The convertible top failed 2011/30229 miles, still under cpo warranty. the dealership only topped off the hydraulic fluid and claimed no leak found. it failed again 2014/45809 miles. this time seals were replaced and hydraulic lines. goodwill repair with 50% out of pocket. it failed again earlier this year 2018/62112 miles. this time i was quoted $2,938 to $3,658. i had it diagnosed in may and was waiting for an answer of the service manager about bmw assisting with the repair and had not heard back. i inquired again two days ago and got a reply that bmw would not pick up any of the repair cost. it appears that it was a slowly developing defect. where would have the fluid have gone at the first repair? also doing some research turned up a lot of the same trouble for other owners. apparently it is a design flaw. water not draining because of clogging and consequently causing damage to the hydraulic system.
The vehicle was parked in a garage and set on fire, resulting in a house being burned down and the fatality of my father. the fire marshal's report was inconclusive as to how the fire started.