Seems like I read some where if you hold the door lock button down when you first get in, it will drop the windows and top. Was I dreaming? I know holding the button on the key will eventually get it down. Have to push the button again after the sunroof opens, or do you because I'm to impatient to wait. And using the button on the overhead gets it down. Door lock turning and holding with the key gets it back up, and the over head button gets it up. Any other ways for up and down?

 

That top-open feature is a programmable feature. My MA told me I should never lower or raise the top unless the Mini is running because it drains the battery excessively (so I didn't get it programmed to open). I hear that many dealers stopped programming this option for that very reason & also I think there were some problems with people's tops mysteriously on their own.

 

Push the unlock button once to unlock the drivers side door, again to unlock the passenger side, again and hold to open the sunroof portion, and again and hold to lower the top. I do this all the time when coming out of a store or something to get into a cabrio ready MINI. This is, as stated, if your MINI is programmed to do so.

My MA told me about this feature when I purchased. I've been doing it for over two years and have not had any battery drain problems, so that's just my opinion.

 

I've only had my car for a year and the top goes down every chance I get. Some times with the engine running and sometime not, but I've had no battery problems at all and never a problem of opening when i wasn't making it open.