BMW 1 Series Top Won't Budge: Convertible System Failure

Hey there! I've got some experience with BMWs, though I'm not an expert. Had a similar issue with my 2009 BMW 3 Series (also drove a 5 Series before). Had exactly the same problem, convertible top completely frozen and sunblind stuck. Took it to my regular workshop and turned out it needed a reset and recoding of the convertible top module. Pretty straightforward fix, cost me 75 Euro and about an hour of work. They basically hooked it up to their diagnostic computer and reprogrammed it. But before you head to the shop, could you share if you're getting any warning messages on the dashboard? Also, can you hear the motor trying to work when you press the controls? This info would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had or if it might be something else.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 1 series has only 26288 KM and was recently serviced, so I was quite surprised when this happened. I don't hear any motor sounds when pressing the controls, and there's no warning light on the dash. It just feels completely dead, like nothing's happening at all when I press the button. Good to know about the module reset possibility though, sounds less scary than what I was imagining. Did your mechanic mention if this is a common issue with BMWs? Just trying to figure out if I should expect this to happen again after fixing it.

Hey again! Yeah, the symptoms you're describing sound a bit different from what I experienced with my 3 Series. In my case, I could at least hear the motor attempting to work, even though nothing moved. The complete silence in your case is a bit concerning, might be something more than just the module needing a reset. When I talked to my mechanic about it, he mentioned these issues can pop up in BMWs, but they're not super common, especially with such low mileage. Since your car has only 26K km, I'd actually recommend getting it checked at a BMW specialist. My issue never came back after the fix, but yours might be related to the electrical system or even a blown fuse (which I honestly didn't think to check when I had my problem). One thing my mechanic did mention, sometimes these issues can be triggered by using the convertible top when the battery is low. Did you notice any other electrical quirks before this happened? Like slow power windows or dimming lights? Might be worth checking the battery voltage too before diving deeper into more complex fixes. Just trying to help you avoid some unnecessary expenses based on my experience. Let me know what you find out!

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! You've given me a lot to think about. I haven't noticed any other electrical issues, but now that you mention it, the power windows have been a tiny bit sluggish lately, I just didn't connect the dots. I'll definitely get the battery checked first before diving into more complex solutions. That's a really good tip about the battery voltage possibly affecting the convertible top, wish I'd known that earlier! I've just booked an appointment with a BMW specialist for next week. You're right that with such low mileage, it's better to have an expert look at it rather than trying unusual fixes. I'll make sure to mention both the module reset possibility and the battery voltage issue to them. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and follow up with more details. I'll update the thread once I find out what's actually causing the problem!