FAB U LOUS !!!!!

Z4 Beemer

Senior member
 Glasgow
Never once on my E85 did I put the roof down over winter, (around October to March time), or even last year in the E89, but this morning it was bright and sunny with temperatures right on 0 C and I had my "trapper" hat on with the furry side bits that cover your ears. :P I thought "what the hell", and put the roof down. :D I put the driver side temperature control right up to the max at 28 C and just left everything else on Auto. I had the climate level set at 3, but I was gob-smacked that hot air was blowing all over me. 8) The fan speed didn't go full blast (it did when I put the roof back on), but I had hot air from the facia vents keeping my hands and upper body warm, hot air from the knee vents keeping my legs warm and my feet were also being heated. I also had the seat heater on setting 2. I was really impressed at how nice it actually was, and it didn't feel like I was exposed to freezing conditions.

I got a few odd looks, including from the driver and passenger of a Nissan Juke :rofl: but I will definitely do it again, it was brilliant! :D

:driving:
 
I did it today and last Sunday too. Great isnt it -3 roof doon and toastie warm. Wore gloves though as that's the only cold bit is hands on wheel.
Wouldn't have done it in SLK but the heater and heated seats in the Z are tremendous :thumbsup:
 
Z4 Beemer said:
Never once on my E85 did I put the roof down over winter...
I hardly ever put the roof down now, but winter is definitely better :)

I get hay fever in summer and getting cooked in the car with the roof down is crap, I usually keep the roof up and the air con on. Winter is much better, especially if you can find a quiet road.

shambolic said:
Wouldn't have done it in SLK...
Did you have the airscarf?
 
Z4 Beemer glad you've seen the light :-) There is rarely a day when that roof can't be down and after a while driving with the roof up just seems oppressive and as if something has been ripped out of your life. The winter light is amazing, crisp, clear and it's one hell of an experience - but so is a summer day down a country lane with the trees crossing their branches above you in applause to your appreciation of the world at large and a smile breaks out as the dappled light through the tree canopy captures motes of dust in the air and you know life is so damn good !

I think you're a candidate for the exclusive roadster club now :-)
 
roofless said:
Z4 Beemer glad you've seen the light :-) There is rarely a day when that roof can't be down and after a while driving with the roof up just seems oppressive and as if something has been ripped out of your life. The winter light is amazing, crisp, clear and it's one hell of an experience - but so is a summer day down a country lane with the trees crossing their branches above you in applause to your appreciation of the world at large and a smile breaks out as the dappled light through the tree canopy captures motes of dust in the air and you know life is so damn good !

I think you're a candidate for the exclusive roadster club now :-)
Very well stated.... :happyclap:
 
i can't see the logic, why put the roof down if you need gloves, hat, scarf and heater on full blast?
 
Taz x said:
i can't see the logic, why put the roof down if you need gloves, hat, scarf and heater on full blast?

give it a try and find out :) oops - coupe owner - you can't :poke:

I appreciate it's not everyones cup of tea but in a tough world it's great to be reminded that things are beautiful and wonderful out there. Putting the roof down does that for me. It's surprising how little discomfort you feel with the roof down and the crispness and clarity is amazing. I have lots of friends who love their motorbikes and feel a sense of freedom on two wheels, i personally feel kind of claustrophobic with a bike helmet on and that's why bikes have never caught my imagination. I don't like being shut off from things, with the roof down you see a whole lot more and you smell it. That can be good and bad :) (especially for those with allergies :( )

Roofs are great on houses and that's where they should stay :)
 
roofless said:
I think you're a candidate for the exclusive roadster club now :-)

Haha - thanks!!! :D

roofless said:
give it a try and find out :) oops - coupe owner - you can't :poke:

I appreciate it's not everyones cup of tea but in a tough world it's great to be reminded that things are beautiful and wonderful out there. Putting the roof down does that for me. It's surprising how little discomfort you feel with the roof down and the crispness and clarity is amazing.

Roofs are great on houses and that's where they should stay :)

That pretty much sums it up. :thumbsup:

I'm also unsure how things are going to go for me in 2011 on the job front. In January we are likely to start a "Voluntary" Severance scheme, but certain groups of staff will be targetted. If I'm in one of those categories, then the writing could be on the wall! At the moment I want to make use of the car and enjoy it as much as possible, while I'm fortunate enough to own it. Since it has a tin-opener button on the dash, I may as well make use of it. :D :driving:
 
Z4 Beemer good to hear you've located the roof button! :driving: Best time of year for it!
Good luck for January!

Wondermike said:
I hardly ever put the roof down now, but winter is definitely better :)

+1 on the winter is better bit... love getting the roof down on a clear crisp morning - bonus points last Feburary when there was snow everywhere :)
 
Its ABSOLUTE best moment for roof down is in when snowing, light or dark imo. If you're going above 5mph it doesn't come in the cabin and better yet, with the heaters on full blast, the snow above just floats upwards!

I can tolerate it down to ~ -7C at which point you need so many clothes it starts restricting body movement! :roll: :wink:
 
In the winter you seem to hear the exhaust a lot more as well with the top down. Must be the thin air :D
 
EdButler said:
Its ABSOLUTE best moment for roof down is in when snowing, light or dark imo. If you're going above 5mph it doesn't come in the cabin and better yet, with the heaters on full blast, the snow above just floats upwards!

I can tolerate it down to ~ -7C at which point you need so many clothes it starts restricting body movement! :roll: :wink:
I'm imagining a "Star Wars" effect with the snowflakes ripping past at speed overhead in the dark 8)
 
Agree 100% - have had the roof down at 6.30am when dooing the Hampshire Runs - as long as the sun is out, I'm happy - and yes so what if you're wrapped up warm and heaters on, thats the beauty of it all.....minus 5 one morning last week, who cares....

But fir the furst time, I wished I had heated steering wheel, I would feel a bit of a numpty drving in gloves I think....not something I've done before.
 
I wear gloves during colder roof-down drives :oops:

Thin mountain-biking full-finger gloves with grippy rubber stuff on the contact points. Thin enough not to be a pain, grippy enough too. And they're black so they're fairly discreet. Better that cold hands at least.
 
A good pair of driving gloves works a treat, won't warm the hands like granny's fur lined specials, but driving with good leather gloves is a real improvement, It makes up for the thin girly steering wheel on the E89. My old 3 series had a lovely chunky M steering wheel and i really miss it.
 
Only ever drive the car with the roof up when its raining. People at work think I'm crazy turning up in the car park with the roof down and the temperature on the 'minus' scale, but it makes you feel alive and is the next best thing to a motorbike. I tell people, 'the roof is only for parking'... the dog (rottweiler) has a harness that straps into the passenger seat belt, and he also loves the roofless driving (low speeds only for safety!). I've had quite a lot of 'thumbs up' from other motorists...
 
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