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Hard Top For A 330ci Convert?

16138 Views 23 Replies 8 Participants Last post by bion, Jan 4, 2022

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · Apr 28, 2002

The thought has cross my mind to get a hardtop for my 330ci convertable this upcomming winter. If anyone has had a hardtop put on there 330ci or 328ci I would like some feedback on how it looks and if you are satisfied with it. I personally like the look of the hardtop but i dont know if i am going to loose somthing or gain somthing from getting one. ALSO if you know where i can get one besides my bmw dealer.

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #2 · Apr 28, 2002

I've seen one and it looked really good on a hellrot Cic.
I'm afraid I don't have any direct experience with a 3'er convertible hard top, BUT, I have a fair amount of experience with an SL500.

The only downside I've seen is that it adds a little weight. You bought a convertible in the first place, so that can't be that big a deal.

On the SL, it noticably improved chassis flex and made driving FAR more pleasant. I would say go for it.

I'm afraid that the only convertible I myself would buy is the SLK230 with a 6 speed. Retractable hard top AND a manual transmission is the only way I would tolerate one.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 28, 2002

Dont get me wrong i love the convertable and all for summer but when you look at a soft top convertable with its roof up compared to a hardtop. the slk230 is the only convertable i can think of that is a hardtop convertable but the car itself i am not a big fan of. its too slow and too small (not enough leg room for me, the 330 has much more when you put the seat all the way back like i do). And i originaly got the idea from a sl500 (my uncles) but he has a glass hardtop for the winter (it looks like a regualr hardtop but once you get in the car its clear.... Tinted i guess)

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #4 · Apr 28, 2002

My mother bought the first glass top SL500 that EuroMotorcars got in in '97. It's really nice, but it's also ****ing heavy.

I readily agree that the SLK is a bit of a pig... But I would never get a convertible as my daily driver... And I have very pressure sensitive ears. Ragtops make my ears hurt.

As far as leg room goes, you drive an autmoatic, so I suppose it's different for you. I like to sit as far forward and up as I can.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 28, 2002

By any chance do you also know what the hardtops go for? Also with the sl500 when summer comes they bring it to the benz dealer and they remove the hardtop and store it for him untill winter... does bmw offer the same service?

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #6 · Apr 28, 2002

I've never heard of a Benz dealer storing the hardtop. We never asked, though.

There is NO way in hell that BMW would offer this kind of service, though. At least not without chargin an exorbitant fee.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 28, 2002

I was just loking at somthing called EZ-Top (www.eztop.com). They offer an electronic device wich removes and ataches the hard top back on for about $700 and they have manual ones for alot less. Have you ever heard of them?

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #8 · Apr 28, 2002

Do you have a friend who could help you with this? I understand that the 3'er top is NOT that heavy... A posting months back about a guy and his 98 lbs. girlfirend have no trouble taking the hardtop off comes to mind.

If you're thinking about spending so much money on it just to get a hardtop and you're desperate for convenience, maybe you should trade for a 330Ci and pick up an old E36 or E30 convertible fore when it's ACTUALLY nice out.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 28, 2002

Well i dont know about buying a 3rd car. Its bad enough that im single with no kids and have 2 cars. Out of the 2 i only drive the bmw. The other one has been sitting outside for about 2 months and hasnt been moven anywhere except on the days i blow out my tires. I would like to get rid of the car buts its a lease and im stuck with it untill october 2003 (another year and a 1/2). Hey by the way your age diffrence is not to far off from mine. I have a problem where people dont belive me that my car is actually mine.... they think its my parents or somthing... That ever happen to you?

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #10 · Apr 28, 2002

Sadly, I'm still doing the school thing, so my income is negligible. The car was a gift.

