Soft Top All Season DD Capable?

[smbsocal]

We are looking to replace our BMW 335i coupe which acts as a daily driver. The two replacement choices are the BMW 440i hard top vert or Mustang GT soft top vert.

We are familiar with the BMW layout and feel, they all look and act alike (unfortunately). The BMW would have a hard top which basically makes it a 'coupe' when the top isn't down.

It has been quite a few years since I have had a Mustang and we have never had a soft top vert. Is the soft top vert something that can be used as an all season daily driver, with all season tires?

I know that the exterior of the top requires some maintenance to keep it looking new but not sure if you need to do any maintenance to the Mustang top mechanism or not. The BMW has so many moving parts and seals it is like a all day event to clean and lube it.

Do you have to worry about the soft top and ice or snow accumulating on it? I am in North Carolina so it won't happen much but there have been times in which we get a foot of snow (which melts in a day or so).

Is there a typical life limit on the soft tops and around how much would it cost to replace?


Thanks

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[CVCashmere]

Hello!

Buy one!

Here's the first of many opinions. There is almost zero mechanical maintenance on the vert top.

You should treat it (yearly or more) with Raggtop cleaner and their waterproofing spray.

Or use a West Marine waterproofing spray for fabric like I...along with several other brands such as 303. This will help keep it from absorbing dirt and stains from birds and make it easier to wash.

the top should last 10 years with good treatment (or longer).

Verts are better in the snow than the hardtops as they have more weight on the rear axles and better weight distribution. Putting the top down during snow helps the weight distribution even more

No idea as to replacement cost.

Buy one, join our group of vert owners!

CVCashmere

We are looking to replace our BMW 335i coupe which acts as a daily driver. The two replacement choices are the BMW 440i hard top vert or Mustang GT soft top vert.

We are familiar with the BMW layout and feel, they all look and act alike (unfortunately). The BMW would have a hard top which basically makes it a 'coupe' when the top isn't down.

It has been quite a few years since I have had a Mustang and we have never had a soft top vert. Is the soft top vert something that can be used as an all season daily driver, with all season tires?

I know that the exterior of the top requires some maintenance to keep it looking new but not sure if you need to do any maintenance to the Mustang top mechanism or not. The BMW has so many moving parts and seals it is like a all day event to clean and lube it.

Do you have to worry about the soft top and ice or snow accumulating on it? I am in North Carolina so it won't happen much but there have been times in which we get a foot of snow (which melts in a day or so).

Is there a typical life limit on the soft tops and around how much would it cost to replace?


Thanks

 

[jesse]

I looked at both cars and decided to go with the mustang partly because of the trunk. I go grocery shopping weekly and sometimes put my golf clubs in the trunk. There is absolutely no trunk space on the 440 with the top down and not much more with it up. there is no way my clubs would fit in the trunk of the 440 I decided that it would not even serve for a weekend getaway. This may not be an issue for you

 

[smbsocal]

Yeah the Mustang trunk is bigger than most verts out there which makes it more capable. I just wish the rear seats were a little more accommodating, that is one thing that the BMW has going for it.

 

[smbsocal]

This question may sound stupid, but as I said I have never had a soft-top. While driving and something like a rock hits the roof does it damage the roof easily or does it just bounce off? There is a lot of construction going on around here so rock chips on the roof lip right above the windshield is unfortunately common place.

 

[jtmat]

We are looking to replace our BMW 335i coupe which acts as a daily driver. The two replacement choices are the BMW 440i hard top vert or Mustang GT soft top vert.

We are familiar with the BMW layout and feel, they all look and act alike (unfortunately). The BMW would have a hard top which basically makes it a 'coupe' when the top isn't down.

It has been quite a few years since I have had a Mustang and we have never had a soft top vert. Is the soft top vert something that can be used as an all season daily driver, with all season tires?

I know that the exterior of the top requires some maintenance to keep it looking new but not sure if you need to do any maintenance to the Mustang top mechanism or not. The BMW has so many moving parts and seals it is like a all day event to clean and lube it.

Do you have to worry about the soft top and ice or snow accumulating on it? I am in North Carolina so it won't happen much but there have been times in which we get a foot of snow (which melts in a day or so).

Is there a typical life limit on the soft tops and around how much would it cost to replace?


