2012 E89 Roof Hydraulic failure

M

Mitch89

Member
My dad called me this afternoon about his roof being stuck partly open, and whether I knew some sort of reset or manual release procedure. As we've since learned there is no manual release for the roof on an E89, and the BMW roadside tech believes it to be a failure in the hydraulic system. The car had to be towed.

Anyone else experienced something like this?
 
As far as I know only one other person has posted here about this fault when the hydraulics split and made a mess of their interior. Its certainly something we all wonder about.
 
No mess this time, but the boot couldn't be opened, and the bings and bongs from the dash were pretty random.

Less than 6mths old, $100k car with a roof failure...
 
Welcome to BMW build quality... Most are fine if that helps, but there are a few Friday build cars out there.. (i.e. lets finish it quick and head off to the pub). Mine included (tho fingers x'd mines all sorted now).
 
I have had the same problem with my roof staying open, not closing etc etc, the first fix by the dealer was to replace one of the roof sensors but it still persisted in operating only randomly. Then it was found to be part of the roof mechanism needed to be replaced, and since that fix everything has been working perfectly. On both occasions parts had to be sourced from BMW Germany adding to the overall frustration. If you point out these fixes that worked for my car to your dealer it may help to speed things up for you, but anyway best of luck. :thumbsup:
 
Adamski said:
Might be too obvious, but have you checked fuses etc? :idunno:
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Not so easy on an e89, they're not really user serviceable. Hidden away under the dash with torx screws to open it. Everything these days is design to make life harder!
 
From day one the drivers door has been out of alignment (sticks out too far when closed, very poor this wasn't picked up before delivery), but otherwise hasn't had any issues in 12000kms. Having read some of the problem threads in the E89 section, it's rather disappointing that a BMW in 2012 can have these sort of issues.

I know any car can have problems, but seriously...
 
srhutch said:
Seems the more recent E89's have more trouble then the earlier ones with various issues.
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does seem that way. - really odd. I might go and take a look at a very new one to see if there is a perceptable change in quality. I remember that the Z3 did this. The facelift version seemed to have some very cheap parts compared to the Mk1.
 
Facelift E89 is only just coming out after the summer though? I was secretly hoping they would release an M like they did last time ...
 
Zed Five said:
srhutch said:
Seems the more recent E89's have more trouble then the earlier ones with various issues.
Click to expand...

does seem that way. - really odd. I might go and take a look at a very new one to see if there is a perceptible change in quality. I remember that the Z3 did this. The facelift version seemed to have some very cheap parts compared to the Mk1.
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Odd yes. One would normally expect reliability to improve for models that have been available for several years. Not sure what to think about facelift changes. On E85, they tried to fix some chronic problems, like water intrusion into the roof motor. That's good in general, except in this case it still isn't adequate, but at least improved. But then they find ways to cut corners, with E85 they removed the emergency release for the centre cubby lock, which has caused grief for a few.
 
Well I've been dealing with BMW since my dad is in hospital, and they tell me they have ordered parts from Germany since it's royally fooked. At least 1.5 weeks...
 
Zed Five said:
srhutch said:
Seems the more recent E89's have more trouble then the earlier ones with various issues.
Click to expand...

does seem that way. - really odd. I might go and take a look at a very new one to see if there is a perceptable change in quality. I remember that the Z3 did this. The facelift version seemed to have some very cheap parts compared to the Mk1.
Click to expand...

Sorry but not really correct regarding Z3s, there were a few minor interior changes with the facelift, improvements made with a double layered hood etc and of course rear wings redesigned and some engine changes, apart from that the build quality and materials used remained unchanged.

Tim.
 
Dumb question :? ...but I notice that Mitch89 said in his original posting that there is no manual release mechanism for the E89. Does this mean that if your roof fails halfway through its operation, rain or shine, then that's the way it stays until BMW (or the AA) can come and collect it? :o

Years ago I had a Honda CRX with an electric roof and Honda provided an allen key which, after much twirling, would reinstate the roof in the event of an electrical failure. I quizzed the service desk in my local dealership about the E89 and the guy said he was sure there was something similar on the BMW but he would need to check. Reading this post, it seems as though he might be mistaken...? :cry:
 
TitanTim said:
Zed Five said:
srhutch said:
Seems the more recent E89's have more trouble then the earlier ones with various issues.
Click to expand...

does seem that way. - really odd. I might go and take a look at a very new one to see if there is a perceptable change in quality. I remember that the Z3 did this. The facelift version seemed to have some very cheap parts compared to the Mk1.
Click to expand...

Sorry but not really correct regarding Z3s, there were a few minor interior changes with the facelift, improvements made with a double layered hood etc and of course rear wings redesigned and some engine changes, apart from that the build quality and materials used remained unchanged.

I have to disagree. You're right regarding the items that you noted, however I noted when I went from an early Z3 to a later one, some lighter panels, (obviously for economy etc). the later car was a bit less of 'a tank' :wink:


Tim.
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strugglinauthor said:
Dumb question :? ...but I notice that Mitch89 said in his original posting that there is no manual release mechanism for the E89. Does this mean that if your roof fails halfway through its operation, rain or shine, then that's the way it stays until BMW (or the AA) can come and collect it? :o

Years ago I had a Honda CRX with an electric roof and Honda provided an allen key which, after much twirling, would reinstate the roof in the event of an electrical failure. I quizzed the service desk in my local dealership about the E89 and the guy said he was sure there was something similar on the BMW but he would need to check. Reading this post, it seems as though he might be mistaken...? :cry:
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According to BMW here, there is no manual release. The BMW tech came out to the house, and had to take the car away on a flatbed. There was no way to manually finish raising and locking the roof in place.

In my dad's case, the roof failed while he was out (though fortunately only 10mins away from home), and he had to drive it home in a partly-opened state.
 
Thanks for the clarification. I know it's easy to carp on about what is a great car, but I think it's a serious omission. However confident you are in your engineering, complex electricals and mechanicals can and do fail. Even now, when I drop the roof away from home, there's a little part of me praying that all those sensors and motors keep working. :thumbsdown:
 
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