Hi All. I'm new to the MC world (my other car is a 63 vdub beetle ragtop...so I'm hoping you're a multi-cultural group)! Anyway, I recently bought a 2005 MC Convertible with only 14k miles. When I picked up the car from the dealer (not a MC dealer) I included checking out and operating the top and all was fine.

This past weekend, with temps in the 50s, I was anxious to put the top down for a ride. It retracted just fine but at the end of the ride, when I attempted to put the top up, it would not close the entire way. As the locking mechanism got close to being fully seated, the electric motor made a grating sound (like the gear teeth were slipping/grating). Using the manual assist, I was able to get it closed.

Any ideas on the problem? I've already made an appointment with the local mini-dealer. Hopefully it's still a warranty covered item but I like to go to the dealer armed with as much info as possible.

Looking forward to hearing your responses and a long love affair with this great car!

Best regards, Bob.

 

Depends on where your grinding noise came from, and what was happening at the time.

Was it that the sunroof didn't close, or was it the claws didn't grab the windshield completely?

14 k miles, it is still under manuf. warranty, you'll be fine. Get it to the dealer!

 

Thanks for the response. The noice was coming from the motor that runs the sunroof/convertible top mechanism (I had removed the access panel to see & hear better what was going on). The noise occurred just as the claws were beginning to engage.

 

Just wanted to let folks know how this turned out. I took my Mini into the Sterling, VA dealer and they fixed the problem with the top. The motor was slipping on the gear so they replaced the slide motor and the associated cables and now as is well.

This was all covered under warranty.

Bob