How to open the Soft top with remote key?

[EBMCS03]

I ran some searches and couldn't find a definite answer. Can you not open the convertible top on the new 2009 MINI with the remote key?

I havent tried sticking the key in the actual key hole and keeping it in the unlock position.

[EBMCS03]

Humm I found this in a first Generation MINI convert thread... I'm guessing it holds true for the 2nd gen too...

The roof lowering by the key had its default setting changed to off after some safety concerns from across the pond.

As I said in the other thread, hassle your salesman for it to be done not the service dept. Salesmen are desparate to keep customers happy and can pull strings to get things done.

[drewandy]

Holding the unlock button gets the job done, not tried putting the key in the locks yet!

[EBMCS03]

It didnt work by holding the unlock button... it only opened the sun roof. not the whole convertible top.

[turbodriver]

Yes - it works in two stages (well it does on mine). Press and hold the unlock button and the sunroof opens, release and press and hold again and the windows will drop and the roof opens fully. If you open the door mid way through the operation everything stops!
We actually found all this out by - SHOCK HORROR - reading the manual!
First car manual I've bothered to actually look at in years!
Graham

[EBMCS03]

Gotta see if it works the same for US cars... I thought I tried that... maybe I didnt hold the unlock button long enough the second time.

[zanary]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03 (original)

Gotta see if it works the same for US cars... I thought I tried that... maybe I didnt hold the unlock button long enough the second time.

Yes it works for US cars. Press and hold once for the sunroof. Press and hold for the lowering of the windows, lowering of the top and locking it down, and raising up of the windows.

I haven't found a way to raise it using the FOB. Too bad, that would be nice I would think.

[EBMCS03]

ya i tried it... it works! very cool.

[Angib]

Quote: Originally Posted by turbodriver (original)

If you open the door mid way through the operation everything stops!

And it won't put the roof down if a door is open when you start. Or if the boot is open.

I'm not sure there aren't other restrictions - it doesn't seem to be 100% reliable, though there is such a time delay in it starting to work that it's hard to be sure when it is or isn't working. It seems to work best when the car was locked beforehand.

One weird thing is that until the roof is fully down and has done its little slide forwards to lock in place, you cannot open the boot! So if you take your thumb off the button too soon, you are left fighting with an unresponsive boot handle.

Andrew

[andrewk]

I wonder if there's a firmware setting somewhere which lets you close it remotely?

[burgerdog]

So far I have only been able to put the top up from outside the car by using the key in the door handle. I wonder why BMW decided to make only opening the top possible via the key fob.