[deutschmann59]

Hey guys. Take a look at what I found at autospies.com. Sorry if this is old news. Looks pretty cool though.

http://www.autospies.com/article/ind...&categoryId=21

[bavarian19]

I think it would be great if it did, but I doubt it will be. I feel that they would have done with with the 6 series well before the 3. Plues that would weigh a ton in a convertible compared to the regular soft top...

[stressdoc]

It might save some weight by not having to reinforce the chassis by less efficient geometry.

[ben1364]

I get tickled when I read about the "revolutionary" 'hard-top' convertibles now coming to market. I had a 1957 (that's correct) Ford Skyliner hardtop convertible. As far as I know it was the first mass produced folding hardtop convertible and it preceded BMW by 39 years!.

[E90Fleet]

You will find its only young journalist that use things like "revolutionary".

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I think it would be great if it did, but I doubt it will be. I feel that they would have done with with the 6 series well before the 3. Plues that would weigh a ton in a convertible compared to the regular soft top...

Rumors on a hard top convert 3 date back to August and confirmation was found as far back as October. There will be a 3 series hardtop (unless they call it a 4). And they will follow that with hard top convert 6 series. The folding hard top 3 series was already confirmed by Automotive News Europe. They found German supplier Edscha will supply the roof. Edscha will lease a newly built construction area at BMW's Regensburg Germany plant to produce the three-part roof system.

The 3 will use lightweight materials such as aluminum to keep the weight down while maintaining rigidity. Rumors are the M version and possible 6 series hard tops will use carbon fiber, composite plastics and lightweight metals for their hard tops.

This link has spy shots of a 3 series hard top convert test mule:
http://www.mph-online.com/web/spyphotos/0025
http://www.mph-online.com/web/spyphotos/005

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

Rumors on a hard top convert 3 date back to August

Actually way before then

Most started when BMW said they looked at the system for the 6 Series, but it wasnt quite ready yet. So everyone believed they would have enough time to get it right by the time the new 3 Series came along.

[325 Baller]

wait wait wait, theres going to be a 6 hardtop vert too?

[3aficionado]

No one knows when so dont hold your breath. But if the 3 gets the attention we all suspect the 6 will not be far behind.

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by ben1364

I get tickled when I read about the "revolutionary" 'hard-top' convertibles now coming to market. I had a 1957 (that's correct) Ford Skyliner hardtop convertible. As far as I know it was the first mass produced folding hardtop convertible and it preceded BMW by 39 years!.

Ford was the first mass produced folding hard top, but Ford wasn't revolutionary either. The 1934 Peugeot Eclipse was the first retractable hard top designed by Georges Paulin. I guess we can call Ford, Mercedes, Volvo and BMW imaginative in their interpretation of Peugeot's revolutionary vehicle. Let's not give credit to Ford for Paulin's concept. No one is copying Ford here. Peugeot preceded Ford by 23 years!

Fords version basically took up an entire 5 foot trunk and the roofs front part folded partially down (90 degree angle). It was barely a folding hard top - more like a hinged top. That's not much of a change from Peugeot's design. The latest Mercedes keeps trunk space, vehicle rigidity and fold into a compact space. BMWs upcoming design using a 3 piece folding top will keep much of the equal weight distribution while saving space. A 3 piece folding hard top has never been done before and maybe that's the revolutionary part auto journalists are writing about.

[ben1364]

I wasn't aware of the Peugeot HT but I kinda doubt that they produced very many of them. I did say, "As far as I know it was the first mass produced folding hardtop..." It was an excellent car for it's day. The only problem that I had with it during 92,000 miles of use was related to tire life. The rear was very heavy, too heavy for the o.e. 8.25x14" tires. I went to 8.55x14' tires on the rear and solved that problem. The Ford was available thru the 1959 model year when the body style was changed.

[Freudefahrer]

Hasn't the Mercedes SL had a panoramic sunroof option for quite some time? Or am I misinterpreting what the article is talking about?

[3aficionado]

Yes, the SL has a panoramic roof. The article in reads "The roof can be panoramic coupe roof, open just the sunroof portion OR retract fully and become a convertible." My interpretation of this is the roof could be panoramic (not open but see through) or partially open (in the front similar to a sunroof) or completely retracted.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Hey guys. Take a look at what I found at autospies.com. Sorry if this is old news. Looks pretty cool though.

http://www.autospies.com/article/ind...&categoryId=21

There was a going theory that the 3-series would have a glass retractable hardtop (or atleast a moon roof). Some people suggest this was painted on to "fool" wannabe spies. I originally agreed with such statements thinking the glass would be cool, but believed it was not technically possible. Now, I am beginning to reconsider whether those spy shots of the 3-series with the moonroof are accurate or not. Heres hoping! I mean the "moonroof" would definitely help to eliminate any "breaks" in the roofline due to the folding parts.

-Brett

[Brett]

Originally Posted by ben1364

I get tickled when I read about the "revolutionary" 'hard-top' convertibles now coming to market. I had a 1957 (that's correct) Ford Skyliner hardtop convertible. As far as I know it was the first mass produced folding hardtop convertible and it preceded BMW by 39 years!.

I don't believe its the "actual" hardtop part thats revoluntary. Even, new journalists are well aware of the currently selling Mercedes hardtops. I believe the "revoluntary" part is: "The roof can be panoramic coupe roof, open just the sunroof portion OR retract fully and become a convertible." Correct me if I am wrong, but your 1957 Ford couldn't do that!

(BTW, that is an awesome car, I saw one operated in person once, and still marvel out how far ahead of its time it really was!)

-Brett

[E90Fleet]

Remember Mercedes hardtops are on 2 seaters, BMW's will be on 4 seaters. Mercedes 4 seaters have cloth roofs (CLK )

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by Brett

I originally agreed with such statements thinking the glass would be cool, but believed it was not technically possible. Now, I am beginning to reconsider whether those spy shots of the 3-series with the moonroof are accurate or not. Heres hoping!

Mercedes has been building panoramic glass retractable roofs in the SL for years. Its technically possible. My thoughts are that a glass roof would be heavy and costly. Having a retractable glass roof in a 3 series would increase the weight distribution and increase the price on convertibles even more.