[todd hollander]

This is a pic of a new 4 series trunk with the top down and folded into the trunk.
There is almost room enough for a small suitcase, better yet a briefcase! The extra room in the 2 'vert is one of the major reasons we chose it over the 4.

[Cyberdemon]

We test drove the 4 and 2 verts back to back. The non-sport trim 4 drove like a boat, and when we asked what the small switch on the trunk lid did (Mercedes has a similar button on the SL that will lift the hard top out of the way to allow you to stick stuff in and out) the CA pressed it, and proceeded to break the car. Trunk wouldn't close, top wouldn't go up. They had to pull it into a service bay, not sure how they got it up.

That reminded me it was more complexity then I needed, and the 2 drove so much better it was an easy sell. The trunk easily has enough room for beach gear and that's all we need when the top is down.

[TXSoxFan]

I was glad to find that I can fit my golf back in the back of my 2 vert, as well as the shoes and a small suitcase with the top down. Plus the backseat can also add a lot of extra storage room (since fitting people back there is almost impossible...)

[sstarrx3]

Yes but that 4 series vert sure is pretty. Saw an M4 vert at the dealership the other day getting my oil changed. It was stunning. If I was to get a vert it would have to be a hardtop vert. Even the most fastidious owner has a hard time keeping those softies looking nice for very long. I seldom see one that doesnt look old and worn out except on very new cars. That extra trunk space is a big plus for sure though.

[todd hollander]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Yes but that 4 series vert sure is pretty. Saw an M4 vert at the dealership the other day getting my oil changed. It was stunning. If I was to get a vert it would have to be a hardtop vert. Even the most fastidious owner has a hard time keeping those softies looking nice for very long. I seldom see one that doesnt look old and worn out except on very new cars. That extra trunk space is a big plus for sure though.

I had a 911 cabrio for 5 years and all it takes to keep the top like new is an application of Raggtop every 2 years or so depending on how your top looks and it's exposure to the elements.
No affiliation with this product!
http://www.amazon.com/RAGGTOPP-Conve...ywords=raggtop

[Kiwi]

Agree and this was a reason we never traded in our Z4 soft-top for the Z4 hardtop. Looking forward to our 2 series convertible delivery next month. Plus I don't like the hardtop look as a soft-top is a real true looking convertible.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

I had a 911 cabrio for 5 years and all it takes to keep the top like new is an application of Raggtop every 2 years or so depending on how your top looks and it's exposure to the elements.
No affiliation with this product!
http://www.amazon.com/RAGGTOPP-Conve...ywords=raggtop

Seems majority gave it good reviews but they always list the bad to mediocre reviews first.

[MG 228i]

4 series vert looks so good though!

[shark715]

I'll offer the opposing viewpoint :-)

I own a 911 cabrio (soft top) and an SLK55 (retractable hardtop). When the tops are closed, the Porsche is quiet for a soft top (well insulated), but it can't match how quiet a retractable hardtop is. I don't mind hearing road noise when the top is down, but don't care to listen to it when the top is up.

That being said, I have to keep all the seals on the Mercedes top well lubricated, or it tends to creak and groan when the weather is colder.

I will be ordering a 235 xdrive convertible when they are available for order in the next few weeks. If BMW offered an optional retractable hardtop (a la Miata) I would likely order it despite the extra weight as I'm not going to be tracking the car.

But they don't, and my GF prefers the size of the 2 versus the 4, so the 2 it's going to be.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Yes but that 4 series vert sure is pretty. Saw an M4 vert at the dealership the other day getting my oil changed. It was stunning. If I was to get a vert it would have to be a hardtop vert. Even the most fastidious owner has a hard time keeping those softies looking nice for very long. I seldom see one that doesnt look old and worn out except on very new cars. That extra trunk space is a big plus for sure though.

Total nonsense.
Had my Z4 for 6 years and my 2008 1er ragtop for 7 years and the tops on both still looked like new.
As someone else mentioned, periodic use of Raggtopp convertible top fabric cleaner and protectant, will keep that top looking new for many years.

