smartTOP module

bjarne · 06-23-2011, 10:51 PM

I saw a couple of people having the smartTOP module in the HPFP thread, but did not want to threadjack, so I am starting a new thread for some feedback.

I am picking up my 2011 Z4 35is SBM with ivory extended leather tomorrow, and I ordered just about every option, except CA. I don't care for CA other than opening the roof from the outside, and I was under the (mis-)understanding that you could do this with the standard remote, but it seems to be the case only outside the US.

So I saw the smartTOP mentioned in the other thread and did some googling, and it looks like a pretty neat module, doing a lot more than just opening the roof. So for anybody with the module, how do you like it? and was it as easy to install as they say?

KINetics · 06-24-2011, 01:19 AM

I have it. Easy to install. LOVE IT.

geoffcuddy · 06-24-2011, 07:11 AM

Same here - have had mine for a year now, easy install, easy firmware upgrades, and not a single issue. It is a great product!

BMWZ4 · 06-24-2011, 07:44 AM

You could also have a look at the prochip.de site. Some of us on this forum have this set-up as well. No wires to cut etc. Connects to the ODBII port in the footwell and takes less than 30 seconds to install.

My 2 cents
Dave

bjarne · 06-24-2011, 09:29 AM

Thank you for the replies. I have decided that I am going for it.

@Dave, thanks, I looked at the proChip solution and I was leaning that way until I found the smartTop. It just seems it does much more for about the same cost, and there is not supposed to be any wire cutting (I think two taps and some pins move), so it is possible to restore the car to original when I turn the car in.

persian54 · 06-24-2011, 11:42 AM

Get the SmartTop 100%!

You should have gotten CA.... using a key to open, lock and turn on a car is too time consuming

bjarne · 06-24-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

Get the SmartTop 100%!

I am sold !

Quote:

You should have gotten CA.... using a key to open, lock and turn on a car is too time consuming

Nah.., walking to the car, touching the handle, wait for the car to unlock, and then finally open the door, way too much work

Since I already have the key out to open the roof, the doors will be unlocked when I arrive

And I don't have to deal with a battery in the remote.

bjarne · 07-03-2011, 04:34 PM

Installed my smartTop module yesterday, and I agree with you guys it is a great module. I love the easy touch top open/close in addition to the remote functions. I have read that the CA remote is a little particular about where you stand when you operate the roof, not so with the smatTop module

Install was super easy, I went slow and deliberately and it took me about an hour. It was kind of scary to start taking my brand new car apart, but the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

I had a 2011 535 loaner the other day with CA and I find the CA remote kind of big and clunky compared to the standard remote. What I originally thought was a mistake of not ordering CA turned out to be perfect for me.

Thanks for your advice guys, I am a happy camper

Dr Stig 2 · 07-03-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjarne

I had a 2011 535 loaner the other day with CA and I find the CA remote kind of big and clunky compared to the standard remote. What I originally thought was a mistake of not ordering CA turned out to be perfect for me.

???

In Oz the Z4 CA remote and the non-CA remote are identical sizes and shapes.

The 5 Series, X1, X3 and other newer generation BMW cars have a larger remote.

I imagine this is the same world wide.

bjarne · 07-03-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

???

In Oz the Z4 CA remote and the non-CA remote are identical sizes and shapes.

The 5 Series, X1, X3 and other newer generation BMW cars have a larger remote.

I imagine this is the same world wide.

I did not know that (obviously), thanks for pointing it out. Why they would make it bigger for newer models is beyond me

Still makes me happy with my choice, though

persian54 · 07-03-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjarne

I am sold !

Nah.., walking to the car, touching the handle, wait for the car to unlock, and then finally open the door, way too much work

Since I already have the key out to open the roof, the doors will be unlocked when I arrive

And I don't have to deal with a battery in the remote.

Wait until one of those days where your key is in your briefcase. you'll have to put it down and look for the key

When I go to the gym, I hate putting things in my loose pockets, so I like that I can keep the key in my bag

bjarne · 07-03-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

Wait until one of those days where your key is in your briefcase. you'll have to put it down and look for the key

When I go to the gym, I hate putting things in my loose pockets, so I like that I can keep the key in my bag

This is one of these win-win situation that I love, we both ended up with the setup we feel is perfect

persian54 · 07-05-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjarne

This is one of these win-win situation that I love, we both ended up with the setup we feel is perfect

The beauty of choices and options

BugsBunny · 07-18-2011, 10:59 PM

would like to share an installation issue that I faced. Maybe it will help you not to make the same mistake I made.

During the installation process, at one point, you need to remove some wires from the existing BMW module to hook them into the SmartTOP module. One of the wires on the BMW module didn't want to go out. So I pulled and I pulled ... too strong. It broke. Inside the module.

I wanted to cry. I emailed SmartTop. They helped me to fix it (via email, with pictures attached, etc.). The trick if you are stucked is to take a little needle and push slightly on the metallic part of the pin through the holes of the module. Seems obscure but you will realize when you will see the module.

Bottomline: be patient. Never use force. Take your time. Plan for 1-2hours.

