Calling all cabriolet owners - what's worst about it?

[cmsslee]

Agree with most of the above but i wouldn't let a power roof put me off an otherwise good car. As daimlerman says it never fails to raise a smile when in operation and there's no reason it should give you hassle if its looked after.

I've got 2 young 'uns and space is fine for them, but they whinge non-stop when in the back with the roof down - luckily the wind noise drowns them out.

Also regarding leaks/drips - i found that AG hood renovation kit stopped moisture getting into the cabin as the rainwater just beads and runs off. You need to do it twice a year i reckon.

[Gert_8]

Is an automatic roof worth having? Saw a guy with one the other day and it conked out just before the end.

There are two types, electric and semi hydraulic I believe, do you have a convertible as if you don't just go for a manual roof as it will save you a lot of hassle, just ask Gert how often he has driven his.

The power roofs are fine, and if you have one that works as it should, they look very, very cool when opening and closing..!

The reason I don't get to drive my cabby too often isn't because of the roof, it's more to do with the weather. It only goes out on dry days. I know a lot of people say this and drive their cars in all sorts, but mine does not go out when it's remotely moist..!

They are very good fun.

[ianev]

if you buy any cabby of any brand, it will leak. dont get an auto roof on an e30.

if you are buying a cabby of any brand, you want open top motoring, its just a question of style.

[d1mkaz]

was driving mine for quite few years as a regular car almost every day and from my experience:

roof leeks - if no rips can be fixed with Renovo Ultraproofer few coats very effectively.
chassis flex can be minimised with strut
noise - you've got to get used to it
not much space for good audio set up (speakers)
4 people can seat with roof up or down but not for a trip around the world
the rest is all the same as any other e30

320 is a bit sluggish but petrol wise is quite economical (not comparing to new cars)

P.S. when restoring I had troubles finding wings as they are different from the rest of e30's.

[Sonatine]

Lots of great advice here fellas, thanks. Although nothing that is putting me off this dastardly plan!

I do have a garage, but aside from being full of junk I don't know if I could squeeze a car in. Second issue is that when it rains heavily the floor can be pretty wet. No leaks from the garage roof, just seeps in from the ground and driveway so now and again it could be standing in water for a day or too until it dries out. But who wants to spend on money on that?!

I guess now it's a case of saving up and keeping a look out for the right one. I'm not one to get my hands dirty so anything that needs work done is not for me. Not needing concours quality either, just something in the middle, preferably stock.

So what is the best source for E30s? Fleabay? Any good used BMW specialists?

[e30rapidic]

I love my cabrio! A front strut bar does wonders for them

[Cypriotgeeza]

I wasn't in the market for a cabby tbh as I've never seen the point of getting a convertible in the UK as the weather is too unpredictable..but I saw mine, it was extremely clean, I bought it, and I Love it!

I was doing the national speed limit with a passenger in the back with the hood down..lets just say I pulled over and put the hood back up when I checked their melting face in the rear view Looked kind of like this :



Maybe i only know midgets as I've never had a problem with getting people in the back and my seats are nearly all the way back

P.s If you really want to have some fun stick an M30 in their and enjoy!

Here's some pics of mine to tempt you!








Heres my mates old one:

[Gert_8]

I know there is an OEM wind deflector available, which stops the use of the rear seats, but has anyone seen the smaller type that clips onto the front seat headrests?

I can't remember where I saw those (possibly ebay) but I thought they looked like a good solution, provided they worked..

[Cypriotgeeza]

I know there is an OEM wind deflector available, which stops the use of the rear seats, but has anyone seen the smaller type that clips onto the front seat headrests?

I can't remember where I saw those (possibly ebay) but I thought they looked like a good solution, provided they worked..

I've seen this for the Mazda Mx-5's but never for a bmw..

There is two stretchable fabric straps that stretch over the headrests and centre is clear plastic:

[macas]

Nothing works!..no wind deflector,nothing...

Your in a car with no roof ffs....deal with the wind.

[gooner1]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.
As for a power roofs, BMW still seem to have issues right into the Z4 range so god knows what an
E30 one is like.

[Cypriotgeeza]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.
As for a power roofs, BMW still seem to have issues right into the Z4 range so god knows what an
E30 one is like.

I've lost count of how many Z4 Hydraulic pumps I've changed due to the IDIOTIC design of fitting it right where the water drainage channels are!

