I'm looking at some E36 convertibles and it says on auto.consumerguide.com that the 3 series convertible got a fully automatic top starting in 1998. I'm looking at a 1996 that has a power top. is there anything different about the power tops between the two model years. I know that I've seen it work where its just one button to unlatch, open the roof and boot and it folds away. Is that how they all work or did the older version get a less automated one?
Thanks

The 1994-1996 are semi-auto tops. All you have to do is unlatch and lift past the tension point then press the button which opens cover, folds the roof into storage and closes the cover. You never have to leave the driver's seat.

I am perfectly satisfied with the semi-auto top. Plus, it has one less motor and sensor to break. I would not be happy with a manual top, though they almost never break.

I'm not sure about the older models, but mine is a fully automatic top which means that (when it's operating as it should) holding down that one button does everything from roll the windows down, unlatch the top from the windshield, pop the back cover, fold and store the top.

The partial manual tops I think do all the same EXCEPT unlatch the top from the windshied, but I'm not sure about that.

Mine is a 97 (9/96 build) That has a fully auto top as well.

Mine is a fully manual top. I replaced the shocks last year and it is easy to put up and down.

mine is manual. auto top was an option.

i LOVE consumerguide.com for model year comparisons!

Cool this is something i did not even check when i baught the car, i guess im lucky, mine is fully auto and i got a 99. I got it off of ebay. i would have been pissed if it were manuel.

dont power top have problems will opening?

Im more than pleased with my semi-auto...

dont power top have problems will opening?

I assume you mean fully auto tops?

There is more stuff to break, but I've yet to read a post about the fully automatic latches at the front not working correctly (knock knock - this will happen to my car now I'm sure...)

make sure the tops works PERFECT!!!!!!!!

if not it will need tension straps and if you cant do it yourself, most say its impossible your looking at over a grand to fix it.

and thats NOT from a dealer

I have the manual top. All the little problems (such as the headliner not folding in correctly) are very easy to correct when putting the top down. There is much less to break and it's easier to fix if it does break (though it would have to be a pretty major problem for anything to break at all). I personally love my manual top. It's very easy and fast to put up and down plus you don't have to worry about it. I'm sure an automatic top would be more convenient, but not by much and my wallet would be a helluva lot lighter if something went wrong! And as far as having to put the top up while driving, I've only had to do it once. I got lost in DC and instead of taking 45 minutes to get home from UMD, I took a detour (ahem) through new york avenue and it took about 3 and half hours to get home. About half an hour from home as I getting on 695, it started to rain, so I pulled over and put the top up, then merged right back into the backed up, barely moving traffic. It wasn't a problem at all and had I not been lost, I would have been home before the rain hit. Putting the top up in traffic is really the only benefit to an automatic top that I can see, and you still need to be stopped to actually put the top up.

make sure the tops works PERFECT!!!!!!!!

if not it will need tension straps and if you cant do it yourself, most say its impossible your looking at over a grand to fix it.

and thats NOT from a dealer
sorry for the double post, but this post gets a big +1. Not do top problems cost a fortune, a binding top can also indicate the car has been in an accident. Make sure to avoid any cars with top problems. However, you can safely overlook broken "batwings." They're the plastic pieces by the rear windows and are commonly broken; thankfully it's a cheap and easy fix.

After reading many posts on some of the auto/power top issues, I suppose I'm happy to have the fully manual. Works every time.

*Hey Cyrix2k...I'm feelin your pain on getting lost in DC. I call it the black hole. You can get in, but it's hell getting out!!! Also...sweet ride!

After reading many posts on some of the auto/power top issues, I suppose I'm happy to have the fully manual. Works every time.

*Hey Cyrix2k...I'm feelin your pain on getting lost in DC. I call it the black hole. You can get in, but it's hell getting out!!! Also...sweet ride!

BS, DC is easy hub and spoke design. A French architectural marvel.

Cross the Potomac Ocean and it's another story. You're probably following 300 year old cow paths.