Random commentary about convertibles

[tranquility]

I guess I'm preaching to the choir since we all have one. For me, I wanted a Z4 but it only came in hardtop convertible. I may have gone for a coupe if there was a choice and actually was disappointed that they phased out the 1st gen since I loved its size.

This is my first convertible and I enjoy the top down but definitely not more than probably most of you. I don't get ppl putting it down in the blazing sun but there are many ppl who love to use it in that way as much as possible, and, hey, more power to them.

I do love overcast days having the top down but it's not really to get the wind on me...not a fan of that, but rather so I can hear the exhaust more. I don't care too much about the more 'openness'. Maybe I'm not a true convertible fan.

One annoyance I see are when ppl put their front windows down and leave their smaller rear ones up, it just looks so nasty and that mini-triangle is gonna poke someone's eye out haha.

Whenever the wife is in the car, it's a bit of a miff since all my windows are down and hers are up (I notice this for many couples riding in convertibles), I guess it's many due to fear of their usually longer hair messing up. Still, I'd prefer all windows down, car just looks weird w 1/2 up and other 1/2 down.

I dunno if my next one is going to be a convertible. I think maybe I'm still more of a coupe guy.

Ok, enough of my musing for today. If you made it this far, tx for reading haha.

[paris1]

My pet pieve is windows up with top down in any configuration. If you're buying a roadster and you plan on dropping the top then ferChrist's sake put the windows down as well. To do otherwise just screams "I bought this damn car to look cool, but I really can't stand the wind in my hair!"

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by paris1

My pet pieve is windows up with top down in any configuration. If you're buying a roadster and you plan on dropping the top then ferChrist's sake put the windows down as well. To do otherwise just screams "I bought this damn car to look cool, but I really can't stand the wind in my hair!"

I get your pt but on highways that a no-go for me (surely you will permit this exception?). Crazy turbulence.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I get your pt but on highways that a no-go for me (surely you will permit this exception?). Crazy turbulence.

That's why God made hats (and BMW supplied the wind-blocker)!

[B21]

Originally Posted by paris1

My pet pieve is windows up with top down in any configuration. If you're buying a roadster and you plan on dropping the top then ferChrist's sake put the windows down as well. To do otherwise just screams "I bought this damn car to look cool, but I really can't stand the wind in my hair!"

I agree the car looks prettier all clean but in other parts of the world (Scotland almost any time of year) if you can enjoy higher road speeds then the turbulence and cold would render a 300 mile driving day infeasible.

On a nice sunny warm day (rare) I have the windows down on my local potter to the shops..but that’s a 7 mile trip at a max speed of 50 mph…

So what’s the priority…. looking cool and only using it for a few days of year or looking slightly less cool but doing 10k miles PA…all with the top down..

[surfwooder]

Be happy you own and drive a Z4 that the top is not stuck up, 1/2 way up/down, or stuck in the trunk.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by paris1

That's why God made hats (and BMW supplied the wind-blocker)!

Haha, I don't like to wear hats. I sometimes wear a cap if I didn't bother to wash my hair and have to run an errand, that's about it.

To me, I think top down is perfect for city cruising, not at much higher speeds on highways (too noisy/windy and it's constant).

Originally Posted by B21

I agree the car looks prettier all clean but in other parts of the world (Scotland almost any time of year) if you can enjoy higher road speeds then the turbulence and cold would render a 300 mile driving day infeasible.

On a nice sunny warm day (rare) I have the windows down on my local potter to the shops..but that’s a 7 mile trip at a max speed of 50 mph…

So what’s the priority…. looking cool and only using it for a few days of year or looking slightly less cool but doing 10k miles PA…all with the top down..

I dunno about the cool part, I sometimes feel self-conscious w the top down. For me, I like the top down to hear the car more, the other stuff many ppl find exhilarating (openness, wind in hair, sun bearing down... ) I'm either neutral or don't like.

Originally Posted by surfwooder

Be happy you own and drive a Z4 that the top is not stuck up, 1/2 way up/down, or stuck in the trunk.

*fingers crossed* Just gotta do one's best to maintain...which I guess is lubricate, use it often, and eyeball all the wires, tubing, etc.

[tranquility]

I think you meant to post this in my other thread.

[B21]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I think you meant to post this in my other thread.

Oops sorted

[surfwooder]

Today, I was driving top down, on secondary roads near Concord. The town doesn't keep up sweeping two lane roads as they should. After a large dually passed me I got hit in my right eye with a small stone. Glad I was wearing my safety sun glasses. I think the turbulence over the windshield, with the visor down caused the hit. I didn't have my hat on at the time. I usually wear a ball cap, to prevent a sun burned scalp. I don't have much hair on top to stop the rays.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by surfwooder

Today, I was driving top down, on secondary roads near Concord. The town doesn't keep up sweeping two lane roads as they should. After a large dually passed me I got hit in my right eye with a small stone. Glad I was wearing my safety sun glasses. I think the turbulence over the windshield, with the visor down caused the hit. I didn't have my hat on at the time. I usually wear a ball cap, to prevent a sun burned scalp. I don't have much hair on top to stop the rays.

Whoa, that was a freak accident, and something I'm kinda concerned about but seems very rare as we're quite covered/protected being right behind the windshield. Luckily, you had shades on. So the rock came in on the side? If you had your window up would it have hit that instead?

[ray7792]

Damn thats scary, wrong hit straight into the eye can really cause some damage.

I've had tiny stones jump up and hit my forehead a couple of times on highways and while it doesn't really hurt, it definitely carries a good amount of energy for a tiny pebble lol

I've been thinking about wearing earplugs recently, prolonged highway speeds with windows down can't be good for anyone.

Really stupid thing to do but, i had the top and windows down and hit 150mph the other week...ears were literally hurting after that. Certainly wasn't thinking straight when I made that decision lol

[bryanhoag]

I had a very large bug hit the inside edge of the driver side door mirror and splatter all over my face once. It was disgusting and hurt like hell. I guess that could have happened in a non-convertible too. This was in a Z3.

[bigendbob]

I had top down driving home.
To my right i saw three geese in formation flight and thought how amazing, the way they fly in formation.
Then thought they are going to cross me further down the road, they were flying on a constant relative bearing.
I thought what if they poo on me?
Well one did.
Dead centre of passenger seat.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by bigendbob

I had top down driving home.
To my right i saw three geese in formation flight and thought how amazing, the way they fly in formation.
Then thought they are going to cross me further down the road, they were flying on a constant relative bearing.
I thought what if they poo on me?
Well one did.
Dead centre of passenger seat.

Oh crap, literally. Light seats too. Hope you cleaned it off right away.

[paris1]

Think about the alternative; could'a been LHD!