Arrow T-50 Stainless Staples, 1/4", 300 Count

 

$4.95
Arrow T-50 Stainless-Steel Staples 3/8", 300 Count

 

$4.95
Trimmer Contact Cement: 8-Oz. Brush Top Can. Strong, Waterproof, Flexible Bond for Vinyl-coated and Vinyl-laminated Fabrics.
$20.95
Plastic pry tool set, 7-piece kit

Great for prying fasteners and seals, pushing seals into retainers, loosening fabric etc.

$34.95


Headliners

Headliners

1994-99 Bmw 3 Series. Two (2) Piece Paddle Set for Plastic Window Tops Only. Flat Plastic Reinforcements, Located in Lower Quarter

STRINGS ARE NOT INCLUDED

$89.95
1994-99 BMW 3 SERIES STRING FOR HEADLINER
$24.95
Headliner String Kit with Hardware, 1994-1999 BMW 3 Series

Atrex part #6508

$127.95
94-99 BMW 3 Series Charcoal Ribbed Headliner

This part #3053  headliner has 3 C clips that snap onto top frame bars and snap on Trim (pinch welt) across the front. Car has manual top lock. This is the most common style for all 1994 to early 1997 models with manual top lock except for late-1997 model. If you have a 1997 model with manual top lock, check Headliner pictures & order accordingly.

 
$329.95
94-99 BMW Charcoal Ribbed 3 Series Headliner

This part #3094 headliner has 2 C clips that snap onto top frame bars, front and rear pockets to slide in existing metal bars. Car has power top lock. If you have 1997 thru 1999 model car with power top lock, this is the correct headliner for your car.

 

$329.95
94-99 BMW Charcoal Ribbed Headliner, Full-Power Top

For this headliner part # 3144, car has manual top lock. This is the rare style for the 1997 model. If you have a 1997 model with manual top lock, check part # 3053 and part # 3200 headliner pictures and order accordingly.

$329.95
94-99 BMW Charcoal Ribbed Headliner, Half-Power or Manual Top

This part #3200 headliner has 2 C clips that snap onto top frame bars, snap on trim (pinch welt) across the front and rear pockets to slide in existing metal bar. Car has manual top lock. This is the rare style for the late-97 to 99 models. If you have a 1997 model with manual top lock, check Style-1, Style-2, and Style-3 headliner pictures and order accordingly.

$329.95


Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping

94-99 BMW 3 Series, Driver side front window seal, OEM (shown in Blue color)
$399.95
94-99 BMW 3 Series, Driver side rear quarter window seal, OEM (shown in Green color)
$449.95
94-99 BMW 3 Series, Front Rubber Seal, OEM (Shown in Camel Color)
$449.95
94-99 BMW 3 Series, Passenger side front window seal, OEM (shown in Blue color)
$399.95
94-99 BMW 3 Series, Passenger side rear quarter window seal, OEM (shown in Green color)
$449.95


Cleaning & Protectant

Cleaning & Protectant

A PACKAGE SPECIAL:
A Combination Pack of RAGGTOPP Brand Canvas Cleaner & Protectant.
  • Plus:
  • Raggtopp Convertible Top Plastic Window Cleaner and Protectant Kit.
  • The Natural Horsehair Convertible Top Cleaning Brush
$79.95
A Combination Pack of RAGGTOPP Brand Canvas Cleaner & Protectant

About RAGGTOPP products
$39.95
A PACKAGE SPECIAL:
A Combination Pack of the RAGGTOPP Brand Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant.
  • Plus:
  • Raggtopp Convertible Top Plastic Window Cleaner and Protectant Kit.
  • The Natural Horsehair Convertible Top Cleaning Brush
$79.95
A Combination Pack of the RAGGTOPP Brand Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant Together

About RAGGTOPP products
$38.95
Raggtopp Convertible Top Plastic Window Cleaner and Protectant Kit

Contains:

  • Bottle Window Cleaner
  • Bottle Window Protectant
  • Sponge, Applicator Pad
  • Microfiber Towel

About RAGGTOPP products
$32.95
Natural Horsehair Convertible Top Cleaning Brush

About Natural Horsehair Brush
$14.95


Wind Deflector

Wind Deflector

1993-99 BMW E36 Series, Convertible Top Wind Deflector:

 

  • The simple goal is to help you enjoy your convertible even more with less wind blast and more fun. Our wind deflectors are designed specifically for your convertible, and are proven to decrease the back draft by up to 75%.
  • Below is the Time, Difficulty and Tools required for the first installation, after that the wind deflector goes in and out of your car in under One Minute.

