Group Buy...SMARTTOP!!!!!!UPDATE!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Axelf
- Start date
sk93 said:I never understood why these things are so pricey..
If you know a little about programming (no really, it only needs a little!) you'd be able to knock up a python script that'd do all the things these things do, and more.
If you bought a Raspberry Pi, a Resler I-Bus interface and a about four wires, you could achieve the same functionality with a weekend's worth of tinkering.
That's about £45 of investment.
Not going to provide a "do it for you", as I don't have the time, but there's a tonne of info on the internet (search for Resler interface, and start there).
Don't be scared
seriously..
Hey guys I just got & fitted my smarttop!
After I installed it to test it (you're supposed to not reattach the covers yet) I held the unlock button and sure enough it finished the rest of the drop top cycle without me having to hold it button. When I held the lock for 4 secs it closed everything including the side mirrors.
Make sure to follow their tip of fully pushing the connector and not using the latch to connect it for you. Also bear in mind that the product is basically a small plastic 'hub' like component and a Y cable — cable goes between the original socket and the BMW connector (it's like a bypass hack) and the third connector goes to the Smarttop module.
My tips:
Connect smarttop module to the connector first before even touching the car! Once you connect the 2 large ends of the Y cable to the car, finally connecting the smarttop is difficult with a boot lid trying to crush you! Also make sure the boot lid is fully up before making the first unplug, because once you unplug the roof connector the roof (and opening of boot lid) is non-functional so act quick.
Pre-program the smarttop on your computer with their software. I have a mac and it worked fine on that, seller already updated the firmware.
I bought mine at full price approx £280-285 I think. It took me about 20-30 minutes to install but if I did it again I'd probably be able to do it in 10 minutes.
After I installed it to test it (you're supposed to not reattach the covers yet) I held the unlock button and sure enough it finished the rest of the drop top cycle without me having to hold it button. When I held the lock for 4 secs it closed everything including the side mirrors.
Make sure to follow their tip of fully pushing the connector and not using the latch to connect it for you. Also bear in mind that the product is basically a small plastic 'hub' like component and a Y cable — cable goes between the original socket and the BMW connector (it's like a bypass hack) and the third connector goes to the Smarttop module.
My tips:
Connect smarttop module to the connector first before even touching the car! Once you connect the 2 large ends of the Y cable to the car, finally connecting the smarttop is difficult with a boot lid trying to crush you! Also make sure the boot lid is fully up before making the first unplug, because once you unplug the roof connector the roof (and opening of boot lid) is non-functional so act quick.
Pre-program the smarttop on your computer with their software. I have a mac and it worked fine on that, seller already updated the firmware.
I bought mine at full price approx £280-285 I think. It took me about 20-30 minutes to install but if I did it again I'd probably be able to do it in 10 minutes.
Thanks for the update and trying mate. I am still after one, and like Theivz said a tenner off is better than nothing, so how do we order, can you let me know the details of the supplier and I will give them a ring and get one ordered and let you guys know how I get on with the install.
Theivz said:
Also remember to be very careful after you have the smarttop module installed. After some more testing I found that if you disengage the storage unit while the roof is moving the smarttop can still carry on the process, whereas without the module it would obviously halt the process the moment it senses the storage tray is not locked in.
While I had the covers off for the smarttop I decided to use some bathroom sealant (as mentioned in another thread) to reseal sealant inside the brake light units after I noticed some condensation recently. There were a few moments when even after pressing the unlock/lock button the smarttop decided to still carry on and not stop — due to the risk I decided to deactivate the ST while doing it. As the instructions say ALWAYS deactivate the ST when doing any 'work' on the BMW or when lending it to someone (including detailer, bodyshop, etc).
A mistake I made when I installed is when I left the USB wire loose (that itself wasn't a mistake) I pressed the close button and the boot lid crushed the USB end cable as it was laying between the seams of the lid on the outside. I have many usb micro cables but only 1 right arm, this alone has made me aware of the safety issues. The boot area during the operating of the convertible mechanism is really no different than an industrial machine, except without all the yellow & black safety tape and warning zone signs around it.
But so far I wish I'd installed it sooner !
I'm thinking about fitting a smarttop.
Quick question if someone is kind enough to answer for me,
I understand to fit the ST unit that you have to put the roof in service mode to access inside the boot, which is easy because all you do is take your finger off the roof opening button once it's half way,
My question is how do you stop your roof half way on opening when using the ST ?
Cheers
Quick question if someone is kind enough to answer for me,
I understand to fit the ST unit that you have to put the roof in service mode to access inside the boot, which is easy because all you do is take your finger off the roof opening button once it's half way,
My question is how do you stop your roof half way on opening when using the ST ?
Cheers
Oakleyextreme said:
If you hold the button while using the smart top it will act the same way as normal. The one-touch feature only works if you press it momentarily then release.
I think you can also press one of the open/close buttons during the one-touch movement to halt it.
Many thanks R.E92
Oakleyextreme said:
R.E92 said:
Just deactivate the ST (function 1 set to setting 0) to make it like original mode. it takes only a few seconds with the indicator stalk, gets even easier when you've memorised the instructions for when you lend it to friends/family/mechanic.
I wouldn't trust the ST (activated) for service mode work. Like I said before when I was working on the lights there were times when I entered service mode, it stopped for a few minutes and then randomly resumed putting the roof up/down even when the storage tray wasn't even locked in.