Have you considered trying to get someone to assume your lease? Even if they won't take the full payment, you'd still save something, not to mention insurance.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 28, 2002

Yeah i Tried but no one wants the car... Most of my friends are broke because they are still in school and the rest of them have cars. Its not expensive or anything its just i dont need it... its a 2000 eclipse, it also wasnt my car in the first place it was my aunts but she got an slk230 and she didnt want it and i was in need of a car at the time so i took it over..... the car only has 12000 miles on it (only 5000 that i put on it). Besides that i hate jap cars... i would rather drive an american car then a jap car. Jap cars seem only good if you want a cheap car that you can modify and then race.... and there not even that good for that. I know a few kids with modified jap cars (like civics) and even though my cars an automatic i can still take them easly.

Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 28, 2002

Actually let me change one thing on that! there is one jap car i had that i liked... my old subaru SVX. Was a good car to me and was quick (220 hp)

Nick325xiT 5spd

· #13 · Apr 28, 2002

My Dad drives a WRX and it is FUN!

johnlew

· #14 · Apr 29, 2002

Oh yes, definitely want one.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HARDTOP PICS

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Gadgets

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 30, 2002

johnlew said:
Oh yes, definitely want one.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HARDTOP PICS

Hey where did you get your hardtop? or did your car come with it direct from factory? How would you rate the hard top for noise reduction, weight added (does it slow you down alot) and for easy removal and attaching?

THANKS!

AND By The Way It looks Sweet!

obLu

· #16 · Apr 30, 2002

Consider the weather first...

Here in the NW the weather's sporatic so if I'd gotten the hard top there'd have been quite a few days this winter when I'd have missed some prime top down driving. But my magic number is 48; as long as the sun is shining if it's 48 degrees the top is down.

Love the lines of the hard top though.

One other thing to consider, I notice when I have my top down for extended periods of time I get rub marks in a few spots. Anybody else? Put the top up and they stretch back out, but kind of curious how the cloth top would look after an entire winter folded.

Cabriolet

· #17 · May 1, 2002

I thought about buying the hard top but at about $4000 CDN with taxes, I decided to forget it. It turns out that I stored the car for the winter months in my garage anyway. If you live in a climate that does not permit the top down for the winter this is a good alternative. I also saved the cost of an extra set of wheels and winter tires that I would have bought. If you add up the hard top, wheels, and winter tires, you can buy a reasonably reliable winter beater. With storing the car, I keep my mileage down, my car is saved the ravages of salt, snow and the possibility of an ice or snowy road collision plus the excitement of getting back into the car again in the spring. It's almost like getting the car all over again. I was like a little kid at Christmas this spring as I awaited the sunny weather and the chance to drive the car in the sunshine. Just another alternative.

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johnlew

· #18 · May 1, 2002

Gadgets said:
Hey where did you get your hardtop? or did your car come with it direct from factory? How would you rate the hard top for noise reduction, weight added (does it slow you down alot) and for easy removal and attaching?

THANKS!

AND By The Way It looks Sweet!

Dealer, $2500 about installed, needs some adaption hardware, not OEM. Easy on/off, my wife and I do it. Top 88 pounds total.

Get it OEM for $2295

PCDawg

· #19 · May 1, 2002

I have a friend that has the hardtop and he said its like a brand new car when he took it off for the winter. He got a good deal with it and even the hardtop push-cart holder.

One thing to make sure u dont do....dont go through the auto car wash wit the hardtop.....it'll leak at the front

johnlew

· #20 · May 1, 2002

PCDawg said:
I have a friend that has the hardtop and he said its like a brand new car when he took it off for the winter. He got a good deal with it and even the hardtop push-cart holder.

One thing to make sure u dont do....dont go through the auto car wash wit the hardtop.....it'll leak at the front

:dunno: I only go through automatics in the winter time with the hardtop on and the ONLY leak I have is very slight between the front and rear side windows. Oh, this is in a touchless with the water pressure at 1000 psi. :dunno:

He better have his fit checked out. I have the same and only leak with the ragtop.

It is like a new car putting the top on or taking it off.

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