[dc5525]

Hi All-

I am seriously looking at 2017-2019 430iX convertible for the wife. The hardtop looks close to the same engineering / design as the 3 series hardtops. Question - while this looks like an amazingly engineering design accomplishment....does anyone have any issues with problems operating the hardtop over time? I noticed all new BMW convertibles (cira 2020-on) are all soft top design so I wonder if BMW made decision to move away from hard top due to design reasons?

Thanks for any input here.

[toddwalton]

I've owned two of the hardtop convertibles, a 3 and a 4, and I've had no mechanical issues, ever. It works flawlessly, nice and quiet too.

The reason BMW moved from the hardtop to a softtop is because of economics and profits. BMW gets tax breaks when their cars are under a certain weight and can achieve a certain fuel efficiency level, they've tackled this in different ways across the different series'. The hardtop was heavy, so by removing it the car hit the thresholds that BMW's financial department needed.

It's a shame. The hardtop was the only reason I ever considered a convertible. I think the softtop looks hideous the 8 months of the year it's in the raised position, looks like an umbrella and ruins the lines of the car. I happen to think that with the top up and the windows down, the lack of a B pillar just makes the car look incredibly hot, reminiscent of a 60's muscle car.

I bought the very last hardtop convertible off the assembly line this summer. Couldn't be happier.

[dc5525]

Thanks for reply, could not agree with you more. I rather get a 2017/2018 4 series hardtop vs. 2017/2018 6 series soft top for reason you listed. Being in Indiana, the top will be up 7+ months of the year anyway.

[rolandw]

Thoroughly enjoying my 2020 430i xDrive.
I had a Volvo 70 and hardtop Miata and the BMW bests them all.
Don't forget to add SmartTOP to enhance the convertible experience.

[Tommy-G]

I have had 3 BMW convertibles, an e46 ZHP, an E93 and currently an F33. The two hardtops have been amazing.
No problems per se on either related to the top. The E93 I got 145k miles out of it and the F33 is at 54k currently.

A few oil leak issues but nothing again related to the top.
I was extremely disappointed to hear they were going back to a soft top. The noise reduction and the feeling of being in a solid roof vehicle give you quite a piece of mind when the top is up or in foul weather.

[chowser51]

My '18 4 series made it to 73k with no top issues before I traded it in.

I also had the SmartTop module installed and it gave me no issues.



My puppy is mad at me. She misses the convertible.

[Elvisfan]

My top has stopped on me several times. Just recently I pulled off the highway to put the top up because of a possibility of rain. It took several minutes for the top to close. Glad the rain didn’t come. I’ve had it serviced 3 times. They haven’t been able to fix it. Always stops the same place in the process. Has a message about possibly overheating, even though it hasn’t moved in days. Eventually it works.
I had a VW EOS. Had to have it towed with the top not locked down.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by dc5525

Hi All-

I am seriously looking at 2017-2019 430iX convertible for the wife. The hardtop looks close to the same engineering / design as the 3 series hardtops. Question - while this looks like an amazingly engineering design accomplishment....does anyone have any issues with problems operating the hardtop over time? I noticed all new BMW convertibles (cira 2020-on) are all soft top design so I wonder if BMW made decision to move away from hard top due to design reasons?

Thanks for any input here.

By the way, the 2020 is a hardtop.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I've owned two of the hardtop convertibles, a 3 and a 4, and I've had no mechanical issues, ever. It works flawlessly, nice and quiet too.

The reason BMW moved from the hardtop to a softtop is because of economics and profits. BMW gets tax breaks when their cars are under a certain weight and can achieve a certain fuel efficiency level, they've tackled this in different ways across the different series'. The hardtop was heavy, so by removing it the car hit the thresholds that BMW's financial department needed.

It's a shame. The hardtop was the only reason I ever considered a convertible. I think the softtop looks hideous the 8 months of the year it's in the raised position, looks like an umbrella and ruins the lines of the car. I happen to think that with the top up and the windows down, the lack of a B pillar just makes the car look incredibly hot, reminiscent of a 60's muscle car.

I bought the very last hardtop convertible off the assembly line this summer. Couldn't be happier.

Personally, I don’t care what the soft top looks like when the top is up. Thinking of trading before the warranty expires.

[SquareWheels]

Originally Posted by rolandw

Don't forget to add SmartTOP to enhance the convertible experience.

What is this? I have a 2020 440i.
Thanks

[chowser51]

Hang on, I have videos somewhere. It's an easily installed module that allows you to extend the range of the top up/down from your fob.

I had mine set to two clicks of unlock to lower windows, two clicks of lock to raise windows. Three clicks of unlock to drop the top and three clicks of lock to raise the top.

