Since we all live in different climates and it gets cold at different times, I'm just wondering what's everyones minimum temperature for driving with the top down?

Include in your replies if you have a windscreen or not ....We're talking F here folks, no one in a 'real' country uses C.:D (C x 1.8 + 32 = F)

Mine's 55 with the windows up, heat cranking, no windscreen.

Anything under 65 with an old rear window and you're tempting fate.

When I first aquired my vert it was January. We had a "warm" day...I think it was 51. You bet your sweet ass I was out with the top down, snow on the ground and all. :D (No windscreen, windows down, heat on 80, and I live in NE)

If you have the wind deflector and put the windows up, you can still comfortable cruise around near freezing point. It's thát effective.

(and boy do I love my heated seats this time a year!)

I don't have a windscreen or heated seats and my limit is 45ish... Tonight it was about 50 and I had the top down with the heat blasting; it felt great.

Ever since I creased my rear window (and had a new one installed), I don't like folding the top when it is less than 60 out. Before that, I was willing to drop the top down to about 50, but only if I had gloves and a warm hat on.

Scott

Top down all the time, or everyday.

Last year I got my car in the middle of February it got up to 50 one day in March so i put the top down with the windows down and heat on. Normally 60 is about all that i am willing to do.

I said 60-69 but I've got the hardtop on now till March.

The only time I have the top up is when it is Raining! Cold? Isn't that why the cars have heaters / heated seats and isn't that why they make jackets.

The only time I have the top up is when it is Raining! Cold? Isn't that why the cars have heaters / heated seats and isn't that why they make jackets.


Amen to that.

I have also seen comments saying that some poeple say it is sometimes too HOT to put the top down. Here in coastal NC, it seldom gets over 100F and never gets over 100% humidity, so it is never too hot!

On sunny days I'll keep the top and windows down with windscreen up until about 50F. Below that only if there is very little wind. I'll put up with near anything as long as the leaves are changing color - once they are down it tends to get too windy.

Top is still down today in upstate NY - dark blue sky and about 53F at noon. I've probably got another week before I'll switch over to driving the Audi most of the time.

Peter

I have also seen comments saying that some poeple say it is sometimes too HOT to put the top down. Here in coastal NC, it seldom gets over 100F and never gets over 100% humidity, so it is never too hot!

In Louisiana, YES it gets too hot, especially if stop and go traffic.

This will be my first winter with a windscreen, but I'll quickly drop the top in the 60's range, even 50's if it's a short drive. My car came with heated seats which I use all the time when it gets cool, and my winter driving gloves and wool driving cap are all within easy reach.

I have also seen comments saying that some poeple say it is sometimes too HOT to put the top down. Here in coastal NC, it seldom gets over 100F and never gets over 100% humidity, so it is never too hot!

Very true! Summer 's here can be choking because if the humidity levels.

In these conditions, it's top up and aircon on. I would never buy a car without aircon.

Zero Kelvin- if above freezing and sunny- I'm there with coat, scarf, gloves, hat & shades!! If below freezing don't want to chance cracking the plastic window in my Z3. Somehow I don't think wifey will be this agressive in her ///M vert.

My mechanic def receomende the BMW heated vest for the cig lighter- says your warm & toasty no matter what- I'm keeping my eye out for one- maybe Christmas......

Wimps.

My top is down in Houston if it is not raining. A light sprinkle is no problem. 105 or 37 no problem. I have raised it when at freezing if I am wearing slacks for work as the jacket does not cover them. I have no windscreen but do use the heater when cold. I sometimes use the AC at stoplights during the sweatbox months. I carry shorts and teva's and change before driving in the summer.

Dunbar

Lowest so far was 49. Haven't bought my deflector yet, but properly adjusted vents make it possible. Count me in the 0K category. :) I enjoy driving in light rain - the smell is awesome.

50 degrees, windows/deflector/heat up, very comfortable.

i live in Michigan so any chance i get this time of the year i put it down, if the suns up the tops down i like to say

my tempurature rarely goes under 60 10 months out of the year :rolleyes

my tempurature rarely goes under 60 10 months out of the year :rolleyes

Mine hovers around 98.6 most of the year....

:rolleyes

It's October and still warm in NJ..I think we're rocking top downage until December, Baby! :buttrock

With deflector/windows up I can definitely go below 50 F no problemo. It would be nice to have heated seats to extend the temp range even further (plus the nice feeling of warm buns).

get a wind deflector and extend your season!

we go to 3C or about 40F around here...

With deflector/windows up I can definitely go below 50 F no problemo. It would be nice to have heated seats to extend the temp range even further (plus the nice feeling of warm buns).

I use the heated seats even when it's warm out....

Hit the button, hit the cruise control, take a little nap on the way to work.

:nono

I don't care if it's 100 out or 30 degrees. If I wanted a coupe, I would have saved a grand or two and bought one. What's the point of a convertible if you don't drop the top. The only time my top is up is when it's raining or it's parked, period. Of course we have pretty mild winters in Houston, rarely gets below freezing.

Top down to 40, or maybe a little cooler. I have a rear windscreen between the rollbar and headrest. On really fast trips and cool nights we also use the windblocking blanket to warm things up a little more. I do not have the heated seats. That would be nice.
The other morning it was in the 50 and it started to sprinkle. At 70 the water just blew over the top...

with the wind deflector...i'd go top down year round here...as long as it aint raining/snowing up here.

hey juice,

have u done any mods to your 323 yet?

Im a horrable convert owner. Ive had the car since 2002 and hardly ever put the top down. I live in CO, which averages something like 300 days of sunshine a year or something like that and I never put it down. The thing is, I get really self conscious that people are looking at me with the top down. I think it draws too much attention? Its weird cause I will mod my car to make it look good but I just dont like people watching me while I drive. The times I do put it down are durring the warm summer nights when there arent many people on the road like 11 or 12.

Im a horrable convert owner. Ive had the car since 2002 and hardly ever put the top down. I live in CO, which averages something like 300 days of sunshine a year or something like that and I never put it down. The thing is, I get really self conscious that people are looking at me with the top down. I think it draws too much attention? Its weird cause I will mod my car to make it look good but I just dont like people watching me while I drive. The times I do put it down are durring the warm summer nights when there arent many people on the road like 11 or 12.

The only way to make yourself feel better is to give me your car...Shoot me your address and I'll come pick it up...


:D

Im a horrable convert owner. Ive had the car since 2002 and hardly ever put the top down. I live in CO, which averages something like 300 days of sunshine a year or something like that and I never put it down. The thing is, I get really self conscious that people are looking at me with the top down. I think it draws too much attention? Its weird cause I will mod my car to make it look good but I just dont like people watching me while I drive. The times I do put it down are durring the warm summer nights when there arent many people on the road like 11 or 12.

I don't think a BMW convertible attracts that much attention. If it does, I am not noticing it. I guess I need a Dakar one. ;) I am sure that problem will be solved when I eventually get my Elise.

Seriously though, you will find it's really not a big deal to drive top down most of the time. Try doing it at dusk when the visibility is lower than full daylight. If people look, they look at the car and not you. Pretty soon you'll simply get used to ignoring them and just enjoy the drive.

40 degrees . . . with the windscreen, heat / heated seats (at least the one that's working).

And DucHuhnh007 . . . . 300 days of sunshine . . . . get over it, and get that top down!! Nobody is looking . . . and if they are . . . so what, who cares? I got more attention (with the top up) when the radiator blew in a construction zone than I ever do with the top down.

Ya i just need to get over it, If I like the top down I shouldnt have to change because of what Im afraid other people might think. I mean, whos looking at me anyway? Who cares? I need to get over myself.