Buy a Vert with no Garage?

Hey guys, quick question for you. I'm finally picking up a 6 series after years of driving a pos that a nasty divorce left me with

I live in San Diego, and don't have a garage. I was wondering if discoleration of the ragtop is an issue at all since I can't keep it housed indoors. This will be my primary vehicle too, but I'm thinking of keeping my clunker for small day to day chores. I doubt I'll ever want to drive it again though

Thanks in advance!

No first-hand knowledge as mine is in the garage and parking deck, but in looking at used 2007 models when I bought mine six months ago, I really didn't see any discolored or faded tops. With your nice fairly dry weather in SoCal, you should be good, but if you're worried about fading, just go with a car cover for the sun.

Thanks Greg. I also live right next to the ocean. Sand and Dust could potentially be a problem as well. I absolutely love the verts, but I don't want to be in for a surprise either

yeah, if you've searched the other threads, then you know that the vert tops can be a little tempermental and problematic, even without salt, sand/dust, sun, etc. a good cover with undertie could still be a help if you went ahead.

Hi, I have a BMW external cover, which is designed to fit the vehicle. As my car will not fit in my garage I have used it through the winter and will do the same through the summer. It is a great piece of kit, very light in weight and when you know how to fit it on the car, ( a little practice needed) it is extremely easy to live with and would recommend its use ( we are talking some 2 mins if that to fit)...... I imagine that it is very cheap to buy in the US as in the UK it costs some £230.
Just thought, the only slight downside is a windy day, but this can be overcome quite easily

You will be fine if you take care of the car properly. Since I bought my 6 for my wife and she is at work all day with no covered parking our car is exposed to the sun all day. When we got married and I gave her my Guards Red Boxster it was the same. After 10 years of ownership with a Red car it never faded a bit in the paint or top. Same after a year and a half with the Black bimmer outside 5 days a week all day. It looks brand new.

First, start using a nice polymer based wax sealant. The protection will last for 6 months. Use what you like but there are many products out there that work, just don't use carnuba wax from the auto store as it will melt off in a month. Four Star Products, Maguiars, there are a bunch of them. Pick one and stick with it. Everyone has an opinion of which is the best, I personally feel that the gap has closed between many of them so you can't go wrong.

I use Raggtop to keep the top looking nice. It has some UV protection, I just put it on once every couple of months. For the dash and leather seats I use Aerospace 303, it gives protection without the annoying shine and dust/hair/dirt attraction that ArmorAll has. Plus it provides UV protection. Everything in my car looks new despite it being in the sun all day.

I do have tinted windows but we do not use a sunshade in the window. At least you have the luxury of not having rain every stupid day of the week. The beautiful San Diego weather, while dry and dusty, with 70 degree weather, will be less abusive than my 95 and rain every day.

Good luck, you will love the car.

If you keep it clean, SoCal weather should not be a problem for your 6 vert. Congratulations as well!

You should be fine. Even though mine is in a garage, I've seen 04 models with the tops that looks as good as new. All you have to do is treat the top to keep it look good all year round. I do a once a year treatment with the BMW convertible top treatment kit but you can get other products out there that works just as well. Congrats on the new ride and glad to see you are recovering from the divorce

I would recommend two things:

1) Car cover (if possible)
2) Frequent applications of RaggTopp

Originally Posted by TopDownInFL

I would recommend two things:

1) Car cover (if possible)
2) Frequent applications of RaggTopp

[EDIT] = make that three things - protect the entire interior with 303 Aerospace protectant on every surface. You need to protect the interior from fading. This will help tremendously.

You will probably be fine. I live in NC and I have to have a garage. We get snow sometimes and I'm sure the weight of snow would be bad. We received 3 rounds of hail two weekends ago. I'm sure that would have done some damage to the top and the body.

You guys have all been great. Thanks for the feedback and excellent help! I'm looking at a few options and hopefully I'll end up with a vert, but I'll be happy either way

Dammit...i miss La Jollla and Birdrock...get the car..enjoy it...garage or not

agree about missing sunny san diego... need to get back for a round at Torrey Pines!

and Moondoggies afterward, if it's still there

Moondoggies is still around

Originally Posted by TopDownInFL

I would recommend two things:

1) Car cover (if possible)
2) Frequent applications of RaggTopp

+1. Should be ok with those. Good luck on the car!