Convertibles

Author
Discussion

driveaway

Original Poster:

88 posts

1 month

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
Hi, I wanted to buy a convertible (something like the Volvo C70 or Volkswagen EOS), but my garage strongly talked me out of it, saying that the ecu and motor faults amongst others make convertibles very costly..
Can anyone who owns one or has knowledge regarding them counter that?

cologne2792

2,134 posts

128 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
When the C70 first appeared it was being tested by a journalist who managed to break the roof while they were photographing it.
It then had to go back to Volvo who subsequently removed the roof to reallign it.

There's a chap in Warrington who specialises in BMW Zeds and he does a £1,500 preventative / fix for the E89 Z4 roof - or £4,500 from BMW.

I keep looking but the potential bankruptcy factor is rather large.

egor110

16,960 posts

205 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
The bmw motor is a pretty cheap fix , they just relocate the motor into the boot.

Jazoli

9,131 posts

252 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
We have had loads of convertibles and not had a single issue with either folding hard or soft tops, the Z4 fix mentioned can be done for about 300 quid with a used motor, you are worrying about nothing, cars have hundreds if not thousands of moving parts, any one of them could fail leaving you a big bill.

MajorMantra

1,345 posts

114 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
Meaningless generalisation by a dealer who presumably didn't have a convertible to sell you that day, therefore tried to steer you to something else.

Anyway if you're worried about electric roofs failing (despite the thousands out there that work just fine), there are plenty of manuallyoperated options such as a cloth-top MX-5. (Which incidentally would be a lot more fun to drive than the cars mentioned in the OP, albeit possessing only two seats.)

driveaway

Original Poster:

88 posts

1 month

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
Just to clarify, it wasn't the seller, it was my mechanic who claimed that they had so many issues with (especially but not only) hardtop convertibles, that they wouldn't take such a job, as e.g. if the fault with a Volvo c70 is the ecu, than the only thing that could be done is to get a pro from the company (assuming Volvo) to come done and sort it out, which could be costly, and that is without a guarantee that it won't play up again.
Apparently, the c70 also has something like over 10 motors (is that true??)

mwstewart

7,725 posts

190 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
I never understood the hard top convertible thing. Too many compromises. I've had E46 and 209 CLK Cabriolets without a single roof issue.

georgeyboy12345

3,573 posts

37 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
I have a soft spot for these Renault Megane Florides if you’re after more of a cruiser than a sports car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024032278...

driveaway

Original Poster:

88 posts

1 month

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
I'm looking to get one that is reliable enough to do a long drive over france, for the holidays, and back...
Is the Renault really good..?
Renault don't have the best reputation generally speaking...

Matt_T

424 posts

76 months

Sunday 19th May
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I'm looking for the MIL who wants a 4 seat convertibe.
The Vauxhall Cascadas seem like great value...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16406271

Edited by Matt_T on Sunday 19th May 18:34

paradigital

883 posts

154 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
I never understood the hard top convertible thing. Too many compromises. I've had E46 and 209 CLK Cabriolets without a single roof issue.
The only real “compromise” is weight. And let’s face it, if weight is your enemy then you don’t want (almost every) convertible (or at least one that started life as another rigid body shape).

I’ve owned 4 convertibles now, and currently own a rag top (Mk1 TT v6) and a hard top (F33 440i), the 440i is superb, a proper coupe with 95% of the looks of the actual coupe (F32), yet all the upsides of a convertible.

The TT on the other hand (and my MX5s previously) were more like putting up an umbrella or tent. Sure, they kept you dry, and warm if the heating was on full, but they don’t keep noise out, and aren’t heat insulating in the slightest.

For a family steer I’d prefer a folding tin top every time.

Alex Z

1,204 posts

78 months

Sunday 19th May
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The EOS seems to have a fairly high number of problems with the roof (including leaks) but they are all nearly ten years old now.

I certainly wouldn’t avoid all convertibles because of general worries about a roof, and indeed am very happy with my Mini.

