To hardtop or not to hardtop....

T

tjradiohead

Member
So, I've bought a hardtop and not yet fitted it due to the (up until now) good weather.

My question is do I need it at all? Before this I had a Z3 which was leaky as hell in heavy rain which is what scared me into the hardtop purchase. Will the rain and freezing cold do damage to the softtop? It will be outside all winter and open to the elements. I know many of you folks garage your cars at night during the winter.
 
I've had a few convertibles over the years and the zed is the only one that doesn't leak and is usable throughout the year. :driving:
 
You don't need a hardtop. Z4s manage the weather fine. I have a hardtop to protect the softtop from all the salt grime and other nasties during the winter.


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Would like a hardtop to play around with and get a different look but if I am honest, its not needed unless perhaps its your daily drive.

I leave my car out all year (not by choice) and the 2 covers I have and a yearly clean and protect do the job.

There are also quite a few nice winter days where the top comes down so it would be going on/off/on/off...etc
 
That’s the problem, it IS my daily drive and it is inconvenient to be placing a cover over the roof every time I park it on the drive.
 
Nobody 'needs' a hardtop on a Z4. Provided you properly protect the top, dont ever open it while frozen, nor store it down wet and clean any mould off it will be fine. It's warm and watertight.

Are they better for cars left outside. Of course, aside being unable to drop the roof on the odd sunnty day. They avoid elements on the roof, ideal need for roof covers and actually give you a different style car for Winter.

As accessories go it's a winner as you'll get what you paid when you sell.
Paid £800 for mine over 5 years ago and guess what it would fetch now :)
 
I must admit the only thing that would put me off a hardtop is seeing the one that was on EBay last year that had decided to part company with the car at about 70mph on a motorway.
All the glass had gone (not surprisingly) and it had major scraping on the top where it had skidded down the road but was otherwise in one piece.
I'd always be worried that it hadn't locked on the car properly... :roll:
 
Georgio said:
I must admit the only thing that would put me off a hardtop is seeing the one that was on EBay last year that had decided to part company with the car at about 70mph on a motorway.
All the glass had gone (not surprisingly) and it had major scraping on the top where it had skidded down the road but was otherwise in one piece.
I'd always be worried that it hadn't locked on the car properly... :roll:
Click to expand...


You cannot insert the covering cap at the front part of the hardtop if the latched isn't turned

I don't think the hardtop was broken as they said, more so they just dropped the thing
 
Put mine October till March also. 2 advantages for me Ist is when snow on roof easy to clear off and no fear of damaging soft top. Secondly a bit quieter than without . I do find that it is nice to wash a roof when cleaning the car miss that when in summer mode. Definitely use it if you have already got one. Bit like winter wheel and tyre set but keeping normal ones on.
 
Georgio said:
I must admit the only thing that would put me off a hardtop is seeing the one that was on EBay last year that had decided to part company with the car at about 70mph on a motorway.
All the glass had gone (not surprisingly) and it had major scraping on the top where it had skidded down the road but was otherwise in one piece.
I'd always be worried that it hadn't locked on the car properly... :roll:
Click to expand...
Bloody ell! :cry:
 
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