Julian Pasiut

Hi Anne, Im so sorry if my reply/reaction to your question to me is so late (I have not been well and my attention to all emails has been sloppy to say the least !) Anyhow, my response is that you and I seem to be among the few who have had this problem (at least on Bimmer). It would seem that most people 'just get on with it' and never kick up a stink which means that those it does effect indignantly have little recourse or sway to effect an answer/remedy ! What I'm saying is that there are not enough 4 series convertible owners out there that are outspoken or willing to or have experienced this situation to make any difference, which is a shame for those it has effected. I dont think I can give this any more time now unless someone else wants to raise the issue and carry the flag as I am just a pawn and have no influence. Anyway, thank you for contributing and I hope you have no further issues with your car. Best regards, Julian

Hi Thank you for your contribtion to this topic. Your experience is just what I am looking for. Have you kept any invoices regarding this issue and hopefully stating the need for the 'repair' ?

Hi and thanks for responding to my post. I have seen two Facebook posts and they are rather blatantly pointing out the problem. I have no idea whether BMW have actually commented let alone actioned the post but I kinda believe they have just looked the other way ! Re your 430i it may be a good idea to get her up on a ramp of your friendly garage and have a closer look or tap it (pun intended !). Let me know if you find out soon. Cheers

Hi Mike, Thank you for responding. Unfortunately you have been the only person to respond to my shout out concerning this problem - Im starting to think this is just me that this has happened to or that anybody else just gets on with it without complaining ! In answer to your queries, I believe the water ingress happens with natural rain/water hose falling on the car and seeping down the rubbers of the top canopy/windows...they are not impervious to water and in most other cars it is directed away from collection. Unfortunatelly the 4 series convertible was made without a means of sufficient drainage and eventually it causes a flooding/failure of the said window winder mechanism. My advice would be to go to your local BMW garage or specialist BMW service garage and get advice/action to deal with this problem before it gets expensive and have no recompense from BMW !! Please let me know how you get on and what you are told/advised by the garages involved. Cheers for now, Julian

Hi all, I have owned my 420D convertible for almost two years now and I am really pleased with her combination of performance and economy. However, two months ago I had trouble lowering the rear nearside window - it would not glide down smoothly but only operated in repeated pressing of the window winder button. Even when fully down I found the retractable roof would not fully open. My local BMW specialist garage advised that the problem was that the window winder mechanism on the nearside had failed due to being 'wetted-out' by water ingress to the sill from normal rainfall/washing. Apparently the sill does not have a means of draining away on the 4 Series convertible and eventually it 'floods' the window winder mechanism which sits in this area. My garage stated that this is a common problem on the convertible and they have rectified many of these cars by making a simple drain themselves. I paid £600 for the new winder and labour so was not happy but imagine my horror to experience the offside 'fail' as well ! I have now paid out @£1200 to deal with a 'common knowledge' issue that should have been subject of a simple recall to rectify. I have started an investigation with BMW UK and my local BMW Stratstone dealer to investigate this issue with a view to receiving some recompence for an obvious design fault. My question is, are there any other people/garages 'out there' who have experienced this issue with the 4 Series convertible so that we may form a group to petition BMW for financial retribution ? (I have noted several comments/pictures/videos on Google and Youtube so I know I am not the only one !!). Please feel free to contact me via this post or via my email at [email protected] Thank you !!!

I'm smilling !!!

Ha...I just sold my Porsche (2001 Boxster S) and now have a 420D convertible (with remap). The Boxster was a beautiful car and very energetic but my body is getting old and decrepit and falling out onto the pavement to get out was a pathetic display ! Anyhow, we now have a cockapoo and she has her own back seat now !! Wish I had bought a 435D in hindsight but lets see what a year or so in this girl will decide !!! PS Good luck with your new Porsche !!!