How Do I Cope With Having A Soft Top As My Daily Driver During The Winter?

[@Cornwall1888]

Really you don’t have to cope with anything it’s just like having a car with a metal room, it’s a solid and well insulated, in fact the cabin is so small it’s heats ups amazingly well and very quickly 🔥 It’s not like a 1970’s sports car with a tent on top

[@itsjoel]

Well said sir

[@Cornwall1888]

It's Joel I do have an amazing roof cover but that’s for frost on the windscreen I just pull it off and drive away when everyone else is scraping 😂

[@juanpablo-vn1xo]

i invested in a hard top and it makes a massive difference and turns he z4 into a coupe for winter and convertible for summer...win win

[@dannyvanloon1]

Have the same experience: the Z4 is super reliable and comfortable in winter. And I love especially the rare sunny winter mornings with the roof down on my way to work. Because i drive in Germany occasionally I do use winter tires, as this is mandatory for driving in winter over there. When snow or frost is expected I put a cover on my roof. Saves work before driving off and I like to believe it’s better for the softtop. Cheers, Danny

[@kevwhufc8640]

Since I've been looking at ads for a Z4 ( 3,0i ) I've seen quite a few with really high mileage, loads in the 170 bracket , almost as many in the 180 range , 196 ( highest mileage I've seen on a Z4 ) I think majority of people have looked after their cars , watching your videos are main reason I'm determined to get one ( has to be right one tho) bc you drive it daily ut highlights how tough those engines really are , if looked after of course. I love the look, much better than later models, I'm really not liking thd new ones, I don't like small 4 pot engines that need 2 turbos to get them going fast, I love the 3 litre straight 6 naturally aspirated cars , j doubt the new 4 cylinder motors will last as long or as well as the "proper original Z4s " ... cheers m8, really appreciate the time you put in to give us these vids & all the tips you share with us about owning a Z4 as a daily 👍👍

[@rileysperbeck532]

Winters coming here in Seattle too, no problems w my Zed ! 👌🏼 still lovin your content it inspires me to start filming my car for other z owners

[@m6matty39]

I’ve just been out in the Z4 with the roof down, heater on and the sun out. 🤘😎

[@davidviner4932]

I have a BMW soft top as my daily driver, 40000 miles a year, I have a second set of matching M Sport alloys shod with Falken HS01 staggered winter tyres which are fitted at the end of October for the cost of £24. This works for me and no way would I go through winter with a rear wheel drive BMW on M Sport suspension without winter tyres

[@SlasherXGAMES]

Z4 with heated seats is the bomb! Maybe even some gloves if it's particularly cold. I used to drive to work from the countryside quite regularly with the top down through the mist so long as it wasn't raining.

[@alanpoyser1371]

Fantastic video Joel and some sound advice especially about not thrashing a car until it has properly warmed up. I do most of the same things as you with my Z4. I also have purchased a full Z4 car cover for the winter months when there is more likely to be rain, frost and on the odd occasion snow, it just protect the car and keeps it in great condition.

[@kurtgubitz]

Just drove with top down in Chicago this morning in 45 degree F temperature. High heat, shut down unnecessary vents, heated seats, leave windows up and wear right clothes...good to go. However, any snow or ice on the pavement, hello Lexus E350. Love your channel.

[@itsjoel]

Thanks Kurt. I know it’s worse in the Windy City, but it will hit the low 30s here in the next few months!

[@iskillcorn1]

Another great informative video mate your getting better and better very entertaining 👍🏼 I don’t really have the roof down in winter but the heaters do work well enough if you don’t have heated seats! The only issue would be in the snow with rear wheel drive

[@oddyseus99]

Been driving a soft top all year round for the last twenty plus years and never had a single issue. Simple little MX5s (Mk1s and 2s). Good video and a handsome car you have there sir.

[@itsjoel]

Thanks John!

