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      03-12-2013, 06:37 PM   #1
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Dealer Disabled my ability to operate top up to 20MPH, Help!

I just got my Z4 out of service today and I immediately noticed the top no longer operates at speeds up to 20MPH. I went back to the service department and told them the issue. I was told the top never should have operated except while the vehicle was stationary. I explained all new BMW's do this. They then told me to look in my owners manuel. When I did, I can only find reference stating that the top can only be operated while the vehicle is stationary! Does anyone know of any reference I can show my dealer stating otherwise? This is a feature I use all the time when at stop lights or things like that. My Z4 is a 2011 model built in March of 2011.

Last edited by Seazap; 03-12-2013 at 07:03 PM..
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      03-12-2013, 07:04 PM   #2
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2012 they beefed up the hydraulics to allow this...

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=635471
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      03-12-2013, 08:00 PM   #3
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because of the issues they have had with the tops on pre 2012s they have disabled this feature. It is a code update and as far as i know there is no way to undo it. I know you liked that feature, who wouldnt, but the cars top would jump bind nad cause hydrolic issues because they were under designed. The model year 2012 corrected for this by upgrading the mechanism. So whould you still want this feature enabled knowing that you will run into problems?
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      03-13-2013, 04:08 AM   #4
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The car could open the top up to 5mph. This was increased in MY12.

I've fitted a smart top in any event...
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      03-13-2013, 04:49 AM   #5
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Get a smart top, it does far more than just allow to open at speed. It is on the top of my list of next mods. Also as others stated shouldnt be doing this at that speed with a pre 2012, though up to about 10 mph i see no real issue in that.
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      03-13-2013, 05:19 AM   #6
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I never heart of any problem at pre 2012 models having coded the function.

I've coded the function to open up to 50 km/h. No problem and only 25 Euro.
No need to buy a smart top when you have a comfort access.
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      03-13-2013, 03:05 PM   #7
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Ok, I'll look into the smart top. I am used to using the feature and dont want to be without it now. Never realized how much I used it until it was taken away form me!
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      03-13-2013, 03:07 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by nuebbes View Post
I never heart of any problem at pre 2012 models having coded the function.

I've coded the function to open up to 50 km/h. No problem and only 25 Euro.
No need to buy a smart top when you have a comfort access.
I do have comfort access
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      03-13-2013, 03:10 PM   #9
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Lastly, does anyone know of anywhere in our owners manual that it explains the feature of top operation in motion? Dealer told me today that if I can show this they can recode it to work again. I have a feeling there is no mention of this feature anywhere and that is why they are telling me this.
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      03-13-2013, 05:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seazap View Post
Lastly, does anyone know of anywhere in our owners manual that it explains the feature of top operation in motion? Dealer told me today that if I can show this they can recode it to work again. I have a feeling there is no mention of this feature anywhere and that is why they are telling me this.
Why don't you tell your dealer that he should have a look at the options of the 2013 Z4? There he should find the operation in motion. So no problem.

Otherwise search for someone who is able to program codes. This is a really easy change. No need for any smart top because you have comfort access.
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      03-13-2013, 07:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seazap View Post
Lastly, does anyone know of anywhere in our owners manual that it explains the feature of top operation in motion? Dealer told me today that if I can show this they can recode it to work again. I have a feeling there is no mention of this feature anywhere and that is why they are telling me this.
In the PDF version of the manual, on page 33, it states clearly to open/close it only when the vehicle is stationary. But as others have pointed out, it will continue to work if you started the operation while at a complete stop but start rolling while the hard top is moving (as long as you roll very slowly).
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      03-13-2013, 11:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CeEl View Post
In the PDF version of the manual, on page 33, it states clearly to open/close it only when the vehicle is stationary. But as others have pointed out, it will continue to work if you started the operation while at a complete stop but start rolling while the hard top is moving (as long as you roll very slowly).
Mine used to work up to 20MPH until they recoded it while it was being serviced Tuesday. I wanted to find details on that. But I dont think its possible to find.

Now it wont move, even at rolling speed, it just stops the second the car moves.

Looks like Im gonna just have to get used to it
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      03-13-2013, 11:25 PM   #13
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It can be recoded if you want to learn. I recoded mine...
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      03-14-2013, 10:03 AM   #14
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Its pretty lame that a car brought in for service, leaves with a previously functional removed without any conversation / discussion. Its not like this is some unnoticeable tweak... rather a feature of the car that might be used everyday by someone.

It shouldn't be a surprise. With more and more of the car relying upon programming and the relative ease & quickness with which is done, I have little interest in trying to figure out if they changed or removed something functional every time I take it in for an oil change without a conversation AND convincing me that it needs to be done.
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      03-14-2013, 11:26 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManiacGT View Post
The car could open the top up to 5mph. This was increased in MY12.

