E89 Hardtop Roof Open / Close - Service Position

N52 ZED

N52 ZED

Member
 West Midlands
Hi there,

Just trying to understand how best to open the hard top roof (E89) to minimise any chance of what seems to be everyone’s worst nightmare and having it fail.

I’ve read comments about voltage drops and having the engine running while opening the roof, but then I’ve seen many videos where the roof is opened on the key without the engine running.

My view would be to open roof with the engine running but then what about getting the roof into the service position? No issue pausing it half way (with engine running), but would you then need to leave the engine running while you worked in the boot area or would it be ok to turn-it-off in that position?

If you turn the engine off with it paused half way is there any potential issues with the hydraulic cylinders? Are there any pitfalls?

It’s clearly a minefield with many conundrums in getting it wrong. (If getting it wrong is just not being unlucky!)

I never realised this would end up being my concern of owning a 15 year old classic!!! 😀

Thanks all.
 
Boot open, prop up with broom handle otherwise it slowly drops.
If working on rear window and it's up and over, once pressure been released it can be lowered back by hand and say rest on cardboard box half way to work on, with boot lid down but not latched. I tie rag or towel under open boot so i don't i drop it to latch.
 
Forgot to say to start, open the boot but use screw driver to push the latches to lock position to convince it boot is closed.
Some call it "service mode".
So you can then have access to pump to depressurize once rear window over the top..
 
One problem is if roof fails with rear window already in transit, can't open the boot.
In the US you may be able to get through ski hatch and pull emergency, anti kidnap handle.
But UK and probably Euro cars don't have handle.
There is apparently some fuses that can be bridged to unlock boot.
Personally i electrically wired my own release to the boot wiring so i can open boot in any roof position, been a god send when fixing.
Wired that to the location on my car where missing remote boot unlatch switch should be, which seems option extra Euro cars.
 
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