[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by edogjh

Hi All,

Looking to get a 2022 Z4 and wanted to ask a few questions from fellow owners. I currently own a '21 Supra but always dreamed of a convertible.

1-How good is the soft top quality? Should I worry about heavy snow or rain destroying it? I live in an Condo complex with a parking lot so garage is out of the question.

2-How well does the soft top lock in? Driving on a highway can it unhinge? Is there a lot of wind noise?

3-Can these soft tops go through an automatic car wash, will they leak? I know... I know... Just wondering if I ever need to.

1) I live in south Florida and also park outdoors in a condo complex. Not only is my car subjected to intense sun and heavy rain when parked but I have driven my Z4 in torrential downpours without any leaking issues.

2) The locking system works perfectly and for a convertible it is pretty dam quiet inside the car except when I hear the burps in Sport Plus mode.

3) I have owned convertibles since 1994 and would never use an automatic car wash. If you are leasing the Z4 with no plans to ever purchase the car at the end of the lease then using a brushless car wash is a non issue.

[stlcdr]

As far as noise, there is very little with it up.

I drove today. I tried the top up and down in a crosswind. No noise beyond normal with it up, but a crosswind while down does create a noise left or right from where the wind is. Around the headrest area. Can be a bit annoying if it’s from the left (12mph north wind, driving west to east).

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

As far as noise, there is very little with it up.

I drove today. I tried the top up and down in a crosswind. No noise beyond normal with it up, but a crosswind while down does create a noise left or right from where the wind is. Around the headrest area. Can be a bit annoying if it’s from the left (12mph north wind, driving west to east).

The only real time that I hear noise with the top up is if I’m going through a fairly small tunnel. Even then it’s not a huge difference, just a smidgen noticable. But how long is a tunnel normally?

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

This is a great post that shows the differences. I would never knock anybody's personal preference, but IMO I think the moonlight looks much more premium.

Is the moonlight top black in color or dark grey? It does look better material but will it be offbeat on a black car which i am ordering

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Is the moonlight top black in color or dark grey? It does look better material but will it be offbeat on a black car which i am ordering

It's still black, but has a metallic sheen to it. Below is a link to a black Z4 for sale with the moonlight top. I personally think it looks nice, but I could see how on a black car some might prefer the pure black top.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Is the moonlight top black in color or dark grey? It does look better material but will it be offbeat on a black car which i am ordering

Same material, just a silver thread woven into it. The black top will look better, longer. So, it you plan on keeping it a long time, stick with black.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Balr14

Same material, just a silver thread woven into it. The black top will look better, longer. So, it you plan on keeping it a long time, stick with black.

IDK about this. I could see the black one potentially fading a bit, and I think it would be more noticeable than on the moonlight one.

Either way, probably better to just get the one you like best.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Balr14

Same material, just a silver thread woven into it. The black top will look better, longer. So, it you plan on keeping it a long time, stick with black.

Interesting! I'm not debating, I really don't know, but I'd expected to read that the moonlight would last longer / look better longer.

I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a San Remo green Z4 this year, and the top color is one of the few internal debates I'm having with myself. I think both colors would be good and an earlier post seemed to show it hid the creases better.

I take some comfort that either would be good but I still haven't decided which! My dealer hasn't yet called and asked me to come place an order, so I haven't had to finalize that decision yet.

Other items on the car include an extensive amount of shiny / piano black (trim, grille, interior) and so the dark black would probably look best... If experienced owners actually perceive that top to stay looking better, longer I'd love to know. I do plan to take care of it and see that you can use a spray ceramic coating on it as well, which I'll certainly do if it does indeed help.

[boss2k]

Interesting why the BMW configurator does not show pics with top up so people can see better?

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

IDK about this. I could see the black one potentially fading a bit, and I think it would be more noticeable than on the moonlight one.

Either way, probably better to just get the one you like best.

Yes, the black one will fade a bit over time. That's what top dressing is for, it helps preserve and restore the black color. But the moonlight top fades, too. Guess what happens to the silver threads when you put black top dressing on it? How long are you going to keep the car and how much exposure to sun will it get, should be the questions.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Balr14

Yes, the black one will fade a bit over time. That's what top dressing is for, it helps preserve and restore the black color. But the moonlight top fades, too. Guess what happens to the silver threads when you put black top dressing on it? How long are you going to keep the car and how much exposure to sun will it get, should be the questions.

There is someone on here who has a two cars, one with each. He had posted that they both hold up really well. Trying to find the post.

[RigaTony1982]

Also, not my photo (credit to StanDiego), but here is a good picture he posted of two black cars with both the Moonlight and Standard top:

[boss2k]

I saw some pics of black cars in my dealer website for incoming vehicles and standard black top looks better, the moonlight top has a grey tone to it which may go well with other cars

[Westside Guy]

IMHO, the Moonlight top on BSM gives the car a sleeker look. 👍🏻

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

There is someone on here who has a two cars, one with each. He had posted that they both hold up really well. Trying to find the post.

Under normal circumstances, with reasonable care, they will still look good in 15 years. I'm sure most of the people here take great care of their Z4, don't put a ton of miles on it, store it in the garage with the top up when not in use and spray the rubber with silicone at least once a year. But, at some point they are going to fade. When they do, moonlight is more difficult to keep looking good. That probably isn't a concern to most of the people here. But, just in case...

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by boss2k

I saw some pics of black cars in my dealer website for incoming vehicles and standard black top looks better, the moonlight top has a grey tone to it which may go well with other cars

Pictures don't adequately show what a moonlight top looks like.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Balr14

Pictures don't adequately show what a moonlight top looks like.

If people aren’t sure visit a dealer and check it out in person. 😉

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Also, not my photo (credit to StanDiego), but here is a good picture he posted of two black cars with both the Moonlight and Standard top:

I know they could be different ages but the moonlight doesn’t show creases the way a black one does. Again, maybe the moonlight is brand new?

[ebirotedu]

Black top will show some creasing even when new. More obvious from some angles than others but always present to some degree.

Attached a couple of photos to illustrate. Top has been up/closed for at least a full week.

Haven’t seen a moonlight top up close for long enough to compare, but board consensus seems to be that creasing isn’t as obvious.

Originally Posted by Rcasa20

I know they could be different ages but the moonlight doesn’t show creases the way a black one does. Again, maybe the moonlight is brand new?

[boss2k]

Went and saw the moonlight top in person , I think the standard black looks better and will stick with that specially on a black car

[Argo]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Went and saw the moonlight top in person , I think the standard black looks better and will stick with that specially on a black car

Yeah I feel the moonlight looks great by itself, but in some builds the pure black top works better.