Leaking New Convertibles

[versus]

Seen this video of a BMW 3 Series hardtop convertible seriously leaking in water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOk-gk7G1h8


On other forums I have seen that even the 6-series leaks in water. I am astonished that modern cars have this problem. I've never had the problem on my previous ragtop Boxster and my new hardtop convertible C70.

Anyone had personal experience of this kind of thing happening on a new car and what can you do about it?

[Steffan]

versus said:

Seen this video of a BMW 3 Series hardtop convertible seriously leaking in water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOk-gk7G1h8


On other forums I have seen that even the 6-series leaks in water. I am astonished that modern cars have this problem. I've never had the problem on my previous ragtop Boxster and my new hardtop convertible C70.

Anyone had personal experience of this kind of thing happening on a new car and what can you do about it?

Owned loads of convertibles over the years. Modern cars are better. The conditions in that video were pretty extreme.

Buy a car which has a decent hood is the main cure.

Big hoods tend to be more difficult to seal because of the sheer area of fabric and the waves that build up at speed.

There are proofing kits. But if you have an ill fitting hood then replacement is the answer. I find most modern hoods quite good.

Kit cars are the worst not surprisingly.

I find many of these leak as much from the screen/floor/sides/canvas doors as much as the hood itself.

One kit car with no rear floor was usually full of water in the footwells within half an hour in the rain. Assuming the ignition was` still working.

Ran right up your trouser leg when accelerating. Not nice!!

[kambites]

That video is a folding hard-top rather than a soft-top so it wont be coming through it. I'd guess the windows aren't properly aligned or the seal is damaged?

It is a bit worrying if it happens as a matter of course on mainstream cars - my Elise's tent has never leaked a drop.