hi there--

another question about convertible roof care...

is it better for the roof to put it up when i'm not in the car? i park in a garage so have the easy option of leaving it down, but i wonder if it's better for the fabric not to be folded for extended periods?

(awaiting my PW cabrio...we meet this weekend or next i hope...)

cheers,
diana

 

I don't think it's an issue to leave it down (I do all the time at home).

 

I don't think there is a problem with leaving it down. However, I remember reading in the Owner's Manual that if the top is left down for extended periods of time(whatever that is), you may need to 'assist' it when raising it. I think it was just a little help with getting it started, but I don't remember the exact wording.

 

I leave mine down as well. It may be slightly better for the fabric to be up instead of down, but I reason that it's better to raise and lower the top as few times as possible to save wear and tear on the top mechanism. If you're garaging your MINI you're already doing the best thing possible to extend the life of the top by keeping it away from the sun & rain & bird poop & stray cats etc...

 

I leave mine down a lot, but I notice that there are creases in it after a few days, so I always raise it overnight a few times a week, just to, you know, stretch it back out.

Oh, and never fold it up while wet- it can get rub marks. Always fold it down totally dry and if it DOES get wet while folded up, I'd close the roof and let it dry in that position. But, you probably already knew that.

 

My Jeep-owning buddy does this, too.

 

I leave mine up most of the time - I wouldn't leave my best suit or dress folded up, so I figure leaving top up at rest is best.

BTW, Wesmonster - my garage keeps the stray cats out, but my own cats' white hair is adding an interesting effect to the black top!!