Smart Top or Gap-Tech Auto Roof?

It's actually £234 plus VAT for the Smart Top and is for the E89 model whereas the GapTech module is exclusively for the E85 model.
 
Alternatively you could go for the xcarstyle module. I am not saying that to deprive Gaptech of any business, but just to let you know there is an alternative and that you actually do have a real choice when it comes to functionality.

If one-touch and remote control is suffiecient for you --> go for Gaptech.

If you also fancy to be able to lower and raise the top at speeds up to 55 km/h you need to go for an alternative, such as the Xcarstyle all in one module (http://www.dachmodule.de/Verdeckkomfortmodule-442/BMW-469/BMW-Z4--E85--Cabrio-AIO-Modul.html ).

Xcarstyle has the same functionality as Gaptech + the ability to open and close while driving. maximum speed for that is programmable. This exact functionality is the most important fto a roof module for me and is wat the Gaptech product unfortunately is lacking. If you can do without this extra functionaility, you would be crazy to fork out the bit of extra cash (Xcarstyle comes at EUR 239,- plus EUR 17,- shipping) and installation time on it (though no rocket science, its install is a bit more complicated, because of this functionality requiring a speed signal).

I am pretty sure that there are similar modules as those of Xcarstyle from English manufacturers as well but have lost the name of them. Anyway, if anyone orders requires a translation of the Xcarstyle installation guide, please let me know ... :thumbsup:
 
Thanks, yes must admit I did notice that the Smart Top has the ability to retract and raise at speed. Obviously I'm not talking about 70mph on a motorway but if in town and your doing 10-15mph it would be nice to have the functionality without having to find a place to stop.

Anyway I have gone for the Gaptech one now, its a good price.
 
It sure is a good price and I must admit that Gaptech has informed me last year that they estimate thier module continues a dropping / raising process once started untill speeds up to roughly 7 mph.

However, what I desired was being able to continue to drop and raise when starting the process at a red traffic light that turns green after the process has started, without slowing down traffic behind me. 7 mph is still a bit slow for situations like that. 45 kmh (roughly 27 mph) is more like it for situations like that and that is exactly what my Xcarstyle is programmed at now.

However, once again, if you do not require that functionality, you would be crazy to spend the extra money and installation time on it. Gaptech installation is form what I understood around 15 minutes, Xcarstyle is somewhere between 1.5 and 2 hours if it is your first time.
 
Quite honestly you would be crazy to operate, on the move at speeds up to 55 km/h, even if the module allowed you to do it. The hydraulics in the E85 are just not designed for that and you could do serious damage to your soft top. :thumbsdown:

The GapTech module is the safer bet IMHO. :wink:
 
I didn't realise there was a choice when it came to this, having to almost come to a complete stop is a pain in the arse and I would have gone for an alternative if I'd known they existed prior to buying my GT! :headbang:
 
No mate, the GT unit (Others I imagine also) stop the mechanism only once it's fully up/down (Micro switch confirmed), same as the flashing light on the button when it isn't fully up/down.
 
KarlosG said:
No mate, the GT unit (Others I imagine also) stop the mechanism only once it's fully up/down (Micro switch confirmed), same as the flashing light on the button when it isn't fully up/down.
Click to expand...

The mechanism stops itself when down, so for example, the relay is set for 10 seconds, it receives the trigger (you pressing the button) and send the constant signal to lower the roof for 60 seconds, but after 8 seconds, the roof is fully lowered so it wont go any further?
 
Got my Gap-Tech fitted and all is well until I found out today from Colin at http://www.bmwgm5.info/ who was sorting out my central locking that a simple adjustment to the GM5 module firmware for £40 also achieves the ability to lower and raise the roof via the remote. Doh!
 
Yeah press and hold, but that's a pain in the arse as sometimes the key/car loses signal and the roof stops halfway and you have to start again.
 
I've been reading up on these roof modules, as its all new to me. I'd heard about the Gap-tech, but wasn't that bothered with operating the roof by the remote, so ignored it. But tonight on Youtube I discovered that you can get one-touch operation and open/close while driving - both these I would be interested in, which has led me here. I've done lots of reading on this forum, but thought I'd restart this thread to ask a few questions before I part with cash, and to add some info for other newbies to this.

Today (Aug 2016) I see that the Gap-tech RCH+ is £95 delivered. But that just gives you one-touch and remote operation.

The Smart Top is £192 delivered. This adds open/close while driving, remote window operation, user programmable, text display on the stereo, plug in harness install. Full list here and in this video.
[youtube]4LrUb1JwaFU[/youtube]

The installation looks simple too - here.

There's also this unit which does the same three primary functions as the Smart Top, but at 226 euro its no cheaper (at today's poor exchange rates).

So, does anyone else here have the Smart Top in an E85?
I've seen comments that they're better for the E89, but is that only because its not a good idea to open a rag top at speed? Obviously I would only do this at low speed to no damage the roof.

Very tempted to get a Smart Top module.
 
After going to Zfest and seeing roofs going up and down on their own, I think it's the way to go. I was amazed and very happy to find out from machine monkey (thanks Mat) that if I held the key in the door lock when locking it, the roof would raise :thumbsup:
 
We use the Smart Top module in our E85. No hassle installation and the it works as advertised. One touch up/down through the buttons on the center gear console up to speeds of 40km/h and you can also raise/lower the windows or roof through the factory remote key.
 
This is only a suggestion, it may be the standard wiring loom on a 2.0 is different to the all other models ,
Might be worth trying a 2.0 from the year either side , if they are available, email or call them as it may be web page issue
 
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