Just been having an 'argument' with a female colleague, regarding soft-tops of all things - prompted by the lovely weather we're having.
She has a Mini Cooper convertible, with electric soft-top. I have an MR2 with hardtop and non-electric soft-top, obviously.
Anyway she finds it funny how I have to remove my hardtop and manually work my soft-top and says she could 'never do that' - do what? lift in an upwards movement or reach behind you?
She had a good laugh even though her roof hasn't worked for over a year because the electrics are f*cked and BMW have quoted £550 to get it sorted!
I just can't get it through to her that I'd rather the 'trouble' of manually working my soft-top, rather than lining the pockets of Mr Mini for the pleasure of pressing a button....Plus, the obvious advantages of a hardtop....
ANYWAY, this just got me thinking, has anyone converted their MR2 to that of an electrical one? Can it even be done?
Don't worry, I'm not now thinking of doing it, just curious and can't see the obvious advantages myself.
Anything is possible, but I doubt it's really worth the ballache to actually do it.
If you've got a 'good' top that you can throw back and latch and one that comes up easily then it's great (my old '2 was like that), but if you get a stiff one then you'll always be hankering after an electric one at times. FWIW I've done all three types now (throwback, electric and get out and clip in manually) and I vastly prefer the electric one I've currently got. Makes life a lot easier even if at times it is slower.
Mine is a stiff one and I find it hard to get it up, Dans was always more easy to manipulate.
Just think of the added weight of that electric motor s:D :D s:D
If you think the 2 is bad then I had a Mk1 Sprite where you had to put the frame in place first and than struggle with the soft top and vice versa. Had a couple of Saab convertables and you just press the button, that was good. My daughter had a Mini convertable, have you sat in the back? (You don't have to answer that).
s:lol: :lol: s:lol: Just read Russ, and it's before the 9pm watershed.
Someone's got a £15K+ Convertible car and can't use it because they don't want to spend £550 to fix it; but they find your fully working manual roof MR2 funny - are all your colleagues as irrational as that? How can you have a meaningful argument with someone that daft? It certainly reinforces my prejudices re the BMW Mini.
In cold weather mines a bit stiff, so takes a bit of manipulating to get down, but when it's warm I can flick it down in less than a second, and bring it back up just by reaching behind me and pulling, and no need to pull over to do it!
In all fairness I would rather have an electronic roof, but only if it was very quick to go down, and could be put up and down in moving traffic. From what I remember, the mini roof takes a while to go up and down, and sticks out the back when it is down which looks silly!
Quote from: "uktotty"Mine is a stiff one and I find it hard to get it up, Dans was always more easy to manipulate.
How rude of you Russ s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
Apparantly, there is a Japanese designer working on the oral erection of the hardtop (ie you speak to it and it comes up)
Quote from: "Dan M"... if you get a stiff one then you'll always be hankering after an electric one at times. ....
Signatures are getting all to frequent around here.. who's grabbing this one? s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I was sitting at a red light once when it started to pour rain out of nowhere. Just as I reached back for the top, the light turned green. I was able to get the top up and fully latched before getting to the other side of the intersection.
The person beside me in a much more expensive convertible had to put on their blinkers and hold up traffic. Apparently his electric top doesn't operate if the car is in motion.
I had a couple seconds of rain and no stoppage of traffic with my "lowly" manual top. He sat for quite a few seconds in the rain and blocked traffic with his fancy electric top.
Quote from: "uktotty"Mine is a stiff one and I find it hard to get it up,
Russ,....I heard someone say this about you before!!! lol s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
B
[MOD]Please keep this on topic guys, this isn't Chit-chat and rules is rules s:) :) s:) [/MOD]
I've found you can raise the roof at 50mph quite easily with a strong arm. I think you could do it at faster speeds too, but I've not had the guts to try. And for those that haven't tried this, it doesn't act like a big parachute! I do have both windows down a crack when I put the roof up, perhaps this makes it possible.