Mr E

21,784 posts

261 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
My roof has never failed.
My roof has never made any difference to the noise or moisture level I’ve been subject to.

Earthdweller

13,695 posts

128 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
Jazoli said:
We have had loads of convertibles and not had a single issue with either folding hard or soft tops, the Z4 fix mentioned can be done for about 300 quid with a used motor, you are worrying about nothing, cars have hundreds if not thousands of moving parts, any one of them could fail leaving you a big bill.
The E85 Z4 is a cheap simple fix and often doesn’t even require a replacement motor, just relocation and drying out and fluid topping up

The E89 hard top Z4 is a very different beast as it’s the hydraulic lines that fail and replacing them is an expensive business

lancslad58

637 posts

10 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
driveaway said:
Hi, I wanted to buy a convertible (something like the Volvo C70 or Volkswagen EOS), but my garage strongly talked me out of it, saying that the ecu and motor faults amongst others make convertibles very costly..
Can anyone who owns one or has knowledge regarding them counter that?
Volvo owners club C70 specific, owners view etc. You'll probably have to sign up to get further details.


https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/information-70.shtml


mwstewart

7,725 posts

190 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
paradigital said:
The only real “compromise” is weight. And let’s face it, if weight is your enemy then you don’t want (almost every) convertible (or at least one that started life as another rigid body shape).

I’ve owned 4 convertibles now, and currently own a rag top (Mk1 TT v6) and a hard top (F33 440i), the 440i is superb, a proper coupe with 95% of the looks of the actual coupe (F32), yet all the upsides of a convertible.

The TT on the other hand (and my MX5s previously) were more like putting up an umbrella or tent. Sure, they kept you dry, and warm if the heating was on full, but they don’t keep noise out, and aren’t heat insulating in the slightest.

For a family steer I’d prefer a folding tin top every time.
Weight, packaging, and complexity. I think the soft tops look a lot better as well - the hard tops rarely look quite right around the C pillar; a little on the awkward side. Normally the load space on a hard top is compromised as well.

Mercedes use a triple layer system in their soft tops. Nothing like an MX5.

MesoForm

8,931 posts

277 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
Weight, packaging, and complexity. I think the soft tops look a lot better as well - the hard tops rarely look quite right around the C pillar; a little on the awkward side. Normally the load space on a hard top is compromised as well.

Mercedes use a triple layer system in their soft tops. Nothing like an MX5.
Audi have ‘acoustic’ soft tops too, my wife has had an A3 and now an A5, it’s barely any louder to the coupe even at motorway speeds.

driveaway

Original Poster:

88 posts

1 month

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
Weight, packaging, and complexity. I think the soft tops look a lot better as well - the hard tops rarely look quite right around the C pillar; a little on the awkward side. Normally the load space on a hard top is compromised as well.

Mercedes use a triple layer system in their soft tops. Nothing like an MX5.
That is why I am looking at the Volvo C70, they don't look like they have a tumour growing out their boot...

Mr Tidy

22,776 posts

129 months

Sunday 19th May
quotequote all
Earthdweller said:
The E85 Z4 is a cheap simple fix and often doesn’t even require a replacement motor, just relocation and drying out and fluid topping up

The E89 hard top Z4 is a very different beast as it’s the hydraulic lines that fail and replacing them is an expensive business
E89s also suffer from Salmon relays failing and splits in the wiring loom. Both cheaply fixed, but not that easy to diagnose!

And the folding metal ones do restrict boot space if you want to be able to put the roof down.

Mad Maximus

394 posts

5 months

Monday 20th May
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Generally the hardtop verts have a bad reputation compared to soft tops. For me I would steer clear of mid size hardtops like c70, Astra, focus, eos, mid size pugs etc.

Soft tops can look scraggy if not looked after but they tend to be more reliable and cheaper to repair.

Probably something to do with the extra weight put on the alignment and the motors. I was reading that a jolt while moving is enough to need the roofs alignment doing on some hard tops. Steer clear of hards and go for softs.