Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
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Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
I supposed this question is made in comparison to hard-tops.....
Disadvantages:
(1) Maintenance - bird poo, stains, fading
(2) Susceptibility to damages from vandals - one cut and the entire canopy has to be replaced
(3) Creaking sounds
I supposed this question is made in comparison to hard-tops.....
Disadvantages:
(1) Maintenance - bird poo, stains, fading
(2) Susceptibility to damages from vandals - one cut and the entire canopy has to be replaced
(3) Creaking sounds
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
You can insure your soft top for eg, $10k. I think BMW e46 cost of replacement was quoted to me at $7k 4 yrs ago. Tho there may be other places to do it, they might not have immd stock.
Then there's the ciggie burns concern from the green eye.
Bird poo if left unattended can leave nasty, hard to remove stains which may leave the top looking patchy. Hence the need for decent maintenance tho personally i have a soft top cover.
Creaking sometimes can stem from the joint of a soft top due to the flex of the cabriolet body since you have less rigidity without the hardtop. However, some cars which are more rigid do not really have this problem.
It could also squeak from the rubber seals joining the soft top to the top of the windshield. Said to be negated by silicon however I have found it to be not really that useful and it makes sorta and icky mess.
Part of what you have to live with as a soft top owner.
kenntona;426844 said:
You can insure your soft top for eg, $10k. I think BMW e46 cost of replacement was quoted to me at $7k 4 yrs ago. Tho there may be other places to do it, they might not have immd stock.
Then there's the ciggie burns concern from the green eye.
Bird poo if left unattended can leave nasty, hard to remove stains which may leave the top looking patchy. Hence the need for decent maintenance tho personally i have a soft top cover.
Creaking sometimes can stem from the joint of a soft top due to the flex of the cabriolet body since you have less rigidity without the hardtop. However, some cars which are more rigid do not really have this problem.
It could also squeak from the rubber seals joining the soft top to the top of the windshield. Said to be negated by silicon however I have found it to be not really that useful and it makes sorta and icky mess.
Part of what you have to live with as a soft top owner.
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
You can insure your soft top for eg, $10k. I think BMW e46 cost of replacement was quoted to me at $7k 4 yrs ago. Tho there may be other places to do it, they might not have immd stock.
Then there's the ciggie burns concern from the green eye.
Bird poo if left unattended can leave nasty, hard to remove stains which may leave the top looking patchy. Hence the need for decent maintenance tho personally i have a soft top cover.
Creaking sometimes can stem from the joint of a soft top due to the flex of the cabriolet body since you have less rigidity without the hardtop. However, some cars which are more rigid do not really have this problem.
It could also squeak from the rubber seals joining the soft top to the top of the windshield. Said to be negated by silicon gel.however I have found it to be not really that useful and it makes sorta and icky mess.
Part of what you have to live with as a cabrio owner.
kenntona;426844 said:
You can insure your soft top for eg, $10k. I think BMW e46 cost of replacement was quoted to me at $7k 4 yrs ago. Tho there may be other places to do it, they might not have immd stock.
Then there's the ciggie burns concern from the green eye.
Bird poo if left unattended can leave nasty, hard to remove stains which may leave the top looking patchy. Hence the need for decent maintenance tho personally i have a soft top cover.
Creaking sometimes can stem from the joint of a soft top due to the flex of the cabriolet body since you have less rigidity without the hardtop. However, some cars which are more rigid do not really have this problem.
It could also squeak from the rubber seals joining the soft top to the top of the windshield. Said to be negated by silicon gel.however I have found it to be not really that useful and it makes sorta and icky mess.
Part of what you have to live with as a cabrio owner.
ACS6
Well-Known Member
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
I've got absolutely no problems with my e64. Of course you need to practice extra caution in terms of parking space choices to avoid bird poo and that sort of junk. Even if you have a hard top, bird poo if left untreated can leave quite a painful stain too.
Vandals, well, the vert top is an additional body part for them to damage, not that we convertibles are more susceptible in any way. Again, it all boils down to where you hang out, your general driving behavior and etc. that to a certain extent correlates with your degree of exposure to vandals.
Other down sides? Well, if you plan to track your car, then it's not that nice or "safe" to have a vert.
Seriously, from my perspective, there's absolutely no downside to have a vert. But bear in mind I do have other daily drivers so I may not be the best person to advice. Just my .002 cents.
I've got absolutely no problems with my e64. Of course you need to practice extra caution in terms of parking space choices to avoid bird poo and that sort of junk. Even if you have a hard top, bird poo if left untreated can leave quite a painful stain too.
Vandals, well, the vert top is an additional body part for them to damage, not that we convertibles are more susceptible in any way. Again, it all boils down to where you hang out, your general driving behavior and etc. that to a certain extent correlates with your degree of exposure to vandals.
Other down sides? Well, if you plan to track your car, then it's not that nice or "safe" to have a vert.
Seriously, from my perspective, there's absolutely no downside to have a vert. But bear in mind I do have other daily drivers so I may not be the best person to advice. Just my .002 cents.
astrid
Well-Known Member
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
Apart from difficult-to-remove bird poo, animal hair, stains, vandal knifing, water seepage during heavy rain etc., my biggest concern is safety.
I once had a tree branch fall on my (sedan) roof during a heavy down pour.
It badly damaged and deep-dented my roof.
I can't imagine if it was a soft top.
To me safety is above everything and anything else.
Apart from difficult-to-remove bird poo, animal hair, stains, vandal knifing, water seepage during heavy rain etc., my biggest concern is safety.
I once had a tree branch fall on my (sedan) roof during a heavy down pour.
It badly damaged and deep-dented my roof.
I can't imagine if it was a soft top.
To me safety is above everything and anything else.
motorknut
Well-Known Member
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
if u are like me, u will start spending more on parking in covered lots.
heat and rain not much of a disadvantage, my soft top insulation is great. not much creaking, but the roadster tops are smaller than the coupe versions.
extra work doing the water repelling stuff every 6 months, but think u can pay groomers to do it.
u'll probably wanna buy a lint roller to clear off hair and dust. i vacuum the top 1-2 times a week with a horsehair brush attachment.
if u are like me, u will start spending more on parking in covered lots.
heat and rain not much of a disadvantage, my soft top insulation is great. not much creaking, but the roadster tops are smaller than the coupe versions.
extra work doing the water repelling stuff every 6 months, but think u can pay groomers to do it.
u'll probably wanna buy a lint roller to clear off hair and dust. i vacuum the top 1-2 times a week with a horsehair brush attachment.
Re: Convertible Softtop - Is there any disadvantage?
Yes. Your car insurer will be able to advise you. U should first find out how much labour n replacement top will cost u. Then add a lil more just in case. (if u choose to.)
I do the softtop protection every month. Just something i enjoy. Washing and looking after the car.
motorknut;427348 said:
Yes. Your car insurer will be able to advise you. U should first find out how much labour n replacement top will cost u. Then add a lil more just in case. (if u choose to.)
I do the softtop protection every month. Just something i enjoy. Washing and looking after the car.
