This will be the first winter I have had the z4 and don't intend to use it in the bad weather so it will be on the drive, so my question is would you cover with a full breathable cover or just use a roof cover for ease of use, and which cover would people recommend, or would you not cover at all.
Which Cover
- Thread starter leonfr
- Start date
I've just ordered a Cabrio Shield, which is just a roof cover, but a very high quality one. Don't fancy a full cover because I'm pretty sure it will discourage me from taking the car out as much as I'd like.
Jonny has one already, I believe - will add my pictures/thoughts etc in a few days if you're interested.
Jonny has one already, I believe - will add my pictures/thoughts etc in a few days if you're interested.
danmiddle2
Active member
+1 for Cabrioshield, got one... have a hardtop, too... but not sure if I wil even use the hardtop. Not like I live in Siberia!
I've a Cabrioshield to keep the leaves etc off as soon as I park outdoors, plus a full bmw outdoor cover which goes on during the week whilst the Z is sleeping on the driveway.
I QD just the small areas the Cabrio touches before putting it on. The full cover usually goes on after the Z's been driven on the weekend so a full wash is in order before I can put it on, to avoid swirls. Otherwise it just takes 2-3 mins to put on.
Cabrio is small so lives in the boot and comes with us when we go anywhere. As it's only for the roof, no need to wait til the car cools before just popping it on after a cursory wipe with QD. Fits very snugly and securely with "lugs" which you trap at the front and back of each of the doors, and similar for the top of the boot door. Wipers sit on the bit that covers the windscreen.
Very glad I have both as I live near a park and on a dusty road so leaves etc get everywhere, so does loads of dust, so was worried about future roof problems before getting the covers. It's nice to be able to whip the cover off to reveal a shiny clean dry car.
I QD just the small areas the Cabrio touches before putting it on. The full cover usually goes on after the Z's been driven on the weekend so a full wash is in order before I can put it on, to avoid swirls. Otherwise it just takes 2-3 mins to put on.
Cabrio is small so lives in the boot and comes with us when we go anywhere. As it's only for the roof, no need to wait til the car cools before just popping it on after a cursory wipe with QD. Fits very snugly and securely with "lugs" which you trap at the front and back of each of the doors, and similar for the top of the boot door. Wipers sit on the bit that covers the windscreen.
Very glad I have both as I live near a park and on a dusty road so leaves etc get everywhere, so does loads of dust, so was worried about future roof problems before getting the covers. It's nice to be able to whip the cover off to reveal a shiny clean dry car.
leonfr said:
Just to add to the other comments -
Typically, it arrived the day after summer officially ended and it was a full week of aggravation - watching the roof get repeatedly soaked and bombarded with all kinds of autumnal sh*t, piss and leaves - before the weather improved enough for me to put it on. :x
Anyway... it's great. Really well made, easy to put on and take off, the clear window is perfect for me (parking permit always on display), and it keeps the aforementioned rubbish out of the hood and rear drains. The magnetic strips sit flush against the car and the soft lining feels like it will be kind on the paintwork.
I have one fairly major gripe, which is that it doesn't cover the gap between the bonnet and the windscreen; an area that collects a lot of rubbish and often standing water. Not sure how much of a problem this will be in the long term. At least the side drains are partially covered.
Jonny essex said:Mate just a heads up, you havnt put the hood in between the front door seal just the back, and if you put hood under bonet last you can drag the hood more forward which covers the front part alot more or put ontop on window wipers and its even better.
Ahh, I get it. The rubber thing goes in the slit!!!
Cheers Jonny.
Phil-E30 said:
well, for the UK it's http://www.cabrioshield.com/uk/bmw_z4.html
google or evilbay?
Got mine here: http://www.prestigeautotrim.co.uk/acatalog/BMW_Z4.html It's £75 ex VAT, so for one with a window, inc postage, you're talking £115 ish.
They provide excellent cover for the roof drains, Phil - after this morning's torrential downpour it was bone dry underneath.
Put mine on in the dark initially and got a few things wrong! :roll: As Jonny pointed out above, there are strips of rubberised piping that slide into the gap between the doors and the bodywork and they hold everything down really tightly. This still leaves a small gap at the front - I put the cover over the windscreen wipers which should let a bit of air flow underneath, but you can trap it under the wipers if you want.
Both of the front drains are well concealed. So... big thumbs up from me now.
They provide excellent cover for the roof drains, Phil - after this morning's torrential downpour it was bone dry underneath.
Put mine on in the dark initially and got a few things wrong! :roll: As Jonny pointed out above, there are strips of rubberised piping that slide into the gap between the doors and the bodywork and they hold everything down really tightly. This still leaves a small gap at the front - I put the cover over the windscreen wipers which should let a bit of air flow underneath, but you can trap it under the wipers if you want.
Both of the front drains are well concealed. So... big thumbs up from me now.
I recieved mine today.
Looks good but for £100 I thought they could provide a storage bag for when it's not in use.
Looks good but for £100 I thought they could provide a storage bag for when it's not in use.