Unify - I think I can comment on this one quite well as my ex girlfriend had a mini convertible..... what a load of garabage they are by the way!
I dont know what it is about woman, but she had the same stupid attitude towards the whole electric roof thing. we once had a contest, by the time her roof went all the way up, I was able to bring mine up, put it back down again, bring it back up and click it into place, andf each time I did it I had to sit back in the car and get back out to do it.
the motors way a ton which is why the mini is so slow. you cant see naff all out the back because of the daft roll hoops, the roofs always brake, infact, they are so bad, mini actually offer a roof warrenty along with a normal car one. hers broke twice in a year.
you cant put a hard top on, so they are not as safe and finally they just fold up like some sort of deformed rug when they are down which makes it look like an afterthought. at the end of the day, the mini convertible has been adapted to fit a convertible roof, the mr2 was designed to have a soft top from the offset so the mr2 is better in so many ways, and I for one, would not fancy an electric roof as its just something else to go wrong, and very frequently in these cars too.
so tell your work mate to shut her mouth lol she obviously knows nothing about cars at all..... FACT!
So do you like it or not?
Mini convertible, one of those special convertibles that looks better with the roof UP! Nuff said.
Soft top on the 2 is quick and easy to use, works for me. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
I always loved the 2s simple top and always wondered why small 2 seaters bothered with electrics. Now i have the S2k, am rather enjoing the electric hood - its simple, cant imagine the motors weigh much and i am lazy!
plus it has manual override, so no worries if it goes wrong..
Still miss the 2..
(http://i45.tinypic.com/zmy5jb.jpg)
Quote from: "dj2k21"Unify - I think I can comment on this one quite well as my ex girlfriend had a mini convertible..... what a load of garabage they are by the way!
I dont know what it is about woman, but she had the same stupid attitude towards the whole electric roof thing. we once had a contest, by the time her roof went all the way up, I was able to bring mine up, put it back down again, bring it back up and click it into place, andf each time I did it I had to sit back in the car and get back out to do it.
the motors way a ton which is why the mini is so slow. you cant see naff all out the back because of the daft roll hoops, the roofs always brake, infact, they are so bad, mini actually offer a roof warrenty along with a normal car one. hers broke twice in a year.
you cant put a hard top on, so they are not as safe and finally they just fold up like some sort of deformed rug when they are down which makes it look like an afterthought. at the end of the day, the mini convertible has been adapted to fit a convertible roof, the mr2 was designed to have a soft top from the offset so the mr2 is better in so many ways, and I for one, would not fancy an electric roof as its just something else to go wrong, and very frequently in these cars too.
so tell your work mate to shut her mouth lol she obviously knows nothing about cars at all..... FACT!
Thanks for all the replies. Thought it was just me. To make matters worse, a girl with a hardtop covertable Tigra jumped in on the argument - obviously not on my side!
I couldn't agree more with the way the Mini looks roof down. I think i may have to put the two cars to the test as you've said dj.
How often is said Tigra convertible driven with the roof down? Most cars like that (Peugeot CC, VW Eos, etc) never put the roof down, presumably they expect it to jam in the open position.
Talking about the EOS, when they were new someone at our customers took one as a hire car upgrade. Like all hire car lots, the cars were jammed in pretty tight and as he opened the roof the boot lid or some other part of the gubbins caught on the car behind, denting it and jamming the EOS roof in the part open position. Not sure what "upgrade" he finished up with.
Just took off my hardtop today, popped home for lunch, sun was shining, threw my soft-top back in about 2 seconds and I was away!
Love the manual soft top s8) 8) s8)
Mohammed s:D :D s:D
Hi all
Surely the whole point of the MR2 Roadster was light weight to give maximum power to weight ratio. As has already been mentioned the motors etc weigh a ton on powered tops. I have no problem taking 30 secs or so to put my top up or down. The whole electric roof "syndrome" is purely pose value for most of the BMW/Merc etc brigade. They don't understand us and we don't understand them. It would be a boring old world if we all liked the same things!
