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E89 Smarttop Installation

A

A1GSS

Senior member
Saffron Walden
Well, just done this but it was a bit painful in places so I thought I'd share my findings

Windows.
1. The firmware is NOT in Windows update, so the instructions are wrong
2. The zip file of manually installable drivers provided by Mods4Cars has no installation script or wrapper
3. The manual instructions for how to install the drivers do not work on Windows 7 64 bit
4. Module not found without the drivers so thart's a show stopper
5. I gave up with Windows

Mac.
1. Mavericks and Yosemite need a terminal workaround which is provided, I have Yosemite
2. Plugged module into Mac and ran the provided terminal command to execute the workaround
3. Grabbed the M4C app from App store and ran it, hooray, works fine
4. Programmed the setup to match what I wanted and wrote back to module, all good
5. Made a note of my settings!

So, Mac install worked fine

Installing the module in the car
1. Instructions are accurate but the photo showing which box is the Conv roof control module is a bit different to what I found in my car
2. Best clue was the suggestion to look for the 'Long black plug and bright green plug'
3. It's much easier to get the plug off and refit the Smarttop harness plug if you also remove the other two rearward connectors from the control module first, then refit them when you're done
4. There is very little space to squeeze the harness in but it is possible
5. Good idea to leave the USB cable connected to the module and tuck it out of the way
6. Test before refitting the trim! Not after
7. Refitting trim is the reverse. went OK but very easy to drop the trim fixing clips down inside the inaccessible spaces... (only one lost)

Overall this took an hour including a cup of tea and the buggering about with Windows drivers.
 
Update on this - Windows drivers installation - download from Mods4cars site, extract to a folder then use device manager to browse to that folder and install the drivers.
 
Hello .. well done

I can appreciate how long it takes to post these " how - to articles " and make them accurate

many thanks for taking the time to post your article ... I for one found this most helpful and a interesting read :thumbsup:
 
A1GSS said:
Well, just done this but it was a bit painful in places so I thought I'd share my findings

Windows.
1. The firmware is NOT in Windows update, so the instructions are wrong
2. The zip file of manually installable drivers provided by Mods4Cars has no installation script or wrapper
3. The manual instructions for how to install the drivers do not work on Windows 7 64 bit
4. Module not found without the drivers so thart's a show stopper
5. I gave up with Windows

Mac.
1. Mavericks and Yosemite need a terminal workaround which is provided, I have Yosemite
2. Plugged module into Mac and ran the provided terminal command to execute the workaround
3. Grabbed the M4C app from App store and ran it, hooray, works fine
4. Programmed the setup to match what I wanted and wrote back to module, all good
5. Made a note of my settings!

So, Mac install worked fine

Installing the module in the car
1. Instructions are accurate but the photo showing which box is the Conv roof control module is a bit different to what I found in my car
2. Best clue was the suggestion to look for the 'Long black plug and bright green plug'
3. It's much easier to get the plug off and refit the Smarttop harness plug if you also remove the other two rearward connectors from the control module first, then refit them when you're done
4. There is very little space to squeeze the harness in but it is possible
5. Good idea to leave the USB cable connected to the module and tuck it out of the way
6. Test before refitting the trim! Not after
7. Refitting trim is the reverse. went OK but very easy to drop the trim fixing clips down inside the inaccessible spaces... (only one lost)

Overall this took an hour including a cup of tea and the buggering about with Windows drivers.
Click to expand...

Hi going to fit mine tomorrow,

Is it necessary to lift the roof halfway as per instructions or can you fit it by just opening the boot and accessing it all from there ?

The instructions don’t really say what to do once fitted, just says refit trim panels ............ nothing about closing the roof back down.

Thanks Stuart
 
Stuartt said:
A1GSS said:
Well, just done this but it was a bit painful in places so I thought I'd share my findings

Windows.
1. The firmware is NOT in Windows update, so the instructions are wrong
2. The zip file of manually installable drivers provided by Mods4Cars has no installation script or wrapper
3. The manual instructions for how to install the drivers do not work on Windows 7 64 bit
4. Module not found without the drivers so thart's a show stopper
5. I gave up with Windows

Mac.
1. Mavericks and Yosemite need a terminal workaround which is provided, I have Yosemite
2. Plugged module into Mac and ran the provided terminal command to execute the workaround
3. Grabbed the M4C app from App store and ran it, hooray, works fine
4. Programmed the setup to match what I wanted and wrote back to module, all good
5. Made a note of my settings!