It's easily installed, it took me about five minutes to uninstall it last month when I traded my car in (I have it listed in the classifieds).


this is where it's installed

this is how it works

[SquareWheels]

Originally Posted by chowser51

Hang on, I have videos somewhere. It's an easily installed module that allows you to extend the range of the top up/down from your fob.

I had mine set to two clicks of unlock to lower windows, two clicks of lock to raise windows. Three clicks of unlock to drop the top and three clicks of lock to raise the top.

It's easily installed, it took me about five minutes to uninstall it last month when I traded my car in (I have it listed in the classifieds).


this is where it's installed

this is how it works

Thanks, that seems helpful. It seems pressing the button does nothing unless you're right next to the car. Then, I just give up and wait until I get in the car, then sit there and wait for it to go down.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by chowser51

Hang on, I have videos somewhere. It's an easily installed module that allows you to extend the range of the top up/down from your fob.

I had mine set to two clicks of unlock to lower windows, two clicks of lock to raise windows. Three clicks of unlock to drop the top and three clicks of lock to raise the top.

It's easily installed, it took me about five minutes to uninstall it last month when I traded my car in (I have it listed in the classifieds).


this is where it's installed

this is how it works

It’s not quite that simple. You should remove it when your car is being serviced. If you don’t and you have a problem with the top, it could effect your warranty. I don’t have it but, I’ve been reading about it for years.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

Thanks, that seems helpful. It seems pressing the button does nothing unless you're right next to the car. Then, I just give up and wait until I get in the car, then sit there and wait for it to go down.

The top works like the comfort access. You have to be close. Don’t know why Bmw did that. But they did.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

Personally, I don’t care what the soft top looks like when the top is up. Thinking of trading before the warranty expires.

I know some people are that way, but up here in the northeast the car is in top-up configuration 8 months of the year and a soft-top looks inelegant.

I just happen to believe that with the hard-top up the F33 is the best looking 4 Series, I think it's got a better roofline than the F30, F32, and F36. It's a better looking coupe than the coupe. I enjoy my F33 with the top up and the windows down than I do with the top completely down. Maybe its just me. Either way, it's really great when top up or top down there is no compromise. Soft-top, definitely a compromise.

[rolandw]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

What is this? I have a 2020 440i.
Thanks

https://www.mods4cars.com/sms/shop/i...de=view&id=112

[sihob]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

I know some people are that way, but up here in the northeast the car is in top-up configuration 8 months of the year and a soft-top looks inelegant.

I just happen to believe that with the hard-top up the F33 is the best looking 4 Series, I think it's got a better roofline than the F30, F32, and F36. It's a better looking coupe than the coupe. I enjoy my F33 with the top up and the windows down than I do with the top completely down. Maybe its just me. Either way, it's really great when top up or top down there is no compromise. Soft-top, definitely a compromise.

Agreed Todd. There are very few folding hard tops available now but the F33 is the best out there (maybe apart from the Ferrari ). Hard tops give better security and roof-up civility and I agree that the F33 looks better than the coupe and great with all windows down. BMW told me that weight is the reason it is the last hard top model (emissions pressure).

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by sihob

Agreed Todd. There are very few folding hard tops available now but the F33 is the best out there (maybe apart from the Ferrari ). Hard tops give better security and roof-up civility and I agree that the F33 looks better than the coupe and great with all windows down. BMW told me that weight is the reason it is the last hard top model (emissions pressure).

I have to think that warranty repairs are part of it too. There is a lot going on there.

[Llarry]

Resurrecting an old thread here: How are the F33 4 series hardtop convertible tops doing? Still pretty reliable? I have to agree with the sentiments expressed above that the hardtop convertible has considerable advantages over the succeeding softtops. I am considering adding a convertible to the stable and am drawn to the hardtop convertible for looks primarily, although the security factor is good as well. As my signature indicates, I have a 473 horsepower M3 for performance and would potentially add a convertible not for high performance but for occasional use on nice days. (First world problem )

[Fliplegend]

Based on what I have read, the main issue I commonly see and I have the same problem are the plastic roof trims breaking. The dealer will not provide lube when they quote you on repairs for these.

[ruderegime]

Originally Posted by sihob

Agreed Todd. There are very few folding hard tops available now but the F33 is the best out there (maybe apart from the Ferrari ). Hard tops give better security and roof-up civility and I agree that the F33 looks better than the coupe and great with all windows down. BMW told me that weight is the reason it is the last hard top model (emissions pressure).

Does the F33 come in a M440i trim?

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by ruderegime

Does the F33 come in a M440i trim?

No, the F32/F33/F36 doesn't have an M440i only the G22 later model does. Although with the track handling package and the MPPSK the F32/etc is basically an M440i without the name. The B58 in the G22 has like 20 more HP than the F32/etc with the MPPSK.