Benefit of hardtop in verts

[Mr. Burns]

I have the opportunity to pickup a MINT hardtop for an' E30.
Mint as in, used for 2 years, stored for the rest.
no creases, no tears, no nothing.

now, with that said...I only drive my vert on sunny days in the summer.
it's stored in the fall/winter untill early May.

my canvas top is 2 years old, also in mint condition.

what's the big deal with the hardtops?

[blefevre]

They are rare, and usually go for almost three times that price. Buy it. They look cool.

[CabrioPunk]

I want this offer.

[Mr. Burns]

They are rare, and usually go for almost three times that price. Buy it. They look cool.

are they not heavy?

will it not be added weight to the allready folded up canvas top stored underneith?


I'm located in very northern NY.

this is something I'd rather not ship.

[slammin.e28]

'Vert's don't need to be light. They can be heavy. I've said it once, 'verts don't need to be fast, otherwise bitches can't jump in as you drive by. Also....don't gotta worry 'bout fat bitches, they can't heft themselves over the doors if you keep 'em locked.

I'd buy the hardtop just 'cause I like rare stuff. It'd probably sit in my garage forever though, just so I can say I have one.

[N2MYE30]

Id only get one if its a killer deal but my top is rarely up let alone my windows.

[SUICIDE109]

I'm not much of a vert guy so I'd take the hardtop besides they look sexy as hell. Verts have less trunk space and I cant stand the wind blowing in my face shit, kinda annoying on the highway... It just depends on your personal prefrence...

[slammin.e28]

I like 'verts roof line.

Think about it.

[naplesE30]

Speaking as someone who has owned a vert and hardtop, they are very nice if you live or drive in a HOT environment or COLD environment. If you only drive your car on sunny warm/cool days with the top down their is no point to one. It will only take up space in your garage. They are also nice if you drive at highway speeds with the soft top up. If its a good deal buy it and flip it or pass it along to a friend.

I am in FL and would be interested in it if its somewhat local to me if you decide to pass on it.


Best upgrade for your vert if you keep the top down are euro rear headrests, they look dead sexy with the top down,,,, can be a pita to lower/raise your top though.

[reelizmpro]

For me the cons outweigh the pros. It's a popular mod among vert owners but most of that is driven by the rarity factor. I think if you live in an area with rain/snow then it makes sense, otherwise it's a waste IMO. In Socal, we don't get much rain or snow so it's strictly an accessory. If you're not using it you have to stow it somehow which can be problematic and obviously you can't just spontaneously decide to drop the top where ever you are. What's the point if you leave it on all the time? mind as well not have a vert. I have other E30's so for me, it doesn't make sense but if a vert is your only car, then I could see it being a worthwhile accessory.

[cabriodster87]

I have seen hard tops listed as Roll over protection system. http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E3...f_folding_top/

[DRTSRFR]

^This..you can take your 'vert to the track with a hardtop.

If you like spirited driving, and hate the cowl shake, the hardtop will almost totally eliminate it.

It's a much sexier roofline than the canvas.

You can see out the back window!

[Sparkle']

^ Weird! I have a picture of your car on my FB from way back when I got my car. Haha. Love your car.


Back on topic... I LOVE my hardtop. Considering NY weather can be a lot like WA weather I would say you should not pass it up. My soft top likes to leak and as it gets older is starting to tear here and there more and more. So when the rainy season hits I just put the hardtop on for the Season and call it good. The only time it ever leaks is when its absolutely pouring and its a very minor leak. Seriously though, I would not pass that up.

[DRTSRFR]

Thanks Sparkle!

Yeah, I think most who are against the hardtop haven't had a chance to experience it's benefits.

And it literally takes 1 munute to install and remove with a helper or a simple hoist.

I would say the biggest challenge is storing it when it's off the car. Even with a verticle stand it takes up alot of space, which is already at a premium in most garages.

[IronmanE30]

I put a hardtop on my Mtech for a couple of reasons. The first is that my cars don't have the luxury of being in a garage and a vert, in the winter time, will leak when it rains for the most part. The second is that I have another vert that I drive with the top down so the hardtop is like my coupe. The third is the lines of the vert become unique with the hard top. Not only the change in the roof line but with no "B" piller I think it looks better than a coupe. Lastly, the hard tops are rare and I enjoy putting rare parts that add to the cars appearance and performance on my rides. Hard tops are not for everyone and if you have to restore them it is expensive. If you can find one in the condition that you described then it is worth giving it a try and if you don't like it selling it should be easy.

Cheers,

Jim