Vert top repair info

[elan+2]

I have a 09 135i vert. It is a CPO car with 75,000 miles. I know the repair for the small hole on the C post is covered under original warranty. But it is not covered by the CPO. Can anyone tell me what is done to fix the issue that produces the rub and small hole? What is the actual repair? My dealer is mum about the repair and will fix for a small fortune.....

[JimD]

This is the TSB for the convertible top that applies through early 2009 (exact date is in the TSB). You should do a search to get pictures of the top damage that the TSB prevents. I had this done with the installation of the second new top by the dealer. The dealer argued that the TSB did not apply but I made them read it and they agreed it applied and did it. They also left junk behind I had to clean out.

Jim

[elan+2]

Thanks, this what I needed!

[Duttch]

Last week I went to my local dealer because of the hole in the c-pillar.
Now it is getting it's second top under warranty.
They talked about to fix the problem with a different spacer.
Hope this will work.

[JimD]

I'm also on my 3rd top, 2 replacements, but they did the tsb this time when they replaced. It's only been about 2 months but there is no sign of rubbing - which preceeds the hole.

Jim

[moreteavickers]

Had the same problem with wear holes appearing after 20k (2008 125I M)

UK Dealer says he`s never seen this problem.... Handy to have this thread and the TSB handily on my Ipad. Whilst the TSB was from BMW in the US was an equivalent one issued in Europe?... Upshot is the dealer had taken a few photos and contacting BMW. I wont find out for a few days...

Any bets on the outcome...

[perth_vert]

BMW Australia have just ordered me a new hood and spacer kit under warranty for my 2008 convertible - so glad I noticed it before the warranty expired - I had only recently purchased the car. The wear mark was quite small (size of a small pea).

I really believe BMW should have contacted all 2007/2008/2009 1 series convertible owners with this problem to have this fixed when it was first noticed.

[Xios135]

Originally Posted by JimD

I'm also on my 3rd top, 2 replacements, but they did the tsb this time when they replaced. It's only been about 2 months but there is no sign of rubbing - which preceeds the hole.

Jim

LOL....I'm on my 5th top so far. Once for the hole, 4 times for the rear defroster.

[perth_vert]

Originally Posted by Xios135

LOL....I'm on my 5th top so far. Once for the hole, 4 times for the rear defroster.

hI Xios135 - please can you give details of the rear defroster problem - is it just that certain elements dont work? I want to check this when I get my new hood thanks

[JimD]

I don't think I've ever tried my rear defroster. I park in the garage, it doesn't get very cold here, and I drive my SUV when the weather is bad.

Real reason to comment is I am about 1 year on the top since the tsb and it shows no signs of degrading. I am optomistic it will hold up - which is good because it is out of warranty later this month.

Jim

[jester17]

VERT TOP QUESTION: So I take my 2011 135i to a new, private mech. all sorts of BMW locals swear by. He does the work -- 2 hrs. worth -- I get the car back, and it stinks to high heaven of cigs. Ick. Shocks me as I think most Bimmers wouldn't put up with that, but, well -- beside the point.

I can get the smell out of everything but the vert. top. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[awns729]

Originally Posted by jester17

VERT TOP QUESTION: So I take my 2011 135i to a new, private mech. all sorts of BMW locals swear by. He does the work -- 2 hrs. worth -- I get the car back, and it stinks to high heaven of cigs. Ick. Shocks me as I think most Bimmers wouldn't put up with that, but, well -- beside the point.

I can get the smell out of everything but the vert. top. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Professional Detailers use Ozone machines I think. Google should also turn up some good results I'll bet

Might just air out itself in a few days.

[jester17]

I've used Ozium, but unfor. that just sort of covers the smell so that you get a kind of cigarette-detergent funk that just sucks -- smells like a bad motel room. May have to bite the bullet and take her in for a full cleanse.

[Xios135]

Originally Posted by perth_vert

hI Xios135 - please can you give details of the rear defroster problem - is it just that certain elements dont work? I want to check this when I get my new hood thanks

Exactly....certain elements wouldn't work(different ones every time).

[ed2011vert128]

new to this forum. just bought a 2011 128 vert and, sure enough, the top has the same problems discussed here, with small tears on both the driver and passenger sides, about in the same location as previously reported, but two additional small tears, one on each side, in the fold of the top further forward. I read the TSB, but it only applies to E88s produced up to 10/09. mine was made 7/10. has anyone else had this problem on cars made in 2010 or later, and is there a TSB covering my car?

[vertebra]

Mine was made in 02/10 and my dealer replaced it under warranty for a small hole on the driver's side.


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[ed2011vert128]

I talked to the local dealer and they will replace the top, but want me to pay 1/2 the labor. It's still under factory warranty. Does this seem like a fair deal?

[Rob Daman]

you can try calling BMW corporate about it.

Originally Posted by ed2011vert128

I talked to the local dealer and they will replace the top, but want me to pay 1/2 the labor. It's still under factory warranty. Does this seem like a fair deal?

[JimD]

If I had a 2011 that showed wear I would review the TSB for the earlier models and look at my mechanism to see what sort of guides it has. They might be better but still not the final design which I presume was what I got with the TSB. The parts are little pieces of plastic and they are installed with pop rivets. It shouldn't be expensive regardless of who is paying to put the parts from the tsb onto a later car. I looked at RealOEM and I think it shows the same part for my 2009 (May build) and my wife's 2013, I think the part in question is #21 on the diagram and part number 54347190757 price $1.90. So I think you have to look at it to see if that's what you really have. If you have the latest part, then maybe the "fix" isn't 100% successful (?). My top looks OK so far, however. If you have the old parts, you could apparently change that for about $3.80 and a couple pop rivets.

I should probably look at this for my wife's 2013.

[motley2012]

Originally Posted by ed2011vert128

I talked to the local dealer and they will replace the top, but want me to pay 1/2 the labor. It's still under factory warranty. Does this seem like a fair deal?

Tell them to whistle. This is a known problem and fully covered by the factory and AUC warranty.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by motley2012

Tell them to whistle. This is a known problem and fully covered by the factory and AUC warranty.

The tricky part is that he also has holes in unusual locations not covered by the TSB. It wouldn't be totally unreasonable to consider those signs of some issues caused by the previous owner, rather than by manufacturing defects. Without being a pro looking at it, there's no way to tell.

[AlBinVA]

and I exercise the top as often as I can (reason why I opted for a vert) and I have no issues with the top at all. Hope i didn't just jinx myself