HOW TO MANUALLY REMOVE THE TOP OF BMW CONVERTIBLE

**Before trying this, make sure that the luggage compartment lever in the trunk is set to the correct position. The luggage compartment lever is the most common reason the roof wont go down**
**If you cannot seal the rear compartment with the “open top” button like i can, try driving around for a few minutes. The car may detect you are in motion and lock on its own. Avoid trying to use the allen key**
This video will show you how to manually take the top off of a 2004 BMW 325ci. I made this video because i could not find a solid video explaining how to do this when i needed it.
Do this at your own risk!!!

[@johnnymeza5454]

If anyone is having trouble getting the convertible compartment lid to lock during the last step where you hold the open button, try this. Start your car and drive it slowly around the block. The car may detect you're in motion and lock by itself. Don't try to lock by using the allen wrench on the gearbox under the seat. I almost stripped it. The car manual says this mechanism is only for unlocking to close the soft top.

[@JasonMaoreen]

Thanks Johnny, that may be a better suggestion than turning the allen key the opposite way. Ill add it to the description

[@skhosanamathiyane]

I will try it

[@TrinhTran-nt6tt]

8

[@victoriapoulsen5227]

My mechanic wouldn't deal with this, and I have been twisting myself in knots fortifying myself to pay for a motor replacement and the labor to go with it. One BMW repair shop insisted on keeping my car for several days, forcing me to rent a car before even giving me a rough estimate and I tried one last time to youtube a solution to manually opening and closing and voila, one manual closing of the top and the motor kicked in again. I think it just needed to be reset. I am crossing fingers it's actually fixed, but at the very least, now I know how to open and close it. THANK YOU!

[@danielshaw5174]

Dude. Thanks you saved me a lot of trouble. And you didnt make a 29 minute long video either. Thanks for that Why you so smiley tho? It's the car right? Makes you smile

[@JasonMaoreen]

Daniel Shaw Yeah, it’s the car 😉 glad to help

[@altugbahadr743]

Thanks for helpful video. One thing , you don’t need to remove up back seats, after removing part between seatbelts holder, you will see leather cover which clicked to the tiny iron stick. You can slowly slide it up and pull the opposite direction and then key plug will become accessible.

[@candaq]

How do you lock it down if nothing for the roof is functioning or live? I had to disconnect the fuse to stop power drain from constant engagement when the car is unpowered. So nothing will lock, how is this done manually. Great video though and a LIFE SAVER, or at least car saver, or wallet saver on a fully depreciated 2000 that still wants to run like the wind.

[@amandawilson4040]

You don’t have to pull up the back seat to get to the Allen key and the manual button. There’s a piece that covers it, just unclip and pull the fabric panel forward. I figured that out yesterday when the motor for the top died.

[@JasonMaoreen]

Thank you for this Amanda Wilson ! 👍🏻 will try it next time

[@1979mula]

So if you leave it all ways manually you do not need to take off the rear seats to switch to the right and press the button..

[@KevinWillemse]

I notice your car does not have the retracting soft top panel covers. You need to be VERY CAREFUL to manually pull these back when folding down the roof or the arms/brackets will gougle into them instead of slipping underneath them once retracted. I imagine yours are actually removed because of this happening!

[@joseph_the_human]

What do those covers look like? I wish there was a video on what you described. Thank you!

[@林杰-q1z]

OMG THANKS BRO ......IT IS VERY HELPFUL A LOT

[@JasonMaoreen]

Glad it helped!! 😎

[@lynngordon6031]

Can anyone tell me what or where you are putting the Allen key when you are turning it to the right. I see the button I have to push, but there is no hole for the Allen key to go into. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@jeremyprestongutierrez7222]

is anyone else having trouble getting the lid to open??

[@beerkeller]

Thanks this helped. Could’ve done without the background music

[@alvinszott4127]

What a great video Jason. I own a 2001 M3 convertible and this video was applicable. I believe my roof jammed shut because a piece of loose harness (the laces or whatever that tie it to the frame need replacing) got caught in the lid when it closed when I opened the roof. I would have had no idea how to get the roof closed manually without your video. Once I got the roof closed manually my red light was still flashing. I hit the close button for good measure and it turned off the red light. This reset the roof and now it is all working great again. No motor problems, no blown fuse - your video got it back to perfect. And for those wondering, the allen wrench was where it was supposed to be, even in a 2001 model. Thank you so much for all your help!

[@johnnymeza5454]

Thank you! This isn't even that bad I don't think I'm gonna fix my top anymore

[@johnnymeza5454]

nvm i found out my issue is with the latches. Unscewing the top with the allen wrench doesn't work for me lol. Much more work.

[@husseinel-hajj7818]

@@johnnymeza5454 damnnn that's the worst case scenario ever! Did you manage to solve it?

[@johnnymeza5454]

@@husseinel-hajj7818 yeah it was the plastic gear piece that was broken. I was able to put enough pressure on it to keep the gear together and unscrew the top.

[@ibrahimhadid9257]

It got stuck in the middle before going inside the compartment now my soft top is 75% open

[@virtuomindz3205]

Why is that I can unlock it from the front anymore with the Allen key, the bolt just comes out and I can’t open it, any suggestions on how to fix it or why it’s happening?

[@Onry1]

I want to know who was filming this? Because Jason is completely smitten with whoever it is...

[@chadscott812]

Thanks, very helpful and simple to follow.

[@skhosanamathiyane]

Thanx about this video its fantastic,,,here is my problem i have 2006 650 i convertible soft top, i have the same problem top doesn't go down and the trunk also don't want to open, windows don't wana go up eish,any idea please. brother,,,thanx,,,,,,,,,,,,South Africa

[@JasonMaoreen]

Skhosana Mathiyane Try the fuses in the glove box. Search for the ones that control what is not working in your car. The other day my front windows were not working, sure enough the fuse was blown. Replaced it and worked perfectly.

[@skhosanamathiyane]

Good morning, i will try it when i get home cos i am a truck driver,I will let you know, now i have serch every were how to open that 650 i manually but with no luck, eish it's pathetic when the top doesn't wana go down eish

[@YarmilaGoycochea]

Excellent, explication , I love it , 🙏🏻 thank you

[@kellypavely9092]

I bought this car as my 50th birthday present. Is this a fuse problem? The light flashes & it makes a clicking noise when I push button. I don't mind doing this but I want to fix the problem also. Any suggestions?

[@kellypavely9092]

Thos is my first BMW and actually my first foreign car even. Any help would be so very much appreciated. Great video, straight to the point & no lingering on & on. Love it.

[@OvayBrandao]

Like a Boss level 9999999 :) especially for a yt 1st time video. Thanks !

[@JasonMaoreen]

Hahaaaa thanks bro! Legend

[@sasukeuchihaanbucapt]

I own the exact same car just gray seats and a m3 motor, mines a 2004

[@franciscomartinez4164]

Como selokiyo aun caro volvo2000 donde los drvlkeo

[@hayyamsamandag]

Thanks for your time man! Great explanation

[@adzcxcxloco2740]

Legend!!!!

[@JasonMaoreen]

Thank you man!

[@mirawibowo5757]

like the BMW you are good looking👍

[@benhajdu4040]

Why's it not work. Lmao.

[@mauricezachary2949]

Thanks best video

[@ernestodiaz6939]

Very helpful tips. Thanks for the video.

[@JasonMaoreen]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching and leaving a positive comment

[@jeffb499]

Very helpful!

[@AngelOrtizCSJ]

Dope!!!

[@angelicawallace6284]

I don’t have an Allen key with my bmw can I just buy one??

[@JasonMaoreen]

Angelica Wallace yes, indeed. Just make sure it’s the right size for the key hole.

[@Marlo-pl3dr]

Where do I get the tool from

[@jojodelgado5244]

❤❤❤

[@toriconway4455]

Shit did not work

[@rikardokwiatkowski7998]

I have the same issue 😕

[@Peaceinlove1432]

Thanks bro 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@geob44]

How do you remove the SoftTop competely for replacement ?

[@JasonMaoreen]

Maybe ask a mechanic, I’d be interested in learning how too

[@dadox7104]

Omg thanks bro !

[@JasonMaoreen]

Cheers bro 😎😎 hope it helped

[@gelberramirez7248]

Exelente

[@Ovadose850]

Life saver man honestly ! Thought it would be a lot more difficult to get that done after my top stopped working in my E46 M3 !

[@JasonMaoreen]

Right? Man I searched KZbin for so long just for this simple instruction. How shitty is it having a convertible when you can’t even take the top down...

[@skhosanamathiyane]

@@JasonMaoreen eish man

[@franciscomartinez4164]

Ola algie me podrias ayuda disiendome tengo un caro volvo2000 yonose como kitarlo manual ay porfavo porke auyomaticomete nose

[@verdic2328]

This is not removing the top. Can not make your instructions because of the music

[@brancook1223]

You need to make more videos man. Well done

[@JasonMaoreen]

I made a sequel thanks to this comment and others. Happy you liked it!

[@docbrown8981]

what if i don’t have the allen key what can i use?

[@JasonMaoreen]

If you have a set of Allen key tools in different sizes, it might be best to try whichever would fit. Good option for now.

[@transamlt1590]

Yo tengo uno igual pero el mío es color rojo soy de México ... gracias no sabía cómo quitar y poner el techo de forma manual

[@davidmelendez2011]

Very helpful video thanks

[@franciscomartinez4164]

Como sekitar de un caro volvo 2000 no puedo kitarlo atomatico podrias syudarm

[@mainmasri7959]

Excellent and a job well done!! Very simple to deal with...

[@jahsyr8995]

bro thanks it worked and to lock it turn they allen key backward in back seat

[@merkyreynoso7179]

I tried it but the back side if mines doesnt want to unlock how do I fix that

[@mpsmi]

Brilliant thanks really helpful

[@jeanPierreDelorme32350]

Merci beaucoup Jason, tu m'as permis ouvrir cette capote, so Thank you very much, you gave me a hand to open this bl00by hood, now I've to find why it doesnt work, a french man 74 years old

[@JasonMaoreen]

So glad we’re able to help! Thank you Jean-Pierre

[@Peaceinlove1432]

👍

[@JasonMaoreen]

Ayye 😎

[@Joey20.02]

This does not work for a 2005 one I really need how to take it off has anyone know how to

[@hamachi21]

I searched YT for a while looking for help with this. Your video was great! Very well done.

[@林杰-q1z]

Please do more, E46

[@giovanihernandez9191]

Size of Allen ranch ?

[@fuvaMaRVBK5pL1uByVjFIfyhTnqay9]

Thank you very much!

[@faidahussain2845]

Bro mine is down how do I make it go back up manually

[@drexellake4051]

Where are the covers for the back?

[@browncarfilms]

To the point, thanks 👍

[@lisapokladnik5167]

Amazing Video

[@terrancefernandors]

I pressed the release button and it locked in the compressed position, but the top isn't budging...

[@JasonMaoreen]

Terrance Fernandors did you use the allen key and turned it to the right?

[@terrancefernandors]

Jason Maoreen I did, is the button supposed to lock in?

[@terrancefernandors]

Jason Maoreen Counter Clockwise correct?

[@JasonMaoreen]

Terrance Fernandors Terrance Fernandors after pushing the button, turn the Allen Key COUNTER CLOCKWISE and the button should return to it’s original position

[@terrancefernandors]

Jason Maoreen Gave up last night, just put the car in the garage last night.. I’m going out this morning to take another crack at it.

[@1taylano]

Thanks a lot!

[@coreynomad5231]

Man you made this super simple, quick. Thanks so much dude!

[@darkdonealvarez2138]

Súper nice me funcionó

[@toniproctor262]

Thank you sooooo very much Jason! My bf tried to open it and couldn't. He's a Master Mechanic so this was so helpful I was actually able to get it open. Only needed a lil help from my bf to pull the rooftop back. Your video is the only one I could locate with specifics for manually opening this very same make and model! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

[@JasonMaoreen]

Toni Proctor awesome! Figured if I could help even 1 person this video would be worth making....well it’s been VERY worth it at this point :)

[@cynthiatumwesigye1363]

Hi, wow! I’m so glad that i came across your video, ive been trying to save up so i can take it to a dealership (had this car for 4 years and just gave up on the convertible roof) but thanks to you, i can enjoy it. Do you know how to return the roof manually too?

[@JasonMaoreen]

Hi Blanca, so happy to hear that this video helped you!! We also made a video showing how to close the top. Enjoy your convertible :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGfLk4J6ba6CjJI

[@gloglo1275]

What if the screw by the rear view mirror comes all of the way out?

[@freeversereo]

That happened to me too

[@gloglo1275]

Reo Ortega What did you ended up doing?

[@freeversereo]

Glo Glo I found out what it is....it’s the latch gear it’s plastic from the factory so when the screw comes all the out that means the plastic gear broke...they sale a brass gear upgrade though for cheap on eBay just search “e46 latch gear” on eBay or amazon and buy the replacement

[@gloglo1275]

Reo Ortega I appreciate your feedback. I haven’t been getting anyone to respond with useful information. How were you able to Open it in order to replace the broken plastic latch? That is what I’m having a hard time with. I can’t get it to unhook in order to work on it.

[@freeversereo]

Glo Glo kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3qYnKiXZa50f5Y

[@MrMarineMaster]

Perfect, thanks

[@sarah117]

GOOD work but i have a e36 the generation before this one

[@adie3667]

does this work on e36 as well?

[@JasonMaoreen]

AdrianCarinoMedia not sure, it’s a different model. Maybe check the Manual and it might help. Sorry about that

[@StarPoint0y]

Thank you 👍

[@JasonMaoreen]

Tomi Leppänen you’re welcome! Glad it helped you.

[@macie7770]

How do you get it back on?

[@zafarmahmood8410]

I guess do it all in reverse?

[@JasonMaoreen]

Do the exact same thing in reverse and it should close it(including using the Allen key to tighten the top)

[@JasonMaoreen]

Just made a sequel check it out! Very simple