Another smart top question

[alexyox]

Hi all

Really interested in the smart top but what I'm most interested in is the folding mirrors on locking.

This might sound stupid but how do I know if my wing mirrors are compatible?

They are electric in the sense i can move the glass on both sides using the control but can't seem to find a switch to fold them.

If these aren't compatible with the smart top Is it possible and relatively straight forward to make them work with the module?

Thanks in advance and apologies if this is a ridiculous question!

 

[Anonymous]

The "folding mirrors" are an option on the car - they have motors in them to fold in/out. There is a small button on the little panel where the electric window switches are, that you push to fold in/out.

If you don't have this button, then they wont fold.

All the smarttop does is make them fold automatically without having to press the button. I don't know how easy it would be to add folding mirrors.

 

[alexyox]

The "folding mirrors" are an option on the car - they have motors in them to fold in/out. There is a small button on the little panel where the electric window switches are, that you push to fold in/out.

If you don't have this button, then they wont fold.

All the smarttop does is make them fold automatically without having to press the button. I don't know how easy it would be to add folding mirrors.

Ok thanks. That's confirmed they won't fold with the smart top in there current state! That's a big disappointment

 

[Maniac]

If there's no switch to fold... they won't fold whether you have smart top or not.

I don't have folding mirrors... its something I've lost a lot of sleep over because they're absolutely vital...

I'm being facetious. I've never ever in all my life of driving ever needed to fold a mirror so I don't miss it at all. Spent the money on more interesting options. The smart top does a lot more than fold mirrors. Mines disabled at the moment as the car goes in for its MOT tomorrow. I now have to close all windows myself, hold down buttons when opening and closing the top, stop the car to open or close the top etc. Sounds silly but when you've had a smart top, you get used to the extra features and boy does it strike you how naff the standard setup is when you've disabled it!

 

[sk93]

If there's no switch to fold... they won't fold whether you have smart top or not.

I don't have folding mirrors... its something I've lost a lot of sleep over because they're absolutely vital...

I'm being facetious. I've never ever in all my life of driving ever needed to fold a mirror so I don't miss it at all. Spent the money on more interesting options. The smart top does a lot more than fold mirrors. Mines disabled at the moment as the car goes in for its MOT tomorrow. I now have to close all windows myself, hold down buttons when opening and closing the top, stop the car to open or close the top etc. Sounds silly but when you've had a smart top, you get used to the extra features and boy does it strike you how naff the standard setup is when you've disabled it!

To be fair, I dont think that you can open or close the top with the car moving, when you have a hardtop fitted either

 

[alexyox]

" I don't have folding mirrors... its something I've lost a lot of sleep over because they're absolutely vital... "


I've always had folding mirrors when locking the car on all of my previous vehicles. It would also put i smile on my face to click open the car on approach and have the mirrors fold down. Plus it's easy to tell if the cars locked just by looking at it.

Saying this it doesn't bother me that I don't have folding mirrors but thought if it wasn't going to cost the earth then it would be a nice little feature!

 

[Maniac]

They have to be fitted from the factory. I get the whole check whether its locked thing, but I've just never needed folding mirrors, is it to prevent them being whacked off when parking in tight streets, well then don't park in tight streets cos if you fold your mirrors, they'll then scrape your car instead. If its to park in a garage, well then you'll have to climb out the top if the garage is that narrow... Not needed for me at least. I'm sure someone can come up with a real need for them? maybe?

Get the smart top, you won't regret it... foldy mirrors or not.

 

[jabber]

They have to be fitted from the factory. I get the whole check whether its locked thing, but I've just never needed folding mirrors, is it to prevent them being whacked off when parking in tight streets, well then don't park in tight streets cos if you fold your mirrors, they'll then scrape your car instead. If its to park in a garage, well then you'll have to climb out the top if the garage is that narrow... Not needed for me at least. I'm sure someone can come up with a real need for them? maybe?

Get the smart top, you won't regret it... foldy mirrors or not.

sorry can't agree where I live narrow roads are a fact of life and its not always possible to park in wide areas or car parks so folding does come in handy although not at the top of the list of requirements

 

[chasBMW]

They have to be fitted from the factory. I get the whole check whether its locked thing, but I've just never needed folding mirrors, is it to prevent them being whacked off when parking in tight streets, well then don't park in tight streets cos if you fold your mirrors, they'll then scrape your car instead. If its to park in a garage, well then you'll have to climb out the top if the garage is that narrow... Not needed for me at least. I'm sure someone can come up with a real need for them? maybe?

Get the smart top, you won't regret it... foldy mirrors or not.

Yes I can , for me its my garage whilst the car fits once inside the actual entrance is a bit of a squeeze in fact if my measuring is correct it wouldnt go in with mirrors out , I suppose I could get the entrance widened but it much cheaper less hassle to have mirrors that fold

 

[Maniac]

lol @ folding mirror defence I'm not having a pop, simply pointing out I don't think there's really a need. I can't believe there's a garage thats too narrow for the car to get in but has space to get out? Bizarre. As for parking in narrow roads, not going to happen for me, it would mean the car was at risk of paint damage, nope, not doing that.

 

[TitanTim]

First thing I ticked was folding mirrors :wink:

Theres about 2 inches either side with the mirrors out when squeezing in our garage so its so much easier with fold option, also once half in I unfold them to keep an eye on the rear wings, so easy to scrape them. 1970s garages were built for Austin Allegros not Z4s

Be careful with the smarttop if you go folding your mirrors in and out all the time, those motors will soon pack up, I imagine they're only designed to fold in and out occasionally otherwise it would have been an option.

Tim.

 

[ewwimbledon]

Useful in London but not essential. We all managed for years without them but my old unfolding mirror car did have a couple of nicks on them. Probably the wife.

 

[Atom1]

Whats is the smart top!?

 

[sk93]

its like a hardtop, but with better GCSEs

edit: just realised two things:

1: this is the e89 forum again..
2: there is such a thing as a smart top, and its not a spelling mistake



http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=617398

 

[alexyox]

Whats is the smart top!?

It's a module you fit that let's you open/close the roof from the key fob. This and a few other nifty features. You can get it for about £280 and should take 10 mins to fit.

 

[Titan]

Whats is the smart top!?

It's a module you fit that let's you open/close the roof from the key fob. This and a few other nifty features. You can get it for about £280 and should take 10 mins to fit.

It also alters the response of the dashboard buttons to give one touch open and closing of roof and windows.
£280 is correct - expensive but worth it IMHO
10mins is also correct if you live in Utopia :wink:
It took me about 90mins because
a) I dropped a trim fastener into the bowels of the battery bay
b) Following a successful trial dry run with loose wiring and modules, it steadfastly refused top operate when stowed out of the way!

For anyone fitting this type of module, I would recommend
a) buying a trim tool (eBay approx £5) and
b) make sure the plugs and connectors are well and truly seated before refitting the trim panels