How rare and desirable are the California Tops?

[Cheese Dog]

I did a search but couldn't come up with much.

How rare/desirable are the California top 318ti's?

What years were they made? Was there anything else special about them? I guess I'm just looking for information on them in general, but mostly how rare they are is what I'm really wondering.

Thanks for the help guy's,

Patrick

[Mad Machine]

I think they were only in the last couple of years production.

As for rare.. no clue how many were made. I do know the gears in them are fragile

[amancuso]

... I do know the gears in them are fragile

+1 and there is more wind noise in the cabin... If you want open air driving, just buy a 'vert.

[Cheese Dog]

The California top has more appeal to me than a convertible.

[B Rad]

I find cali tops very desirable! having seen one in person, i love it! Much better than a sunroof.. I have heard they have sealing/rain water issues though..

[amancuso]

I find cali tops very desirable! having seen one in person, i love it! Much better than a sunroof.. I have heard they have sealing/rain water issues though..

That's true as well of course not with all of them, but another hole in the car leads to more chances of leaks. My friend's '97 cali-top has a broken motor, so it can't open anymore, and to make matters worse, it leaks so there is always a wet/moldy smelling spot in the car... going to try to remove the little headliner today to find the damn leak.

[spidertri]

I believe they were first introduced in 1996 in the "California Edition" ti. I'm not sure how many there are but the actual cali edition only came in 96. Every year after that the cali roof was just an option. So the "rarest" would probably be the 96 cali edition.

[96cali]

Owned a 1996 and a 1999. By my calculation about 5% of all Ti's here in the states were open air cali tops so that's about 1200. That's just my gut of seeing what's on the market. Tried going thru BMW to find out but apparently they can't sort the stats to find out.

Rarest would be the M-tech sport package with 5 speed... and rarer yet would be a 1999 as only 540 were imported. Wait what is it that I drive??

You are correct about the leakages from the seals. Most times it enters the cabin from the A pillars but it's also critical to keep your weep holes clear of debris. I am facing the same issues, headliner removal, seal replacement, etc. Amanusco Let us know how it goes and take pictures please!!

A nice thing about '98s and '99s is they came with the slipstream air deflector and it makes a HUGE difference in drivability.

[amancuso]

Sorry to say, we removed the headliner, and put some winding clamps from the drain hole spouts to the drain hoses, didn't really help tho as the problem is actually the gasket that goes between the open air top's cassette and the body. thats an expensive gasket. For now my friend (who owns the car) siliconed all around the top opening. He says it's easily removable if/when he decides to buy a new gasket.

[IAMMAGNUS]

i didnt know they were that rare my friend has a claypsorot? like a burnt orange color with a PERFECT top is has 80k on it and he cant give it away

[Plache]

i didnt know they were that rare my friend has a claypsorot? like a burnt orange color with a PERFECT top is has 80k on it and he cant give it away

I'll come pick it up for him if he'd like to give it away

[DaedHead8]

I love my cali top, I could never see myself parting with this car or letting the top fall into disrepair. I'm currently sorting out a leak in the a-pillar that I think is coming from the roof. I resealed some cracks in the track of the sunroof and haven't experienced leakage since. I pulled down the headliner but everything looked perfect besides some very minor rust that lead me to believe the cracks are what was causing the leaks. Sorry I'm being so vague, I wish I took pics while the repair was going on.

Besides the leaking issues, I've never had a problem with the roof. The car only has ~85k miles on it, so knock on wood.

As for rarity, there was a poll over on 318ti.org. I think the conclusion was the cali-roof was a lot rarer than the regular sunroof, but slightly less rare than having no sunroof at all. http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8511

[96cali]

What were you quoted for the seal? I thought it was under $100?

Sorry to say, we removed the headliner, and put some winding clamps from the drain hole spouts to the drain hoses, didn't really help tho as the problem is actually the gasket that goes between the open air top's cassette and the body. thats an expensive gasket. For now my friend (who owns the car) siliconed all around the top opening. He says it's easily removable if/when he decides to buy a new gasket.

i didnt know they were that rare my friend has a claypsorot? like a burnt orange color with a PERFECT top is has 80k on it and he cant give it away

Are you in PA or the UK? Sport or active model. etc?

[IAMMAGNUS]

Are you in PA or the UK? Sport or active model. etc?[/QUOTE]
PA and I have no idea its not my car I can check or get his # if your interested I know he started parting it out its 90% there still though the suspension and bits are gone though.

[96cali]

i might be interested, pics would help a lot. Is it crashed?

If you can either PM me or email contact and car details to ninety6cali at hotmail.com it would be appreciated!

[Budget M3]

Rarest would be the M-tech sport package with 5 speed...

Like this...

A nice thing about '98s and '99s is they came with the slipstream air deflector and it makes a HUGE difference in drivability.

+1 Before they installed the popup deflector, there was huge buffeting inside the car. With the deflector, the buffeting (and associated noise) is gone. My understanding is that the older cars can be retrofitted with the popup if you can stomach the OE BMW prices for the parts...


...and BTW, I've had mine since new and the top has NEVER leaked! (Hope I didn't just jinx it ) On second thought, if it ever rains here in AZ, I might just OPEN the roof and drive with it open in the rain!

[carlosR]

I know this wasn't started as a "how much do you love your Cali top?" thread but it's hard not too. It's one of the reasons I bought my Ti. I think it will help keep the value of the car, in the future. For now it's fun and I try and keep my car garaged or in the shop when not driving.

[S52Commander]

I know I love mine.
I had to get a new cartridge for my top (& yes it's pricey/but mine didn't come with the net to eliminate noise) ...sad part is the motor went a few months ago. I heard they stopped making 'em? Maybe 96Cali knows? Any info on that will sure help me out.

[ChItalian1027]

oh man i wouldn't mind a cali top ti

[Bimmerman4ever]

Saw one online in pretty good condition (98 w/Cali top & M sport package) w/105k miles
But the person is asking $7k for it.
WTF really??? That's almost double retail price.
Hell I paid less for the my E36 M3.

[fmorelli]

We have about $6k into ours, 5 spd Mtechnic with cali roof. Tore through the engine compartment and replaced almost everything short of the block and head. Folks don't realize how well a fresh functioning M44 performs. Well suited to the car's character. Great car, super hard to find in this configuration ... it's an E30 driving experience 10 years later.

Filippo

[Les Oltmann]

Agreed.

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