Roadster Owners : Half Covers

W

Wyldie85

Senior member
 Farnham, Surrey
With the nights drawing in and it now being a bit fresher in the mornings I'm seriously wondering what to do about some winter roof protection this year. A hard top isn't looking likely as they are either the wrong colour or miles and miles away which outweighs the cost of getting one. Plus £800 is a fair bit of money to outlay (to me anyway).

Now I know many of you jumped on the band wagon and purchased a half cover for your soft top but do you actually use them?

If so, when do you use them, everyday? Just in the winter? When snow is predicted? :)

My Zed used to live under a car port and was therefore mildly protected from the rain and snow but since moving and the other half acquiring the ///M, (which is in the garage) mine will now live outside.

So, I've seen a cover eBay from UK Custom Covers for £59.00 + £8.00 delivery and thought if it was worth it, i'd get one....

What do you think? Waste of time? Sell the car so I can stop worrying about it? :P

As always, thank you in advance, all info gratefully received.

Dan
 
I would also be interested in this and have been thinking the same thing recently, do BMW do one as well?
 
I bought a uk custom covers one, had a code to get a little cheaper than you quoted, but lobbed it on one night during a storm so far, partly just to see how easy it was to fit etc, which it is.

Can't see me bothering to use it until the winter when the snow etc sets in, give the roof a bit of protection from that, for just rain protection not sure i'd bother, just keep it clean/dyed/proofed and should be grand i'd like to think.

(i did it same reason as you fwiw, hardtop so soon was steep money and the likelihood of finding one/getting someoen who will ship it to n.ireland for me is slim to none)
 
I've always used a half cover to try and keep the dreaded water away from the roof motor. It goes on every night and I don't find it a hassle to do - think of it as maintenance.

I first of all bought a Just Roadster half cover which had elastic tapes that went under the front and rear of the Zed to keep the fairly light waterproof plastic cover in place (Came with it's own zip up case 30cm by 10cm by 20cm). Worked ok and did the job but got blown about a bit in the wind and my paintwork needed polishing to keep away any scuffing on the wax/polish. Cost about £50.

The Forum did a group buy on a fabric custom made half cover from Buzztops (I think that was the name) - it has magnetic tape around the bottom and is quite heavy so stays on the roof if the wipers are laid over it at the front. It's been robust and only ever moved in the wind once. It started black and is now green due to sunlight - no problem. Easy to fit and I although it is more bulky than the plastic version above I keep it folded and in the boot, even took it with me and used it on the Skye weekend. Cost £55 I think (With discount). It also marks the polish and wax due to the heavy edges marking it as it's placed on and off - easily fixed through re-polishing.

As I said above the cover is placed on every night to help with keeping water away from the motor - I know drain holes are supposed to do this but I feel better keeping the water out altogether.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
After 18 months, I use mine every single time I park up... it takes <30 seconds to put on or take off. It's a cabrioshield - not sure if their design is unique, but it's so easy and worth any extra over the competition IMHO.

Possibly a placebo, but I haven't had any roof motor issues (touch wood).

I also have a hard top, and if I had a do-over I would just buy the cabrioshield and forget the hard top.
 
An earlier thread on ½ covers recommended those made by Buzz and he still has some in stock. I have been in contact with him and been told to go to eBay and use the Buy-it-Now feature on the Z3 covers on there and make a note in the message that it's for a Z4 in order to buy one. I have gone ahead and ordered mine which should be here early next week.

Link to the Z3 cover is here
 
Cabrioshield, fits perfect, very secure, totally waterproof, covers roof drain area. My car lives under one in all weathers as it keeps sun, rain, bird poop off my hood and the sun off fading my interior. Very worthwhile whatever brand you decide to get.
 
Any change you could give us some feedback when it arrives? And possibly some photos? Thanks Ash
 
DLH said:
Link to the Z3 cover is here
Click to expand...

The main advantage the cabrioshield would (appear) to have over that, is the way it connects to the car. The rear of the cabrioshield has a plastic tube, which secures it in place underneath the boot hinge.

Also, at the front the cabrioshield goes underneath the windscreen wipers. This all makes it trivial to put on the car and remove.

The cover in the link would appear to be different (from the pics).

All the best,

Dan
 
I prefer the front of the cover not to be under the wipers, so as to stop debris getting into the drains at the front of the windscreen.

The cover is similar to CabrioShield in that it attaches by magnets but has straps running into the boot.

I'll report back when it has arrived and take some photos. :)
 
DLH said:
I prefer the front of the cover not to be under the wipers, so as to stop debris getting into the drains at the front of the windscreen.

The cover is similar to CabrioShield in that it attaches by magnets but has straps running into the boot.

I'll report back when it has arrived and take some photos. :)
Click to expand...

The straps in the boot look quite different from the cabrioshield, it's unclear from the pictures how they attach? Interested to see your pics.
 
DLH said:
An earlier thread on ½ covers recommended those made by Buzz and he still has some in stock. I have been in contact with him and been told to go to eBay and use the Buy-it-Now feature on the Z3 covers on there and make a note in the message that it's for a Z4 in order to buy one. I have gone ahead and ordered mine which should be here early next week.

Link to the Z3 cover is here
Click to expand...

Ditto - couldn't wait any longer!
 
I have this one http://www.ukcustomcovers.com/products/bmw-z4 and use it every time I park because it keeps everything off my roof and water out of the drains.

Attaches firmly and very easy to put on, the only thing I would say is that a cover should only be applied to a dry roof so if your roof is already wet then its a pretty pointless exercise to put one on because you are just giving a warm damp breading ground for mould.
 
I used a cabrioshield on my black Z4. Apart from the cover changing colour from black to brown, I found grit got under the cover where it sits on the paint work and left scratches. I always washed the car before putting the cover on.
I've now reverted back to the full BMW cover.
 
i think the cabrioshield is the only cover which claims to be breathable (its the more expensive one out of the two they produce) which is important if you want to avoid the hood turning green, mrs smartbear has just ordered one for her z3.
regards
 
I've just bought a genuine one (2nd hand). Should be here this week.
I curious more than anything else to see how good it is!!
 
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