[angler]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Total nonsense.
Had my Z4 for 6 years and my 2008 1er ragtop for 7 years and the tops on both still looked like new.
As someone else mentioned, periodic use of Raggtopp convertible top fabric cleaner and protectant, will keep that top looking new for many years.

+1 I have had Ragtops most of my life its easy to keep them looking good for years. Also, I think they look much better then the hardtop convertibles. The lines on the hardtops always bothered me, they seem awkward IMO.

[sstarrx3]

Originally Posted by angler

+1 I have had Ragtops most of my life its easy to keep them looking good for years. Also, I think they look much better then the hardtop convertibles. The lines on the hardtops always bothered me, they seem awkward IMO.

Verts in general look awkward with the top up.

[angler]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Verts in general look awkward with the top up.

I agree that some ragtops look awkward but I have never seen a hardtop that I didn't think was ugly.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Agree and this was a reason we never traded in our Z4 soft-top for the Z4 hardtop. Looking forward to our 2 series convertible delivery next month. Plus I don't like the hardtop look as a soft-top is a real true looking convertible.

Yes indeed.

I am excited to see your car once it arrives from the stork.

[caycep]

this is some sort of general truth, i suppose. Like what ppl usually say about a standard miata vs. the PHRT

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Total nonsense.
Had my Z4 for 6 years and my 2008 1er ragtop for 7 years and the tops on both still looked like new.
As someone else mentioned, periodic use of Raggtopp convertible top fabric cleaner and protectant, will keep that top looking new for many years.

I second this. I have a 08 1er Convertible in the top looks fantastic after all these years.

Yes I take care of it but the care is minimal.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

I second this. I have a 08 1er Convertible in the top looks fantastic after all these years.

Yes I take care of it but the care is minimal.

I used BMW top cleaner/sealer every year and it worked perfect as my Z4 looked like new years later as well less then 12 seconds to open or close the soft-top.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by todd hollander

This is a pic of a new 4 series trunk with the top down and folded into the trunk.
There is almost room enough for a small suitcase, better yet a briefcase! The extra room in the 2 'vert is one of the major reasons we chose it over the 4.

Even my old Z4 held 2 sets of golf clubs with the soft top down. Try that with any hard top convertible!!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Even my old Z4 held 2 sets of golf clubs with the soft top down. Try that with any hard top convertible!!

Love it.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Even the most fastidious owner has a hard time keeping those softies looking nice for very long. I seldom see one that doesnt look old and worn out except on very new cars. .

Disagree. We are wash it whenever people when it comes to cars. The last rag top before the 135is was a 2004 that went till 2014 parked outside 100%. Top had no visible wear when it was sold.

Only specific care was not to put it down wet.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Even my old Z4 held 2 sets of golf clubs with the soft top down. Try that with any hard top convertible!!

Actually the clubs shown would fit in my SLK with the top down, but you would have to put the clubs in the trunk before retracting the top.

[angelbones]

I'm going to be a bit of naysayer but preface it by saying that all reasons listed to get a soft top are very valid and I won't argue with them. However, as a previou owners of 2 hardtops: a Miata and a Lexus, and several softops, such as a Volvo, an Audi, and Mustang, among others, I prefer the hardtops any day. Regarding looks, I actually like the fact that it looks like a coupe, and you don't have to deal with the waved look of your top when it's up. Practicality, while trunk space is worse when down, that usually only applies when down (actually the Miata didn't sacrifice any trunk space with its hardtop, but it was a small trunk to begin with). The major plus side to the practicality issue, though, is the much reduced sound levels in hardtops. Another major difference is never having to worry about an accidental or intentional cutting of the top. Further, while I see some have had no problems, I have seen mine and other tops wear out at flex points. Not every single soft top, but at least in a hardtop, it's not a worry. The bigger worry is the sheer complexity of the hardtop mechanics, but so long as you're not keeping it for 10 years, I wouldn't worry. An additional factor is that hardtops usually have a much smaller blind spot than a soft top. The Bimmers quite frankly are not that good when it comes to this point. Finally, cleaning bird poop, or other stains, is much easier on a hardtop than on a softtop.

Now, all that said, will we be considering the 2 series vert when the lease is up?: of course we are.