Fabric Roof - whats it like in real life?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
I had an e89 as my first convertible car, with the folding metal roof - so a drop top when the weather was good, and a "normal" car when it wasn't.

Guy up the road from me had a e85 (until last week when he traded it in). In the winter he put a hard top on it.

He tells me the soft top is double lined?

To me, putting the hard top on in the winter means missing out on top-down days when its crisp and cold etc.

So what is it like to live with a soft top?

Does it need special maintenance (proofers...or just normal washing?), it is noisy, is it cold?
 
kevinmarkwhite said:
Does it need special maintenance (proofers...or just normal washing?), it is noisy, is it cold?
Click to expand...

Just use a product like Autoglym to wash. Just as good as normal roof as far as I'm concerned. Nothing like the old canvas roofs of old.
 
My previous zed was a E85 and used it during the winter months. True the soft top is double lined. Never found it cold, but did like any soft top keep it cleaned and reproofed using Autoglym. Also need to make sure that the drain holes are kept clear. If you use a hard top then the risk of blocked roof drains and water damaging the hood motor over winter is removed. But as you say you miss out on hood down days during winter :(
 
My E85 roadster is a daily drive and I don't have a hardtop. It's fine probably much more cabin noise than yours, but it adds to the sporty feel I think. It lives outside as well, no garage, but not had any leaks or damp seats yet. I Clean the roof about 3 times per year with Autoglym and re-proof it. Don't think I need to re-proof, as the roof is two layers with the bottom layer a waterproof membrane, but always do. In all I've owned the car for three years and never regretted it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom