1998 328I Auto Top, manual operation?

[fireflyer141]

Just bought my daughters 328I Convertible, beautiful automobile!!! She is on cloud 9 for sure. It was bought with a new top, but it doesn't work, yet. Can it be operated manually for a little while until I get time to diagnose it, or will it cause problems? It is such a nice day here in Florida, she needs to have it down on her first day driving it!!!
Let me know. Thanks

[jeewing7]

You can operate it manually. However the top cover risks flying open at highway speed since you can't lock it down if you disengage the motors.

You can get around this by putting the top down and closing the hatch. Then open the trunk and re-engage the motor on the left of the trunk. Hop in the car and hold the top-switch in the open position while starting the car. After holding it there for ten seconds the cover will lock closed. You will have to disengage the motor again to get it open.

[johnnyBgood]

Sounds great.......check out page 17 on link below. There is a EM TOP EMERGENCY OPERATION........
This link will also help you repair it......

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/BMW_docs/converttops.pdf

johnny,