Opening and closing the roof from outside the car in garage

D

dan yeates

Active member
 New Forest, Hampshire
Hi,

I have a Z4M, 2006, and I've just got a little garage for it. The car just about fits, but I struggle to get out as it's so tight! It would be a lot easier if the roof was down, but for obvious reasons I don't want to store the roof down. When I had the VX220 the roof could be removed easily and stored elsewhere, which meant it was easy to get in and out of, but seeing as the Z4 roof folds up in the boot, I'd rather keep it up to prevent creases and any unnecessary damage.

So, can I fold down the roof and windows from outside the car to get in, and put the roof and windows back up when I'm leaving it, all from outside the car?

Also, does anyone know off hand, the maximum height the roof reaches when it's folding down? I don't want it to hit the kayak and windsurf I have suspended above the car!

Little garage!

Z4.jpg

Many thanks,

Dan
 
You can't, though I believe you have two options:

1. Install the GapTech RCH+
2. Have your key re-programmed to allow you to put the roof up via the key

I have Option 1, and it works well.
 
You should be able to lower the roof by turning the key to the left whilst in the driver's door and holding in that position whilst it's closing. However, I havn't tried to open in the same manner. Perhaps someone would confirm otherwise you'll have a real problem getting back in!
That prefabricated garage does look a tad on the tight size. :?
 
andysat said:
Mine does it from the key but advised not to as it flattens the battery if the engine isnt running.
Click to expand...

I think the battery would be ok for that short period of time, but worth noting, thanks.

When you say it works from the key, do you mean by holding the unlock or lock button down or by holding it in the door lock? Does it go on and off?
 
Gaptech or similar are your best bet, they are more reliable than the key reprogramme (cheapest option circa £25) whereby you have to keep the button pressed at all times.
As for flattening the battery I raise and lower the roof all the time when walking to or from the car and never has it yet flattened the battery, there is a thread on here somewhere with someone spouting this kind of naysaying and several rebukes from when one the early modules was demonstrated several times at meet over the course of the day with no ill effects.
At the end of the day leaving the radio playing without the engine running will eventually flatten the battery as will anything on the car that needs electricity to work.
 
If the unlock button on the key powers the roof, and the lock in the door raises the roof, then I assume I don't need the Gaptech gadget, yeah? I'll give it a go tomorrow. It's all locked up now.
 
Yep, if yours does it, you won't need the GapTech. If you do though, the GapTech is cheap and has other advantages, too.
 
andysat said:
Sorry RichardG-im only repeating what the dealer told me :oops:
Click to expand...

It's a valid point, but should be ok on the odd occasion.

Must also try to keep the car clean so I can chamois the car off before I put it in the garage each time.
 
IIRC
whilst a Dealer can set the roof to open remotely ,they will not set it to close ( health and Safety :rofl: )
However an Indie with all the correct gear can set it to close as well remotely
 
Dan, unless the previous owner fitted a module you will need a gaptech or reinhold module to do this easily.

Both basically allow you to press the unlock/lock button three time to raise/lower the roof. You should be able to lower the roof just by pressing and holding the unlock button already though as this seems to be standard programming out of the factory, but it's hard to keep the button pressed.

Also worth getting the one touch module with either the above as this makes opening/closing easier from within the car also, just requiring you to press the open/close button for a second or so.
 
yeah some conflicting info here.

The roof will open with the remote button, and will both open and close by holding the key in the lock/unlock position within the doorlock.

IE - you cant put the roof up when standing away from the car.

I've had mine recoded, it now goes up and down with the remote button without any extra modules.
:driving:
 
Don't worry about the battery. It will raise and lower the roof many times before the battery even notices it. My Zed runs on a lightweight lower cca battery and all Summer opens and closes the roof several times a day and every night in the garage usually without the engine running and certainly every time I walk to and from the car.
 
Good news. Seems that's the. Est way to get in and out of the car then! Just need to make sure the roof doesn't hit the kayak I plan to suspend a over the car!
 
Andy said:
yeah some conflicting info here.

The roof will open with the remote button, and will both open and close by holding the key in the lock/unlock position within the doorlock.

IE - you cant put the roof up when standing away from the car.

I've had mine recoded, it now goes up and down with the remote button without any extra modules.
:driving:
Click to expand...
Andy
did A Dealer code the closing or an Indie. ?
 
Squeeze! I have exactly the same pre-fab garage, even with the smooth wall on one side and the ridges on the other. :?

Get some No More Nails and a bit of carpet on that driver's side wall asap to save dings on the door edge.

With mirrors up, I back mine into the garage right over on the one side then change angle at the last moment to give more space to get out of the driver's door. Much easier to get in/out with roof down and windows up too.

S
 
Don't think that those 40/50's style prefabricated garages were ever designed to house a vehicle wider than an Austin 7. :D
 
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