I knew I shouldn't have...
 

... taken it to the dealer (it's year old dealership and they seem clueless). Top wouldn't go down (light flashes, motor whirs)and sunroof worked fine. I wanted the top checked so off to the dealer 'service' department I went. $300 and a week later they don't know what is wrong with it, but for a starting price of $2,000 they'll work on it. Yeah, right! And the kicker is - the sunroof doesn't work anymore, just clicks every half second or so, no movement. I knew I shouldn't have taken it to the dealer.:mad:

I have not had as bad of an experience, but a new dealer came closer to where I live. They seem to know very little about first gen. models.

What year is your Convertible, and what are the symptoms? Do you have pics or a video. I might be able to help you.

Thanks for the fast reply. It is a 2005 made in 09/04 and is a base, non-S model. Sunroof; I press the button and it clicks every half second or so and there is no discernible movement, and it doesn't seem as if the latches release. (Are the latches hydraulic?) The top, I press the button and the red light flashes and motors whir smoothly, no clicking or jerking and no mechanism movement at all and latches don't seem to release.
Personally, I don't care if I have a power top or not so do you think it may be able to converted to manual folding, provided I get the sun roof part and latches working? This is the most electronic/automatic car I've owned, I like things manual.

Top
 

Thanks for the fast reply. It is a 2005 made in 09/04 and is a base, non-S model. Sunroof; I press the button and it clicks every half second or so and there is no discernible movement, and it doesn't seem as if the latches release. (Are the latches hydraulic?) The top, I press the button and the red light flashes and motors whir smoothly, no clicking or jerking and no mechanism movement at all and latches don't seem to release. A video wouldn't help as there is nothing to see happening.
Personally, I don't care if I have a power top or not so do you think it may be able to converted to manual folding, provided I get the sun roof part and latches working? This is the most electronic/automatic car I've owned, I like things manual.

Thanks for the information.

So the convertible top is completely closed and you are getting the clicking noise on top of the red flashing light?

The front latches that unhook the top work right before the top begins to go back toward the trunk.

There is a motor located in the diagram #7. It pulls the cables back which opens the sunroof posrtion. Then when you press the open button again and hold it the the top moves back (sunroof) an inch or two and the front hook unlatch, and the top goes completely back, the back portion of the top runs on the hydraulics and you can hear them, the pump. The front portion is motor and cables.

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/u/224.png

Thanks

Similar 'help'
 

I had similar situation; sunroof opened to open position okay; when pushed button again, sunfroof moved back about an inch, open latches and then stopped without triggering hydraulic motor. Local BMW shop thought they could help, but ended up with sunroof that wouldn't open but could hear electric motor spinning; Local Mini shop then replaced electric motor and drive cables.
Now sunroof and top ALMOST operate fine. Critical problem is that the sliding part inside the sunroof assembly that drives the unlatching of the front hook is now broken on the passenger side. See pictures. Does anyone know if this part can be removed and replaced or repaired?

Well, progress. Now things are better but top still refuses to open. Now the buttons work OK. First press sunroof whirs but doesn't open. Second press windows drop, latches release and hydraulic pump whirs but top stays closed and red light flashes. Time to pull panels and such like.

The only thing I may do at a stealership...er..dealership is maybe buy a car, but that is it unless its free warranty work they will never see me again.

We're out here pulling for you - please keep us updated.....I'm feeling pretty lucky to have a good dealer nearby (Inskip - Warwick RI)

Here are a few independent MINI shops not too far from you there in MI. Maybe one of them can help you for a bit less.

http://www.germanautoltd.com/Home.aspx
http://www.communityautomotive.com/
http://www.prestigeimport.com/
http://www.thesharpecollection.com/index.htm
http://www.eurotechofholland.com/
http://www.foreignaffairsmn.com/

Thanks, Brick
 

FOr your efforts, but I'm now in Oregon for the school year and will buy a Bentley and do it myself. I have access to a friends unused, two car garage. At the worst I have a Mini convertible whose top doesn't retract, but I still have a fun Mini. It really can be folded manually if you're willing to do w/o push button convenience, but it can't be much harder dropping the top than my Miata was. I just have to get the sunroof working.

You are welcome, it was no effort. This info is found on soopercooperinfo.com. I went back and did a cut and paste of the Portland(ia?) independent shops just in case you find yourself in over your head.

http://arautoservices.com/index.php/arautoservices
http://portlandautohaus.net/
http://schollsferryauto.com/index.php
http://www.boydmotorwerks.com/
http://www.madnessmotorworks.com/
http://www.marquemotors.com/
http://www.matrixintegrated.cc/
http://www.mustangmogul.com/
http://www.nweuropeanauto.com/?gclid...FcIFRQod7TR3Bg
http://www.pacificmotorsportsonline.com/
http://www.stevesimports.com/
http://www.thejagshop.com/

Thanks
 

again, Brick, and for soopercooperinfo. I'm just getting into Cooperdom (the new ones are so different from my original) after Miataworld. I have to say I like the Mini better. That might be because I've been driving front drivers since the early 70s.