1 series soft top durability

[dele30]

Hey all! I'm really new to bmw's but and to 1 series. So I have a few questions if you guys wouldn't mind helping me out.

I'm helping a friend buy a relatively new convertible and I have looked into a few options. My friend has had an e30 vert and an e36 m3 vert with a removable hard top, both times have had some trouble with the soft top breaking down over the years. I personally love the 1 series but needed to know how good these soft tops are/better than previous 3 series since these don't have the option for a hard top. Or if it would be better to go for the newer 3 with the removable hard top. Thanks guys!!!

[RoundelM3]

Wife's 128i is 2 years old now, no signs of any deterioration. The rear window is glass, so no yellowing/cracking there, and we regularly clean the top and treat it with top conditioner to keep it from absorbing water. Also, never put the top down unless it's bone dry - folding a wet or damp top is asking for trouble.

The top material and construction (multi-layered) appear to be pretty stout, but in the end, it's all about whether you leave it outdoors all the time, especially in the sun. Sun will damage the top over time and weaken the fabric.

[Isdaako]

^^^^ Agree.

[TheSt|G]

I know I've seen quite a few general maintenance threads where a lot of members are on their second and third tops, and a number are on more than that.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

I know I've seen quite a few general maintenance threads where a lot of members are on their second and third tops, and a number are on more than that.

I won’t dispute that a soft top will have more issues than a roof, but the majority of ‘vert top replacements I’ve seen on the forum were the result of a manufacturing defect that caused significant rubbing issues that have since been rectified. My top is four years old now, and outside of some creasing where it folds it’s in very good shape. I wash it and take pretty good care of it, but moreso than that it seems quite well built+sturdy. I’m not particularly worried about a catastrophic failure in the foreseeable future (ie a complete failure of fabric integrity) The glass rear window was crucial for me, the vinyl/plastic ones always go even if the fabric top is in perfectly good shape.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

I won’t dispute that a soft top will have more issues than a roof, but the majority of ‘vert top replacements I’ve seen on the forum were the result of a manufacturing defect that caused significant rubbing issues that have since been rectified. My top is four years old now, and outside of some creasing where it folds it’s in very good shape. I wash it and take pretty good care of it, but moreso than that it seems quite well built+sturdy. I’m not particularly worried about a catastrophic failure in the foreseeable future (ie a complete failure of fabric integrity) The glass rear window was crucial for me, the vinyl/plastic ones always go even if the fabric top is in perfectly good shape.

Still is going to have more issues with deterioration compared to the folding hard top, which is the OP's question.

[vertebra]

If you are stating that metal is more durable than vinyl that's pretty obvious.^^^


Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by vertebra

If you are stating that metal is more durable than vinyl that's pretty obvious.^^^


Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

Yet it is the OP's question.

[dele30]

thanks for the advice guys. I do know that a metal hard to will obviously be more durable than a soft.. That being said, I just wanted to see how these soft tops compared to others. I was curious to see how they held up in all sorts of weather, any seal or leaking issues etc. Thanks again.

[ejm3]

I was worried about the soft when I bought my car. I really wanted a hard removable top but honestly I didn't want to give up the trunk space.

Also weight and complexity is an issue with the folding hard top. I think you're likely to have more problems wth the soft top but they will likley be cheaper to fix than the hard top problems you know you'll eventually have.

Mine is not my daily driver so I try to avoid putting the top up and down too much. In the summer I only take it if I'm pretty sure its not going to rain and just leave the top down while I'm at work all day. Then I have a garage so the top doesn't go up at night either.

In the winter its up all the time and in the garage except when the sun is shining I take it once or twice a week..

I haven't used any treatment on my top yet (waiting for spring to actually get here) but I probably will.

So I would say;
1) It depends upon how you use it. If you put it up and down 5 times a day every day its likely to wear faster and have more issues.
2) Use the treatment and other basic maintenance like not putting it down when wet and cleaning off the bird sh*t,
3) Its under warranty for 4 years. After that if it scares you buy the extended warranty.
4) When I bought mine a year ago there was a brand-new $100k 6-series convertible sitting in the showroom with a soft top so how terrible can they be?

All that said I wish mine was as quiet as a hard top would be.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Still is going to have more issues with deterioration compared to the folding hard top, which is the OP's question.

Fair enough, I wouldn't argue against that.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yet it is the OP's question.

Metal is physically more durable. But I dont trust the complexity of the metal roofs long term.


And those of us that are on multiple roofs are the result of a design defect that caused a hole the size of a pencil to form

Heres a picture of it.





These were fixed with a recall a few years ago. Though my top was replaced on one prior occasion. A drivebelt got caught on something, the top jammed, and a motor burned out.




Everything is fine now though.

[135Pats]

I outta look through my invoice history to see if the top was ever replaced, tbh i'm not sure. That was done under a recall, correct? FWIW my top certainly does not have that wear mark, or if it does it's to a degree that i've never noticed it in the hundreds of baths i've given the car.

[BrokenVert]

Its very hard to notice on moonlight. I had to play with the colors a bit in those photos to make the wear stand out.

I imagine that its more noticeable on black or taupe.

[Xios135]

As I've stated in many other threads, be aware that if you have an issue with the defroster the entire top will have to be replaced. I've had mine replaced 4 times for a defroster issue and once for the hole detailed in the above post. Something to consider if the car is no longer under warranty.

[TJ bmw135i]

Still good on my 08 DD. The recall (fix) for the wear spot was done in the first few months, so no damage. Compared to the past converible I owned, it is shrinking much less and holding it's seals very well - no leaks. I do use the special cleaners and the protectant and never put it down if there is any moisture on it. The big reason for me to go with soft versus hard top vert was the ability to put golf clubs in the trunk with the roof down.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Xios135

As I've stated in many other threads, be aware that if you have an issue with the defroster the entire top will have to be replaced. I've had mine replaced 4 times for a defroster issue and once for the hole detailed in the above post. Something to consider if the car is no longer under warranty.

Excellent point, I forgot about that. Though TBH, not a huge concern of mine at 43K miles.

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Its very hard to notice on moonlight. I had to play with the colors a bit in those photos to make the wear stand out.

I imagine that its more noticeable on black or taupe.

My top is black, and it def. does not have severe wear marks on that portion of it. I'll check after work closely, but i've never noticed it, nor has the dealer ever mentioned it when the car was in for service (not that i'd expect them to show that type of competence lol).