I'm on my second top and I'm seeing the same wear spots as before. So, is it possible to adjust the stop point for the top when it goes down so that it doesn't fold up so tight?

Or am I just stuck with putting something between the folds to protect the top?

Thanks much!

 

If you loosen you run the risk of further obscuring your view out the back, which I know is not that great to begin with.

 

It would only take a half inch or so to keep if from rubbing so much and that wouldn't do anything to obscure more.

However, I did notice something this morning when I stopped it nearly all the way down to slip in some black felt at the spots where's it's wearing. The top continued to slowly ease itself down. So, even if I change the point where the top thinks it's all the way down, I'm guessing that it would just continue down with gravity to the same position it rests in now. Or is there a mechanical stop that can be adjusted?

Thanks again.

 

I just bought my MCSC a few months ago, it's an '06 (or maybe '05 - there's some confusion on this point), but the PO had just recently had the top replaced under warranty because of wear. Good for me, I have a top that is only about 18 months old...

Anyway, it had spots where the bows rubbed when it was down, and then spots on both sides next to the back windows that were almost cut through from a piece of metal that was sharp and kind of slicing it looked like in the pic's (I didn't see this personally, just pictures). They fixed the sharp metal, but they told the PO that they couldn't find any problem and didn't know what to fix with the bows rubbing.

JTB

 

Bump.

 

JTB: If you fold the top down almost all the way, but not quite, go to the back of the car and look just ahead of where the vertical seams on either side of the rear window are. You'll notice that those wear spots on the top, just above the rear of the side windows, contact those spots at the back. It's a result of the top folding up tight and then jiggling around and rubbing as you drive. I was hoping there was a way to prevent the top from folding up so tight, but I'm not sure there is. Or at least not an easy way to do it. I may look into the mechanism and see if there's a way to retro fit something that would hold it open just a tiny bit to avoid the hard rubbing between those two points when the top is down. It's my understanding that something like that was done for the 2nd generation top but it may not be applicable to the 1st gen. Sigh......

For now, I found some nice black felt and I cut some rectangles that I fold into about a 6 inch square. I keep them handy (along with some spares) in a baggy in my drivers door. I put the top down nearly all the way, then slip the folded square of fabric between the two spots that rub (one on each side of the car) and then finish the top down procedure. A bit of a hassle, but it should keep the top from wearing there.

 

Martin,

Thanks for the clue on what to look for, I'll check it out and probably do something just as you've described.

 

Believe it or not, NAM member Sunolmike was told by his SA to place a hand towel at the spots you're talking about to prevent further wear on his convertible top. This advice was given when Mini refused to replace the top.

Here's his thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sues-poll.html

I looked at the Bentley manual and it doesn't show adjustment for how far down the top is folded. And for models built from 09/2005, there is a microswitch that - when triggered - locks the top in the down/folded position and keeps it from bouncing around.

 

That's kind of a sobering thread to read through there! Had I seen all that before buying I may not have gotten the Mini convertible. Too late now, guess I'll make do with the felt.

 

Yes, it's a bit of a pain. But if you get the black felt and have it handy, and get used to using it, it's not a big deal. And it's sooooo much fun having the cabriolet.

Also, this morning I tried putting the felt in another way. Since the felt sort of wants to stick to the top material just a bit, with the top fully up, I just opened the drivers door and grabbed the two pieces of felt and stuck them to the top right over the two seams at the back and just above the belt line. They stayed in place perfectly as I simply lowered the top and drove off. When I get to my destination and put the top up, they're still stuck there and I simply walk to the back, grab them, and toss them on my dash or in the door pocket. Really pretty easy.

That fact that the protective fabric is felt and sticks or holds itself in place makes it all that much easier. 'Hope that helps.

 

It would be hilarious if you record this visual sequence with audio saying something to the effect...

"Designed & engineered in Germany"

...and send it to BMW headquarter in Munich.