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Convertible top operation while moving?

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PaperSniper

Member
West Tennessee, USA
I know I read it somewhere, but I cannot find the limiting speed at which the convertible top can be raised or lowered. I have been using 20 mph and have had no problems, but I thought I ought to double check it. I've checked in my PDF Owner's Manual but cannot find the speed limit, only how to operate the switch. I rarely drive with the top up; I lower it when I back out of the garage, and raise it as I drive up our driveway. The car rarely sees wet or cold weather; I am LUCKY! 8)

Doug
 
I can understand you wanting to double check, but I'm pretty certain the car would not let you operate it if you exceeded the allowed speed anyway?
Certainly that's what my wife's 2-series did.
 
Wow, that was a couple of very fast replies! Thanks.

Yes, I'd think the car would not allow operation is the speed limit were exceeded, but it doesn't hurt to know, that's for sure. I did read a piece on the internet this morning that said 25 mph, but that was for an older model. I still swear I read it somewhere in my BMW's manual, but I cannot find it anywhere now. I will have to check the car itself, I may have a printed manual somewhere in its"capacious" glove box.

Again, thank you!

Doug
 
PaperSniper said:
Wow, that was a couple of very fast replies! Thanks.

Yes, I'd think the car would not allow operation is the speed limit were exceeded, but it doesn't hurt to know, that's for sure. I did read a piece on the internet this morning that said 25 mph, but that was for an older model. I still swear I read it somewhere in my BMW's manual, but I cannot find it anywhere now. I will have to check the car itself, I may have a printed manual somewhere in its"capacious" glove box.

Again, thank you!

Doug
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No problems Doug. Working from home and the connection to work has failed. Shame!
So plenty of time to wander around the forum. :wink:
 
PaperSniper said:
Wow, that was a couple of very fast replies! Thanks.

Yes, I'd think the car would not allow operation is the speed limit were exceeded, but it doesn't hurt to know, that's for sure. I did read a piece on the internet this morning that said 25 mph, but that was for an older model. I still swear I read it somewhere in my BMW's manual, but I cannot find it anywhere now. I will have to check the car itself, I may have a printed manual somewhere in its"capacious" glove box.

Again, thank you!

Doug
Click to expand...

I've had a message pop up to say the roof operation couldn't be performed due to speed... I hadn't realised I was driving over 30mph at the time... In my defense though, ts easily done given how keen the car is to go faster haha
 
Yorkshire_Z4M40i said:
PaperSniper said:
Wow, that was a couple of very fast replies! Thanks.

Yes, I'd think the car would not allow operation is the speed limit were exceeded, but it doesn't hurt to know, that's for sure. I did read a piece on the internet this morning that said 25 mph, but that was for an older model. I still swear I read it somewhere in my BMW's manual, but I cannot find it anywhere now. I will have to check the car itself, I may have a printed manual somewhere in its"capacious" glove box.

Again, thank you!

Doug
Click to expand...

I've had a message pop up to say the roof operation couldn't be performed due to speed... I hadn't realised I was driving over 30mph at the time... In my defense though, ts easily done given how keen the car is to go faster haha
Click to expand...

I just put the limiter on 50km/h when operating the roof while driving that way you don't accidentally go too fast :)
 
Of course, the car's speed doesn't account for a potential headwind, which is why I like to have a little margin. Twenty MPH on the speedo plus a 10 knot headwind is over 30 MPH the mechanism needs to overcome.

Luckily I've not yet been caught in a sudden rainstorm where I was not able to raise the top before those big, wet drops started splattering all over! I'd be testing the car's ability to raise the top at that point! 8)
 
I know these cars were designed to raise / drop the top below stated speeds. However, I make sure I am stopped before any top action. Even if I have to pull to side of road. This is just my OCD as don't want to take a chance of the top over time to possible issues because of top uses while driving. For those that wish to drive and lower / raise top while moving I have no ill will towards. This is just a post on the way I operate my top.
 
PaperSniper said:
Of course, the car's speed doesn't account for a potential headwind, which is why I like to have a little margin. Twenty MPH on the speedo plus a 10 knot headwind is over 30 MPH the mechanism needs to overcome.

Luckily I've not yet been caught in a sudden rainstorm where I was not able to raise the top before those big, wet drops started splattering all over! I'd be testing the car's ability to raise the top at that point! 8)
Click to expand...

I doubt it takes the wind into account it probably just looks at the driving speed.
I'm sure there's a little margin built in to the system so that it would be fine closing at higher speeds, to have enough margin to account for a little wind. But if you don't have to close the roof during hurricane weather, its probably best not to do it :D

The roof is pretty slow, it may take only 10seconds to close, but it takes about the same time before the roof actually starts moving. If you're caught in sudden heavy rain, it will most definitely suck :D
 
rdm05z4 said:
I know these cars were designed to raise / drop the top below stated speeds. However, I make sure I am stopped before any top action. Even if I have to pull to side of road. This is just my OCD as don't want to take a chance of the top over time to possible issues because of top uses while driving. For those that wish to drive and lower / raise top while moving I have no ill will towards. This is just a post on the way I operate my top.
Click to expand...

