F83 Convertible Top Preventive Maintenance?

[modulated]

Hi folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has a clue about maintenance guidelines or suggestions for F83 convertible tops. The service manual is silent on the issue as far as I can tell, and I haven't been able to find any guidelines about whether anything needs to be lubed, etc. I'm at about 60,000 miles (2015 model, 6 years), not having any issues, but would like to keep it that way.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Patural]

check out this video on YouTube. Some pretty good tips.

[PhatLyfe]

Originally Posted by Patural

check out this video on YouTube. Some pretty good tips.

Thanks for posting this.. very useful.

[2Slo_F83]

That Never Seez grease looks pretty industrial, won't it build up over time? Just curious, if there's any other type that can be used?

[Fantastipotamus]

I used this guide (original first, and a followup/update in the second) to freshen up my seals last fall (and all the hinge parts as well). Mine’s a 2015, and it they were definitely dry, but didn’t see any cracking, thankfully.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/k...-shape.609222/

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...olding+origami

I couldn’t find anywhere any consensus to an ideal, lowest-stress position for the top, so i basically just stacked until all the seals were visible and went as quickly as possible. Pretty funny actually, the OP of that m3post link was like ‘THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, MAKE SURE YOU DON’T DO THIS ONE THING.. i will followup with the one thing, brb’, and then never came back.

All told, took me like 30 min or so? Will plan to do this twice a year, I think, in the shoulder seasons.

[Fantastipotamus]

Couple photos of where I stopped the top. Felt like every time I would finish one side, I’d go to the opposite and spot another hinge or seal that I missed on the first side.

Basically hit every bit of exposed rubber I could see. The guide from my earlier 3-series post provided the important bits for the hinges. I used all the products mentioned in the m3post link, as well.

[gerri]

Originally Posted by Fantastipotamus

I couldn’t find anywhere any consensus to an ideal, lowest-stress position for the top, so i basically just stacked until all the seals were visible and went as quickly as possible.

This is the service position. From the new TIS.