[BayAreaBimmers]

We've been thinking about trading in our F33 440i, but my CA says that BMW is discontinuing hard top convertibles, and now I don't know that I want to get rid of her.

Has anyone else heard this?

[bimmerfile]

Yes, like Audi and Mercedes, there will be no more BMW hardtop convertibles. The upcoming new 4-series convertible will be a ragtop. Lots of pics of it (in camo) can already be seen on the internet.

[Tuxedo]

all top down BMW's will hold 2 sets of golf clubs in the trunk and hard tops can't accomplish this.
Closing the trunk onto something stored to big then next use damaged the top and car gets $12,000+ repair estimate tho rare is real.

[ntg44]

Meh. Hard top verts never look as good as the coupes anyways, and the newer coupes have giant sunroofs now. The newer soft tops insulate really well too, don’t see it as much of an issue.

[yco]

may sound weird but i dont feel safe on high speeds with soft top if you like to keep it closed.. feels a bit wobbly on the roof doesnt feel right in some way..

[BayAreaBimmers]

Originally Posted by yco

may sound weird but i dont feel safe on high speeds with soft top if you like to keep it closed.. feels a bit wobbly on the roof doesnt feel right in some way..

Hear what's being said about the trunk space (though I tend to have no issue putting my golf clubs in the back seat), and the looks (though it's subjective: while coupes May look most sleek, I think that the hard top is significantly better looking than the ragtop, especially over time).

I think it's marginally safer, noticeably quieter, better looking, and the mechanics of the roof going down make it special. I can't tell you how many people stop and tell me they didn't realize it was a convertible, or to just watch the top change.

The other difference for me, as someone who lives downtown, is the theft/vandalism aspect...for some reason, people seem to enjoy slicing into convertible roof tops around here. Both my friends with convertibles have had this happen in the last 18 months, with nothing in the car to steal.

Sounds like I'm late to the game, and new to the forums, but I'm sad about it for sure.

[Moonbat]

I had a 335i convertible and they're much quieter on the highway than a ragtop. Bad move by BMW.

[chiro444]

I had a soft top previously and it was much louder with the top up, especially on the freeway compared to my E93.

[BayAreaBimmers]

Originally Posted by chiro444

I had a soft top previously and it was much louder with the top up, especially on the freeway compared to my E93.

Same. Obviously, I don't know about mechanical problems, how many BMW sold, etc, but it just feels like they're making the 4 series worse... it was the only reason I didn't get a 6 to begin with.

[DPelletier]

I think the move to soft tops is mostly positive; less weight, lower center of gravity and better trunk space. I had an SLK and an F type at the same time and much preferred the soft top on the F type....the ht on the SLK was a cool novelty but that was about it. I almost bought an M4 'vert a couple years ago....until i saw the weight! Fixed roof cars are fine but my fun cars are convertible only. ...i saw the move to a soft top on the new z4 to be an improvement.

2 cents
Dave

[BayAreaBimmers]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

I think the move to soft tops is mostly positive; less weight, lower center of gravity and better trunk space. I had an SLK and an F type at the same time and much preferred the soft top on the F type....the ht on the SLK was a cool novelty but that was about it. I almost bought an M4 'vert a couple years ago....until i saw the weight! Fixed roof cars are fine but my fun cars are convertible only. ...i saw the move to a sodt top on the new z4 to be an improvement.

2 cents
Dave

Agree with you on convertibles being more fun. Just feels like a hardtop is two cars in one, and, for my money, prefer it for all the reasons above. As a California transplant, the convertible is living the dream. There's a 4-5 year old Bentley in our building, and the folds in the top look terrible already.

I don't think there are any other 4 seat convertible on the market going fwd... Chrysler Sebring? 😰

My 2 year old loves mama's sky car.

[..Rush..]

Personally, I rather like the look of my ragtop E88

[BayAreaBimmers]

Always a fan of black on white.

This is not a thread to rag on ragtops, and I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone... Do think you have a few extra creases I'd be OCD about and (maybe it's just because of all the sun in California), but they often just look worn. My cousin is on his 3rd top on '05 E46.

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by BayAreaBimmers

Always a fan of black on white.

This is not a thread to rag on ragtops, and I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone... Do think you have a few extra creases I'd be OCD about and (maybe it's just because of all the sun in California), but they often just look worn. My cousin is on his 3rd top on '05 E46.

Probably depends on climate and storage; my 2014 Jag top is as new but it is stored in a climate controlled garage.

Dave

[BayAreaBimmers]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

Probably depends on climate and storage; my 2014 Jag top is as new but it is stored in a climate controlled garage.

Dave

Certainly, the environment matters. Think the amount of times you raise/lower the top makes a difference too.

I'd even pay more for a hardtop option, were it offered.

[..Rush..]

Couldn't agree with you more!
My car has seen a few seasons, so, yes it's showing a little age (like me lol)

Originally Posted by BayAreaBimmers

Always a fan of black on white.

This is not a thread to rag on ragtops, and I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone... Do think you have a few extra creases I'd be OCD about and (maybe it's just because of all the sun in California), but they often just look worn. My cousin is on his 3rd top on '05 E46.

[pz619]

I think a lot of you are thinking about the ragtops of yesteryear. Rolls Royce uses ragtops and no one thinks those are loud inside. If you take care of it it should be fine. As for a rollover, the car will almost certainly be protected in the form of pop up roll bars.

[BayAreaBimmers]

One thing I think is nearly universally true: They look fantastic topless

[BayAreaBimmers]

Originally Posted by pz619

I think a lot of you are thinking about the ragtops of yesteryear. Rolls Royce uses ragtops and no one thinks those are loud inside. If you take care of it it should be fine. As for a rollover, the car will almost certainly be protected in the form of pop up roll bars.

I've not been in a Rolls, so I can't comment, but I don't think I've ever seen one going faster than 30 MPH either

Had an opportunity to drive a friends S5 convertible (believe was 2017), and it wasn't quite as quiet, but the dealbreaker for me was when I parked it, and a bird did its thing...cleaning the top looks like a PIA too...

[GenXer]

Having owned many hard and soft top convertible MB500SL, MBCLK430, VWCabrio, VWEos, BMW318i, Audi A4, Chevy Camaro, Mazda Miata. The biggest differences are severe weather, wear and tear and possibly theft. If kept in good condition, they seal just as well and remain just as quiet.

[GenXer]

I test drove a certified soft top M235i Xdrive this past week and I love it. The only thing is the dealer said I can't cancel my extended service contract on my X1 and it stays with the vehicle which made my payoff $2000 higher than it should be.

[tranquility]

I don't get this move to rags, looks worse and for the Z4, the trunk is surprisingly smaller than the older version.