Takes me literally 5mins to put my manual hood down, and that's long due to the fact I have to hold the horse shoe up with an elbow as I manoeuvre the hood down!

[Gert_8]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.
As for a power roofs, BMW still seem to have issues right into the Z4 range so god knows what an
E30 one is like.

Manual roofs on E30's are for quitters!!

[Sonatine]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.

So the pre facelift model is the more desirable?

What would be the ball park figure for a rust free one of any vintage then?

[Sonatine]

Here's some pics of mine to tempt you!

It's working! That looks the dog's testeeclay!

[cmsslee]

[Cypriotgeeza]

Here's some pics of mine to tempt you!

It's working! That looks the dog's testeeclay!

cheers mate

[RetroAde]

Here's what you want. Pre-facelift 325i with leather, FSH, no mods.

In my opinion you want an auto, these are cruisers, not racers.

Power hoods are cool if working but a manual hood is hassle free in the long term.

Finally you really want a garage and try and stick to summer use. These are coming up to 30 years old, if abused they will deteriorate quickly, as would any car of this age.

[RetroAde]

Just look at it, you know you want one!

[rh306]

..I'm guessing all this scuttle shake stuff doesn't affect the noble Baur variant

[bss325i]

Check out the recaro LS's in that turd!^^^^

[Sonatine]

What is it about the pre facelift that everyone likes?

I thought an auto for cruising too... But some say manual. Tomato tomatoe.

Lovely pictures guys.

Any more of that dark blue one cmsslee?

[gooner1]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.
As for a power roofs, BMW still seem to have issues right into the Z4 range so god knows what an
E30 one is like.

I've lost count of how many Z4 Hydraulic pumps I've changed due to the IDIOTIC design of fitting it right where the water drainage channels are!

Takes me literally 5mins to put my manual hood down, and

that's long due to the fact I have to hold the horse shoe up with an elbow as I manoeuvre the hood down!

Re the Z4 roof, have you thought about moving the pump motor into the boot?
There's German chap on Z4Forum who seems to be making a small fortune carrying out this mod.

[Cypriotgeeza]

The worst thing about an E30 convertible is trying to find a good rust free one.
Especially in pre facelift, 325i flavours.
As for a power roofs, BMW still seem to have issues right into the Z4 range so god knows what an
E30 one is like.

I've lost count of how many Z4 Hydraulic pumps I've changed due to the IDIOTIC design of fitting it right where the water drainage channels are!

Takes me literally 5mins to put my manual hood down, and

that's long due to the fact I have to hold the horse shoe up with an elbow as I manoeuvre the hood down!

Re the Z4 roof, have you thought about moving the pump motor into the boot?
There's German chap on Z4Forum who seems to be making a small fortune carrying out this mod.

I was referring to the amount I've changed at work mate. If it was my car i would have done that mod as soon as i bought it!

[Rav335uk]

Good points of a cabby are when the sun does come out, you have the ability to take the roof down and look at the rest of the cars who have open sunroofs and windows to get a fraction of the smile factor you have.

if you want more useable power in cab put in an M30 motor, very good engine and suited to the cab.

Downside, there isn't much sun here in the UK.

[cmsslee]

Any more of that dark blue one cmsslee?

A mere 318i and being a facelift, manual, power roof and cloth interior, it would appear it ticks all the wrong boxes for most on the zone

I love everything about it though and wouldn't swap anything. Thread on my resto is here : http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

[aimlessrock]

the facelifts are nice, but its a question of choice. I have a pre-face lift -chromie...a well presented Chromie is a hard to beat in my book

The cabby is a heavy car (esp with the hardtop on)so i would favour a 6 pot.

[Sonatine]

Any more of that dark blue one cmsslee?

A mere 318i and being a facelift, manual, power roof and cloth interior, it would appear it ticks all the wrong boxes for most on the zone

I love everything about it though and wouldn't swap anything. Thread on my resto is here : http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

Who cares when it looks that good!

[Cypriotgeeza]

A mere 318i and being a facelift, manual, power roof and cloth interior, it would appear it ticks all the wrong boxes for most on the zone

Its an Unmolested E30 with 15" BBS'..sounds like Zone perfection to me! lol

(nice cabby btw )

[RetroAde]

Nothing wrong with a 318i facelift cabby, especially when it's as clean as yours cmsslee. Now with a 4 pot I'd want a manual.

[gooner1]

The weight's not the issue, it's the awkwardeness of the damn thing that's the problem.