I tried searching for this but was not successful.

I am looking at a 1999 E36 convertible and was wondering how long it should take to open the top and to close the top. I want to compare the times with the car I am looking at to see if there may be a potential problem (I am guessing if it takes longer then something is either going or already gone).

Thanks

It's pretty quick. Less than 30 seconds in my case.

You can put up the top at a traffic light, if you start early enough. :)

Generally, these tops don't vary in speed much. If it opens and closes without assistance, it's working correctly.

it's slower than most, and there's nothing that can be done. they either work or they don't, no way to speed them up, and they don't slow down with age.

if opening a top 5 seconds slower than some cars matters, look at other cars. Sebrings have really quick tops.

LOL selecting a vert by the opening/closing time of the roof.

It's about 27 seconds, but feels much quicker in real life.

The longest part is the part where the top unlocks from the windshield, which is only the case if you have a fully auto roof. Semi-auto's are much quicker.

Under 30 sec. for sure(fully auto )

if opening a top 5 seconds slower than some cars matters, look at other cars. Sebrings have really quick tops.

LOL selecting a vert by the opening/closing time of the roof.


I think my intentions were misunderstood. From the posts on here it sounds as if a top in good working order should take less than 30 seconds to open. If an E36 convertible I am looking at takes around 40 seconds or more to open the top, then it sounds as if there is a problem that I would push for them to fix before I buy it instead of taking it as-is and a month or so later having to pay out of my pocket to fix. I was just trying to find a way to determine if there may be a problem with the top.

fyi. e46 full auto and my semi auto are really close to the same in speed. never seen a sebring roof in action but there arent many sebrings still running these days. haha

Do keep in mind the e46 is electro-hydraulic, while the e36 is electr-mechanical.

Hydraulics are much better (and more expensive and eleborate). You need hydraulic pump, lines etc.

I think my intentions were misunderstood. From the posts on here it sounds as if a top in good working order should take less than 30 seconds to open. If an E36 convertible I am looking at takes around 40 seconds or more to open the top, then it sounds as if there is a problem that I would push for them to fix before I buy it instead of taking it as-is and a month or so later having to pay out of my pocket to fix. I was just trying to find a way to determine if there may be a problem with the top.

the time it takes closing is not an indication of how good the top system is. they're binary, they work or they don't, they don't slow down with age.

now, tension straps, window....plenty of other things that wear with age, but time to open isn't a benchmark.

Two things can cause the opening and closing times to vary. One is resistance, ie top issues. The other is voltage, ie battery and regulator issues.

Do keep in mind the e46 is electro-hydraulic, while the e36 is electr-mechanical.

Hydraulics are much better (and more expensive and eleborate). You need hydraulic pump, lines etc.

but you can run your suspension off it too:redspot

It's about 27 seconds, but feels much quicker in real life.

+1
I compared my fully automatic top with my friend's S which closes in 5 seconds. Of course it's a completely different game because he doesn't have a tonneau cover for it to tuck under, it's not fully automatic, it's 1/2 the size...