What do you mean "you settled"? Did they fix your problem?

 

That's an interesting trick, never would have thought of that! I'll give that a try next time I decide to use the sunroof rather than go fully topless.

A little odd!?! that's an understatement! I think that SJ is down right ugly when I use the sunroof. I did drive her down to FL and back last week and ended up with one heck of a sunburn! I guess I should throw some sunscreen in the glovebox for the next time I make a longer than usual topless run.

 

Today, as my top was coming up, and then closed fully, I noticed the 2 plastic ends at the top are breaking off!!!!!! Has this happened to anyone? I have an 09 mini s

 

Can you better describe which plastic pieces your referring too? Are the parts that attach to the windshield ton secure the top, or the plastic pieces that attach the canvas to the side of the car behind the passenger and drivers door?

 

I figured my description wasn't very good! They're both on the sides at the end of the windows. They're long black pieces and 1 seemed to snap and the other one is coming off! Does that make sense? I probably should take a picture for you!.

 

Again I'm not sure which piece your your referring too. As your sitting in the drivers seat are they in front and above you where the roof latches or behind you where the roof canvas attaches to the body?

 

If I'm sitting in the driver's seat, the plastic things that are coming off are:

-behind my left shoulder

-to my right

They're both located directly above the far end of the front windows.

 

Can you post a picture or email it to me at gary33031@Mac.com

 

did you get it fixed? the clips that broke on my 09 s were fixed w/ p/n 54-34-7-276-922 repair kit for convertible...

 

I did get it fixed-am still under warranty and they said other cars have been brought in with the same problem! That's ridiculous then! Since I purchased the extended warranty, do I still get the same services for the next several years?

 

My 09 is going in for yet another visit to the stealership today. Ive had the car less than 4 months and this will be the 4th trip in and the first for top issues.

My problem is different than any described here tho. When I lower my top, it goes does but it doesnt go all the way down. What I mean by that is when its "done" going down, the top is still up about 2 feet in the back.

It looks like the window isnt folding down correctly. There's nothing in there holding it up that I can see and the mechanism seems to move freely but the window just wont lay down.

Ive had mixed results with our local dealership. I guess Ill see how it goes. Im not expecting to see the car for at least a week after I drop it off today.

 

I am just about to buy a 2009 interchange yellow convertible and when I went to drive it yesterday, I noticed a problem with the convertible top...it is literally the SAME EXACT problem that you are having---looks like a small rip-and part is unattached from the frame!! They are going to "fix" it, but been wondering if need a new top. I know this post is a bit old, can you tell me how your new top has been holding up. Should I tell them to replace the top before I buy the car!!??? HELP!!!!!

 

Taking a chance on the top is risky. I'd want to be completely sure its in great shape. I had mine replaced due to wear spots , dealer in sterling VA had no issues doing that. If you can get a new top, do so. Good luck!

 

My 2010 Denim top with 5300 miles just had the top replaced under warranty. Wear spot on driver's side. Loaner was a 2011 with black top and 21,000 miles. Same wear spot, same location. Checked my 2009 hot chocolate top with 5003 miles. Guess what? Same wear spot just not as bad because this car rarely gets used. Talked to my excellent service manager, asked if anything can be done proactively and he tells me not to worry just bring it in when it gets worse and they will replace the top and make necessary frame adjustments to eliminate the interference.

I know BMW has more money than God but I must be missing something.

 

Where exactly are these wear spots?

 

Well, after almost a month, my car is ready today. Im going to pick it up and see how it goes. Theyve brought it back to me "fixed" twice now and the top wouldnt go down when they got it here. They supposedly replaced the top and all its components. I figure Im getting a rattletrap back.

 

Good luck and stay postive most verts make noise when going over rough roads.

 

From what I have seen on 3 tops, 2009, 2010 & 2011, the wear is caused by abrasion against the driver's side rear seam when it is folded. It is an external abrasion and despite what my SC wants me to believe, I don't see how any frame adjustment will mitigate this problem.

That being said, I am waiting until month 47 to replace the chocolate top on my 2009 unless it wears through sooner. My convertibles are both garaged and very rarely see rain.

BTW, add the strut bar and it will minimize some of the "rattles".

 

The dealer has just agreed to replace the top on my '09 Cooper S for the second time, and neither was for the dreaded plastic clip problem. When the car was new, I found that one wire in the rear window defroster wasn't working. The only solution was to replace the top. On a later service call a technician found some missing top hardware that I had never noticed, ordered a kit and replaced them. This past August the top stopped opening with a loud grinding noise. Another trip to a dealer. This time I was told a plastic gear had failed. This week, here in foggy Houston, I noticed the rear window defroster wasn't working at all. I hoped that it was a wiring issue, but no, a new top is required. Since I have just passed 40,000 miles of my 50,000 warranty period, I asked the finance guy to check convertible top provisions in the extended warranty plan. After several phone calls, he advised me that mechanical problems are covered, but nothing that involves the top cloth is covered!

So once again, the advice is: Don't dare exceed the 50,000 mile warranty on a Mini convertible!

 

This week the rear window defroster failed in my April '09 S. I took it to the dealer yesterday, hoping it was a wiring problem(the fuse was good). No such luck. The connection at the window had failed. There is no alternative but to replace the top. Since I just passed 40,000 miles, just for curiosity I asked what the cost would be for me if I had already passed the 50,000 mile point. After 30 minutes the service manager came back with a quote of $8,193!!! I then asked the finance guy if the top would be covered under the extended warranty plan. Another 30 minutes went by before I got his answer: Mechanical and electrical parts were covered so long as they were not part of the fabric. All fabric associated problems were not covered. Oh, after I checked the forum I inspected the tops of the fenders, and found that the plastic piece had failed on the driver's side. So can I afford to keep the car past the 50,000 mile point? I don't think I can take the risk, though I guess the new top should last at least to 80,000 miles, right?

 

Amos,

I find that quote hard to accept. I just had the denim top on my '10 replaced with 5,000 miles due to the common driver's side wear spot issue. My SA told me they are replacing almost 1/3 of the tops due to this known issue. My '09 has the same problem but I am waiting until it gets worse since I rarely use this car and the top probably has been down about 50% less than the '10. At $8K a pop I can't believe BMW would be replacing 1,000s of tops. My 2 cents.

 

Cobra,

You can check penskeparts.com to check the cost to replace your top yourself.

Regards,

Brett

 

Brett,
$1936 list for the top, dealer cost about 55%. Still have trouble with the $8K+ quote since my SA told me they have 4.2 hours to replace it. Thanks for the info!

 

I am looking at an 08 Convertible to buy. After reading these posts about the 09 problems, does anyone know if the 08's have a similar problem? Will really affect whether I purchase this car and would appreciate any and all replies to this post. Thank you. If you want to email me with comments it's usaforme1@hotmail.com

 

It looks like we have the same car... A 2011 JCW with the same issues.
I received it on 12/02/2010 and few months after they changed the 2 arms of the top. A part at the rear on the left side (the patella, not sure if it isthe correct word) was broken. Since Ikeep having noice, squeak just like you.

Did they fix the problem with the procedure?

Thanks!