convertible top

angler · 06-12-2013, 07:35 PM

I just noticed that the gap between the bottom of the fabric top and the shelf on the inside of the car seems to be getting bigger. I have only had the car for a few months but I do not remember it being this wide. Am I imaging this or is it bigger then its supposed to be? It s a bit hard to tell from my pic but you can see from the picture that you can see the mechanics right by the bottom of the window and the gap is about 2 1/2 inches or so.

cblounder · 06-12-2013, 09:56 PM

I hope someone give a good reply, I am curious as well, I have same on my 09.

litebulb · 06-12-2013, 10:16 PM

Can you get a better photo? I think mine is like that and I just had the top replaced a couple of months ago. Did you check the other side to see if it was the same?

angler · 06-13-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litebulb

Can you get a better photo? I think mine is like that and I just had the top replaced a couple of months ago. Did you check the other side to see if it was the same?

I will try and get one, both sides are the same.

slim_e90 · 06-13-2013, 09:22 AM

My 08' is the same way. It's on its 4th or 5th new top (lost count). The dealer has always reinstalled it with the 2" gap. I think it's designed this way.

135Pats · 06-13-2013, 09:41 AM

Better picture would be nice but nothing seems that weird there. Looks to be hit or miss but my top is in good shape outside of some creasing, which is to be expected after 4 years.

angler · 06-13-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litebulb

Can you get a better photo? I think mine is like that and I just had the top replaced a couple of months ago. Did you check the other side to see if it was the same?

here you go,

135Pats · 06-16-2013, 08:29 PM

I'm pretty sure mine looks just like that

angler · 06-17-2013, 05:22 AM

Thanks, seems a bit strange. But no harm no foul I guess.

135Pats · 06-17-2013, 12:50 PM

I keep forgetting to check, ill confirm when i leave work tonight.

angler · 06-17-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135Pats

I keep forgetting to check, ill confirm when i leave work tonight.

cool,

135Pats · 06-17-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angler

cool,

Looks the same, I wouldn't worry about it.

pj.rodriguez · 06-17-2013, 11:32 PM

My top is also the same. You had me worried like there was something going on there!

And to those who had the top replaced, what was the reason?

TJ bmw135i · 06-19-2013, 09:13 AM

Same gap on my 08. Still the original top coming up on 50k miles.

jester17 · 06-21-2013, 09:42 PM

Same gap on my 2011.

Say -- anyone have a suggestion for a good product (if there is one) for protecting the top?

pj.rodriguez · 06-21-2013, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Same gap on my 2011.

Say -- anyone have a suggestion for a good product (if there is one) for protecting the top?

Yeah! I am pretty new to the BMW world as well as the convertible world! Does anyone know of a good top cleaner/protectant?

Thanks!

litebulb · 06-22-2013, 02:24 AM

I use exclusively 303 products. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner, 303 High Tech Fabric Guard in a Solo 418 with a boar soft hair brush. I even throw on some 303® Aerospace Protectant which has UV protection on after einszett Cockpit Premium due to the fact our dash get a lot more rays than others.

pj.rodriguez · 06-22-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litebulb

I use exclusively 303 products. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner, 303 High Tech Fabric Guard in a Solo 418 with a boar soft hair brush. I even throw on some 303® Aerospace Protectant which has UV protection on after einszett Cockpit Premium due to the fact our dash get a lot more rays than others.

Okay that sounds great! Today I was at PartSource in Toronto and they were selling Auto Glym convertible cleaner and conditioner/protectant. Any idea if this is any good?

Also, is 303 only available online? I cannot seem to find it in auto shops!

Thanks for the detail! If I may ask, what do you use to protect your leather (since they're also exposed to the same high amounts of UV?)

ejm3 · 06-22-2013, 11:19 AM

I bought Ragg Top at Amazon but I haven't applied it yet so I can't comment.
These products like Ragg Top and 303 are hard to find but Amazon has them.

litebulb · 06-22-2013, 12:52 PM

I mostly pick up everything from amazon.com (a lot cheaper). I'm lucky that it's pretty easy to have it sent to Point Roberts and just swing over the border.

For my leather I exclusively use Leather Master products. Soft cleaner then Protection cream with Vital once a quarter. If you have some tough jean transfer you can use the Strong cleaner but be careful. I thought I might need to with my Boston red seats but the soft cleaner works fine. I did use the Strong cleaner on some tan seats in another car and it really works well but you have to apply vital right after so the leather doesn't crack. Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

Okay that sounds great! Today I was at PartSource in Toronto and they were selling Auto Glym convertible cleaner and conditioner/protectant. Any idea if this is any good?

Also, is 303 only available online? I cannot seem to find it in auto shops!

Thanks for the detail! If I may ask, what do you use to protect your leather (since they're also exposed to the same high amounts of UV?)

pj.rodriguez · 06-22-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litebulb

I mostly pick up everything from amazon.com (a lot cheaper). I'm lucky that it's pretty easy to have it sent to Point Roberts and just swing over the border.

