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      09-10-2013, 05:06 PM   #1
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Pre-2012 Z4 open/close top at 5+ mph?

As we all know, pre-2012 Z4s has a limit of 5mph to allow the top to operate. The limit was increased to 25mph in 2012 with a redesigned roof mechanism. Of course, pre-2012 cars can enabled 25mph open/close via coding or SmartTop. What I'm wondering is, how safe is it for a pre-2012 car to operate its top while going more than 5mph? Is it likely to damage the roof mechanism? Any thoughts and/or personal experience is welcome.
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      09-10-2013, 05:09 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
As we all know, pre-2012 Z4s has a limit of 5mph to allow the top to operate. The limit was increased to 25mph in 2012 with a redesigned roof mechanism. Of course, pre-2012 cars can enabled 25mph open/close via coding or SmartTop. What I'm wondering is, how safe is it for a pre-2012 car to operate its top while going more than 5mph? Is it likely to damage the roof mechanism? Any thoughts and/or personal experience is welcome.
The changes made in June 2012 were to strengthen the mechanisms that attach to and move the roof. These pre-2012 mechanisms are not designed for opening and closing at more than 5 mph. IMO, those using SmartTop are taking a risk.
Looking at another thread, a forum member was denied an extended warranty because the dealership discovered the SmortTop module.
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      09-10-2013, 05:28 PM   #3
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Pull over, come to stop to move the roof and save the $ for something else
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      09-10-2013, 06:02 PM   #4
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What reason and why would anyone want to risk bending all the hardware, burn up hydrolic motors, etc to the tune of $1,000"s in repairs NOT covered under warranty just to put the top up/down at any speed?
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      09-10-2013, 06:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER View Post
What reason and why would anyone want to risk bending all the hardware, burn up hydrolic motors, etc to the tune of $1,000"s in repairs NOT covered under warranty just to put the top up/down at any speed?
+1
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      09-10-2013, 06:08 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER View Post
What reason and why would anyone want to risk bending all the hardware, burn up hydrolic motors, etc to the tune of $1,000"s in repairs NOT covered under warranty just to put the top up/down at any speed?
Here's the scenario I'm thinking of. You are at a stoplight with a bunch of cars behind you, and you decide to put the top down because it looks like it's about to rain. You start the top closing sequence, but the stoplight turns green much earlier than you expect. It'd be really annoying to other drivers behind you to have to sit there and wait until your top is finished coming down. It would help to be able to start going while the top finishes coming down, even if you are going at a low speed.

But you guys are right, probably better to be thought of as a typical BMW driving a-hole than to risk the potential roof damage.
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      09-10-2013, 06:28 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Here's the scenario I'm thinking of. You are at a stoplight with a bunch of cars behind you, and you decide to put the top down because it looks like it's about to rain. You start the top closing sequence, but the stoplight turns green much earlier than you expect. It'd be really annoying to other drivers behind you to have to sit there and wait until your top is finished coming down. It would help to be able to start going while the top finishes coming down, even if you are going at a low speed.

But you guys are right, probably better to be thought of as a typical BMW driving a-hole than to risk the potential roof damage.
Like BMWZ4Rider said, is that convenience worth a few thousand dollars to you? Getting a little wet at times is part of the quirkiness of owning a convertible!
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      09-10-2013, 07:31 PM   #8
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Ive been in that situation twice.

once the drops were light so I drove off and found a place to pull over a minute later.

The second time it was really about to start pouring so I took my medicine and got honked at for 20s at the light. (I would rather get honked or yelled at for 20s than pay a huge repair bill. )
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      09-10-2013, 11:30 PM   #9
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Interesting. I didn't realize they made changes to the roof mechanism when they increased the limit. I always thought the Euro models had the higher limit and we didn't because it was ruled unsafe at certification or something.
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      09-11-2013, 01:21 AM   #10
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can someone show me the different part numbers between the years?
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      09-11-2013, 09:12 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davelrodriguez View Post
can someone show me the different part numbers between the years?

+1
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      09-11-2013, 11:14 AM   #12
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Life is risk. I put a smart top in mine just because I like from the remote opening and closing, one button press on the centre console and the knowledge that if the traffic light ever does go green, I can at least do moderate speeds, or set off gradually knowing I can complete the roof manoeuvre without the roof sticking half way through or having to pull over or having people beep at me etc. Do what you want, life is short.
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      09-11-2013, 11:37 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davelrodriguez View Post
can someone show me the different part numbers between the years?
Probably not going to find it without asking your dealer. I haven't had much luck finding revised part numbers on realoem.com for wheels, steering rack, etc.
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      07-18-2014, 02:10 AM   #14
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Bumping this since didn't want to start a new thread. Just curious if it is possible to upgrade from old to new this roof mechanism or pretty much have to buy a whole new car for the better mech?
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      07-18-2014, 02:59 AM   #15
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Anything is possible but its most likely cheaper and easier simply to change the car.
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      07-18-2014, 07:58 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
The changes made in June 2012 were to strengthen the mechanisms that attach to and move the roof. These pre-2012 mechanisms are not designed for opening and closing at more than 5 mph. IMO, those using SmartTop are taking a risk.
Looking at another thread, a forum member was denied an extended warranty because the dealership discovered the SmortTop module.
jparnes1, can you tell me where you saw or heard that they actually changed the part numbers? My understanding was that nothing was changed, only the coding.
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      07-18-2014, 10:24 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by airmarc View Post
jparnes1, can you tell me where you saw or heard that they actually changed the part numbers? My understanding was that nothing was changed, only the coding.
sorry airmarc, I can't. I'm repeating info I read on this forum. But it makes sense. If there's going to be more force on the mechanism, they'd need to make it stronger.
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      07-18-2014, 10:50 AM   #18
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I'm fairly certain that you'll just have to buy a new car to get that feature.
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      07-19-2014, 07:21 AM   #19
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With the member who had the $1500-$2000 cost to repair the leaking hydraulic hoses in the top, image the cost to upgrade and replace the steel arms and all associated parts for this change!!!!
Once this change would be complete and wallet emptied, the car will be worth absolutely NOT 1 cent more.
I have better things to waste my money on then this. I will just plain come to stop to raise/lower the roof. I will not get that 20 seconds of my life back, but I certainly will be happy I didn't waste several 1000 on this upgrade.
However to each his own. Go for it.
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