Soft top car owners - do you have a garage?

Raymond Lin · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:40

It's all part of the research into Z4 idea...

Just wondering those peeps with a soft top, do you have a garage to keep the car in, especially during the winter? I can't imagine all the weight of the snow would be good for the roof structure and fabric.

Alibaba99 · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:43

My Elise lives outdoors, as it did with the previous owner and the one before that. I'm sure a Z4 can cope.

sigma · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:43

No need for a garage, it'll be fine.

Raymond Lin · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:45

Another question, when buying a soft top, i guess the owner/garage wouldn't mind you to put a few buckets of water on the roof to check for leaks?

Vigoro · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:50

I don't keep my car in a garage, and the snow wasnt a problem on the roof, as i can clear it off if i think it is getting too heavy

sigma · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:51

Hang on a minute while I go and interview all soft-top car owners.

Raymond Lin · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:52

sigma said:
Hang on a minute while I go and interview all soft-top car owners.

Thanks!

[TW]Fox · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:53

My parents Z4 sits in the garage when not in use, with the roof down. Infact, the roof is barely ever up. It's a pretty rubbish car with the roof up to be fair.

Hxc · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:54

MX5 will be in the garage come winter, mainly because I won't be here to use it.
Tempted to buy a hardtop to make it nicer day to day for when I am back for the sake of a couple of hundred quid.

Sin_Chase · 12 Jul 2011 at 23:18

Mine is a daily and sits outside, daily.

MrMason · 12 Jul 2011 at 23:24

We (had) 3 Z4/Z4M soft tops on the drive, and none have ever been garaged. It's not a problem.

You will find that after a while you might get a bit of mould on the roof, but if you keep up a regular cleaning routine you won't have any issues.

Sagalout · 12 Jul 2011 at 23:24

As a soft top owner, I do have a garage.....which I keep my bikes in.

As for snow, my Boxster was burried under this lot for a week

Jacob (: · 12 Jul 2011 at 23:39

I have to put a cover on my car to stop it leaking

..until someone stole my cover last week

DAnDan · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:04

MrMason said:
We (had) 3 Z4/Z4M soft tops on the drive, and none have ever been garaged. It's not a problem.

You will find that after a while you might get a bit of mould on the roof, but if you keep up a regular cleaning routine you won't have any issues.

Off topic, but why put brackets around "had"?

Fr0dders · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:06

You only just bought the yaris !

Knew it wouldn't take you to succumb to the charms of owning a decent motor

Raymond Lin · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:08

MrLOL said:
You only just bought the yaris !

Knew it wouldn't take you to succumb to the charms of owning a decent motor

I am not buying it until next spring at the earliest with 1 NCB, then will see how much insurance is then. Also saving up for a deposit on a house so will see about funds in 12 months' time.

But it can't hurt to learn about things

DAnDan · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:11

But how are you going to get the ST if you get the Z4?

ColourPurple · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:25

My MG MGF lives outside in all weathers. The weight of five or so inches of snow over the past few winters did not appear to have any adverse affects. Mould is the main risk if waterproofing has worn off and the hool isn't cleaned frequently enough. On cars with plastic rear screens the screen can become brittle and crack easily at lower temperatures, though obviously not applicable to the Z4.

MrMason · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:26

DAnDan said:
Off topic, but why put brackets around "had"?

I've moved, and another guy sold his - so there is only 1 left on that drive

nothing sinister..

Raymond Lin · 13 Jul 2011 at 00:29

DAnDan said:
But how are you going to get the ST if you get the Z4?

No ST

(i come to the realisation that although i do like the ST, i could never live with or live down the Boy Racer label

)

Z4 is more fun and a proper sports car