Hi there,

I went and looked at a 1996 328i convertible today and the main problem is the soft top. I got in, manually pushed it up a bit, and pressed the buttons and nothing happened at all. After reading around a bit, it seems maybe like I didn't push it up enough. I pushed it up a few inches and it was still tense and felt like it couldn't really go up more but I didn't try any further. Absolutely nothing happens, the trunk was closed and still nothing.

Now, with these tops, is the problem mostly fuses and other cheap things? Is this fairly common, or is it fairly likely to be an expensive problem?

Is it worth buying this car as it does have some other issues, but it is expected to go a LOT cheaper than in the classifieds as its at an auction and it has some problems. Could I just get away with manually pulling the top up and down?

Thanks so much :)

how much are they asking for it?

Hi there,

I went and looked at a 1996 328i convertible today and the main problem is the soft top. I got in, manually pushed it up a bit, and pressed the buttons and nothing happened at all. After reading around a bit, it seems maybe like I didn't push it up enough. I pushed it up a few inches and it was still tense and felt like it couldn't really go up more but I didn't try any further. Absolutely nothing happens, the trunk was closed and still nothing.

Now, with these tops, is the problem mostly fuses and other cheap things? Is this fairly common, or is it fairly likely to be an expensive problem?

Is it worth buying this car as it does have some other issues, but it is expected to go a LOT cheaper than in the classifieds as its at an auction and it has some problems. Could I just get away with manually pulling the top up and down?

Thanks so much :)



It sounds like you didn't push it up far enough. After unlocking the handle, you should push up until it gently snaps into the first position of the retraction. The front should be angled toward the sky in the first position. If the top still doesn't go down, you may want to start checking fuses. If the fuses check out, the motor may be disengaged. Re-engaging isn't the hardest thing to do, but it does involve pulling up carpet in the trunk and working with the convertible motor. I would have the car checked out by a shop that knows about BMW verts if you can't figure it out yourself. I'm a little surprised the seller doesn't have an explanation. Check out this link for some good info...

http://bmwpages.co.uk/archive/e36_convertible_adjust.pdf

check to see if the motors are disengauge (sp) in the trunk.

And that the trunk itself is firmly closed.

Now, with these tops, is the problem mostly fuses and other cheap things? Is this fairly common, or is it fairly likely to be an expensive problem?

Is it worth buying this car as it does have some other issues, but it is expected to go a LOT cheaper than in the classifieds as its at an auction and it has some problems. Could I just get away with manually pulling the top up and down?

Thanks so much :)
You dont want to manually operate a top that was made to be powered. there isnt a way to securely latch down the top storage lid.

Personally, Id rather pay a fair price for a car with everything is perfect working condition. There are quite a few people around here that have been successful at trouble-shooting and fixing their convertible tops.

If microswitch S4 is broken, then it won't recognise the top being push up, so it won't engage the electrical procudure part of dropping it.

after pushing it up to the release tension, push the button for the top while doing this use your other hand (while still pushing the button) and give it a little kick start, this should set off the top to go in motion, works for my 94 vert.

Make sure the car is running when you try to open the top.

Make sure the car is running when you try to open the top.

You say this because of battery drainage or because it's not possible to do it without the engine being on?

On mine, the roof will go up and down without the car running (even has comfort closing)

I think your top is a semi auto top so it should open once you push the top up as mentioned before. I would check the fuses by the battery first of all as well as fuse 7 in the fuse box as well, actually I would check all of them to be sure.
I would be really wary of a car with an inop top as they are:
not simple
not easy to fix
not easy to diagnose unless you want to take it to the dealer who can on your year car run MoDic and tell you what is wrong. I agree that if the fuse is not blown that a microswitch incorrectly adjusted will keep the top from operating.
Question
Does the light come on by the convertible switch when you try to open it?
If not then you do have some issue with fuses, or microswitches not working right....

I just bought mine last week knowing the top didn't work (but knowing how to fix it... helped with the price hehe). Re-synchronized the motors and I was right as rain (instructions in one of the 2 sticky threads).

Don't think that the car you're looking at will be as easy of a fix. Like others have mentioned: it could be a ton of things like micro switches, tension straps, bad motors etc.

I think your top is a semi auto top ....

Question
Does the light come on by the convertible switch when you try to open it?...

The LED light on the button is for fully auto roofs only.

Semi-auto's don't have it.