Best to replace complete hydraulic unit or just fit a reconditioned motor

Relyt

New member
 Shropshire
Hi, water leaking into the boot has corroded the hydraulic/motor unit and the roof will not now respond to the control to lower it. I think I have pinpointed the leak so I can get that fixed. I understand that it is usually only the motor unit that needs replacing (plus any relays etc) but is not available separately from BMW from whom you have to buy the whole hydraulic unit (£2,727 including VAT). Google brings up a couple of suppliers/fitters (eg Zedshed, roofmotors) of reconditioned motors rather than the whole unit which are a lot cheaper. Has anyone experience of having gone for the reconditioned option and found them to be as reliable and serviceable as the original parts?... or can there be problems?
 
Personally I would try to remove the electrical motor as it’s this that normally fails with water ingress as well as other electrical items. Soak it in diesel over night. Clean out with contact spray and give it a try. You have nothing to lose. Check the electric items.
 
If the motor seizes due to corrosion, the fuse in the red fuse box will blow.

At each terminal, +12V should be measured at the top of the red fuse box. Get it checked.
 
Has anyone experience of having gone for the reconditioned option and found them to be as reliable and serviceable as the original parts?... or can there be problems?

I had mine rebuilt with new motor, new seals by Top Hydraulics. It's been good ever since. It was $800 USD when I had it done. With their motor, it may be better than OEM after. Much cheaper than a new unit as well..

"...At Top Hydraulics, we design our own seals designed to far outlast the original ones and allow for more back pressure in the reservoir. We also rewind our electric motors in house, using about 50% more copper than the original manufacturer. The latter is generating more power at less energy consumption, resulting in a motor that does not overheat easily any more. .."

They also provide instructions to remove/replace the unit... They convinced me by the complete detail they approached in selling the service, and their significant offering. They needed my existing unit shipped in advance, since they didn't just swap me with a scratch-n-dent, but rebuilt my original pump. (I etched it in advance to validate)



Also episode of Wheeler Dealers (Season 22, Episode 3) highlight this shop's skill
 
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Since your in Shropshire a day out to Bristol to see Number5 (Alan) who is on here and our local expert to sort your problem out, he has spares so if something needs replacement it gets done. Send him a PM on here to get in touch.
 
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Since your in Shropshire a day out to Bristol to see Number5 (Alan) who is on here and our local expert to sort your problem out, he has spares so if something needs replacement it gets done. Send him a PM on here to get in touch.
Doesn't Alan only do E85?
 
Yes Alan for E85 didn't see the post was for E89
 
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