Why do I have to hold in the roof open/close button?!

[xQx]

Originally Posted by rhodesman

have you looked into this? SmartTop e88 Control Module

I have this and it's AWESOME!
1. one button push open close of convertible top
2. can open and close the convertible top WITH THE KEYFOB!
3. If you want to stop the roof half way, just hold the button like you do now (I do this when drying the car after a wash to get into all those nooks and crannies).

Best mod outside of the usual performance ones.

Thank you!

I bought one a week ago from PPCGB.com for 240GBP (incl delivery) and i arrived it today (from the UK to AU in a week. Gotta love DHL).

It's awesome! I had comfort access so I could already open and close the top with the keyfob, but you had to stand there holding it (like the button in the car). Now, it all works the way it should've out of the factory.

Worth every penny.

[MZWIE]

My 2008 135 has one touch.

[xQx]

Originally Posted by MZWIE

My 2008 135 has one touch.

That's not standard.
Did you get the car second hand?
The previous owner might've done you a favor and installed one.

[MZWIE]

Nope. OEM. And the previous 3 BMW's I had were the same.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by xQx

Thank you!

I bought one a week ago from PPCGB.com for 240GBP (incl delivery) and i arrived it today (from the UK to AU in a week. Gotta love DHL).

It's awesome! I had comfort access so I could already open and close the top with the keyfob, but you had to stand there holding it (like the button in the car). Now, it all works the way it should've out of the factory.

Worth every penny.

Wait! Are you saying that I can Open/Close the top from factory with Comfort Access and by holding remote button? No need to install mods? How?

[xQx]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Wait! Are you saying that I can Open/Close the top from factory with Comfort Access and by holding remote button? No need to install mods? How?

Yes. Though I believe it can be enabled/disabled through coding.

Many BMW's will let you wind down the windows with the remote by pressing and holding the unlock button on the key. On the convertibles, continuing to press down the button will open the roof.

So, with the roof on and the windows up, stand next to your unlocked car and press and hold your unlock button on the key fob. After about 8 seconds, the windows should wind down, and if you keep it pressed, it'll then take the roof off.

To put the roof back on then wind the windows up, do the same with the lock button on the key fob.

From what I've heard, this only works on the E88's that were sold with Comfort Access (proximity keyless entry and start).

[xQx]

Originally Posted by MZWIE

Nope. OEM. And the previous 3 BMW's I had were the same.

Well, that's interesting. I was told it couldn't be coded (hence the market for the SmarTop.). Looks like it can.

[MZWIE]

Maybe it's a US vs other countries thing. As I mentioned I never had comfort access and the lock unlock does exactly as described without the need for any special coding.

[Moooshay]

My 2 cents working on machine safety for awhile

The convertible top button and comfort access key fob are set up to make you hold the button mainly for safety reasons. Windows and sunroofs have anti pinch devices to theoretically keep you from jamming a body part in and getting hurt. The convertible top has too many pinch points to sensor guard so they put YOU the operator in the role of making sure if someone reaches into the mechanism you can stop the mechanism from moving. Your job is to make sure people stay clear when the top is in motion. Additionally, if someone does get caught in the top you can control the movement to best free them before someone uses the jaws of life on it.

If you automate the process with an aftermarket mod, you assume liability in case someone gets hurt.

I'm going to leave it be because I've found bits of trash in the bottom of the storage cavity, and the only way to get in there to clean it was to stop the top during the opening sequence.

[low135]

Strange thread to raise from the dead lol and while you may make a point, as others on her have pointed out, other markets and models have one touch enabled. Certainly isn't a case of BMW avoiding liability for dumb people

[xQx]

Originally Posted by Moooshay

I'm going to leave it be because I've found bits of trash in the bottom of the storage cavity, and the only way to get in there to clean it was to stop the top during the opening sequence.

Since low135 raised this thread for the dead, I'll point out for the sake of posterity that installing a SMARTop doesn't prevent you from half-opening the roof. If you press and hold the button it turns to the typical manual mode. - In the same way your drivers side window works. Short push brings the top all the way down/up; press and hold activates the movement until you release the button.

[low135]

lol Moooshay necro'd it

[JimD]

It doesn't solve the "hold it" issue but for those like me who are cheap and have neither comfort access nor the module discussed above, it is possible to change your programming so that you can hold the door open button as you walk up to the car and have it put the top down for you. I did it several years ago and it works fine. You need NCSExpert and a cable.

[bagekko]

I'm just glad I dont have to have my foot on the brake like in my 2000 BMW Z3, though I mastered driving 15-20mph with my foot on the brake while holding in the button.