Thanks

I would get the 440i with xdrive... for driving in heavy rain and occasional snow/ice. I would not buy a soft top vert without some covering. I wonder how much snow it would take to bend something on the vert top? I don't know... but I'd rather not chance it.

Biggest advantage the mustang has (excluding price) is the trunk space with the top down.

The BMW is a nice car... I test drove one over the weekend. 440i is okay... not great.... well, not great in the sense that I thought it would blow me away. AMG 43 is killer though... but cloth top.

A cat got on my top and clawed it. You can't tell that much unless you really look at it -- once you notice, it looks bad. Not sure if I'll ever own another cloth top.

You said rocks in the last post... I'd have a car cover and be more worried about chipped paint...

Nice cat, squirrel, or crow might ruin your top though..

I might be headed to a coupe and the 440i is a choice under consideration...

For the record, no harm came to the cat... I knew the cat lived there should have purchased a car cover. I was mad at the cat for a minute though...

 

[JohnDoe]

Just went through my 3rd winter and everything has been holding up just fine with Conti DWS06 as my all season tires. During heavy snow & salt season, I go through touchless automatic car washes to clean the top and undercarriage. So far no rust, no fading, no rips, no tears, no cracking.

 

[smbsocal]

Just went through my 3rd winter and everything has been holding up just fine with Conti DWS06 as my all season tires. During heavy snow & salt season, I go through touchless automatic car washes to clean the top and undercarriage. So far no rust, no fading, no rips, no tears, no cracking.

Thanks for the info, your images are one of the inspirations for looking at getting a Mustang vert.

Have you had an issue with the snow piling up on the roof? It will be parked overnight in a garage but outside while I am at work.

 

[Earlsays]

I have owned a 2004 V6 Mustang, a 2013 V6 Mustang, a 2014 GT, and now, a 2015 GT.

My ONLY regret is that none of these have been a convertible - my next Mustang will be. I don't care if it's a no option 3.7 V6 - I REALLY REALLY REALLY want one.

 

[sebounet]

No problem here in Montreal Canada in winter. I took some lessons on ice and snow tracks and it s surprising how it is easy and fun to drive

 

[JohnDoe]

Thanks for the info, your images are one of the inspirations for looking at getting a Mustang vert.

Have you had an issue with the snow piling up on the roof? It will be parked overnight in a garage but outside while I am at work.

Not sure what you mean, it's like any other roof when it snows. If you're asking if I'm worried about the weight of the snow on the roof, then not a worry at all. It's a thick and strong roof plus the weight of snow is spread out. I can't even imagine the amount of snow you would need to damage the top.

 

[cbrookre]

This question may sound stupid, but as I said I have never had a soft-top. While driving and something like a rock hits the roof does it damage the roof easily or does it just bounce off? There is a lot of construction going on around here so rock chips on the roof lip right above the windshield is unfortunately common place.

I have been DD mine for 2.5 years, have a few rock chips in the area between the windshield and the top, and have had the windshield replaced once due to a large rock, but the top looks brand new. 37.5k miles so far.

 

[2T47]

I have a '16 GT vert with the 3.55 and manual that is my year-round DD. I live on the front range of Colorado so we do get some snow and definitely cold temps. Between a set a Blizzaks, the Snow mode, a 50lb bag of sand in my trunk, and sane driving I've had no problems whatsoever. I cart my teenagers and their massive school backpacks around with no trouble at all. Can't express how much I enjoy this car year-round. I've even had plenty of days in January and February to have the top down in the afternoon. Good luck!

 

[bee bop]

I have been daily driving a Mustang Gt Convertible Since October 2001. There are no issues with drive a vert in the winter. just like any other car you need to drive to the conditions. I just had the top replaced on my 02 and the guy that replaced it said the top for the 15+ run about 4K for just the top. They are expensive right now because the only option is OEM. Once the after market starts making them they should drop to below 2k installed. The Cloth tops usually last longer than the vinyl ones. Properly cared for they should last 10 years easily. Both of my cars are outside 24/7 and I have had no issues. both recently had 13" of snow on them. Get the vert you will love it.

 

[smbsocal]

Well I am now part of the group. Traded in the BMW and picked up the '18 GT vert today.

I can't wait for the first day to drop the top.

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