Recommendation: Leave the USB cable attached to the module, in your trunk, so you can disable the module easily from your PC before going to your BMW dealership.

I love this module. Couldn't live without it now.

Cheers

ZheHbKa · 07-19-2011, 06:03 AM

cool chip, thanks for the info

HapHazard · 07-27-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjarne

Install was super easy, I went slow and deliberately and it took me about an hour. It was kind of scary to start taking my brand new car apart, but the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

Thanks for this thread... it's convinced me to get one as well. I am worried about the install, because I'm not all that confident doing this kind of work. Also... how big a hassle is it to remove the device? I have a lease, and will eventually have to remove it.

Thanks again.

bjarne · 07-27-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HapHazard

Thanks for this thread... it's convinced me to get one as well. I am worried about the install, because I'm not all that confident doing this kind of work. Also... how big a hassle is it to remove the device? I have a lease, and will eventually have to remove it.

Thanks again.

My car is a lease also. Installation was easy, just remember never to pull hard on the wire itself when you remove the pins, but that is always true with electronics, if you have to force it there is something wrong.

Going very slow it took me about an hour to install, should take me half that to put the car back to original when I return it.

Also, as others have mentioned, leave a USB cable connected so you can conveniently change options, and importantly disable the module when you take the car in for service.

HapHazard · 07-27-2011, 03:14 PM

Recommendations on where to buy from? Thanks again.

bjarne · 07-27-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HapHazard

Recommendations on where to buy from? Thanks again.

I bought it from here:

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=2456

It shipped fast and had great install instructions.

06-23-2011, 10:51 PM	#1
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	smartTOP module I saw a couple of people having the smartTOP module in the HPFP thread, but did not want to threadjack, so I am starting a new thread for some feedback. I am picking up my 2011 Z4 35is SBM with ivory extended leather tomorrow, and I ordered just about every option, except CA. I don't care for CA other than opening the roof from the outside, and I was under the (mis-)understanding that you could do this with the standard remote, but it seems to be the case only outside the US. So I saw the smartTOP mentioned in the other thread and did some googling, and it looks like a pretty neat module, doing a lot more than just opening the roof. So for anybody with the module, how do you like it? and was it as easy to install as they say?
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06-24-2011, 01:19 AM	#2
KINetics Enlisted Member 1 Rep 42 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	I have it. Easy to install. LOVE IT.
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06-24-2011, 07:11 AM	#3
geoffcuddy Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive30i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Same here - have had mine for a year now, easy install, easy firmware upgrades, and not a single issue. It is a great product!
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06-24-2011, 07:44 AM	#4
BMWZ4 Major General 1913 Rep 5,110 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	You could also have a look at the prochip.de site. Some of us on this forum have this set-up as well. No wires to cut etc. Connects to the ODBII port in the footwell and takes less than 30 seconds to install. My 2 cents Dave __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-24-2011, 09:29 AM	#5
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	Thank you for the replies. I have decided that I am going for it. @Dave, thanks, I looked at the proChip solution and I was leaning that way until I found the smartTop. It just seems it does much more for about the same cost, and there is not supposed to be any wire cutting (I think two taps and some pins move), so it is possible to restore the car to original when I turn the car in.
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06-24-2011, 11:42 AM	#6
persian54 Lieutenant General 926 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	Get the SmartTop 100%! You should have gotten CA.... using a key to open, lock and turn on a car is too time consuming __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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07-03-2011, 04:34 PM	#8
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	Installed my smartTop module yesterday, and I agree with you guys it is a great module. I love the easy touch top open/close in addition to the remote functions. I have read that the CA remote is a little particular about where you stand when you operate the roof, not so with the smatTop module Install was super easy, I went slow and deliberately and it took me about an hour. It was kind of scary to start taking my brand new car apart, but the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I had a 2011 535 loaner the other day with CA and I find the CA remote kind of big and clunky compared to the standard remote. What I originally thought was a mistake of not ordering CA turned out to be perfect for me. Thanks for your advice guys, I am a happy camper
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-18-2011, 10:59 PM	#14
BugsBunny Private First Class 19 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 3.5i, 2022 Macan S Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	would like to share an installation issue that I faced. Maybe it will help you not to make the same mistake I made. During the installation process, at one point, you need to remove some wires from the existing BMW module to hook them into the SmartTOP module. One of the wires on the BMW module didn't want to go out. So I pulled and I pulled ... too strong. It broke. Inside the module. I wanted to cry. I emailed SmartTop. They helped me to fix it (via email, with pictures attached, etc.). The trick if you are stucked is to take a little needle and push slightly on the metallic part of the pin through the holes of the module. Seems obscure but you will realize when you will see the module. Bottomline: be patient. Never use force. Take your time. Plan for 1-2hours. Recommendation: Leave the USB cable attached to the module, in your trunk, so you can disable the module easily from your PC before going to your BMW dealership. I love this module. Couldn't live without it now. Cheers
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07-19-2011, 06:03 AM	#15
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	cool chip, thanks for the info __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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07-27-2011, 03:14 PM	#18
HapHazard New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Recommendations on where to buy from? Thanks again.
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