For all the hardtop owners

[mlbryant8]

Being one who is considering buying a hardtop, can you tell me what differences there are with the top on and off, especially the sound level difference, water tightness and anything else that you have noticed when riding with the hardtop installed.

[Ether-D]

Quite a bit quieter, no cowl shake. Both my hard top and soft top leak, but I believe it's just the little alignment pins in the latches are worn out. It's kind of a pain to install and remove unless you have a helper or a garage with some pulleys.

[cWalk3r]

I just bought one, in the process of restoring it. Haven't had a chance to use it really but I'd say unless you're 6ft 200lbs I'd suggest getting a helper. Its just really wide and heavy so you can't get a great hold on it and something will get scratched or broken.

[flyboyx]

i agree with ether-d.

once you install the hard top, this is a really good time to take off your interior panels and adjust your windows. get new seals for the area between the front and back windows (b pillar area on a coupe), that will pretty much eliminate any wind noise-assuming the seals are good on your hard top...

not having cowl shake is really really nice too. this alone makes the top worth while in my opinion.

[rcsoundn1]

I would love to have a hard top, cant justify spending more on that then the actual cost of the car right now though.

[bastianshaw]

cowl shake? not sure what u guys are talking about... it does make the car over all stiffer, like a strut bar the torsional rigidity is improved, but I think it also makes the car lose its vertness... its a pain to get on and off no matter what your size, you will need a helper but its a 5 min job. I see you live in florida, IMO unless you live somewhere where it snows, and your vert is your only car, its just mnot worth it,the ability to "drop the top" is reduced so then what is the point of having a vert....

[uturn]

With the hard top wind noise was reduced and I was able to hear my radio and phone calls. Also, A/C worked better :) Sending my soft top out for repairs, once it comes back, the hard top is up for sale.

[mlbryant8]

cowl shake? not sure what u guys are talking about... it does make the car over all stiffer, like a strut bar the torsional rigidity is improved, but I think it also makes the car lose its vertness... its a pain to get on and off no matter what your size, you will need a helper but its a 5 min job. I see you live in florida, IMO unless you live somewhere where it snows, and your vert is your only car, its just mnot worth it,the ability to "drop the top" is reduced so then what is the point of having a vert....

I am in north FL and we do have some winter here. I also spend a lot of time on the road in cities where I would feel a little more secure with a hard top. Then there are the brutal dog days of summer in the month of August when I don't want the top down because it is too hot during the day. So . . . I do see a use for one, even though I am in sunny Florida.

[cabriodster87]

I do it by myself with two tie straps and a bungee, and of course a garage with exposed rafters.

[flyboyx]

Cowl shake is when you drive over an uneven surface (such as diagonally over a big speed bump) and you feel a torsional twist between your butt, the pedals, and the steering wheel. I know I'm not smoking crack here because, 1) I'm a pilot and can't do those things since I get random drug tests, and 2) I have owned several verts and have felt this phenomenon in all of them.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing or that the car wasn't designed this way. Just simply that it seems to give me more piece of mind with the new h&r/Billy's that the car corners better than it did before the top was added.

[jtparts]

I don't think there is much difference in chassis rigidity.
We are talking about a light weight flexible part that is only attatched at 4 points and they are all free to move. I do think the perception of the shake is less because the soft top frame can move laterally whereas the hardtop really can't, it just flexes and pivots on its mounts. I removed the soft top to reduce weight and I do miss being able to go top down easily. Getting the hardtop on and off by myself has not been a problem. In my old house I had a pulley and made a cross shaped bracket to lift the top in a balanced fashion. Now I have a finished garage so I just unfasten the top put the seats forward and get under the top lifting it up with my back. They are not that heavy just awkward. Then just walk it out of the car, watch the corners and the big tip is have a spot set up to set it on in advance. Mine came with no rear mounting pins. I used an extra pair of receivers I had an modified some bolts that stay in the body. Then a large washer with 1 flatted side and a nyloc keeps everything in place. It's a pain tightening the nuts, I will get the right attachments soon. Whoever mentioned adjusting the windows is right. My top does not leak even with a hose nozzle on it. My ragtops always leaked some more than others. Usually on the seat bolsters. I really like the hard tops appearance, quietness, added security. I could never use the phone before, top up or down. Now it's ok, still loud but doable. My exhaust does resonate more loudly at certain rpm though. All in all a very good upgrade imo, and you can always sell the top prices are not going down.

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[cory58]

I've had my hardtop for about 5 years. Here is my feedback.

1. Definitely makes the car feel stiffer (std suspension).
2. Definitely quieter when driving.
3. Seals are in good shape, but leaks as much or more than my soft top.
4. Must have a helper to install/remove.
5. Looks cool on the car. Good change of pace from my tan soft top.
6. Been pleasantly surprised that a lot of the hardware is still available from BMW.
7. Even living in NC where we get a small amount of winter weather, I have very little use for the hardtop. The E30 'vert is not my DD, so I just don't drive it during the times when I would need the hardtop.
8. It's a PITA to store. The only reason I'm not selling it is because I think the value will continue to increase over time.

[Ether-D]

I don't think there is much difference in chassis rigidity.
We are talking about a light weight flexible part that is only attatched at 4 points and they are all free to move.

I think this is incorrect. When my hardtop is attached, none of the mounting points are free to move. It doesn't weigh much, but it is certainly stiff where it needs to be stiff. It all but eliminates the cowl shake in my vert.

Iiiiiiiiregardless, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one, and they all stink.

[jtparts]

I think this is incorrect. When my hardtop is attached, none of the mounting points are free to move. It doesn't weigh much, but it is certainly stiff where it needs to be stiff. It all but eliminates the cowl shake in my vert.

Iiiiiiiiregardless, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one, and they all stink.

You got me thinking, I should reserve, that comment until I have the correct mountings. Please disregard my previous comments regarding shake, flex and the like. That is all.

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[jeffnhiscars]

I've had my hardtop for about 5 years. Here is my feedback.

1. Definitely makes the car feel stiffer (std suspension).
2. Definitely quieter when driving.
3. Seals are in good shape, but leaks as much or more than my soft top.
4. Must have a helper to install/remove.
5. Looks cool on the car. Good change of pace from my tan soft top.
6. Been pleasantly surprised that a lot of the hardware is still available from BMW.
7. Even living in NC where we get a small amount of winter weather, I have very little use for the hardtop. The E30 'vert is not my DD, so I just don't drive it during the times when I would need the hardtop.
8. It's a PITA to store. The only reason I'm not selling it is because I think the value will continue to increase over time.

I agree with all of this except neither of my tops leak and I find it way more pleasant in the winter with the hardtop.

I bought new rear pins, the pin cover flaps and a new plastic pin socket so yes, it's pretty much all still available....especially when you have friends at the local dealer ...right Cory ? Lol