Z4-forum.com

It's a BMW!!! Manual roofs are for peasants dear boy

Yorkie Z wrote:It's a BMW!!! Manual roofs are for driving enthusiasts dear boy

Plenty of supercars with manual roofs...

Doesn't the manual roof Z4 have a lighter construction roof material? For example, I don't think the insulating material is as heavy, which makes manual roof operation easier than it would be if the car had a roof identical to that on a power top car.

Cornwall1888 wrote: I don't see the point of an electric fabric roof,

I'm happy to relieve you of your roof motor if you want to go fully manual. Just pop around my house and I'll whip it out for you free of charge

Cornwall1888 wrote: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

Ah, but here's the problem, you bought a BMW Z4 with a power roof
I love my power roof, don't give a toss what people think, I think it's cool

Huz-z wrote:Doesn't the manual roof Z4 have a lighter construction roof material? For example, I don't think the insulating material is as heavy, which makes manual roof operation easier than it would be if the car had a roof identical to that on a power top car.

Yes - much lighter and doesn't have any insulation. UK are all powered and believe in the US that powered is an option

Listening to everyone's points I suppose I either want a solid insulated super light weight manual roof or an electric roof that can't break

Given those things don't really exist I suppose because I live in Scotland and it's my daily driver I'd prefer the warm electric roof

Cornwall1888 wrote:Listening to everyone's points I suppose I either want a solid insulated super light weight manual roof or an electric roof that can't break

Just had my motor relocated to the boot as it had failed whilst not being used over the winter. Didn't need a new one as the original just wanted freeing off. The guy that did it said he had done a lot of them recently and had managed to get all the motors to work without replacement. I really don't think I will have any more issues now the motor is not bathing in rainwater

Yorkie Z wrote:It's a BMW!!! Manual roofs are for peasants dear boy

Oi, my E30 has a manual roof !
I love it, even though it takes about 3 minutes to put down, and 1 minute to put up. I do have an electric aerial though

I loved the manual roof of my mx-5 & i do love the powered roof of my Z4. Nothing beats getting the roof down in a second or 2, but don't have to reach somewhere in the back to get the roof up again is also worth it.

cj10jeeper wrote:

Huz-z wrote:Doesn't the manual roof Z4 have a lighter construction roof material? For example, I don't think the insulating material is as heavy, which makes manual roof operation easier than it would be if the car had a roof identical to that on a power top car.

Yes - much lighter and doesn't have any insulation. UK are all powered and believe in the US that powered is an option

Correct, no insulation and no liner. I've only ever seen one and in order to get a manual roof you had to have the basic model with almost no options. Very few were sold with manual roofs.

The original Fiat 124 was the one with the wonder roof - open the catch and dump it behind you, or reach back and pull it up and latch it while waiting at a stop light.

My MGC with a top that stows in the boot means you need to find a bridge to park under and have a helper to do the mechano set erection procedure, or else you end up running around the car like a dervish doing up alternate sides.

If you want to feel really smug over how easy a Z4 roof is I know someone who actually bought one of these
Not sure what happens when it rains and the side bars are at home

https://youtu.be/VAxIDSFLuqA?t=48s

Ewazix wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:01 pm If you want to feel really smug over how easy a Z4 roof is I know someone who actually bought one of these
Not sure what happens when it rains and the side bars are at home

https://youtu.be/VAxIDSFLuqA?t=48s

Words fail me. I thought my E30 roof was slow (but I still love it).
If you are worried about roof speeds and rain there is a simple approach - if you keep moving above about 30mph the rain blows over the top anyway so you stay dry. If you have to stop eg at traffic lights put up your golfing umbrella until the lights turn green. I learnt this when I spent six months with a Spitfire with no roof - no hardtop and no softtop.