Who Has A Convertible? How Do You Like It?

[Hatchman]

but would an 'I' seat from a 2door work in it still?

[benDASHDASH]

Chris, your car is teh hawt

[benDASHDASH]

but would an 'I' seat from a 2door work in it still?

Will bolt right up

[Hatchman]

thanks

[Spalding]

Thanks for the replies, fellas!
Do any of you have rear shock tower braces? Do they provide any noticeable stiffening?

IIRC, there is no way to use a rear shock brace on a vert.

What do you like LEAST about your 'vert?

More stuff to break… things like more power windows, more exposure of interior bits to the elements, fog in the rear window, cost of a new top…

Do you recommend a manual or a power top?

I have a manual. Coming from a Jeep YJ I feel very spoiled by this car. The Jeep roof was a finger breaking 3 year ordeal and the BMW is a 2 minute workers paradise.

One of the things I love about BMW and E30's in particular is this cabrio. Have a look at other cabrios from the same period. Take a good look at a mustang for example. They have a power roof but look at how the top folds up and where is it stored. Awful. The BMW is concealed and clean and really compliments the overall look of the car.

I recommend an ‘is’ or MTech1 spoiler. Otherwise the car looks really long and flat. The spoiler gives it a little kick at the end that helps to break that line up IMO.

[chriskb3]

I've heard that that Butt Strut thingy is a good alternative since we cant use a rear shock brace. Its expensive as hell from the peple who make it, but it doesnt look like it would be too hard to make something similar yourself. I may try it sometime this summer if i get a chance.

[ejs999]

Let us know if you make that strut. I lived in New Orleans for several years with the ic. with no a/c. Foot on the gas and you're OK. Just one trip back from FL ( a 3hr trip) really sucked - had to put the top up for sun protection and windows down. The hard boot design takes trunk space, but the car looks real clean with the top down. Chickcar - yup - they love to drive in 'em :)

[mrLEE30]

love my cab, and the top goes down at any temp less than 40C!!,

but do feel sorry for you lot with those US spec bumpers , anyone that claims the cab is a girls car obviously doesn't have one

mrlee

[e30vert]

love my cab, and the top goes down at any temp less than 40C!!,

but do feel sorry for you lot with those US spec bumpers , anyone that claims the cab is a girls car obviously doesn't have one

mrlee

Profile pictures? Rear?

Very nice from the front perspective!!! Super nice vert!

[e30vert]

I've heard that that Butt Strut thingy is a good alternative since we cant use a rear shock brace. Its expensive as hell from the peple who make it, but it doesnt look like it would be too hard to make something similar yourself. I may try it sometime this summer if i get a chance.

More info on what , where , who about the Butt Strut for verts? I would like to investigate and learn more ?

[chriskb3]

http://www.strong-strut.com/Butt-Strut.htm

yay! finally 100 posts

[sdcabrio]

I absolutely love my e30 mostly because it's a convert. It's folding roof has kept me from selling it on more than one occasion I've owned it over 8 years now. Its drifted in and out of 3rd car status since the start. It's currently my daily driver and I've had the top up maybe 40 days in the last 12 months (we have little rain and no humidity in San Diego.)

The only draw back is increased road noise for those few times I do drive with the top up and increased rattles and squeaks compared to a coupe. The squeaks and rattles have been enhanced by 17" rims and a stiff suspension, though.

As stated above, stay away from power tops and buy yourself a windscreen, of all the shit I've done to the car that has the most value in my wife's eyes. You can yap on your cell phone and her hair doesn't move all the while doing 80mph on the freeway.

[///M42 sport]

so that windscreen is worth every penny of its $300?

[e30vert]

I think they are acutally like 370-380 at the dealer.

[td325ic]

I think they are acutally like 370-380 at the dealer.

Actually Pacific BMW lists the windscreen for the e30 for $288.

I'm thinking about picking up a e36 windscreen and modifying it to fit on the e30 like Alex325ic did on his.

Usually you can find the e36 windscreens on ebay or craiglist for quite a bit cheaper than new. Also the e36 windscreens have a lower profile so they look a bit better in my opinion. You can find more info from Alex325ic on what he did to modify his on the roadfly forums.