No criticism of your choice, though trust the Engineer :thumbsup:

As an aside to the OP there’s no air speed indicator so wind speed is excluded from the equation, if it were me I’d add a simple strain gauge to a strut and if the stresses exceed a specified limit I would sound a bong to give warning and reduce speed etcetera
 
I don't think there is any issue raising/lowering the roof at the speed its allowed to do so, manufacturers would not allow the funcyion if they thought in any way it could lead to damage and a warranty claim.

So saying, I always break very gently as I don't want to damage the pad material. :D
 
sars said:
rdm05z4 said:
I know these cars were designed to raise / drop the top below stated speeds. However, I make sure I am stopped before any top action. Even if I have to pull to side of road. This is just my OCD as don't want to take a chance of the top over time to possible issues because of top uses while driving. For those that wish to drive and lower / raise top while moving I have no ill will towards. This is just a post on the way I operate my top.
Click to expand...

No criticism of your choice, though trust the Engineer :thumbsup:

As an aside to the OP there’s no air speed indicator so wind speed is excluded from the equation, if it were me I’d add a simple strain gauge to a strut and if the stresses exceed a specified limit I would sound a bong to give warning and reduce speed etcetera
Click to expand...

Or a Pitot tube linked to prevent any movement?
 
The roof of my 2006 3.0si delivered in the USA, since 2009 in Europe, is not closing when driving. Maybe due to other country policy/rules?
 
ronk said:
sars said:
rdm05z4 said:
I know these cars were designed to raise / drop the top below stated speeds. However, I make sure I am stopped before any top action. Even if I have to pull to side of road. This is just my OCD as don't want to take a chance of the top over time to possible issues because of top uses while driving. For those that wish to drive and lower / raise top while moving I have no ill will towards. This is just a post on the way I operate my top.
Click to expand...

No criticism of your choice, though trust the Engineer :thumbsup:

As an aside to the OP there’s no air speed indicator so wind speed is excluded from the equation, if it were me I’d add a simple strain gauge to a strut and if the stresses exceed a specified limit I would sound a bong to give warning and reduce speed etcetera
Click to expand...

Or a Pitot tube linked to prevent any movement?
Click to expand...
:lol:
 
Scubaregs said:
I don't think there is any issue raising/lowering the roof at the speed its allowed to do so,
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It worked fine when I slowed down to 30mph to raise the roof as it had started to pour with rain
 
I found it. Seriously worrying about wind speed is pointless.

During one of the tests, the test driver ventured out to assess the strength of the fabric roof and all the support that is holding it in place. I AM NOT JOKING. The roof opened, although, it was actually very close to getting ripped off.

Now, I am not saying that you should attempt this at home, but this serves as a testament to the incredible BMW quality process that should ensure the longevity of the Z4. I mean, I haven’t heard about a fabric roof opening at 110 mph ever before. Let alone about the roof surviving such an incredible feat.

Apparently, everything worked perfectly afterward, without any rips, or any structure collapse. Astonishing!

For civilized people, the opening/closing mechanism will work up to 31 mph with the whole process taking only 10 seconds.
 
ori said:
During one of the tests, the test driver ventured out to assess the strength of the fabric roof and all the support that is holding it in place. I AM NOT JOKING. The roof opened, although, it was actually very close to getting ripped off.

Now, I am not saying that you should attempt this at home, but this serves as a testament to the incredible BMW quality process that should ensure the longevity of the Z4. I mean, I haven’t heard about a fabric roof opening at 110 mph ever before. Let alone about the roof surviving such an incredible feat.
Click to expand...

How does one handle a car at 110 mph with what is effectively a sail on top when the roof is half way open
 
Ian J said:
ori said:
During one of the tests, the test driver ventured out to assess the strength of the fabric roof and all the support that is holding it in place. I AM NOT JOKING. The roof opened, although, it was actually very close to getting ripped off.

Now, I am not saying that you should attempt this at home, but this serves as a testament to the incredible BMW quality process that should ensure the longevity of the Z4. I mean, I haven’t heard about a fabric roof opening at 110 mph ever before. Let alone about the roof surviving such an incredible feat.
Click to expand...

How does one handle a car at 110 mph with what is effectively a sail on top when the roof is half way open
Click to expand...

I reckon the additional weight of the driver's MASSIVE BALLS helps anchor the car to the road, whilst pulling a stunt like that! :rofl:
 
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