A BMW M3 convertible -- 12 to 15 years old, roof never professionally cleaned. Jet wash zigzag marks, grit and green growth throughout. Gary admits he really wants one, preferably in blue, and notes the £330 a year road tax as the only downside.
A BMW M3 convertible -- and Gary admits up front he really wants one. "Prefer it in blue, with the cabriolet roof. Oh my god it would look absolutely lovely." The road tax is £330 a year, which is apparently the main objection.
The roof on this one is 12 to 15 years old and has never been professionally cleaned. It looks green in the green patches, and even the parts that appear black are still dirty -- years of grit and organic matter packed into the fibres. Somebody previously tried to clean it with a jet washer at varying distances, leaving zigzag marks across the fabric.
Can It Be Saved
Gary's assessment: yes, probably -- but the question is whether it will last the remaining life of the car. Modern cars run comfortably to 100,000 or even 200,000 miles. Getting a dirty roof this far gone to last another 10 years of regular folding is a different question from cleaning a newer one. That said, the fabric underneath all the contamination looks structurally sound. Gary is confident they can get it clean and coated; what happens after depends on how it is maintained going forward.
Once the roof was done the car could do with some attention to the body: it is looking a bit bleachy for a silver car, the wheels need new centres, and there is a small dent on the front wing. Gary notes that once a car is clean you start seeing things you had not noticed before. If the roof result impresses her, she might decide to do more.
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