I'd prefer a manual roof

Cornwall1888 · Post by **Cornwall1888** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:02 pm

I'm sure some of you seen top gear on Sunday the fiat 124 and new mx5 have a manual roof, you just pull a lever and can throw it over your in less than a second.

I don't see the point of an electric fabric roof, presumably it's more expensive, heavier? takes much longer to get up and down (still not long I know) but sometimes the lights change when mine is still going down for example and is just another thing that can break.

What's the advantage of them is it just for convenience and to look cool like those boots that close themselves when you press a button?

How fast can you go when operating the roof I've only ever done it at a stand still?

RickRob · Post by **RickRob** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:27 pm

Mine is in manual mode at presetpnt having failed at the weekend. I do agree with you, it's no real hardship to do it manually. That said, I'm going to get mine fixed!

jabber · Post by **jabber** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:40 pm

Having had a mx5 dropping the roof on them is quick but putting it up from inside the car requires double jointed arms and shoulders I much prefer a powered roof

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:46 pm

I've had several convertible cars over the years and all before the Zed had manual hoods. Dropping them all was easy but getting them back up was a PITA ! Electric is much better !

Rufus59 · Post by **Rufus59** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:55 pm

Speaking from personal experience as most of my roadster ownership experience was without a power roof

it is a real pita to get back up manually, weighs an absolute tonne. When these cars were launched I remember BMW making a big thing of the powered roof and how fast it was.

Cornwall1888 · Post by **Cornwall1888** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:16 pm

The new Mazda mx5 roof seems to be light and can be put back up from inside the car very easily in 2 seconds flat

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:53 pm

I thought the same thing actually, watching the 124 feature on Top Gear - the way he just threw it back seemed effortless. Didn't show him putting it back up though.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:25 am

The only experience I have of a manual roof is my sons mk2 Mx5, from the passenger seat. No problem up or down for my son or myself, we are both over 6ft, I think that helps. MrsG has to get out to put the roof up. Or get me to do it.

The Zeds roof is a lot more sturdy though. Has any one put it up, manually, whist sitting in the driver's seat?

WLH · Post by **WLH** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:46 am

We have one member in our local club that had a manual roof. It goes down and up real easy but does require getting twisted about in your seat to lock or unlock from the down position. Also it does not have the lining that you get with the powered version.

trick4 · Post by **trick4** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:47 am

I saw this too, and as with everything there must be a trade off. If the roof is light enough for this to be so super easy - it likely isn't as sound proof/weather proof or as strong. If the roof motors had been put somewhere dry by design, i think almost all of us would be without complaint.

Rusky · Post by **Rusky** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:40 am

My mk3 mr2 was a manual roof, easy to drop but then i had to get out to fore it to lock down and putting it up needed the skills of a gymnast

Much prefer the power roof, although why did they put the button in such a faraway place.

Marius · Post by **Marius** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:19 pm

No way I'd have manual roof.

cj10jeeper · Post by **cj10jeeper** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:13 pm

trick4 wrote:I saw this too, and as with everything there must be a trade off. If the roof is light enough for this to be so super easy - it likely isn't as sound proof/weather proof or as strong. If the roof motors had been put somewhere dry by design, i think almost all of us would be without complaint.

^ Here's the answer ^
In my quest for a new car while looking at the Alfa the dealer also sold the 124's.
The roof is thin and light and yes it's easy to open and close

The Z4 is very different being triple layers including thermal insulation, heavy triple layer out and a separate inner fabric. Has a way stronger and heavier frame too
124 is seeking all the lightness to compensate for its lack of power, but of course is also a more back to basics sports car

Kingfisher · Post by **Kingfisher** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:43 pm

You put your roof down while waiting at the lights? ... do you get laughed at much? ...

Mike6 · Post by **Mike6** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:58 pm

My brother in law has a 2010 MX5 and I agree that it is easy to put the roof down but it looks a piece of flimsy rubbish and flaps/whistles around the edges when you drive. The Z4 is a quality engineered car, a crappy roof just wouldnt look good nor be acceptable.

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