Using smart top to close/open roof at speed.

[Dexter_Morgan]

I know I should probably have asked before I ordered one but how have people who have the smart top fitted found using it to operate the roof while moving.

When I test drove my car I was told the roof could operate up to about 20mph. I couldn’t test this as it was raining (and to be fair I didn’t think to doubt it). I have obviously found since that anything above crawling pace is a no.

I know that new E89’s can operate the roof at greater speeds but have read that the hydraulic/motors etc. have been upgraded to allow this.

When it arrives (hopefully tomorrow) I know I can configure the speed it will let me operate the roof at up to 25mph. Does everyone have this set to the max? If so have you found it ok? I guess any harsh acceleration/deceleration while it is moving is probably not a good idea. What happens if you are closing it at speed and you have to brake suddenly?

 

[moonshine]

i've set mine to 30 kph / 19mph.
I would only tend to only use it slowing to lights or if lights change, pulling away and it is not its main use. the one touch open! close is more useful.

 

[rfx45]

I have mine set on max of 25mph but I haven't really tested it at that speed, I never had a chance to. I usually open/close the roof when arriving/leaving a parking spot or entering a parking structure and those tends to be slow speed driving only. I don't see it being a problem operating at 25mph though, they've probably tested it to see what it is capable of because they could have programmed it higher like 40mph or 50mph max but they didn't. Plus yours has the upgraded hydraulic/roof support so it should be no problem.

If you stop all of a sudden while the roof is in operation, my guess is it'll just continue it's operation. I really see no reason why it would stop it's operation.

 

[Dexter_Morgan]

Mines a Sept 10 so does it have upgraded hydraulic/roof support? I wasn't sure if it was the new 23 and 28 that had that.

I will probably mainly only use it while pulling out of or into a parking bay but it's nice to know if I do use it on the open road I should be ok.

 

[Maniac]

No it will not have the upgraded roof mech. BMW have upgraded the hydraulics only. On non-upgraded hydraulics I wouldn't open it at speed as the hydraulics could burst.

Only cars made in the last few months have the upgraded hydraulics.

 

[JVE89]

No it will not have the upgraded roof mech. BMW have upgraded the hydraulics only. On non-upgraded hydraulics I wouldn't open it at speed as the hydraulics could burst.

Only cars made in the last few months have the upgraded hydraulics.

+1 I wouldn't take the risk.

 

[Anonymous]

When mine was being built and I found out it would be built before the wk10 changes which allowed the roof to operate at low speeds, I commented to the dealer it was probably a software change. He corrected me and said it was upgraded hydraulics etc.

Therefore, in my opinion, all that the smart top module does, is over-ride the cars safety mechanism and allows it to operate at low speeds. Your car will still have the "weaker" mechanism, so officially isn't meant to do it.

In practice however, how much strain is put on the mechanism at 20mph? Don't forget, the boot is like a sail when in the open for roof position. I wouldn't risk it, but the 1 press option is good and when pulling into/out of a parking space, or at traffic lights is probably ok...but I have no way to back that up.

 

[Dexter_Morgan]

I suppose the trick would be to not boot it while the boot is up. I think this will mostly come in useful when trying to close the roof. I don't usually open the roof while on the move but do need to close it if it starts to rain. This happened today where I had to crawl away from a set of light until it had fully closed. The boot was down but the back window hadn't dropped down and I had to go slow until it had.