Z3 Hard Top............yes or no?

[jonesalan]

It's probably been thrashed out previously BUT...........

I'm toying with the idea of a hard top for the Z but to be honest when you consider the cost involved by the time you locate one with a fitting kit or have to buy both individually.........for the amount of use, are they worth it?
I'm being tempted more and more by the tailor made weatherproof covers, the ones with the magnets in the material.

What are folks opinions on both these options.

 

[GazHyde]

Consider the can of worms reopened

I'm in the "don't want one" camp, but I can see the appeal for those who want a bit of extra comfort during the winter months.

For me there is nothing else like dropping the roof on a crisp winters morning and going for a drive on some twisties... (be careful the rear screen is warm so it doesn't split!)

Good news is that you are unlikely to lose any money if you decide to sell it later on. Also make sure you have enough room to store it when it's not in use...

 

[badman gee]

They are great, will be selling one in the autumn.

 

[jonesalan]

Consider the can of worms reopened

I'm in the "don't want one" camp, but I can see the appeal for those who want a bit of extra comfort during the winter months.

For me there is nothing else like dropping the roof on a crisp winters morning and going for a drive on some twisties... (be careful the rear screen is warm so it doesn't split!)

Good news is that you are unlikely to lose any money if you decide to sell it later on. Also make sure you have enough room to store it when it's not in use...

yes, somewhere in the dark depths of my brainbox I'm hearing "it's a rag top end of!!!!!"

 

[Boysie]

The old adage
The wanting is better than owning

 

[Pep]

I have one and it's been in my parent's garage since I got the car.

I don't really drive in the rain so I've never missed it, having said that I'm not looking to sell it either.

 

[hard top]

It seems that I am not a proper ragtop driver (closet coupe driver)
I bought the car because it came with the hardtop and the only reason it comes off, is that lads at work do it.
By the way, it is p****** down at the moment........

 

[joey]

love the idea of it.. but....

in my buying a Z3 quest I drove about 6 of them ..2 with the hardtop fitted and I felt it was cramped and I felt "cooped in" and felt the car loses something with the hardtop,I like the look of it on and I remember the handling seemed "crisper" on the hardtops,i'm really am at a loss to give a rational reason as to why i don't like it but I don't..

the only comparison I can give is I was recently offered a 4 stroke auto lml scooter ,basically a vespa px200 made in india...it rode great it looked great ,but for me a P200 is meant to be a 2 stroke geared bike made in italy, and a Z3 is meant to be a rag top...


and what are you gonna do on those crisp winter days when you can put the heating on, the top down and don your driving gloves and rupert the bear scarf and fly along some B roads....

spend 2 hrs in the garage with a winch taking the hardtop off?


stay with the mohair....


my tuppence!

 

[badman gee]

Joey,

The hardtop takes 1 minute to put on and remove not 2 hours.

I think that the roadster looks even better with a hardtop , it completes the car.

Especially if like many, the soft top isn't perfect.

 

[Tufarlian]

I was in the "don't want a hardtop" camp until my Z3 became my daily driver.

The hardtop is on a stand in the garage right now but I really did appreciate it in January and February!

It'll be going back on the car sometime around November I guess, depending on what our weather serves up.

You do need two people but 5 minutes is plenty to fit or remove it.

 

[Brian H]

As others have said 5 mins tops for either putting it on, or taking it off. It is a two person job unless you have some form of hoist.

The hardtop gives you a little more headroom and makes the car quieter. If you are going to store your car in a garage then I guess a hardtop is not so important but if you are out on the street/driveway for me it would be a must.

Car covers are great until they are wet, putting a wet cover back on a car is not pleasant especially if it is bucketing down (as you know this rarely happens in the winter ).

I use one for the winter months and it is great, for me it makes the roadster a true all year round car.

P.S. I think z3cade is still selling his fitting kit at a really good price, you will not find many cheaper.

 

[badman gee]

Yes Liam's fitting kit is a good buy.

Might sell my hardtop to go with it.

 

[g8jka]

I have one and use it for about 5 months a year over winter and it does come off occasionally if we have a nice winters day. Having had a new soft top this year I will definitely be using it again in the winter just to protect the new roof. I currently have it hanging at the back of the garage from the roof so it doesn't take up hardly any space.

It gives the car a completely different look and as I use mine all year round when I come to change to winter wheels and hardtop its like a new car. It does remove a lot of the noise and is warmer plus you have the option of a heated rear screen which is essential in the winter. If you have the cash spare then go for it. You should lose to much money if you wanted to sell in the future either.

 

[joey]

aah...

ok badman...excuse the novice faux pas..my local bmw garage implied it was a "a faff" probably to justify the charge for doing it...points out exactly the reason why this forum is so helpful to a new owner like myself..you get to cut through the manufacturer's guff and get first hand knowledge from people who know about these things but have no financial motivation..

am definitely in the "want one" camp now...have a neighbour i'm sure would help with the removal and fitting of it as its a two man job..

and as it is my daily drive it seems sensible for the "dark months"

nothing like a U-turn to make you look a plonker...

 

[Brian H]

nothing like a U-turn to make you look a plonker...

Not at all, that is why you asked the question

 

[badman gee]

aah...

ok badman...excuse the novice faux pas..my local bmw garage implied it was a "a faff" probably to justify the charge for doing it...points out exactly the reason why this forum is so helpful to a new owner like myself..you get to cut through the manufacturer's guff and get first hand knowledge from people who know about these things but have no financial motivation..

am definitely in the "want one" camp now...have a neighbour i'm sure would help with the removal and fitting of it as its a two man job..

and as it is my daily drive it seems sensible for the "dark months"

nothing like a U-turn to make you look a plonker...

Your not a plonker.

It's good to ask questions, I'm sure you will enjoy the look of the car with a hardtop on.

 

[joey]

the wish list grows....

now I want a new rear window, the 5 spoke alloys..(i have the pepper pot) and an atlanta blue hardtop..

i am however lucky enough to have a garage to store the top in..