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vintageb3
6th May 2007, 10:43 PM
Well...

I put my Cooper S in for a new roof cloth on Tuesday...and got it back yesterday morning.(Sat)

It looks great!!!

I'm not conviced that this cloth won't get the white wear marks within weeks....but i'm willing to give this a try.

Phoenix in Kirkcaldy has made a beautiful job fitting the cloth. Still don't know if the roof works yet or not...as i've been asked to keep the roof closed for a week to let the cloth stretch. I think i've read that this is BS...but i'm going to follow the advice seeing as they have made such a decent job. I'm on a shop-refit over the holiday weekend so can't get near the car anyway. I did test it for leaks on Saturday morning though....and all seems well in that area.

When i picked up the car....I asked if the cloth and been treated with impregnator to waterproof the cloth surface. I was told that the cloth was as it was supplied from BMW. I asked if "I" had to waterproof it with BMW's own product. I was told that BMW don't insist on you using anything on the roof cloth. I was told it was up to the individual if the wished to waterproof their cloth. It was given the analogy that some people don't wax their cars...others do...but BMW don't insist upon waxing...the impregnator is just like a wax for your roof cloth.

So...I have one dealer telling me that I don't have to do anything to my roof and BMW are happy to carry on the warranty if you find you have roof wear...whilst the last dealer the car was into and I questioned about my roof wear told me that BMW could turn down a warranty claim if you don't treat your roof.

So...I have learned something from this...and now know where I will be taking my car for servicing. :)

Also...just in case someone else has a ragtop...I have found out who makes all the roofs for BMW. The company is called Haartz.

Here's a link to the cloth used for the roof:

http://www.haartz.com/index.asp?ID=50&LC=EN

Note that Haartz are the largest manufacturers in the world of soft top roofs. They only recommend one product to use for cleaning and waterproofing/UV protection...and that product is Raggtopp.

So I'm gonna go get some of that...

mark
PACMAN
7th May 2007, 08:24 AM
let see if it make a difference :p :rolleyes:
vintageb3
7th May 2007, 06:07 PM
A difference to what...my tan? :)

mark
PACMAN
7th May 2007, 08:56 PM
you might drive it with the roof up for a change since it's fixed :p;):D
vintageb3
8th May 2007, 06:41 AM
Ah!...I get you now :)
vintageb3
13th May 2007, 08:07 PM
Got my new roof as stated previously...and now I know I don't have any leaks because of all this rain. I haven't even been able to put it down :(

But today,I've found, along with my new roof....I have a new rattle!:eek:

Not a biggie....but back she goes:(

mark
vintageb3
19th May 2007, 08:54 PM
So back she went today for the rattle...

I think the service guy was playing a trick on the mechanic...I looked into the workshop to see about 6 mechanics...all short asses....but the guy that was sent out to sit in the back of my car and listen for the rattle was about 6'4":D

He admited " I don't think this will be long run mate"...as his knees were touching his chin:eek: :D

Anyway...the mechanic found the rattle!!! It was spring that had come loose!

So off I drove...happy....well...until I hit the main road...and found the rattle has been replaced by a squeak:(

They damaged a rubber part when they did the roof...and they are going to replace that next week...so i will mention it then...

Still think they have made a good job of the roof!

mark
vintageb3
4th June 2007, 07:51 AM
Has to go back in again...roof won't close propoerly unless you pull on the drivers side to help locate it.

Signs of roof wear already

Woe is me!:(

mark
PACMAN
4th June 2007, 09:56 AM
are you using the cleaning stuff now? :confused:
vintageb3
4th June 2007, 10:32 PM
I was told not to...or should I say...I was told i didn't need to.

The BMW technical guy is going to be at the dealership next week...so he is going have a look at my roof.

We will see what happens then...

mark
vintageb3
14th June 2007, 11:09 PM
Met with the BMW Technical specialist about my brand "new" roof cloth today...pleasant enough chap...but not too happy about his explanation on why the brand new cloth already has the white wear marks on it after this short time.

I wouldn't recommend anyone buying a convertible Mini. I certainly won't be buying the new convertible when it comes out...and that may have been a possibility.

My next vert will be a hard top...maybe a Merc:)
ianking
15th June 2007, 09:04 AM
I wouldn't recommend anyone buying a convertible Mini. I certainly won't be buying the new convertible when it comes out...and that may have been a possibility.


Yes I agree. Been there and done that too. I can still smell the mouldy interior.
vintageb3
15th June 2007, 08:18 PM
Yes I agree. Been there and done that too. I can still smell the mouldy interior.

How many roofs did you have Ian?:(
ianking
15th June 2007, 08:50 PM
We only had the one roof on Sarahs convertible. Only kept the car 7 months as it was no where near as good as the hard top. Very noisy, not as tight on the bends, even less room in the back and boot.

Car always smealt damp inside and when it had just been washed there was always some extra dampness on the drivers seat.

It was great on a hot day though just posing with the roof down (about 2 days per year)
PACMAN
15th June 2007, 09:28 PM
Car always smealt damp inside and when it had just been washed there was always some extra dampness on the drivers seat.



:eek::eek: too much info
vintageb3
15th June 2007, 10:32 PM
We only had the one roof on Sarahs convertible. Only kept the car 7 months as it was no where near as good as the hard top. Very noisy, not as tight on the bends, even less room in the back and boot.

Car always smealt damp inside and when it had just been washed there was always some extra dampness on the drivers seat.

It was great on a hot day though just posing with the roof down (about 2 days per year)

Was that one replacement roof?...or you never had to replace your roof?

Noise doesn't bother me...I think its pretty quiet in fact...but Hey!...I drive diesel van most of the time:D

Cornering without strut braces is fun...I have upper and lower braces fitted...its amaxing the difference.

I always hose water towards the back of the car...and i never get a drop in the car;)...in fact the car is bone dry inside....Oh maybe i shouldn't have said that:(

mark
Sweeney
15th June 2007, 10:33 PM
The braces certainly make a big difference, even to hardtop. I fitted them to mine :eek:
hogg88
25th June 2007, 10:45 AM
Hi Vintage

I know the hassles your going through, my first convertible had 5 roofs, 3 mechanisms and 2 adjustments to mechanism. BMW / MINI were using it as a test car i think.

The latest material still comes up with the white marks but does not wear or catch as bad as the older materials.

On my second convertible now and have recorded 6000 roof down miles, (thats 50% of my mileage since i picked it up last august) with an original type roof material and have got the 3 wear points on both sides and 2 catches in the material. So time to get it changed.

I hope you get everything sorted ok. :)

PS Only convertible drivers who actually put there roofs down will know about these problems :p
vintageb3
4th July 2007, 07:25 AM
David

My troubles are not over yet.

When they fitted the roof cloth...they damaged the two trims around the boot and wings. These come down onto the top of the wing and are rubber at the point of impact...so the car had to go back in to replace them.

I was vacuuming out the boot the other day and lifted up the roof at the boot area...you know with the the two levers? (allows better access for larger items...yeah right!!:D )

The paint work at the top of the wings has been worn by these rubbers and the paint is right through to the bare metal.

Has to go in again...

mark