Questions on a spider's top

Hi guys,

1. How do you go about washing the top without getting water leaks into the interior? Try as I may, using a scoop rather than a hose/spray, water still finds its way into the front corners near the door mirrors.

2. Is 3M's Scotch guard the way to go for waterproofing the top? What other ways do you guys care for the top's fabric?

3. When driving with the top up, the wind noise from the roof fabric is such that shouting is the only way to go at speeds of 250kph and above. Wind noise starts becoming loud from 200 onwards. Is my fear that the roof fabric can be damaged with prolonged high speed runs unfounded?

Thanks for the answers, this 348/355 section is great! Meantime,enjoy the pics.

Wong
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As far as cleaning and weatherproofing goes, and if my memory serves me correctly, BMW's line of convertible-top care products come highly recommended.

 

The BMW stuff is great. I, too, get a few drops of water on the inside of the windows, but at the back of the window--not at the front near the a-pillars. I can't avoid it so I always make sure to clean my inside door windows AFTER I wash the car.

Not sure about the top wind noise question...it is a convertible, but mine doesn't seem too loud at 70-80mph.

 

At 200+ kph I keep my conversations to a minimum...I am not sure how you can hear wind noise over the engine at those speeds but I would try adjusting the clamps at the front of the hood, above the sun visors, lower them down a bit and see if that helps.

 

+1 Definitely the way to go. I did this on my Spider and do this for my BMW 330ic.

 

For some strange reason my top does not leak at all during a normal hose wash or rain ...... though I have not or will not try any kind of 'pressure' washer ......

Some wind noise is expected and is part of the experience IMO ........

 

It is the experience!

 

Do you guys work in the same cubicle in FNA's warranty department?

 

From the F355 spider owner's manual:
"The loads and the strains- varying depending on the car utilization- can determine small variations in the door positioning or in the soft top framework.
Due to the above reasons, the sealing due to water or air infiltrations from the windows, cannot be guaranteed in all conditions.
It's clear that small infiltrations in some areas can be considered normal."
That says it all!

 

Thanks for all the replies. As long as my top doesn't get damage, the noise doesn't bother me. And yes, the wind noise is that loud even with that musical instrument behind me going full blast.

Enjoy the cars in good health!