Found a 99' 323 Convertible with blue top and liner in good/great shape, the rest of the car is great/good shape also. Brought it to my mechanic and checked out. I bought the car and detailed it, looks great! I never had a convertible before, so I search and found the recommendations on the product RaggTopp and ordered it. I jumped in the car prior to going to work in the morning and noticed the seats (front) were wet and the top/liner was pretty soaked. The question is, will raggtopp work or is it time to get a new top? Any comments would work! Thanks for the time.

Wow - No comments yet?? I'll try the Raggtopp tomorrow, then when it rains in sunny Florida again (dry season now), I'll let the forum know.

original poster never really asked a question for anyone to comment on. i assume it rained or something and your car was leaking and he want to know if raggtopp will solve the problem?

raggtopp is just a fabric cleaner/protector. it will do light water repelling, but dont expect it to keep the soft top beading up water in a rainstorm.

if your top is leaking, you should get a rubber conditioner and use it on all possible seals. If the car still leaks, youll want to replace the seals. a lot of verts seems leak through the caps on the end of the A-pillars on the car, where the windsheild, front side windows, and soft top all come together.

there could also be a problem with the alignment of the side windows. my driver side door needs to be closed carefully otherwise the window will get caught on the soft top, leaving a 1/2 inch gap between the front side window and the black seal attached to the rear side window. such a gap could also let in a lot of water in the rain or car wash.

Other question. The blue top is what gets saturated during the rain storm (not around windows or A-Pillars). If you touch the liner, it is damp/wet/saturated and dripping through. The dealer that sold it to me, said it was a garaged car (It definetly looks like it). The top looks it and mechanicals works great. My mechanic blessed it, but he does not know a thing about the top and maintenance. So my question is, is there a product that water proofs the top? Is this a common problem? Other recommendations. My first vert and my kid got my 93 325is. I appreciate the comments! Chris

It rained quite a bit today in Florida. The leaks through the fabric top pretty much stopped except the support that goes over the both front seats (third support from after meeting the windshield as #1). The fabric has absorbed the rain, but not much compared to the start of the post . There are a few drips onto the seats. Any recommendations, or reapply RaggTopp protectant? How does a cloth top work to keep the water/rain out or do you expect some leaks? Just questions I have. Thanks Chris

Raggtop will help the water bead on the top.

When you open the door, water will drip onto the side of the seat. Not much you can do about that.

In the future, if you want more replies to convertible specific questions, post them in the 'convertible questions' sub forum under 3-series (E36).

Im pretty sure that water is not leaking through the top. The way water gets in is through the seals with either the windows or whatever. You can get all the rubber stuff replaced, but it might cost a pretty penny. Go get a quote from a mechanic who knows something about bmw verts

is the lead comming from the top itself or the seal around the windows?My roady has a small leak right above the driver side window around the seal. I took it into the dealer today to get looked at and they said I would have to replace the seal all the way around the top. costs around 550. either that or don't drive in the rain I guess.

your car sounds just like mine. Mine leaks a little from the rear plastic window, and also occasionally the top of the passenger side door. I've never used RaggTopp, but I have used the Aerospace convertible top cleaner and water repellent. It makes the water bead up, but you have to use about 1/2 the bottle to get a sufficient amount on the top to repel the water.

Does your 'vert look like mine, I'm just curious?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/kurt_fire/Bimmer/IMG_1431.jpg

^ Mine leaks at the passenger front door also.Has to rain for a while for it to start.

Same top, just Avus Blue Metalic Paint. Chris

a lot of verts seems leak through the caps on the end of the A-pillars on the car, where the windsheild, front side windows, and soft top all come together.Bingo, same here!