Convertible top long term wear?

[jdcolombo]

Hi folks.

I'm trying to decide between a 128 and 328 convertible. Frankly, I like the driving characteristics of the 1 better - it seems more nimble to me, more like my current E90 3-series sedan than the 3 convertible.

But I'm a bit concerned about long-term wear issues with the rag top. This car would be my daily driver, and sits on an open parking lot 10 hours a day, subject to sun, rain, snow, wind, you name it, in weather that runs from below zero in January to 95 or better in July.

So - for those of you with 1 convertibles, how is your rag top holding up over time? I'm pretty conscientious about maintenance, and if getting good life out of the rag top means a protectant of some kind (what kind?) every month or so, not a problem.

Thanks for your thoughts.

John C.

[BrokenVert]

You'll be fine So long as you have the rubbing fix, which all new verts should have. Just get a bottle of raggtop and clean it

[Tom K.]

And unless you wash the car weekly, Raggtopp protectant applied every three months should be fine.

While I'm lucky enough to be able to garage my 'vert, my first droptop, a '65 Corvair, lived on the street for four years (with no protectant) and the top was fine - the drivetrain was another story, however!

Tom

[nordique14]

I love ragtop convertibles and would never buy a hardtop convertible. Too much extra weight and takes up too much trunk space. But I live in California where the car never sees any snow or salt on the roads. If you drive the car through a snowy winter and park the car outside 24/7 then a hardtop convertible may be the correct choice for you.

[warmtoes]

I have had mine for 29 months now. It is exposed to the elements during weekdays as it is parked in the open when at work. It is garaged at home though. It looks almost as good as new and I haven't babied it much like some others.

[JimD]

Mine only gets driven to work 2-3 times a week and otherwise sits in the garage. It is also only a year old. It looks new. I rinse it when washing the car and vacumn it when vacumning the interior. I only scrub it with cleaner once a year and then I reapply the Raggtop stuff that makes water bead up. I also spot clean whenever I notice something on it.

This is my second convertible. With a glass back window it seems like we may be able to get 10 years out of it with reasonable maintenance. Maybe more.

I've seen the 3 series trunk space with the top down. Make sure you check it before going that way. It seems terribly limited to me. A guy at work has one and say he and his wife use the back seat for luggage if they go somewhere in it and want to preserve the option of putting the top down. That seems terribly wrong to me in a luxury car to be putting luggage in the back seat. My 1 will easily take two reasonable size rolling bags in the trunk with the top down. It might not handle a weeks luggage for two but it will easily handle a weekend's luggage. I would expect a 3 series to hold more, not less.

Noise is also not an issue with the 1 ragtop. The only time it intrudes is big trucks on the highway. As soon as you get away from the 18 wheelers, you can easily listen to the radio or talk on the phone (hands free of course). Top down is a bit noiser but not really too bad - except again around trucks.

Jim

[shodanusmc]

09 135 VERT, and top looks brand new.

[burger16b]

I to was questioning this. but between the 135I's. I decided to go with the Reg. coupe because of weight savings besides Im going to racing it.

[MikeinAlexandria]

A friend of mine got a 328i hardtop convertible. I drove it around a bit, and checked ut the trunk. The 1 was $10k less expensive (wit similar options) looks great topless andnhas more trunk space, is faster, more efficient, and about the same rear seat passenger room. Go for the 1, I don't think you will regret it.

I had a Z3 roadster for nine years, and the top worked fine, outside all the time. In the summer, at work, I did keep the car covered, which makes sense to protect the roof and the interior. Car covers do wonders, just don't leave one on during an ice storm!

[jdcolombo]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

I've decided to go with the 1, for all the reasons you have indicated (more trunk room with top down; better overall "fun" factor). Now I just have to pick a color/interior combo; kind of leaning toward Montego blue with Savannah beige or maybe Black Sapphire with Savannah beige. This is difficult . . .

John C.

[BrokenVert]

If only we could get Sedona red verts in the states