Cab daily driver??

[Lukai]

I've fancied getting a 325 convertible for a while now, but due to current circumstances I can't afford to run two cars so it would have to be my daily driver. I have noticed that most people on here who have cabs keep them in garage until sunny days.

So I have a few concerns that running it day to day through the cold winters might not be that pleasant while things like salt on roads might take its toll, as well as the lack of security of a cab compared to a coupe.

I'd love one but just not sure whether to go for it, or wait a couple of years till I can afford a weekend toy.

Does anyone on here run a cab all year round as a daily driver?
Any advise on this would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[Leemc2009]

My buddy used to run his cab all year round.. till he totalled it into a wall..

At nighttime put a tailored e30 cover on it..

[djk]

Other than the security issue you mention, which is true of any ragtop, I wouldn't think there's any reason to be concerned about a cabby as a daily driver.

[madaboutthe30]

Other than the security issue you mention, which is true of any ragtop

I agree, its no different to any other e30. Get a hardtop for it, a decent alarm and there shouldnt be a problem

[Ziggy]

Mine was fine as a daily until I started needing to do more miles. A late 318i cab would be a perfectly sensible car to use every day, and there's always the option of a hard top if you feel the need.

I'd be more concerned about the difference in mpg from whatever you're getting now to what you could expect from a 325i, than any cab-specific issues. What do you currently drive?

[djk]

Other than the security issue you mention, which is true of any ragtop

I agree, its no different to any other e30. Get a hardtop for it, a decent alarm and there shouldnt be a problem

Beware that hardtops can themselves be stolen from the car though!

[raj1980]

i use my cab as a daily driver. no issues at all, i have a hardtop for it which will stay on until we have some nice weather.

[Felix79]

I used my old MX-5 all year round with out any problems. I use to have my cab untill Novemeber as a daily ( I got my Alpina which is why I sold it )

[madaboutthe30]

Other than the security issue you mention, which is true of any ragtop

I agree, its no different to any other e30. Get a hardtop for it, a decent alarm and there shouldnt be a problem

Beware that hardtops can themselves be stolen from the car though!

Yhh i know, thats the problem, the smash of a window, a moments worth of tinkering and the best part of 800 goes down the drain.

[Lukai]

Mine was fine as a daily until I started needing to do more miles. A late 318i cab would be a perfectly sensible car to use every day, and there's always the option of a hard top if you feel the need.

I'd be more concerned about the difference in mpg from whatever you're getting now to what you could expect from a 325i, than any cab-specific issues. What do you currently drive?

I currently drive a seat leon 1.8 t which has pretty poor mpg anyway, I have to drive like a granny to get around 30mpg. Plus my daily drive to work is only a 20 mile round trip, so the mpg isnt a massive issue for me.

[Rav335uk]

I used to use mine as a daily driver until i got my works van.
Don't see why it wouldn't be considered as?
BMW didn't build these so they would only come out in the sun, they were built with all weathers in mind.

[Lukai]

Thanks for the positive comments guys, defiantly making me sway towards biting the bullet.

People have said I'm daft for wanting to get rid of a perfectly good 'modern' car for one that is 20 years old. But I have been bitten by the E30 bug...

Yhh i know, thats the problem, the smash of a window, a moments worth of tinkering and the best part of 800 goes down the drain.

I would defiantly want a hardtop for the winter months, but are they that prone to being stolen?

[Rav335uk]

They are getting stolen, mailny to order.
But with a good alarm it should be a deterent.
Also, you could have a clear film put onto your side windows which will stop them from caving in when broken, much like the front windscreen.
Oh and parking on a drive will help keep it out of site to.

It is worth having though as u will notice the difference with it on in the winter.

[ImysE30]

Theft is one of the main reasons i've still not bought one They are too easy to nick IMO, could be done in as little as 5 mins.

Using a cabby as a daily driver wouldn't be too different, just a bit noisier.

[Motorhead]

I wouldn't bother with a hardtop. I had one but it leaked much worse than the soft top. Then you have to store it when its off. I sold it after a month.

[Rav335uk]

I wouldn't bother with a hardtop. I had one but it leaked much worse than the soft top. Then you have to store it when its off. I sold it after a month.

All that was needed was new rubbers on that

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Ran a cab as a daily for 5 years no problem.

Tin top or cabby, neither are hard to get into.

The heaters are excellent, no trouble in winter either.

[Tyra]

The heaters are excellent

oh hell yes, the heaters are AMAZING! Toasty feet at all times, lovely

[Felix79]

I used to use mine as a daily driver until i got my works van.
Don't see why it wouldn't be considered as?
BMW didn't build these so they would only come out in the sun, they were built with all weathers in mind.

What was the mpg like?

I would have thought that loverly lazy m30 would have made it pretty good.

[Rav335uk]

It's a good motorway cruiser, round town, and a lead right foot, not so good lol

[HartgeH27]

Daily driver and no problems.

[Bally]

had mine as a daily driver since 2001 with a hardtop (less wind noise for motorway. like anything look after them and you will be ok in the 110k miles only been stranded twice, first time alternator went, second time starter motor, Had a water pump belt go aswell but managed to get home as was not far, (my own fault kept putting service off) keep looking at newer cars , but then I spend a day giving mine a good clean and then change my mind. even got my son a 318 2 dr as his first car .

[Rav335uk]

New cars for me personally are a big no no.
To many faults and a pain to fix.
These cars are a doodle to work on, and the best thing, 1 ecu, and easily available if it goes wrong

[djk]

E30 convertibles are going to be seriously well liked as they get older aren't they? Perhaps I should keep mine...

Just thinking, convertible, enough chrome for the bearded set to enjoy polishing, adequate performance, RWD, 4 seats, easy DIY, excellent parts availability, fair resistance to rot (I'm comparing to MGBs and Fiat/Alfas here!). I haven't read practical classics for a while, but an e30 Convertible ought to be their favourite car!

I have just come back from a roof-down blast in the sun though, so my brain might be addled...

[George]

Good feedback

Anyone got any photos of their verts with the hardtop on?

Is the rear window of the hardtop glass?

[Rav335uk]

No pics with mine on it.
And yes. it is a heated rear glass screen

[George]

No pics with mine on it.
And yes. it is a heated rear glass screen

They seem to be quite a rare item...how much would one be looking at?

[Rav335uk]

Anywhere from £750-£1000.
The lowest being one in vinyl good condidtion, and the other being one painted

[djk]

I've seen OE BMW ones go for as little as £500 in useable condition, but I would think you would need to budget £700+ as Rav says, and anything less is a bonus. I did quite a bit of research into getting one last year, but decided it was a bit of an extravagance in the end.

Bear in mind there was an aftermarket hardtop made by Weissman - these are less fancied so *should* go for less than an equivalent condition OE one, although people still ask £6-700 plus. They don't look as good on the car IMO.

Both types of hardtop are generally vinyl covered - the BMW ones only came that way new, and only in black or, rarely, blue, and both usually with a cream headlining AFAIK. Colour coding a BMW one is an expensive process as to do it properly requires removal of the rear screen to get rid of the vinyl in there and so prevent leaks. However, one that has had this done is probably worth paying a premium for as then all it may need is spraying to match your car. I don't know much about the Weissman ones - they never appealed to me really.

Try the search function on here, there are plenty of pics knocking about of cars with hardtops on.

[Lukai]

Thanks again for all the replies, some great feedback.. its been a big help