[@prontopac]

I would suggest that clearing your convertible top drains are a must maintenance procedure done bi-annually. They are located in front of the rear wheel behind the liner. You have to remove the rear wheels to get at them. I would also check tire pressures a bit more often. Cold weather has a tendency to lower tire pressure which can lead to handling problems especially if the pavement is wet or you come across standing water. If salt is use on British pavement, I would suggest rinsing your Z with fresh water. That said, enjoy your ride...

[@i5xrv221]

Nothing special do for winter , as a matter of fact only in winter during the day time i open the rooftop , in summer is out of the question to drop the rooftop during daytime cos the sun will destroy the interior. i forgot to mention that I live in Greece ;)

[@jasondrane8749]

Australian here and I am finding the same. Sun is to hot and too bright in Summer

[@dannybigs2008]

2020 z4 m40i about to head into winter here in NY. Hoping everything will go well. Your videos gave me confidence. Thanks.

[@nelsonsarmiento2135]

Hey! I’m also in NY and wondering how your winter experience went? Thinking about buying one myself.

[@levitipps915]

I am approaching my first winter with my z4 and live in an area that can sometimes get lots of snow.... although I’m an avid skier I don’t particularly look foreword to getting any snow in town. I plan to drive the z4 as much as I can, it is my daily, so I’m hoping things work out!

[@Cornwall1888]

I’ve got winter tyres sadly it doesn’t snow much in Edinburgh but when it does I love it

[@itsjoel]

Traction control off, and enjoy!

[@MegaLatexxx]

I am looking at one of these for a while now. Keep going back and forth. I was actually going to get this for my wife but I will probably just get it for myself as she's still learning and I dont think RWD cars are a great fit for a beginner. Plus it would have to be a daily driver and I dont really cherish the idea of banged up rims and smashed bumpers. Winter is a great time to buy these as they drop in price a bit where I am. I live in an apartment so that means I have to park it on the street. My concerns would be for potential vandalism of the soft top and it rotting away from all the moisture. Would love to hear from someone that has owned one and uses it in winter as a daily. Thanks

[@Tracertme]

I think that's most people's perspective they think about older convertible cars, I feel for you Joel, my coldest days are about 8c and I only put the roof up about 3 -4 times a year to avoid rain. If it rains on the motorway I just keep going, not a drop comes in, occasionally if you have crosswinds of the wrong variety.... :-) I am very lucky.... and I have an e89 with the folded hardtop and I don't suffer from a lack of boot space, I can do all the grocery shopping I need and go to the beach with two beach chairs and umbrella,food.. for the day in the boot roof down...all you need to do is pack the boot a little more efficiently. With 369 lbs/ 500Nm torque it's more than capable of overtaking.... it is a great little fun car.... and gets loads of looks and people photographing it ,in BMW garages funnily enough... :-)

[@itsjoel]

Perfect!

[@Johnnygga]

TBH.. driving in the winter with a manual Z4 is my favorite thing ever. 😁 Especially that I’m on winter tires, I love seeing pick up trucks and AWD SUVs sliding everywhere with their all season tires... meanwhile a little itty bitty RWD Z4 is puttering along no problem!

[@dimi911]

What size winter tyres do you run? A few years back, I bought a set of 195/R16 winter tyres/wheels and I found in the wet my 2.5 would spin in 3rd. Great fun but was going sideways everywhere! I do find the original 18s (225 front, 255 rear) a bit too much for the car though...

[@TheKern47]

I'm a 'rain off, roof off' kinda guy, but also have a hardtop to try prevent the roof going weeks without drying. Gonna get pretty annoyed when it's a nice day and I can't have the roof off now though... Another point with the M though, takes for ever to warm up (going by the oil temp)

[@MrTruthislight]

try fabric guard 303

[@unixnerd23]

If it's taking 15 minutes to warm up you may need a new thermostat. Mine gets put away for the winter, but it can get down to -30C in the Highlands.