Just before I bought my 2 some good friends had just sold their Z3. They really could not understand why I bought the 2 when I could have had their 3!
Hey ho!
Quote from: "uktotty"Mine is a stiff one and I find it hard to get it up, Dans was always more easy to manipulate.
Taken out of context I just pissed myself laughing s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Aww bless, it was only a week later but well done for getting it s;) ;) s;)
What's he laughing about?
I don't usually lift and lock mine in one action I always lift and lower a couple of times to let it seat better, it never has to be summer before it comes down s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Having said that, a couple of weeks ago I didn't bother with my usual technique and began to get a bit of wind noise that wasn't there before, it bugged me till I found the problem
The hood didn't settle behind the seal.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood002.jpg)
How it should look.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood004.jpg)
So if you get a noise that shouldn't be there, check that it has seated behind the seal s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
It really is quite random how some tops are better than others, which seems weird considering they're physically identical. Anyone know if other manual topped cars have the same variances between cars?
The '2 has a cracking hood, certainly one of the best. The Griff is a royal PITA at the best of times, and bear in mind it can't be done without getting out of the car (and all of the contents out of the boot!). I think probably the best quick manual roof I've seen is on an old Alfa Spider (late 60's) - Wheeler Dealers program did one up and it was effortless and tidy to say the least.
Count yourselves lucky next time it rains on a nice summers day while I'm getting soaked s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I have one thing to say
VXR torrential rain, M25 2009
oh how I wished for the convenience of a ropadster roof :-) :-) :-)
Quote from: "Les"I don't usually lift and lock mine in one action I always lift and lower a couple of times to let it seat better, it never has to be summer before it comes down s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Having said that, a couple of weeks ago I didn't bother with my usual technique and began to get a bit of wind noise that wasn't there before, it bugged me till I found the problem
The hood didn't settle behind the seal.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood002.jpg)
How it should look.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood004.jpg)
So if you get a noise that shouldn't be there, check that it has seated behind the seal s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Les
Mine does exactly the same on the passenger side, but not very often. Has only happened about 3 times in 2 years.
Because of the 'shattred screen' posts on here ,I always take it very easy, making sure to push down the rear screen gently before finally closing the hood. (I've got better things to spend 3 grand on).
I too would be interested to know why the 2 hardtop varies in easy of putting up and down. I watched 5th gear review again on the mk3 the other day. The guy was sitting in the drivers seat and unlatched and gave it alittle push and the roof popped back, which just latched in place.
Mine roof on the other hand is alot stiffer. I can put it up and latch it in seconds when sitting in the drivers seat. Putting it down i have to push the window into place and fold the ears in before latching it down.
Warrented the review was done on a nice hot summer day which helps. But ive seem some other guys roofs drop down with ease.
Did the roofs change on the facelift at all?
Frankly anyone with a Mini soft top or a Tigra isn't a car enthusiast and I wouldn't waste my time explaining why your car is better. s:wink: :wink: s:wink: Especially as the Mini with the roof down looks like a silvercross pram. Truly Hideous.
mweeeeee, had my hood down on the way back from shopping today, that's the second time this week, it's brilliant! and only took a few seconds up & down, i'm definitely a fan of the manual roof!
Quote from: "markiii"oh how I wished for the convenience of a ropadster roof :-) :-) :-)
We all wish you did......
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll29/Jigwar/MR2ROC%20Glencoe%202008/02RainStop.jpg)
s:) :) s:)
Quote from: "Twos Company"Frankly anyone with a Mini soft top or a Tigra isn't a car enthusiast and I wouldn't waste my time explaining why your car is better. s:wink: :wink: s:wink: Especially as the Mini with the roof down looks like a silvercross pram. Truly Hideous.
