Hi all,
Like many others, I've had my frustrations with the convertible top linkage and cables. My local dealer has installed three sets of the linkages and they continue to snap within 5 - 10 cycles of the roof opening/closing. Their final verdict is that the roof rails are bent and therefore bind when in operation. They theorize that this binding is causing the linkage/cable to fail. That left me with either a $10k+ roof replacement or just driving with the top permanently down. We've been doing the latter for a few summers now but am wondering if I can make modifications to allow the roof to be manually raised/lowered. Does anyone have experience or insights into how to do this?

I suppose a middle ground could be to disable the sunroof operation and only have a roof that goes up/down. I say that because the sunroof operation seems to be where my issues manifests itself. I assume, but don't know for sure, that the hydraulic pump manages the roof up/down motion independent of the electric motor. I also don't know for sure which switches, if any, need to be in a proper position in order for the hydraulic pump. Sorry for my ignorance here, I've read a ton of posts and watched a few YouTube videos on this topic but haven't seen a good breakdown on what controls what exactly.

Any help on how this system works and/or how I might be able to develop a work around will be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

2005 R52 S ... 16k miles

 

Thats would take a bunch of work. Sounds like the top is bent or tweeked, they should not keep snapping, I am on my second set with almost 300K miles and i had the top up and down near record time.

Get a new main frame out of another MINI that is in good shape and swap it out.

When the cables snap and the top is used over and over without repair it bends the frame. Or go to a convertible top shop that does custom cars and Haartz tops and get them to look at it, they might be able to bend it back.

Otherwise a used top frame which you can find. Make sure the MINI has no roof or top damage. If the car was hit in the front low speeds it should be ok. if hit hard in the back or side the frame might be bent.


https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...Cooper_S&mg=54

You can get everything from us if you need individual parts. Just have them take the 11 digit part number and pop it in our site.

 

Thanks for the quick reply and great info ECSTuning. I had hoped, maybe wishful thinking, that I could disconnect a few things and make this tip operate like an MG or other old-school convertible. I'll start looking for options into a new frame or a shop with more experience with these. I think my issue pushed the dealer to, if not beyond, their limits.

 

Yep, welcome. They dont like to deal with top and such. Most convertible top places like to mess with them. hot rod shops and custom shops that do convertibles for a living for Haartz and Webasto are the places to help.

 

You could just buy an entire used replacement top from a breakers yard and replace the entire thing. Less than a grand on a well known auction site.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/05-08-MINI-COOPER-CONVERTIBLE-R52-ROOF-SOFT-TOP-2-DOOR-OEM-030220/264947257665
https://www.ebay.com/itm/05-08-MINI-COOPER-R52-CONVERTIBLE-SOFT-TOP-FOLDING-ROOF-ASSEMBLY-GREEN-OEM/203001493034

Doesn't have to be ebay of course. Must be a few R52s in breakers yards.

 

Yep, check those out. +1

 

Hi BrindlePit,

Have you had any success with this matter. My new to me 2005 S R52 137K appears to have a similar problem and I am a bit frustrated and might like to go manual without pump, etc. Any luck yet? Thanks

 

Trying to convert it to a manual would be more expensive than just replacing the possible bent frame.
See post 4 or 5.

 

i pulled it off for less than $50

you need first to disconnect the pump to be able to fold and unfold the roof manually (in the trunk on the pump, you can Open shut-off valve for emergency opening at hydraulic line with offset Allen key by one and a half turns)then you need to remove the retaining hooks that blocks the natural folding of the roof (you can unscrew them from the folding frame)

you need to remove the 4 screws that hold the roof in place on the sliding cassettes system.

then you just need to create a simple system to do two things :

- be able to open the both locking hooks at the front (just use a simple zipper cord attached to the back of the hooks) they fit nicely and are easy to use.
- be able to keep the roof sealed( I used paragliding lines very strong and attached them straight to the roof frame of the car using the two solid screws of the sun visor) then i used an Adjustable Carpenter Toggle Latch Toggle to lock everything on place. It does the job well. I fixed them on the roof using rivets.

i hope it helps some of you. I should make a quick video some day.

- for the back once folded i use an extra string magnet and a string to hold the top folded because of the wind on highways very practical as well.

have a good day,
regards,

Here are some pics if it helps :

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0oJOX8tMGr6XQx







Here is the YouTube video I made if needed