[JasonDot]

Does anyone else here park with the top down unattended? When running errands or making stops under 45 mins or so I'll leave it down. Of course, the neighborhood and weather changes things.

[Westside Guy]

I had three convertibles living in New York City and now I have my Z4 living in South Florida.

I would never leave any of my cars unattended with the top down!

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

I had three convertibles living in New York City and now I have my Z4 living in South Florida.

I would never leave any of my cars unattended with the top down!

+1

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by COKen

+1

Especially in a Costco parking lot!!!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

One of my converts does not even have a roof. Will leave the top down on the M4C & Z4M40i on most occasions in the local area.

[NVHoo]

Have owned convertibles for decades and leave the top down most of the time when in suburban or rural public parking lot for less than an hour. A convertible owner should realize that you should not have anything of value in a convertible, either visible or stored, since a thief needs only a knife to enter. However, if I am in the downtown area of a major city like LA, Chicago, NYC, etc I put the top up. It's all a matter of situational awareness.

[ejm3]

It depends upon where you are.
In my suburban neighborhood I leave it down.
In city environments I mostly just don't take it but if I do then top up.
Also I leave nothing of value in the car.
Situational awareness.

[Toon902]

For me, it’s less about having stuff stolen than it is having assholes throw garbage in your car. I’ve had McDonalds cups full of Coke and ice and other garbage thrown into the front seat of previous convertibles. It’s the same jerks who decide that keying the side of a nice car is a form of jealousy.

[Westside Guy]

Aside from theft and vandalism concerns for someone like me living in South Florida, I always have to be worried about rain. It can be sunny one minute and then we have heavy rain a few minutes later. ⛈

Then there is always the occasional bird poop you discover on your car. I learned my lesson many years ago when I lived in NY and had a 1994 325i convertible and parked with the top down out at a beach in the Hamptons. When I returned to my car I discovered that my front seats were covered with bird droppings!

[ebirotedu]

This —>>

Originally Posted by Toon902

For me, it’s less about having stuff stolen than it is having assholes throw garbage in your car. I’ve had McDonalds cups full of Coke and ice and other garbage thrown into the front seat of previous convertibles. It’s the same jerks who decide that keying the side of a nice car is a form of jealousy.

I’m new to convertibles, and lots less worried about someone trying to steal something of value from the car (there’s nothing of value IN the car: registration & insurance card locked in the glove box and probably a jacket stuffed behind the netting; and a bag in the trunk with a collapsable tire iron, tire pressure gauge, rain gear, and a hat and gloves), than I am that someone may opportunistically vandalize or otherwise deface or damage the interior.

Nonetheless, it feels a bit paranoid to put the top up every time I stop and walk away from the car. So far, I only leave the top down if I’m going to be away for a few minutes (i.e., gas station pit stop) or maybe stopping for food and am parked where I can see the car the entire time.

When I got into motorcycles, I had the same concern - everything on a bike is exposed and easily f’ed with. But nobody has ever touched any of my bikes ever, no matter where I’ve been or however long they’ve been left unattended (overnight being the longest). I suppose this is partly because riders don’t mess with other riders’ bikes, and motorcycles and motorcycle culture are somewhat intimidating to non-riders. There are places, like NYC, where these rules would not apply (through a classroom window while attending school in the city, I watched an unattended 90s sportbike (maybe a Katana) slowly dwindle to nothing as it was stripped overnight for parts over a semester, until the only thing left was the front wheel anchored by a u-lock).

But I don’t imagine there’s any real cultural protection for convertibles - quite the opposite: there’s something kind of fascinating about seeing a thing as boring/everyday as a car interior made interesting by the fact that it’s completely exposed to the elements and any passersby’s gaze. To wit: after finishing my lunch last Sunday, I wandered over to look inside at the interior of a blue ‘66 or ‘67 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible parked outside - it’s certainly not every day that I see a vintage full-size American convertible. (A dinosaur from a bygone era!)

[Kwajtrader]

I never leave the top down in public areas. I have found that given the opportunity, some people make bad choices that affect me… (can you tell my daughter is an elementary school teacher?)

[ebirotedu]

"some people make bad choices that affect me" cracks me up.

It reminded me of something I once heard said: "People who make bad decisions end up bringing the consequences of those decisions into their friendship with you.")

Originally Posted by Kwajtrader

I never leave the top down in public areas. I have found that given the opportunity, some people make bad choices that affect me… (can you tell my daughter is an elementary school teacher?)

[TAZ007]

Unless I'm at a cars and coffee event, the top goes up.

[Combatcrew2]

I remember some years ago there was a guy used to drive around Middlesbrough in a bright yellow Peugeot 306 and leave his top down to go in the shops. The massive Newfoundland dog left in the back seat worked as a good deterrent.

I don’t leave my top down when I’m not in it.

[mss400]

Peugeot? I haven't seen one of those in the US in decades. Almost bought a new 505 STI when they were still being sold here. Luckily, some friends performed an intervention.

[jdhiro]

E89 Z4, S2000, and MR2 Spyder previous owner here...

First off, in a soft-top, my doors are always unlocked. I'd much rather have somebody open my door and realize there is nothing to take than slash the top.

Second, never in my life have I had a problem parking cars with the top down. As others have said... situation awareness. But even in downtown Seattle, I'm fine with it as long as I'm not next to a homeless encampment or 4th street lol.

At the end of the day, if somebody wants to ruin your day, they are going to do it top up or top down. But we have insurance for that.

[RLF]

I've owned several convertibles over the years where I might be more inclined to leave the top down. My old MG and Jeep come to mind where raising or lowering the top was more of a process. With the Z4 it only takes a few seconds, so with a very few exceptions, top goes up when parked.

[ejm3]

I see people who leave their home, put the top down.
Then stop at Starbucks, put the top up.
Then leave Starbucks 5 minutes later, put the top down again.
And I'm guessing they do this at every stop they made during the course of the day.
Then they wonder they they need a new top after 3 years.

[Karnidge]

Only if I am in a restaurant and I can see/watch my car the whole time. Otherwise, the top goes up. Only takes 10 sec.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Karnidge

Only if I am in a restaurant and I can see/watch my car the whole time. Otherwise, the top goes up. Only takes 10 sec.

Your plan is flawed as it takes longer than 10 seconds to go to the bathroom.

[Horseman]

I only leave my top down if I'm making a very quick stop and can park in a location that I can see the car. For instance, picking up meat at the meat market. Very low traffic in and out of said location, I can park in front of a window. Picking up my kid. There are alot of witnesses if any asshole decides to do something stupid.

ONE EXCEPTION: Cars and Coffee, I park and let folks enjoy what they see.

[Z4Racer1]

Yes I leave the top down a lot especially when I know the area, like local restaurants, hardware store etc... I do put it up is I am near trees when they are blooming or when it's hot in the summer. I use remote start when the lid is closed.