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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
- step_change
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
I must say, the reliability of the roof is my biggest concern with these cars. I believe they are just too complex. If it were possible to get the roof back down manually if it failed when 50 miles away and it starts raining, that would at least be something. But it isn't. If one of the 23452345435 parts of the roof fails, you are f****d.
Gone : 2013 35is, Melbourne Red, DCT, Nav, Comfort pack
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
Gone: 2007 2.5is, Montego Blue, Auto, Nav
- RobbiZ4
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
These are exactly the symptoms of the microswitches coupling lock. Get it replaced and you will get rid of this funny amusement.RileyRennocks wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 9:58 am Flybobbie, that is my concern. Even this morning, the roof warning indicator came on whilst driving (the roof was up and not being used) and then after a while went off. During this alert, it was not possible to open the windows.
There is asolutely no additional diagnosis required, just get it replaced.
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand
E89 Roof Maintenance
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Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
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E89 Roof Maintenance
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Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
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- RobbiZ4
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
To be honest, there is no "inreliability" of "the roof".step_change wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:56 am I must say, the reliability of the roof is my biggest concern with these cars. I believe they are just too complex.
- water might get into the trunk and destroy the hydraulic pump, if not checked regularly - no roof issue!
- 2 microswitches generally have to be replaced by new ones every 10 years
- wires and the hoses will break in the rear roof shell sooner or later (8-12 years), but it will break
if you don't get these parts replaced in time, it will break.
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:25 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
E89 Roof Maintenance
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Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
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- Lifer
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
OP, these microswitches are £33 for both, so it's a cheap fix too. They are also extremely easy to change yourself which is then a very cheap fix. Instructions are on many different threads on here.
I have the exact same model, year and mileage car as yours. My roof started to play up in the same way. £33 later, all fixed, so it's not the end of the world
Last edited by Pondrew on Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
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- Lifer
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
We now have plenty of fixes on the forum, needs some reading and education. Possibly print off and show a good garage mechanic. Us diyer's have fixed the roof without too much problem. Knowledge is the key.
- Rockhopper
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
i spoke to Hoodtech in Chester about re-locating my roof motor - this was before i was really familiar with other people who can do this.
Their reply was that their customers prefer that cars are kept original so they were not prepared to relocate it but would gladly replace it in the the BMW approved manner (take the whole roof off etc).
I went elsewhere
Their reply was that their customers prefer that cars are kept original so they were not prepared to relocate it but would gladly replace it in the the BMW approved manner (take the whole roof off etc).
I went elsewhere
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
Mike at the z shed Near Warrington knows his stuff were z roofs are concerned
2004 Black Sapphire 3.0L SE. Red leather. Back box delete. Clutch valve delete. Roof motor relocated. 18" M star spoke style 193. Machine Monkey exhaust tips. Gap Tec. ZHP Gear knob. Clear side repeaters. Zun Sport lower grille.
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- Lifer
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
Don't think he is flavour of the month on here by some. The fact that the real name of the company is blanked out by the site surely means something is up?blunderthumbs wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:16 pm Mike at the z shed Near Warrington knows his stuff were z roofs are concerned
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- enuff_zed
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
I also believe he is more E85 focused.Pondrew wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:23 pmDon't think he is flavour of the month on here by some. The fact that the real name of the company is blanked out by the site surely means something is up?blunderthumbs wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:16 pm Mike at the z shed Near Warrington knows his stuff were z roofs are concerned
From following all the back-stories on here I know that personally I would go to RobbiZ4 for a definitive diagnosis, then if I believed it to be beyond my capabilities, take the info to a reputable dealer or indy and ask them to read it all before diving in. Any that would not entertain even looking at my research I would walk away from.
Tbh, if Robbi wasn't so far away I'd go to him.
(NB. This is not to belittle any of the other valued input by forum members. I believe that some UK based enthusiasts are starting to become pretty well experienced by now too, but as Robbi obviously sleeps in the boot of an E89, it would be foolish not to listen to him.)
- Smartbear
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
That’s fine as long as he doesn’t become trappedenuff_zed wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:33 pmI also believe he is more E85 focused.Pondrew wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:23 pmDon't think he is flavour of the month on here by some. The fact that the real name of the company is blanked out by the site surely means something is up?blunderthumbs wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:16 pm Mike at the z shed Near Warrington knows his stuff were z roofs are concerned
From following all the back-stories on here I know that personally I would go to RobbiZ4 for a definitive diagnosis, then if I believed it to be beyond my capabilities, take the info to a reputable dealer or indy and ask them to read it all before diving in. Any that would not entertain even looking at my research I would walk away from.
Tbh, if Robbi wasn't so far away I'd go to him.
(NB. This is not to belittle any of the other valued input by forum members. I believe that some UK based enthusiasts are starting to become pretty well experienced by now too, but as Robbi obviously sleeps in the boot of an E89, it would be foolish not to listen to him.)
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- RobbiZ4
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
Thanks god, I've already mounted the US emergency grip.
But to bring this discussion to the point:
We indeed have to do some maintenance on the roof, same as for the brakes
=>
1) replace the 2 MS coupling lock every decade
2) replace the 2 salmon relays once or better twice a decade
3) check the water level BELOW and the corrosion status of the bottom of the hydraulic pump once a year or, if there is no garage, after every very heavy rain
4) finally, think about a replacement of the hydraulic loom every decade
These 4 simple(sik) steps will avoid hardly any trouble regarding the retractable hardtop of our E89.
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
- RobbiZ4
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
Why not simply inviting me a for an anually roof ZEDfest?
But at least, I can't explain you more than the 4 points of my former post.
Pardon, je suis Allemand
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
That's a great idea. Get a few together who need help, to cover your costs plus your time......................
Sod's law mine will go wrong the week after
- RobbiZ4
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
Sounds nice, but that is the core of the problem, if the E89 owner didn't follow the above listed maintenance plan:
The roof issues will happen unplanned and will be managed by Murphy. Very specialized support is required asap, not tomorrow, neither next week, nor in mid of August.
Pardon, je suis Allemand
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932
Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
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- Lifer
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Z4 Roof Doctor Required! - E. Midlands
It would need to be renamed 'Bongfest'.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!