Julian Pasiut

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 !!!