  • Fast, easy and painless to install.
  • Drive Your Convertible with the top down more.
  • Enjoy Listening to the radio or have a conversation.
  • 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.
  • 1 year warranty.

Wind Deflector Testimonials
$465.00


Top Switch, Relays, Etc.

Top Switch, Relays, Etc.

Top Switch
Activates Raising/Lowering.
Heavy Duty: Rated for 50 amps.
Mount in any under dash hole.
$34.95


Custom Fit Car Covers

Custom Fit Car Covers

1994-99 BMW 3 Series Convertible, Custom Fit Car Cover, 200 Series
$167.95
1994-99 BMW 3 Series Convertible, Custom Fit Car Cover, 380 Series
$227.95




Important Information

Original Fabric:
The original dealer fabric was Sonnendeck (Twillfast) canvas.

Alternate Fabrics: A5 German Sonnenland canvas, Haartz Stayfast Canvas, Chrysler Sailcloth Vinyl.

About The Fabrics:

German Sonnenland Canvas is the original German made canvas used in many Mercedes, Porsche, BMW and other convertibles. It's general construction is very similar to the other two canvases. It is hard to tell the surfaces apart among the three. But the manufacturing specifications make this the longest lasting top. There is an approximate twenty percent greater wear rating for Sonnenland than for Haartz Stayfast. Some of this is due to the abrasion resistance of the exterior canvas. This is a factor in certain tops where the framework design tends to produce friction between the top's surface and the car's hardware. (It is a well known 'trade secret' that the Haartz Division of Glen Raven Mills purchased the Sonnenland factory.)

Sonnendeck Canvas (also called 'Twillfast') is an American made canvas, true double texture topping like the Haartz Stayfast. Many purists who own Mercedes and other German cars want to see the particular German weave (that is called "dobby weave") when they look up inside the car. Haartz Stayfast canvas has a plain (unwoven) inner lining. So for Porsche, Mercedes and BMW owners who will spend a little more in order to see that "dobby" weave we offer a fabric called Sonnendeck (in addition to the original German Sonnenland or Happich canvas. The wear rating of Sonnendeck is also greater than for Haartz, by perhaps 10%. This is due to the slightly heavier inner lining and subtle bonding specification differences.

Haartz Stayfast Canvas has a canvas outer layer and a preshrunk cotton inner layer. The two are bonded with and separated by a butyl rubber core. It is this core that makes the fabric last a very long time, with both better static and dynamic wear ratings than vinyl toppings. Haartz Stayfast is the American substitute for the German canvases used in Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, some models of Mustang and Lebaron and others. Canvas is widely regarded as "richer looking" than vinyl. It is a little harder to clean. The inside of the top is pre-shrunk cotton. The inner lining is usually black.

Relief Pockets:

In 1994-95 these tops were made with small pocketed areas in the corners for decorative purposes. They serve no function and BMW eliminated them in 1996. Most of our replacement tops are made without relief pockets. The tops will fit all years perfectly. For those of you who are fond of the pocketed tops we do offer that option: see the top selection list.

 

Tension Straps:
The elastic straps under the top serve an important function and must be in good condition to prevent premature wear in the top.

Rear Window:
There is a green plastic window sealed into the top as original.

Full Power and Half Power Frames:
These tops, just as the original ones, will fit both types of top frame which appeared from 1994 to 1997 (latch up and automatic lock up.) However there are subtle headliner differences as indicated in the headliners listed.

Headliner Hardware:
Headliners are often re-installed under the new top. If you are ordering a new headliner you will transfer the quarter section hardware from the old to the new headliner.

CONVERTIBLE TOP FABRICS
Almost all manufacturers use Haartz fabrics. They may specify "heaviest weight" or "original replacement" in ways that seem reassuring. But they do not really tell the whole story. Please bear in mind that two things dominate, by far, the quality issue: (a) the manufacturing quality control in the factory that makes the top and (b) the care and thoroughness of the installation. There is a trade-off in weight: heavier is better for resisting tear through, but lighter is better for flexibility and abrasion from within that may arise from movement. Almost all our tops are a flexible medium density (36 oz.) fabric. Heavier is not better in most cases. Where it is, because of the top design, we will say so and the top will be made of the heavier vinyl.
Warranties outlined here are only applicable for products installed by a professional trim shop or professional upholstery shop. For Convertible Tops, and related products, the manufacturer will void the warranty for any product that is not professionally installed; manufacturer defects are covered by the warranty in such cases. The manufacturer is not responsible for damage due to improper installation.


Parts in this category (BMW 3 Series (318i 323i, 325i, 328i, M3 (E36 Chassis)) fit cars for years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999.