[Sunsetter]

I bought a CPO 2015 M235i convertible about a month ago and am in general loving it. However, the convertible top has been doing some things that are making me quite nervous. A couple of weeks ago when putting the top down (using key from outside the car, engine off), the top seemed to retract completely but then the process just stopped before the plastic cover dropped down. It resumed when I pushed down a bit on the top with my hands. I took it to the dealer, but all they told me was that they cleared the fault code and that it worked fine when they tried it (actual "troubleshooting" and investigating seems to be dead at Mountain View BMW). Today, I did the same thing and the top moved down incredibly slowly - it kept pausing and took at least twice as long as normal. The same thing happened when putting it back up. After that I put it down and up again, and it seemed back to normal. Has anyone had this kind of issue?

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by Sunsetter

I bought a CPO 2015 M235i convertible about a month ago and am in general loving it. However, the convertible top has been doing some things that are making me quite nervous. A couple of weeks ago when putting the top down (using key from outside the car, engine off), the top seemed to retract completely but then the process just stopped before the plastic cover dropped down. It resumed when I pushed down a bit on the top with my hands. I took it to the dealer, but all they told me was that they cleared the fault code and that it worked fine when they tried it (actual "troubleshooting" and investigating seems to be dead at Mountain View BMW). Today, I did the same thing and the top moved down incredibly slowly - it kept pausing and took at least twice as long as normal. The same thing happened when putting it back up. After that I put it down and up again, and it seemed back to normal. Has anyone had this kind of issue?

How does the top up-down mechanism work when using the interior toggle - when not using the fob key?

[Sunsetter]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

How does the top up-down mechanism work when using the interior toggle - when not using the fob key?

I have so far not had an issue when using the switch inside the car.

[Kgare]

Possible causes: low fob battery & too much distance between the fob and the car

[hwntime]

You're under warranty so take it in over and over again until they figure it out. Just keep booking appointments for the same issue and say it's still happening. I had an issue with my iDrive screen blanking in and out and numerous squeaks and creeks throughout the car, and I was relentless making appointments until they got it right. It took 4 trips for my iDrive to be fixed and hopefully it stays that way. It took 3 trips for a clunking sound in my suspension that they finally took the car apart and 8 days later, found the issue and fixed it. The dealership will take the easiest road but since we get loaner cars, you might as well take advantage of it while under warranty.

[Sunsetter]

Originally Posted by Kgare

Possible causes: low fob battery & too much distance between the fob and the car

The thing is that I did not physically move while doing this, so the distance never changed and was close enough to trigger the process. I was in any case standing right next to the car.

Battery could be a good one to look into - how long does the battery usually last in these fobs?

[p912guy]

Fob batteries generally last 2-3 years depending on usage. Easy and inexpensive to replace. I have noticed variability in opening and closing the top with my fob at times. It seems to be very sensitive to proximity to vehicle and a slight movement away can disconnect the signal to the car producing erratic top movement.

[wichitagreg]

Owners manual says to have the car running to save the battery.

"In order to protect the battery, move the
convertible top only when the engine is running
if possible."

[morphomeman]

This all makes sense. The convertible mechanism requires a great deal of power and if the battery is not completely up to snuff, it may slow things down if the engine is not running to supply the juice.
On a different track, this all reminds me of the thread on sunroof deletion. By the reasoning of some there, convertible tops are so prone to problems that no one should have a convertible. What, you like driving around with no roof? Get over it!

[Zwei]

Convertible tops are big sunroofs. Lots of overlap in issues and one person that denies them.

[p912guy]

Convertible tops are awesome. I couldn't imagine not owning a convertible. I thought I could live with a MINI Cooper Hardtop with it's large panoramic sunroof. No, I missed a convertible too much, hence my M235i vert. There is nothing like running at night with the top down and the moon up on a beautiful summer evening, unless it's a sunny 80 degree day. I know coupe's are better true "sports cars", but let's be honest, who really is driving their car at 7/10 or better while on their commute? I'll gladly give up ultimate "sports car" performance for a ride with the top down any day of the week. As to all the purported potential problems with convertible top or sunroof, I have never had an issue related to that / those features.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by Sunsetter

Battery could be a good one to look into - how long does the battery usually last in these fobs?

At least 3 years, in my personal experience. I even lost one in my yard while mowing and didn't find it until almost 2 years later and it still worked (it endured 100 degree heat many times, torrential rains, a few freezing episodes... still worked) My backup fob is still on the same battery and it's 4 years old.

Your car should tell you when the battery needs to be replaced.

[Slow_B58]

I’m Having an issues with my 2018 M240i F23 where the top goes down but the driver side latch doesn’t completely lock anyone know how to fix this?