M6 Vert/Cab top speed limits of soft top? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

PeterWBaker · 16th February 2008, 01:22

Hi, I am planning to have the v-max removed from my M6 vert/cab and wanted to know how may people out there had done high speed runs in soft tops? My thought being did BMW really design their car construction to do 200mph... It might be an odd question [IMG]file:///C:/Users/pbaker/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG] but I am looking for some confidence the top won't peel back at such high speeds - thoughts? Peter

blkfast6 · 16th February 2008, 08:02

i wouldnt go that fast with a vert. dont think the top will even last at those speeds

TimK · 16th February 2008, 16:02

I've had mine over 170mph (indicated on speedometer so probably just above 160 in reality). The wind noise really picked up at 150 but no flapping or other indication air was getting under seams around the roof. I will likely take it faster once the weather warms I get the car to a suitable place.

Cosmos · 16th February 2008, 22:22

Its the vacuumm effect you need to worry about. The difference in air pressure from outside the vehicle to the inside.

Would really want to risk blowing the top off at speeds greater than 160mph?

ajcut7 · 16th February 2008, 22:53

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mYG9j8h0nPs

PeterWBaker · 17th February 2008, 01:47

Oh yes, now I remember seeing that clip a little while ago! So it can be done then:-) Peter

ajcut7 · 17th February 2008, 02:45

The car was built for speed, the soft top holds, not like the fake tops on lambos or Ferraris that blow off after 100. Also for reference I have done about 170 with the top and windows down and its pretty comfortable. Enjoy the car! Drive safe though, too many stories in the news about stupid people hurting themselves and others, Fast can be safe if your smart about it.

bernhtp · 17th February 2008, 03:23

I had my E46 M3 convertible to the limiter on numerous occasions without problem. OTOH, long-distance high-speed runs in my older E36 M3 coupe resulted in the underside air damn (splash guard) falling off on several occasions. After two replacements, I put in extra screws to fasten it.

Joeddler · 27th February 2008, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcut7

The car was built for speed, the soft top holds, not like the fake tops on lambos or Ferraris that blow off after 100. Also for reference I have done about 170 with the top and windows down and its pretty comfortable. Enjoy the car! Drive safe though, too many stories in the news about stupid people hurting themselves and others, Fast can be safe if your smart about it.

Good to know that about our M6 Convertibles, though I don't plan on ever going that fast.

However, I strongly disagree with your statement about convertible Ferraris & Lambos. I owned a 1999 355 Series Fiorano F1 Spider & took it over 135 mph with top up & no problems at all(on an empty stretch of Hwy 5 from San Jose to Los Angeles on clear, dry day).
I also now own a 2007 Lambo Gallardo Spider(pic attached) & have driven over 125 mph top up with no problems either(similar driving conditions above).