Hardtops for Roadsters – why?
- Thread starter Marlon
- Start date
Mine always lives in a garage but I always park/store it with the roof up to keep the canvas stretched.
I also cycle the roof motor at least once whenever I drive it to keep things moving.
I dont see how you can do that when you've a hard top on for six months of the year. You probably end up needing the hard top as your motor's seized in the down position when spring finally arrives !
Not for me I'm afraid.
I also cycle the roof motor at least once whenever I drive it to keep things moving.
I dont see how you can do that when you've a hard top on for six months of the year. You probably end up needing the hard top as your motor's seized in the down position when spring finally arrives !
Not for me I'm afraid.
When we get the inevitable cold wet spells then I'd like a hard top. But when we get the cold crisp sunny winter's days then I do like the roof off with the heater and heated seats turned up.
The hoist makes a massive amount of sense - somewhere to store the hard top and don't need help to fit/remove it. I'll just have to save the pennies for hard top and hoist.
The hoist makes a massive amount of sense - somewhere to store the hard top and don't need help to fit/remove it. I'll just have to save the pennies for hard top and hoist.
I got one of these electric hoists off EBay used for under £30...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Lifting-Winch-Hoist-250kg-Scaffold-Mounted-for-Workshop-Garage-/231304766488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35dad6a418
I plan to fix it to the ridge beam in my garage and then just use some freight straps to lift my hardtop on and off. I have a stand and a couple of bags that came with the hardtop but I guess it could just stay suspended above the car when not in use. That is if I ever get round to fitting the bloody crane and get the blasted hardtop off as it has been on the car over year now and I am in danger of letting another Summer go by without a single day of open top Zedding!
Car does look better with the hardtop on though. A few people even thought I had bought a newer car.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Lifting-Winch-Hoist-250kg-Scaffold-Mounted-for-Workshop-Garage-/231304766488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35dad6a418
I plan to fix it to the ridge beam in my garage and then just use some freight straps to lift my hardtop on and off. I have a stand and a couple of bags that came with the hardtop but I guess it could just stay suspended above the car when not in use. That is if I ever get round to fitting the bloody crane and get the blasted hardtop off as it has been on the car over year now and I am in danger of letting another Summer go by without a single day of open top Zedding!
Car does look better with the hardtop on though. A few people even thought I had bought a newer car.
Number5 said:
That was the point I made in my earlier post.
Mine has lived under the hardtop rarely cycled and neatly folded away for at least 8 years (Winters) and never an issue. Roof looks like new on an '03 plate. Motor not failed (yet
)Of course with the roof exposed I'd have it cycled and left open in the garage when dry.
It's a choice thing not a necessity to cycle it all the time if under a hardtop and it has no detrimental effect.
I am thinking of getting one. I would like a coupe but i have invested far tio much time and effort in my roadster to change for another z4 (for something completely different down the line i might change)
I had a touch of skin cancer on my ear a few years ago. And since then i dont put the roof down nearly enough. Its a bit of a waste really. I keep factor 50 in the car in case i do but the wife always moans that i am not wearing a hat!! So i might be putting a hard top on mine for a more permanent option. I really liked that guys coupe conversion to his roadster. That would be the right option for me i think.....
I had a touch of skin cancer on my ear a few years ago. And since then i dont put the roof down nearly enough. Its a bit of a waste really. I keep factor 50 in the car in case i do but the wife always moans that i am not wearing a hat!! So i might be putting a hard top on mine for a more permanent option. I really liked that guys coupe conversion to his roadster. That would be the right option for me i think.....
I've wondered this too as in the three years I've had the Z4 the hardtop has only been moved from living room, to spare room, to new garage and that's it. Its been more of a hindrance than a useful piece of kit.
The preventing "green slime" might be a bonus however, especially now the car is forced to park beneath some tree's.
And driving past Ranski's car on a frequent basis on some of 2015's hottest days, I am yet to see the hardtop off yet.
The preventing "green slime" might be a bonus however, especially now the car is forced to park beneath some tree's.
And driving past Ranski's car on a frequent basis on some of 2015's hottest days, I am yet to see the hardtop off yet.
chrissrush
Member
I have one and fit it for the winter too.
It's a fair bit quieter especially at speed, as it lives outsideI'd rather cover up the fabric roof and protect it from the winter elements.
The roof comes out fine after it's "hibernation" and it's nice to "switch back" to a convertible after the winter.
Yes you can miss out on a few nice days but there's still the whole of summer to enjoy it!
It's a fair bit quieter especially at speed, as it lives outsideI'd rather cover up the fabric roof and protect it from the winter elements.
The roof comes out fine after it's "hibernation" and it's nice to "switch back" to a convertible after the winter.
Yes you can miss out on a few nice days but there's still the whole of summer to enjoy it!
Paulj100 said:
Beatiful Z4 and IMO looks better than the coupe, First thing I bought for my Z was a hardtop transforms the look of it with it's built in rear spoiler. With a hardtop it gives the car 3 different looks.
Paul.
Sorry Paul, have to disagree with you here - the coupe wins hands down for looks every time... Never convinced that the roadster hardtop looks like it was designed to fit properly - particularly the straight edge over the rear wing - visually a mess.
Congrats RichRoof down- I'm in the Peak District on garden leave, full tank of petrol, suns out and an all day pass out
Paulj100 said:
Beatiful Z4 and IMO looks better than the coupe, First thing I bought for my Z was a hardtop transforms the look of it with it's built in rear spoiler. With a hardtop it gives the car 3 different looks.
Paul.
to me it does not look right above the petrol cap, the lines don't look correct
^^Agreed, I think the hardtop just looks odd and a bit awkward. The lines of the Z4 work so well together, why would you want to ruin such a classic design with a cumbersome addition?
And as for the "it looks better than the coupé", well I just won't bite for such an obviously trolling remark
And as for the "it looks better than the coupé", well I just won't bite for such an obviously trolling remark
And as for the "it looks better than the coupé", well I just won't bite for such an obviously trolling remark [/quote]
Not at all just my honest option. I don't like the way the lines of the coupe look from the back to 'boxy' and that awful long third brake light sorry guys.
The coupe reminds me of the Nissan Z.
Paul
[/quote]Not at all just my honest option. I don't like the way the lines of the coupe look from the back to 'boxy' and that awful long third brake light sorry guys.
The coupe reminds me of the Nissan Z.
Paul
The funny thing is that the louder trollers and braggers with their endless comments about my coupe or M is better etc etc often sell up within the first year or two of ownership. citing they cant afford to run it, or cant fit the new addition to the family in it, or other excuses...
I've witnessed this countless times on the forum, or in some extreme cases end up moving to a roadster, I wont name names
I've witnessed this countless times on the forum, or in some extreme cases end up moving to a roadster, I wont name names