I've fitted a smart top in any event...
+1
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      03-14-2013, 11:27 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gigglebox View Post
Its pretty lame that a car brought in for service, leaves with a previously functional removed without any conversation / discussion. Its not like this is some unnoticeable tweak... rather a feature of the car that might be used everyday by someone.

It shouldn't be a surprise. With more and more of the car relying upon programming and the relative ease & quickness with which is done, I have little interest in trying to figure out if they changed or removed something functional every time I take it in for an oil change without a conversation AND convincing me that it needs to be done.
agree, their excuse is...software update to improve functionality of your car
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      03-14-2013, 10:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gigglebox View Post
Its pretty lame that a car brought in for service, leaves with a previously functional removed without any conversation / discussion. Its not like this is some unnoticeable tweak... rather a feature of the car that might be used everyday by someone.

It shouldn't be a surprise. With more and more of the car relying upon programming and the relative ease & quickness with which is done, I have little interest in trying to figure out if they changed or removed something functional every time I take it in for an oil change without a conversation AND convincing me that it needs to be done.
Yea I think its crap to take a feature away. Really is no excuse.

Im also noticing my idle speed seems to be set lower, car doesnt idle very smoothly anymore. I asked today and was told it is an emmisions related tweak for California. Im kinda hesitant to take my car into the dealer again.
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      03-15-2013, 10:52 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seazap View Post
Yea I think its crap to take a feature away. Really is no excuse.

Im also noticing my idle speed seems to be set lower, car doesnt idle very smoothly anymore. I asked today and was told it is an emmisions related tweak for California. Im kinda hesitant to take my car into the dealer again.
I don't know why you're taking this sitting down, Seazap. If a dealer removed a feature on my car, I'd go apeshit. I would speak to the General Manager and get them to correct it. If he refused, I'd go down to the courthouse and file a suit against them in small claims court for removing a feature that you purchased the car with and thus the car no longer being as advertised due to fault of the dealer.

The dealer has NO right to take away a feature on your car that was already there and that you were enjoying. It's OUTRAGEOUS that they did.
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      03-15-2013, 02:59 PM   #19
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There is good reason why BMW had set a zero speed for the top to open. Basically the engineering is not strong enough to cope. Sure people can buy the Smartop or have the car recoded, but why would you want to over-stress something that will ultimately fail.
The cost of repair will naturally be immense !!! Sure if you get rid of the car the next person will have no idea what potential damage will have been done.
Yes component failure will be a crap-shoot, but in my opinion in this instance follow there advice and leave it as is!!!!!
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      03-15-2013, 05:50 PM   #20
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but in my opinion in this instance follow there advice and leave it as is!!!!!
That's the rub... this implies that there is a choice to follow or not to follow their advice / guidance. When someone does something to your car without your consent that you don't like, it sure feels more like vandalism.
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      03-15-2013, 06:43 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWCali View Post
I don't know why you're taking this sitting down, Seazap. If a dealer removed a feature on my car, I'd go apeshit. I would speak to the General Manager and get them to correct it. If he refused, I'd go down to the courthouse and file a suit against them in small claims court for removing a feature that you purchased the car with and thus the car no longer being as advertised due to fault of the dealer.

The dealer has NO right to take away a feature on your car that was already there and that you were enjoying. It's OUTRAGEOUS that they did.
I agree with you BMWCali..problem is, dealer states the top should have never operated in that manner to begin with. I even made them take me in a used 2011 off the lot, but it had obviously been recoded as well, because the funtion didnt work on that one either. They point to the owners manual that states top should only be operated while vehicle is stationary. I am not able to find any mention or literature referring to top in motion operation for a 2011 Z4. They tell me if I can show that they will restore the feature.
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      03-15-2013, 07:01 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seazap View Post
I agree with you BMWCali..problem is, dealer states the top should have never operated in that manner to begin with. I even made them take me in a used 2011 off the lot, but it had obviously been recoded as well, because the funtion didnt work on that one either. They point to the owners manual that states top should only be operated while vehicle is stationary. I am not able to find any mention or literature referring to top in motion operation for a 2011 Z4. They tell me if I can show that they will restore the feature.
Do you own the car or is it leased? If you own it, I'd tell them they can go eat a sandwich and have your friend there with you and have him hand them the summons.

As far as I'd be concerned, removing a feature of the car like this would be the same as if they removed one of your seats because they said it was not built properly and they weren't going to give you your seat back. As far as I'm concerned, this is THEFT. Go above the monkeys and go straight to the GM. Tell him what happened and that you'd like the feature restored right away and that you don't think it's right. Be very nice and polite. But if he says no, then let him know (still being nice) that if he can't restore the feature that you already had, you're going to be forced to file in court against them and I'm sure he wouldn't want something as simple as this turning into a lawsuit. More than likely, he'll give you what you want. Because a lawsuit means that HIS boss gets notified and involved and they don't like that.
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