For my leather I exclusively use Leather Master products. Soft cleaner then Protection cream with Vital once a quarter. If you have some tough jean transfer you can use the Strong cleaner but be careful. I thought I might need to with my Boston red seats but the soft cleaner works fine. I did use the Strong cleaner on some tan seats in another car and it really works well but you have to apply vital right after so the leather doesn't crack. Cheers!

Awesome. Thanks for the reply! And I also live along the border town (Queenston ON/Lewiston NY), so I just get it shipped to the UPS store in Lewiston haha. Save a lot on shipping charges.

In terms of my leather condition, I just bought the car used and it was "detailed" by the Infiniti dealership that had the car, but the "detail" was not so "detailed!" The leather still had some markings on it that I hope to get out and recondition. After reading a lot about the leather and the type of care to give it, I feel like I'm just going to do it all myself.

Thanks again, and I'll be sure to try those products out.

-P

litebulb · 06-23-2013, 01:55 AM

No problem. You should check out Detailer Domain's links. If you have heavy stains you could try their method below.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/DIY-E...ing_b_331.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

Awesome. Thanks for the reply! And I also live along the border town (Queenston ON/Lewiston NY), so I just get it shipped to the UPS store in Lewiston haha. Save a lot on shipping charges.

In terms of my leather condition, I just bought the car used and it was "detailed" by the Infiniti dealership that had the car, but the "detail" was not so "detailed!" The leather still had some markings on it that I hope to get out and recondition. After reading a lot about the leather and the type of care to give it, I feel like I'm just going to do it all myself.

Thanks again, and I'll be sure to try those products out.

-P

06-12-2013, 07:35 PM	#1
angler love to fish! 46 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 13: SG 135i M-Sport Cabrio 6mt Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: riding in the ultimate tanning machine iTrader: (1)	convertible top I just noticed that the gap between the bottom of the fabric top and the shelf on the inside of the car seems to be getting bigger. I have only had the car for a few months but I do not remember it being this wide. Am I imaging this or is it bigger then its supposed to be? It s a bit hard to tell from my pic but you can see from the picture that you can see the mechanics right by the bottom of the window and the gap is about 2 1/2 inches or so. Attached Images
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06-12-2013, 09:56 PM	#2
cblounder cblounder 4 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Conv Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA iTrader: (0)	I hope someone give a good reply, I am curious as well, I have same on my 09. __________________ Current: 2020 X5 M50i Phytonic Blue 2009 135i Conv Blue Water Past: 2015 X5 xDrive 50i, 2013 X3 xDrive35i, 2008 X5 4.8i, 2003 330Ci
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06-12-2013, 10:16 PM	#3
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	Can you get a better photo? I think mine is like that and I just had the top replaced a couple of months ago. Did you check the other side to see if it was the same? __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \|
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06-13-2013, 09:22 AM	#5
slim_e90 First Lieutenant 13 Rep 343 Posts Drives: BSM E-88 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Naaaashville, TN iTrader: (4)	My 08' is the same way. It's on its 4th or 5th new top (lost count). The dealer has always reinstalled it with the 2" gap. I think it's designed this way. __________________ \|move over... please\|
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06-13-2013, 09:41 AM	#6
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	Better picture would be nice but nothing seems that weird there. Looks to be hit or miss but my top is in good shape outside of some creasing, which is to be expected after 4 years.
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06-16-2013, 08:29 PM	#8
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	I'm pretty sure mine looks just like that __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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06-17-2013, 05:22 AM	#9
angler love to fish! 46 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 13: SG 135i M-Sport Cabrio 6mt Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: riding in the ultimate tanning machine iTrader: (1)	Thanks, seems a bit strange. But no harm no foul I guess.
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06-17-2013, 12:50 PM	#10
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	I keep forgetting to check, ill confirm when i leave work tonight.
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06-17-2013, 11:32 PM	#13
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	My top is also the same. You had me worried like there was something going on there! And to those who had the top replaced, what was the reason?
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06-19-2013, 09:13 AM	#14
TJ bmw135i Private First Class 5 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Convertible Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portage, MI iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i Vert [0.00]	Same gap on my 08. Still the original top coming up on 50k miles.
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06-21-2013, 09:42 PM	#15
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Same gap on my 2011. Say -- anyone have a suggestion for a good product (if there is one) for protecting the top?
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06-22-2013, 02:24 AM	#17
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	I use exclusively 303 products. 303 Convertible Top Cleaner, 303 High Tech Fabric Guard in a Solo 418 with a boar soft hair brush. I even throw on some 303® Aerospace Protectant which has UV protection on after einszett Cockpit Premium due to the fact our dash get a lot more rays than others. __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \|
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06-22-2013, 11:19 AM	#19
ejm3 Major 196 Rep 1,071 Posts Drives: 2012 135 Convertible 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I bought Ragg Top at Amazon but I haven't applied it yet so I can't comment. These products like Ragg Top and 303 are hard to find but Amazon has them. __________________ 2012 135 Convertible 6MT 2017 Acura MDX
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