[@jacquelinehoward5499]

Joel. How do you clean your soft top, what do you use to keep it clean? I bought my z4 in September and absolutely love it

[@Z4loorit]

Good vid mate. Enjoyed the little out of shot, in shot edit. Remember u saying your around the Guildford ish area but did I see footage from Gaydon Jaguar in Warwickshire? Only noticed as its only minutes away from my place. On the winter front I'm gonna fabsil my roof ASAP as in heavy rain my roof doesn't, bead off. Which can cause the inner roof wiring to get damp and have a costly outcome.

[@itsjoel]

Glad you enjoyed the video Tim! Yes well spotted, was actually some old footage from a drifting video I did a while back in that area!

[@IamJackPot]

Yep, driving a car like it's made of glass until its fully up to temp will last forever :)

[@tayloryeates9484]

Also I should ask how you manage the roof motor problem in winter, have you relocated it?

[@levisanderson6951]

Keep the Z4 until 200,000 miles 😂

[@МайкЙёбба-ц8ь]

Hello! Help determine the choice of BMW Z4. Which motor is better than 2.5 or 3.0? Restyling is much more successful, does it make sense to buy Z4 after 2006?

[@itsjoel]

3.0 is the better engine, more powerful and more reliable. After 2006 we’re the Si models with even more power still

[@МайкЙёбба-ц8ь]

@@itsjoel What to give preference to 2006 Z4 or buy restyling?

[@naiart82]

Hi Joel, thanks for the video. I have a Z4 too and I was wondering how you wash your car? I can’t imagine taking it through a touchless wash, and the manual wand wash leaves a film of dirtyness everywhere. Hand washing in sub-zero temps is a no.

[@itsjoel]

I sometimes wash it myself, or get it valeted by pros

[@halpearson1574]

You’ll probably feel differently about driving it in the winter when your roof motor goes due to all the rain overwhelming the drain channels 🤬

[@tayloryeates9484]

I’m interested to know how you cope with speed bumps because I’m not sure if mine has been lowered but if I don’t crawl over the hump at 0mph the bumper scrapes 😬 I piss off other motorists all the time doing this.

[@itsjoel]

Mate, mine does exactly the same thing! Have to go sideways over bumps at 3mph 😂

[@tayloryeates9484]

It's Joel don’t know how you cope dailying it! I daily a Passat and the Z for my days off

[@viperfan85]

do you have any noises, creaks and other sounds from the roof when is closed ad you drive?

[@iskillcorn1]

Isn’t there a monthly subscription to pay with Carley?

[@adamwoodford7629]

Don't waste your money. £55 yearly subscription to access any of the good features i.e operate roof with key..

[@itsjoel]

Yes Ian, the app is free to download an then there’s an annual fee for the coding/resetting etc. People get worked up about this although as I said in the video, in my experience it has paid for itself given the amount of fault codes I’ve been able to read etc! But not for everyone of course! :)

[@tony5006]

TBH the Gap Tec roof (one touch) operating system is better than the Carly Coded from key but it is more expensive to buy.

[@enzodelbono9884]

What's happened to the noisey exhaust...?

[@itsjoel]

Still got it! Did some cheeky backfires at the start :)

[@jacques7685]

When U getting some new wheels mate?

[@michaelli9516]

Get a job further away lol 😂

[@jameslloydcole8783]

Save yourself 17 mins: turn the heater on.

[@itsjoel]

😂😂😂

[@MrHandsomejackuk]

15 minutes to temperauture...!!!! you got a problem there should be at middle of guage by about 2 miles

[@prontopac]

The coolant temperature will heat up first followed by the oil and transmission oil. However, there are still other components that need to come to temp as well. The plastic and rubber parts/hoses, the metal elements like the block and cylinder head and radiators and electrical items all have different heating rates. Depending on outside temp it might take 15 or more minutes before everything is properly warmed up. But then again, it's your car.