So, Mac install worked fine

Installing the module in the car
1. Instructions are accurate but the photo showing which box is the Conv roof control module is a bit different to what I found in my car
2. Best clue was the suggestion to look for the 'Long black plug and bright green plug'
3. It's much easier to get the plug off and refit the Smarttop harness plug if you also remove the other two rearward connectors from the control module first, then refit them when you're done
4. There is very little space to squeeze the harness in but it is possible
5. Good idea to leave the USB cable connected to the module and tuck it out of the way
6. Test before refitting the trim! Not after
7. Refitting trim is the reverse. went OK but very easy to drop the trim fixing clips down inside the inaccessible spaces... (only one lost)

Overall this took an hour including a cup of tea and the buggering about with Windows drivers.
Click to expand...

Hi going to fit mine tomorrow,

Is it necessary to lift the roof halfway as per instructions or can you fit it by just opening the boot and accessing it all from there ?

The instructions don’t really say what to do once fitted, just says refit trim panels ............ nothing about closing the roof back down.

Thanks Stuart
Click to expand...

When I did mine I think doing it with the roof half open makes access easier especially if the z4 is fully speced and the compartment is full of kit. To close I just used the key fob. Also worth noting dont keep the key fob in your pocket during installas if you accidentally press the buttons the roof will move, not a good idea when working near the roof mechanism
 
jabber said:
Stuartt said:
A1GSS said:
Well, just done this but it was a bit painful in places so I thought I'd share my findings

Windows.
1. The firmware is NOT in Windows update, so the instructions are wrong
2. The zip file of manually installable drivers provided by Mods4Cars has no installation script or wrapper
3. The manual instructions for how to install the drivers do not work on Windows 7 64 bit
4. Module not found without the drivers so thart's a show stopper
5. I gave up with Windows

Mac.
1. Mavericks and Yosemite need a terminal workaround which is provided, I have Yosemite
2. Plugged module into Mac and ran the provided terminal command to execute the workaround
3. Grabbed the M4C app from App store and ran it, hooray, works fine
4. Programmed the setup to match what I wanted and wrote back to module, all good
5. Made a note of my settings!

So, Mac install worked fine

Installing the module in the car
1. Instructions are accurate but the photo showing which box is the Conv roof control module is a bit different to what I found in my car
2. Best clue was the suggestion to look for the 'Long black plug and bright green plug'
3. It's much easier to get the plug off and refit the Smarttop harness plug if you also remove the other two rearward connectors from the control module first, then refit them when you're done
4. There is very little space to squeeze the harness in but it is possible
5. Good idea to leave the USB cable connected to the module and tuck it out of the way
6. Test before refitting the trim! Not after
7. Refitting trim is the reverse. went OK but very easy to drop the trim fixing clips down inside the inaccessible spaces... (only one lost)

Overall this took an hour including a cup of tea and the buggering about with Windows drivers.
Click to expand...

Hi going to fit mine tomorrow,

Is it necessary to lift the roof halfway as per instructions or can you fit it by just opening the boot and accessing it all from there ?

The instructions don’t really say what to do once fitted, just says refit trim panels ............ nothing about closing the roof back down.

Thanks Stuart
Click to expand...

When I did mine I think doing it with the roof half open makes access easier especially if the z4 is fully speced and the compartment is full of kit. To close I just used the key fob. Also worth noting dont keep the key fob in your pocket during installas if you accidentally press the buttons the roof will move, not a good idea when working near the roof mechanism
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Stuart
 
Yes, having the roof half open made access to the bits of boot trim etc, easier.
 
A1GSS said:
Yes, having the roof half open made access to the bits of boot trim etc, easier.
Click to expand...

Thanks Graham, done it yesterday took about 15 minuets, no issues having the roof half open and very easy to access like that.

Expensive bit of kit but worth every penny :)

Stuart
 
Hi - how do you get the roof to stop half way open? Possible silly question - just take your finger off the button?
 
jamesgarbett said:
Hi - how do you get the roof to stop half way open? Possible silly question - just take your finger off the button?
Click to expand...

Unless you’ve already got a smarttop module installed, then yes :thumbsup:
Rob
 
jamesgarbett said:
Hi - how do you get the roof to stop half way open? Possible silly question - just take your finger off the button?
Click to expand...

Yep, thats how mine works, when i want to clean in there. It stops and continues when you press again - My key ony opens as not progreammed and I'm thinking smarttop if I think I need it.

Cant the smarttop functione just be programmed in anyway - Anyone?
 
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