[A2Z]

Stumbled upon this article saying that BMW is going to stop producing cars with a retractable hardtop in the future, but does anyone really care? I've never been much of a convertible person, but am curious about whether or not this would be a deal breaker for some of you. Obviously using a soft top would save weight and space, but just want to get some community input.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...table-hardtop/

[RoundelM3]

Nothing less than thrilled about this - I've never liked retractable hardtops. We bought my wife's 128i because it was a soft-top convertible and I'm glad to see that the 2, 3, and 6-series will all have soft tops. Wonder if they'll do this to the Z4 or its successor? Much more room in the trunk when the top is down, less weight. What's not to like?

[Straight Six]

I thought the hard tops were not visually pleasing, so I have no issue with their removal.

[Sanjuro1]

Sort of a bummer, I like the hardtop. Was considering a vert for my next one.

[Straight Six]

Originally Posted by Sanjuro1

Sort of a bummer, I like the hardtop. Was considering a vert for my next one.

Buy CPO?

[akack79]

Personally I have zero interest in buying any convertibles.

[carbonfiber]

The only reason I would buy a 4 Series (have 2015 435i xDrive cv now) is because of the hardtop. Being from a cold weather climate the hardtop and xDrive make the 435 a true year-round car. Else the Audi S5 ragtop looks to be a good alternative??? Having just purchased my 435, I was seriously considering the S5 cv. (Had my BMW dealer not pulled a few strings to be me the Estoril Blue color, it was the S5 for me.) But, the 435 in a road test had about 15db less road noise than the S5, less wind noise and it seemed to maintain the HVAC temp better. Before, the 435 I had a Lexus IS 350 cv - nice car, but not a BMW and no AWD, and it was a hardtop, too. Also, had a 2008 335is convertible. So I know my hardtops. The manufactures have to put more sound, wind, HVAC insulation into the cars before I can go ragtop. (And need AWD, wonder when Lexus will get the hint???)

[Thumper333]

I'm not really a convertible person, but if I were to buy a convertible it would HAVE to be a hard top. Convertibles are all fun and sexy in pictures with the top down, but put the top up and they look ridiculous and ugly. And then living with the wind noise and long term maintenance of the soft top is a pain.

Hard top verts have the benefit of looking like a real car with the top up and still giving the full top down experience when weather and mood permits.

The technology exists for hard top verts, I don't know why in this day and age anyone but the lower cost classes of cars use anything else. Any convertible car over 30/35k should be a hard top.

[Fronzdan]

For me, that's disappointing. I would have considered a vert in the future, but I don't like rag tops (had one before). I like the hard tops and think they look better.

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Nothing less than thrilled about this - I've never liked retractable hardtops. We bought my wife's 128i because it was a soft-top convertible and I'm glad to see that the 2, 3, and 6-series will all have soft tops. Wonder if they'll do this to the Z4 or its successor? Much more room in the trunk when the top is down, less weight. What's not to like?

Agreed. My E46 cabrio has a cloth top, and I haven't had any issues with over the last ten years. No squeaks, rattles, or wind noise at speed.

Plus, weight reduction!

[BOGONY1]

My last 3 BMWs have been hard top/convertibles. They are solid, weather proof with good visibility. The newer ones have good trunk accessability even with the top down.

I would not purchase a soft top BMW

[....,,,,..,,..]

Major advantage of the hardtop is less prone to being vandalised.

Quite common for soft tops to be slit with a knife.

Also as mentioned the extra noise that comes with soft tops.

[Pauleebe]

I think soft tops are gross, but overall I dislike verts anyways so I don't care either way.

[Dang3r]

Hardtop were my first choice before buying a convertible. But the 4 looks too much as a 3 and that was beyond my tolerance
Soft top is surely more "cabrio manner" but more safe and into wintertime warmer is a hardtop.

[hollandog]

don't like any verts at all

[DC X3M40i]

was planning on getting a 435 vert in 2017 when my current lease is up. Love the fact that the hard top makes it a car i can use year round. Never owned a convertible, so can't really say for sure that a soft top is no bueno during the winter months. plus the fact that i have to park it outside makes me think the hardtop stands up better to the harsh winter weather compared to a soft top

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

I'm not really a convertible person, but if I were to buy a convertible it would HAVE to be a hard top. Convertibles are all fun and sexy in pictures with the top down, but put the top up and they look ridiculous and ugly. And then living with the wind noise and long term maintenance of the soft top is a pain.

Hard top verts have the benefit of looking like a real car with the top up and still giving the full top down experience when weather and mood permits.

The technology exists for hard top verts, I don't know why in this day and age anyone but the lower cost classes of cars use anything else. Any convertible car over 30/35k should be a hard top.

The looks of the origami roofs when up are not that pleasing either. When you buy a convertible, you are buying a compromised car. Smaller back seat, reduced trunk size, weaker body.