[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.

[StanDiego]

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. Excellent quality. Like most car manufacturers, Haartz is the fabric manufacturer. I believe the material used for the black top is their Sonnenland® A5B/DS. I'm unsure of the specific material for the moonlight top which appears to be an even better material.
https://www.haartz.com/products/sonnenland-a5bds

2. No, it won't unhinge. Some noise but surprisingly quiet for a convertible. It's well insulated.

3. It may be tough to find a forum member who endorses automatic car washes for their Z4. I'll just say this: if you must, find one where you can choose the option that does NOT apply the waxes and sealants. Those are not good for the convertible top.

[RigaTony1982]

I've taken mine through an auto car wash twice in the 9 months I've had it. Didn't really want to, but was traveling and it needed washed. One was touch-less, other was not. No issues with leaks whatsoever. Not something I plan on doing regularly, but in a pinch I think you're fine.

[Kevin45E]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

1. Excellent quality. Like most car manufacturers, Haartz is the fabric manufacturer. I believe the material used for the black top is their Sonnenland® A5B/DS. I'm unsure of the specific material for the moonlight top which appears to be an even better material.

Is the moonlight top a better material or just a cosmetic difference? I see on the forum that many people really like the moonlight top but I’m interested in whether the material it is made from is actually better.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Kevin45E

Is the moonlight top a better material or just a cosmetic difference? I see on the forum that many people really like the moonlight top but I’m interested in whether the material it is made from is actually better.

I’ve read from people who’ve owned both that the moonlight is a nicer material. Nothing I’ve read seems to validate that though.

I ended up getting the moonlight because it was a minimal cost and based on what others have said.

Edit: according to the website StanDiego posted, looks like it’s the same material, just a different color.

[khp3655]

I have a 2022 with the moonlight top. The sound quality is very good in the soft top Z4. It is much quieter than my previous 2021 Miata, and slightly quieter than the e89 Z4 I had before that. The top will not come loose. It is as secure as can be. I would not take the car through an automatic car wash. I do pull into self-service bays and wash it when it needs it.

[eclz]

As a former Supra owner I can confidently say the interior of the Z4 is quieter and this was one of the main motivations for switching to the Z4 for me. For all its charms, the Supra is essentially an undamped resonant can that amplifies everything coming from the road, particularly the panels behind the side windows and the roof. The soft top in these same places in the Z4, which is close to where your ears are, seems to be one of the main differences. But just tap on the door panels of a Supra and a Z4 and you will notice how much more "dead" the Z4 sounds. If a siren or a barking dog is making noise outside the Z4 you can perhaps hear it more distinctly than in a car with an all-metal structure. But the excellent road noise isolation makes up for it.

[Opie55]

You can park modern convertible tops outdoors for years. I've done it on several cars that I bought used and kept 7 years or so. No issues at all. Just never ever shoot a high pressure car wash wand at it at close range. It can cause permanent marks. As for moonlight black, if you use the top a lot it tends to show the permanent fold lines a bit more than black. The cloth is like black with sort of silvery threads mixed in. For reasons I have never understood, the silver sort of fades away at the creases, so they look darker black. I'd still get that top, though.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Opie55

You can park modern convertible tops outdoors for years. I've done it on several cars that I bought used and kept 7 years or so. No issues at all. Just never ever shoot a high pressure car wash wand at it at close range. It can cause permanent marks. As for moonlight black, if you use the top a lot it tends to show the permanent fold lines a bit more than black. The cloth is like black with sort of silvery threads mixed in. For reasons I have never understood, the silver sort of fades away at the creases, so they look darker black. I'd still get that top, though.

[Balr14]

I have to take my car through a car wash... water at home is very hard and leaves residue, so not much choice. I've never had a problem with the top leaking, on my Z4 or any convertible I've owned in the last 15 years. Convertible technology has come a long way. Very little of a modern convertible top is actually soft. Most of it is hard material, just covered with cloth. Usually the only soft area is in the center where it folds.

As for noise, the top is usually down. When it's up, I'm hearing impaired, so if it was objectionable, I'd just turn my hearing aids down.

[Tuxedo]

the difference between the 2 tops is the standard is black canvas weave and Moonlight is synthetic denim touch of sheen dark gray.

I've had 1 of each on my 128's currently with a moonlight, I recommend moonlight.

[NVHoo]

separation, even for brushless washes. All you have to do is look at the rear window vibrating as it passes under the final blower to figure out that the window is being subjected to tremendous downforce. It will take years to see any effect however since convertible tops are well made but it will eventually take a toll.

[tracer bullet]

Great discussion on tops. I wasn't too concerned about how water-tight they were but was very interested in the differences in color or potential material. Much appreciated replies on that aspect! I might actually like the black a little better but I can totally see the thing about the creases. Hmm.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Attachment 3378287

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.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Attachment 3378287

In this picture you can actually see the creases easier in the regular black top IMO.
The moonlight definitely creases as well, but maybe depending on lighting the extra sheen may hide it a bit.

My CPO was luckily optioned with the moonlight and its best feature is how many other convertibles DONT have it. Really a nice color that adds some pop.

I think I’ve seen moonlight type tops on premium cars like other BMW’s and a Porsche 911.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

the difference between the 2 tops is the standard is black canvas weave and Moonlight is synthetic denim touch of sheen dark gray.

I've had 1 of each on my 128's currently with a moonlight, I recommend moonlight.

Yes, as you note the materials are different.

I wanted the 'black', and not the sheen/shimmer of the moonlight, that's why I got that. I do think the moonlight top would hold up better to 'abuse' than the standard black.

[tracer bullet]

Choices, choices.

If @edogjh doesn't come back I might try derailing this thread with opinions on these tops on different color cars.

[Balr14]

The moonlight top is just some silver threads woven into the material, but it's still the same Haartz cloth. It's been available for 15 years in different BMW models and exhibits the same wear and durability as the black top. My son had it on a 2008 or 2009 series 3 model. The silver tends to fade over time. I don't think most top dressings do it any favors.

[Horseman]

Hey there!

Others have definitely put in their two cents.. here's mine:

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.

**EXCELLENT Quality. Especially the moonlight black soft top option. I had a 2021 SDrive 30i with the basic black and now a 2024 M40i with the moonlight and so far I've enjoyed the look and seemingly better quality of the top.

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

**That top is STRAPPED IN WELL! Really is and you can hear it! It doesn't rattle around, will not come unhinged unless something is just broken. Wind noise? Not so much wind noise, but you do hear other cars go by a little more than you would with a hard top. It's well insulated, will keep you comfortable from weather (rain, heat, cold), sound and debris.

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.

**Don't know, not willing to find out. I hand wash my car to meticulous detail. Even for the sake of your paint, I wouldn't recommend a car wash. Some car washes have a convertible option where the top brush will stop at the windshield, but you'd have to ask ahead. If you have questions about how to wash a car, I made a thread with a video of how I do it and the products I use.

[RigaTony1982]

Just a quick addition to #2 regarding the noise. The only spot I seem to notice any noise is over my left shoulder (when sitting in the drivers seat). Even then, it's still really quiet.

People who haven't been in a convertible and have ridden with me have made comments that they thought it would be much noisier.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Just a quick addition to #2 regarding the noise. The only spot I seem to notice any noise is over my left shoulder (when sitting in the drivers seat). Even then, it's still really quiet.

People who haven't been in a convertible and have ridden with me have made comments that they thought it would be much noisier.

It is the most quiet convertible I have owned and second best convertible top, overall.

[edogjh]

All of you guys are awesome. Thanks for answering my questions!