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      02-05-2018, 03:09 PM   #1
airmarc
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Hard Top Folding down with a THUD

Greetings all,

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but it seems as if nowadays (as my car is going on 8 years old), that when the hard top is opened, folded and lands in the trunk, it lands with a rather loud THUD noise. Seems to have gotten worse over the years. Has anyone isolated the area and maybe put something like padding to lessen this noise? Or is it just in need of an adjustment from the dealer or a specialist.

Thanks in advance!
Marc
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      02-05-2018, 04:26 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by airmarc View Post
Greetings all,

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but it seems as if nowadays (as my car is going on 8 years old), that when the hard top is opened, folded and lands in the trunk, it lands with a rather loud THUD noise. Seems to have gotten worse over the years. Has anyone isolated the area and maybe put something like padding to lessen this noise? Or is it just in need of an adjustment from the dealer or a specialist.

Thanks in advance!
Marc
That would be my guess. Could be low on hydraulic fluid?
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      02-06-2018, 04:32 PM   #3
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the dealer or a specialist.
Mutually exclusive in my area
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      02-06-2018, 06:18 PM   #4
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Mutually exclusive in my area
Yeah. But worse, it's a Z4, which is not like an E30 M3 or something. The chances of finding someone that knows the nuances of that roof ... good luck. Just not many of these cars sold in the US.

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      02-06-2018, 07:42 PM   #5
paris1
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Yeah. But worse, it's a Z4, which is not like an E30 M3 or something. The chances of finding someone that knows the nuances of that roof ... good luck. Just not many of these cars sold in the US.

Filippo
It's not like it's the only RHT BMW has ever used on a production car. I doubt it's all that unique.
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      02-07-2018, 05:43 PM   #6
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~1500 sold per year. ~3000 dealers ~hand full of people ever touching these tops. Idiots at my dealer - Classic BMW (Plan TX) - Largest US dealer - has only one person they let touch the top. And he has no clue....

N54 issues - not a problem. Another example of uniqueness. Lost the screw behind the inner door handle. Special order from Germany....
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      02-07-2018, 07:04 PM   #7
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It's not like it's the only RHT BMW has ever used on a production car. I doubt it's all that unique.
My experience working on the Z4 has been that, while lots of stuff seems the same (even the most basic things) between the E89 and E9x or E8x, there are plenty of subtle (or not so subtle differences) which impede in experience (or parts) crossing over. That was the basis for my observation.

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      02-11-2018, 07:17 PM   #8
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I also have this issue on my '14. The noise from unfolding the top is higher in my case (although the thud is there when folding). When unfolding, there is a loud clank usually emitted when the top is being locked at the end. I am not sure if it's need of some lubrication or its something more serious. I haven't had the dealer look at it yet.
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      02-16-2018, 11:57 AM   #9
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Guys, it's been a while since I've had my e89 but I had similar issues. Find a good dealer you trust and get them to dig in.

At first it was cleaning and lubricating the top of the windshield then it was adjustments to the top itself. Top shouldn't make any thudding or clunking noises. It used the top 2-4x per day for 3 years and whenever there were noises it was an issue needing to be addressed.

Btw my uniqueness story is from the rear ski bag pass through. It didn't work when the car was new and it was a 6 week process and ordering a whole new rear interior trim panel and was needed ! Even though it was just a stuck latch !

As for what to replace it with...6mt boxster spider?

Blast from the past reading your guy's posts!
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      02-16-2018, 12:26 PM   #10
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Lubing the latch area above the windshield really helped mine with closing noises.
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      06-26-2019, 12:03 PM   #11
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Lubing the latch area above the windshield really helped mine with closing noises.
What sort of lube did you use? and what kind of noises did you have? I get a really loud clanging noise (sounds like something is going to break) when the top latches onto the windshield area. Will lubing help?
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      06-26-2019, 12:51 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverstar View Post
What sort of lube did you use? and what kind of noises did you have? I get a really loud clanging noise (sounds like something is going to break) when the top latches onto the windshield area. Will lubing help?
I think it will. A bit of lithium grease will do it.
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      06-28-2019, 11:00 AM   #13
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I think it will. A bit of lithium grease will do it.
Thanks for the tip, put some lithium grease in the latches and now it closes quietly and smoothly!
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