Roof Motor RIP

S

SuffolkZ4

Member
 Suffolk
My roof motor on my 2007 Roadster has failed today. Anyone know where I can buy either a cheap recon. unit or a good price on a new one? Seen one on ebay off a car that is the same age as mine, so concerned how long it will last as mine has failed 400 quid too. I'm in Suffolk if anyone knows a good Indy to get the work done?

Also saw an indy in Reading, which modifies the housing when they replace one! So it can't happen again, is that possible?

Any advice appreciated.
 
A new motor will set you back just shy of £300 from Sopers in Lincoln - phone them, ask for parts and mention the forum, you should get a 10% discount or so. You will also need the housing - called sound proofing but actually a plastic case with sound proofing inside. Costs about £55. A decent indie will then install all that for £300/350... Part of the standard fix as per BMW instructions is to drill the drain holes larger and to remove the rubber bungs at the bottom so that they don't block so easily. Some people have sealed the motor housing, others have drilled holes in the bottom so it drains (though it will also fill up faster...). My indie said those things are not necessary.

Personally I'd get a new one - if you buy reconditioned and it fails again then you'll only have to spend another £700...
 
Worth saying that if the recon one on eBay is £400 then that's a rip-off - I reckon a recon unit should cost you now more than £100-150. Still wouldn't do it though, it's not like a starter motor (for example) that you can whip out again in no time if a recon unit fails - this is a 5/6 hour job at a garage, so the labour is a massive part of the cost.
 
Unless you're fixing yourself false economy to use a recon one or trying to get old one to work by cleaning it.

Did anyone bottom the suggestion that it could be replaced by not removing the hood? Can't see it myself although very disappointing that BMW didn't make it more accessible from the boot. I guess they never anticipated they were going to fail so easily. :headbang:
 
There's a guy on here who recently had it fixed for peanuts, have a search, seemed a great deal!
 
Ive replaced a fair few of these now and can only be done by removing the roof. From inside the boot you can just about see the motor when the parcel shelf is out but the motor sits so tight in the container that it would be impossible to remove it from the housing and swap over the hydraulic lines.

Replace the housing and the small section of wiring that connects to the motor as the contacts can become very corroded and cause a poor connection in the future. Removing the drain flaps underneath the body helps to allow any debris to pass also.

Ive done a few of these in my own time for £200 labour and can get parts for the customer usually with 15% off so it can be done cost effectively over a main dealer.
 
SuffolkZ4 said:
My roof motor on my 2007 Roadster has failed today. Anyone know where I can buy either a cheap recon. unit or a good price on a new one? Seen one on ebay off a car that is the same age as mine, so concerned how long it will last as mine has failed 400 quid too. I'm in Suffolk if anyone knows a good Indy to get the work done?

Also saw an indy in Reading, which modifies the housing when they replace one! So it can't happen again, is that possible?

Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...

Try these guys, in Norwich so not too far away

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=64343
 
thought mine had gone earlier,read a few posts on here went back to the car pressed roof down button orange light on no sound of motors or clicks from relay opened the boot pulled the parcel shelf down went back pressed roof down button again all working fine,panic over.
 
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