Z3 M Roadster

[Midgetmagoo]

Is it worth investing in a hardtop? Also, when do they need the cam belt changing is it 40k or 60k

[JamieBeeston]

I havent got a hardtop, and personally dont see the point.

The 996 Cab I had, came with a hardtop, and Imho it looked wrong, just wrong.

It was nice with it on, but a PITA to store, and not that much better than without it.

For a Few K, I can think of other things that would be better spent on.

Its summer now, and winter... well depends if you have a second car / plan to keep her over winter.

If you have the space, and the cash.. why not.

But IMHO, just use the car, and then if needed replace the rear screen, and save yourself £1k.

[Raify]

I thought all BMW's had timing chains not belts?

[forever_driving]

I had a hardtop, great for winter, keeps the heat in better and keeps the rear window clear. It also imporives the handling slighty, I only realised that once I sold it last month.

The only real problem is having somewhere to store it in the summer months.

[Midgetmagoo]

Raify said:

I thought all BMW's had timing chains not belts?

.......and do they need changing????

[The Admiral]

Some people say you should change them at 120,000 miles, but I'm not sure what the official line is.

I've just totalled my MR, including rolling on to it's roof

Despite this, I wouldn't recommend a hard top - the standard soft top is very well insulated and refined - the only annoyance is the plastic rear window. And even on a cold day the top can be put down in 15s for any 30mins of sun which happens 8)

p.s. anyone with an MR who wants a Strong Strut Rear Brace, let me know - it's in the post to me from USA and I have little use for it now...

[AllTorque]

The Admiral said:

Some people say you should change them at 120,000 miles, but I'm not sure what the official line is. I've just totalled my MR, including rolling on to it's roof Despite this, I wouldn't recommend a hard top - the standard soft top is very well insulated and refined - the only annoyance is the plastic rear window. And even on a cold day the top can be put down in 15s for any 30mins of sun which happens 8) p.s. anyone with an MR who wants a Strong Strut Rear Brace, let me know - it's in the post to me from USA and I have little use for it now...

Jesus Admiral - what happened?

[hornyphil]

I've always had a hardtop on my Z and M Roadster. For the winter it makes the car warm and cosy and it looks great. Also quieter.
Storage is a pain though.

[forever_driving]

AllTorque said:

The Admiral said: Some people say you should change them at 120,000 miles, but I'm not sure what the official line is. I've just totalled my MR, including rolling on to it's roof Despite this, I wouldn't recommend a hard top - the standard soft top is very well insulated and refined - the only annoyance is the plastic rear window. And even on a cold day the top can be put down in 15s for any 30mins of sun which happens 8) p.s. anyone with an MR who wants a Strong Strut Rear Brace, let me know - it's in the post to me from USA and I have little use for it now... Jesus Admiral - what happened?

Seconded, what happened? I'm glad that you're ok and well enough to post here

[Midgetmagoo]

forever_driving said:

AllTorque said: The Admiral said: Some people say you should change them at 120,000 miles, but I'm not sure what the official line is. I've just totalled my MR, including rolling on to it's roof Despite this, I wouldn't recommend a hard top - the standard soft top is very well insulated and refined - the only annoyance is the plastic rear window. And even on a cold day the top can be put down in 15s for any 30mins of sun which happens 8) p.s. anyone with an MR who wants a Strong Strut Rear Brace, let me know - it's in the post to me from USA and I have little use for it now... Jesus Admiral - what happened? Seconded, what happened? I'm glad that you're ok and well enough to post here

.....so what happened and are you OK

[JamieBeeston]

The Admiral said:

Thanks guys! Yes, I think the strong construction of Roadie saved my life... Went to see him for final goodbyes on Wednesday and he is totally destroyed - managed to salvage one of his side streaks with ///M badge for the garage wall... Basically I was driving home on a road I know pretty well - there was a heavy April shower, hence the roof up, and as I came round a corner, Roadie spun out, hitting a dry stone dyke. He hit it almost side on, then slid accross the top of it skateboard style before flipping on to his roof... I had to climb out up through the passenger's window. Obviously very shaken up at the time, and very sad about his demise now, but amazed that the only injury I have is a small graze on my little finger - nothing else... Very lucky... The Police on the way to the scene almost crahsed their diesel Astra because the surface was so treacherous at the corner - there had been a vehicle leaking diesel all down the road by the looks of it > And that, with the shower made the surface lethal. At least I wasn't on my Ducati, I suppose... Have decided to buy a more chilled out car - have just collected a '92 4.0 XJS in Kingfisher Blue to loaf about in - Splendid We have a Nissan 200 S13 for track day use and I might get a proper race car later in the year - we'll see... All my friends were "you'll not be able to drive" etc, but I kept my appointment at Knockhill on Wednesday to drive a 450bhp AC Cobra and a wee Elise - got the top marks for my driving from the instructor which I found reassuring that maybe the accident wasn't all my fault... Thanks again for your concern - I may return to M3 land sometime - have kept my M3 OOH ER plate just in case... Cheers Rog

[forever_driving]

Holy moly!

That's 'proper' serious stuff. Only a broken finger? Just shows you how safe modern cars are, especially BMWs.

I spent a few minutes last weekend taking photos of my bodywork where some kids had keyed it. These photos have made me realise that someone keying your car is NOTHING compared to this.

Again, glad you're ok.