Downsides of convertibles?

[E30 Cabrio]

I've never had any negative comments about my car. Anyone who has ever opined on it has been positive, and I don't care what the haters think/say anyways.

I bought the car because I like E30's and I like Convertibles.

The whole "gay" thing sounds like a whole lot of "projecting" to me. :p

My front passenger side window rattles a little bit from people closing the door by pushing the window instead of the the door, which irks the hell out of me because it loosens the window and makes it rattle.

Same thing happened with my Corvette Convertible, as if that car didn't rattle enough.

But like mentioned above, if I lower the window an inch, it stops rattling. I'll have to pull the door panel and adjust it someday, but for now, I'll just lower the window a bit when the top is down and the windows are up so it doesn't rattle.

BTW, VacMan, your car is the best E30 I've ever seen with the Cardinal Red interior. It ususally doesn't look good in most E30's, but you managed to pull it off. The whole car looks great.

[VacMan]

My car has no rattles unless I'm hitting bumps, and every e30 coupe I've driven is the same. However, my car has a strut brace, Eibach sways and a Bilstein/Bavauto setup. I'll be going to H&R/Bilstein soon.

I don't get butthurt by those talking crap about cabrios. I love mine, and I have an E39 for a DD. If you don't like my car I could care less.

A couple of pics by request.

[87Blue325iC]

Not sure where they "all" come from but the rear side windows are one culprit for sure. There are some adjusters/guides in the assembly that get out of adjustment causing the window to rattle, particularly when the windows are up. I haven't fixed mine yet, and they do rattle.

My passenger side rear window rattles when it is all the way up, but if I just tap the switch and lower it a tiny amount it stops. Not the right way to get rid of the problem - but the cheapest!

[talltorontoguy]

I'm sure this may already have been discussed, but can any one give me quick run down on where all those squeaks and rattles are coming from back there and if there are any easy fixes?

Not sure where they "all" come from but the rear side windows are one culprit for sure. There are some adjusters/guides in the assembly that get out of adjustment causing the window to rattle, particularly when the windows are up. I haven't fixed mine yet, and they do rattle.

[87Blue325iC]

I loved mine would I had it... but DO NOT drive through a car wash unless you have the hard top. The soft top is not strong enough to stay down with the high pressure washes. I ended up soaked and unhappy.

At least it was a nice day and I was able to put the top down to dry off.

Yeah - I did that too once! :curse: Bad, bad idea!

[Disaster Inc]

if there are squeaks and rattles, I've never noticed them... between music and/or the top being down, those have to be some loud squeaks etc.

Mine's a 92 with under 100K though? Don't know if that would play a factor. I've also done everything suspension in the front, including all bushings etc. New shocks (HD's) and mounts (OEM) in the back...

It's an older convertible car, that's my mentality and mood when I drive it so maybe that plays a factor as well. Shit, I bet I'm going to start noticing all that shit now..?

My 88 with 160K is rattle and squeak free also. When I first got it, it had a mad rattle from the rear, which turned out to be the rear top lid out of adjustment. Adjusted the latches on it and good to go. I have a lot of wind leaks at highway speeds due to my top seals needing replacing, but its almost top down weather anyway, so those can wait till fall. Plus on the highway I always have the stereo up anyway, so it really doesn't matter.

[E30 Cabrio]

I used the brackets - fits nice and firm. I painted mine in the garage two years ago - not a 100% match on the paint - but not bad either!

Looks good. I'm going to do mine soon.

I just have a little more sanding and primering and sanding to do, then painting and clear coating it then I'll bolt it up.

I have the mounting bracket, but a couple of tabs are broken.

I've been waiting for the rainy season to end as I didn't want to paint it and put it on in the middle of winter when it would get all kinds of crap chipping away at the new paint.

[87Blue325iC]

So I take it you're being sarcastic?

And what bottom piece is that?

The one he was asking would fit in the first place, the diving board bumper "iS" spoiler.

[andrewintraining]

No, can't be done. Doesn't fit at all...

So I take it you're being sarcastic?

And what bottom piece is that?

[87Blue325iC]

Nice pic. Did you use the bracket or bolt it to the bumper?

I have the bracket, but it's kind of not perfect so I'll probably just bolt mine to the bumper.

Your pic is motivation for me to get off my ass and finish priming and painting mine and getting it mounted. Really makes the car look even better.

I'm undecided on the rear spoiler though. I have one, but not sure if I should mount it or not.

I also have a set of near-mint fogs for it too as well new bulbs.

Just gotta find the time, but I gotta do the TBelt first.

I used the brackets - fits nice and firm. I painted mine in the garage two years ago - not a 100% match on the paint - but not bad either!

[Maluco]

if there are squeaks and rattles, I've never noticed them... between music and/or the top being down, those have to be some loud squeaks etc.

Mine's a 92 with under 100K though? Don't know if that would play a factor. I've also done everything suspension in the front, including all bushings etc. New shocks (HD's) and mounts (OEM) in the back...

It's an older convertible car, that's my mentality and mood when I drive it so maybe that plays a factor as well. Shit, I bet I'm going to start noticing all that shit now..?

[John1180]

I'm sure this may already have been discussed, but can any one give me quick run down on where all those squeaks and rattles are coming from back there and if there are any easy fixes?

[Motorsports]

I love driving my vert. the rattles, squeaks etc. that can be address.

[talltorontoguy]

I wouldn't have a vert as a daily driver, but it is an awesome part-time car. I use my vert on sunny days and have a blast driving it. I use my E34 or SUV when it rains and in winter.

As far the rear shock mounts go, yes they commonly fail. They're also really easy to get at through the convertible top storage compartment under a small cover. Replace them with E36 M3 shock mounts for added durability.

I agree with many of the negative comments re: leaks, noise, wind... but that's part of owning any convertible new or old; it's part of the game. The positives far outweigh the negatives.

I have to admit I'm conscious of the image of cruising in a white vert, so I only take my girlfriend in it with me... rarely my buddies, and if they are in the car we have to play some hard rock very loud. Having it lowered, M30 engine, and some mods helps with the image.

Best investment for the vert is a windschott (windbreak, see pic below) that sits behind the rear seats and flips up... stops the wind buffeting the front occupants, reduces noise, and allows you to feel heat (with windows up). By using that I've been able to extend the comfortable "vert season" here in Canada by about 2 months (Late April to late Oct), even at night.

Enjoy!

[Maluco]

no downside when you also have a coupe! except that you can't drive both at the same time....?