Well, that's exactly what I thought. There was literally no getting through to them. I like the 'silvercross pram' likening though, may have to resurect this argument just to use that!
If the driver is a 5ft tall young woman, i bet she can't lift and latch the soft top back on while sitting in the driver's seat. I occasionally get spasms in my left arm while latching the top back on.
Opening it on the other hand, well, you never know if it's going to sit and latch fully in one motion. If funny when it doesn't and you have to lift it back up and again to throw it back. Yah, when my friend showed me his S2K could open in like 6 seconds, i told him mine could open and close twice in that time. s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Quote from: "S2077S"If the driver is a 5ft tall young woman, i bet she can't lift and latch the soft top back on while sitting in the driver's seat. I occasionally get spasms in my left arm while latching the top back on.
Winter hasn't yet given me an opportunity to try this, but when the weather's better I'll give it a go - I'm 5ft 4 and a quarter (and yes, the quarter makes ALL the difference!!) so I suspect I'll be getting out of my car to bring the hood back up s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
1/4 inch taller, i can twist round and raise the top from inside the car, just experiment and you will find a way. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
I'm not qute sure why you need to raise or lower the top from inside the car, other than to make a point, but I have noticed in a couple of car parks that some observers thing it will take you a long time, and it's all over in the blink of an eye (or did my wife say that s:D :D s:D ).
The really good design point in the 2 is that the hood folds down with the top the right way up. In the MGF /TF for example, the inside faces out and you really need the hood cover to complete the job.
Apart from the "caught in rain at traffic lights" scenario, I don't see much point in operating the roof form inside the car. Theres something satisfying about the ritual of folding it down before you set off in the sunshine.
Quote from: "nathanMR2"I too would be interested to know why the 2 hardtop varies in easy of putting up and down. I watched 5th gear review again on the mk3 the other day. The guy was sitting in the drivers seat and unlatched and gave it alittle push and the roof popped back, which just latched in place.
Mine roof on the other hand is alot stiffer. I can put it up and latch it in seconds when sitting in the drivers seat. Putting it down i have to push the window into place and fold the ears in before latching it down.
Warrented the review was done on a nice hot summer day which helps. But ive seem some other guys roofs drop down with ease.
Did the roofs change on the facelift at all?
it depends on how stiff teh roof is (usually dependant on how much you use it)
and of course teh weather, mine would drop easily in teh sunshine but not winter
Quote from: "nathanMR2"I too would be interested to know why the 2 hardtop varies in easy of putting up and down.
Nathan!
I think I have found your issue mate, you are trying to fold the hardtop, it's made of fibreglass mate and not very bendy!
Ours has complicated mechanics to show the top, and since it is a rather stiff vinyl (especially in cold) rather than a flimsy canvas, I reckon any attempt to electrify the standard one will result in burnt out motors and/or smashed glass.
Quote from: "cclarke99"Theres something satisfying about the ritual of folding it down before you set off in the sunshine.
Sunshine? What sunshine?!! s:P :P s:P But I agree s:) :) s:)
Well there you are, we only had to mention sunshine and we had two out of three days (and one of them was on a weekend!)
Quote from: "S2077S"If the driver is a 5ft tall young woman, i bet she can't lift and latch the soft top back on while sitting in the driver's seat. I occasionally get spasms in my left arm while latching the top back on.
I use my right hand to lift the roof
Quote from: "Les"I don't usually lift and lock mine in one action I always lift and lower a couple of times to let it seat better, it never has to be summer before it comes down s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Having said that, a couple of weeks ago I didn't bother with my usual technique and began to get a bit of wind noise that wasn't there before, it bugged me till I found the problem
The hood didn't settle behind the seal.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood002.jpg)
How it should look.
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv175/giddlepin/hood004.jpg)
So if you get a noise that shouldn't be there, check that it has seated behind the seal s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
How did you fix this problem...its a bit like the trouble i'm having after fitting a new roof...?