Attention E30 Drop top owners...

[Euro Nation]

So having owned my 318i for a couple months now my wife has taken to it and seems to think that adding a 318ic to the fleet seems like an okay plan. We would be selling the '95 Golf Sport she uses as a daily now and trying to pick up an IC in the $4000-$4500 range. She's always wanted another drop-top since she sold her '88 Cabriolet about four years ago.

Since everything else is the same as my car my one big question is...

do the tops tend to leak?

In VW land the MK1 cabby tops leak. Period. All of them. No matter what the owner claims. Seals are dealer only at about $800 and even if you replace them they leak.

I'm just covering my bases before commiting myself to this deal.

[aaron_silva]

Never had a problem.  The original top didn't leak, the new top doesn't leak and the hard top doesn't leak.  If the seal is bad however, you will probably be getting water in the cabin.

Since your budget is in the $4k range, you should be able to pick up a pretty good cabby that is taken care of.

Aaron

[FL318is]

I had an E36 vert that did leak around the top on the windshield on both corhers.  On the E30 vert I know several owners who have experienced NO LEAKS at all!

Congrats on the wife picking up on the 318iC.  Makes buying stuff for the car alot easier.

[Euro Nation]

Congrats on the wife picking up on the 318iC.  Makes buying stuff for the car alot easier.

I can justify my Ground Control coilovers if I put the H&Rs on her car.

If I get her an E30 Cabriolet the first action will be a basic, safe rollbar that still allows use of the rear seat.

Now to find one of these damn things. There's a black one local to me I thought about looking at, but I doubt I can get rid of her car before it sells... especially considering someone backed into it last week and it gets to spend a few days at a body shop.

[mgold]

My old top leaked, but the seals were in really bad shape, oh yeah and there was that minor issue when the old window tore...whoops.  My new top has no issues.

The cars are a lot of fun but can be a bit noisy with the top up or down (unless you have a hard top like Aaron).

[1991318is]

My dad's e30 vert leaked, but it had issues w/ window allignment from previous owner.

[Snarcher]

Actually e36's have a better meathod of overlapping the top against the seals, where the e30s just butt right up like 2 fists.  But yea, its all about the condition of the seals.  And if some stiching is missing and it REALLY rains, waters gonna drop on ur head...

[strad]

My top leaks a little bit on both sides about halfway back on the front side windows -- it's probably a function of old seals.  the top is about 2 years old and it doesn't leak anywhere else.  

I really would rather have the M20 (actually do have!) as a cabrio than the M42 (which I've driven as a vert).  I think the equipment level is nicer and the soundtrack is definitely better.  I do love my M42, but the M20b25 is a superior soundtrack for top-down motoring, hands down.  I get about 19 city/25 highway with it.

[twright]

My 1989 325ic does not leak.  I don't normally drive it in the rain, but I did last week and all was well.  (Except it got dirty   )

[ionusunt]

So having owned my 318i for a couple months now my wife has taken to it and seems to think that adding a 318ic to the fleet seems like an okay plan. We would be selling the '95 Golf Sport she uses as a daily now and trying to pick up an IC in the $4000-$4500 range. She's always wanted another drop-top since she sold her '88 Cabriolet about four years ago.

Since everything else is the same as my car my one big question is...

do the tops tend to leak?

In VW land the MK1 cabby tops leak. Period. All of them. No matter what the owner claims. Seals are dealer only at about $800 and even if you replace them they leak.

I'm just covering my bases before commiting myself to this deal.

mine does. the top is brand new but i didn't replace the hood seals ....big mistake ....it always leaks where the corner of the triangle window meets the corner of the soft top and windscreen......

[ponchiz318]

My e36 drop top leaks in the same spot. Right where the windshield meets the top. But only at the corners. I need new seals but I have been told that despite the money I need to spend for them, they will leak in about a year. Apparently, the e36 is notorious for this. But I really havent asked around. Just look for any missing stitching or tears on the soft top. Check the seals all around to make sure that they are in good condition. Also, check the rear window for exessive wear. I can't see out of mine, except through the holes that it has.....:shifty:

[ionusunt]

that's nothing mate ! with the original top (the 20 years old one) i spent one winter . you could see the sky through it! but i managed ....

[txleadfoot]

I had my cabrio out in a rainstorm a few weeks ago for the first time since I bought it last November.  The PO replaced the top, but reused the original seals.  It leaks like crazy at both front corners.

[tony92ic]

I drove my e30 318ic for two years with no top. Above 30mph it takes one hell of a downpour to get you wet. But stop lights suck.

New top with the original seal 130k miles. No leaks.

E36 with 40 miles leaks.

[ponchiz318]

E36 with 40 miles leaks.

So true. My good friend Jordan said it would be pretty pointless to go to the dealer and order new seals. It will leak in about a year again.....