I've been speaking to a friend of mine who owns a 1990 M3 convertible with the electric hydraulic roof (apparantly there are two types of power hood). Anyway the roof opens properly but the lid that is supposed to house the roof will not open. He bought the car from an M Power specialist and they cannot help, he has taken it to nearly all of the other specialist BMW garages to no avail and eventually the problem has been looked at by two main dealers. One of the main dealers solved the problem but when he got the car home the problem was still apparent. He really is pulling his hair out, have any of you had similar problems or have any suggestions.

John,

It sounds like the micro switch that controls the lid is broken.  There is a micro switch for each part of operation: unfastener (to ensure the handle is undone), then one to raise the roof at the back, when the roof scissors to a point where the rear screen is vertical it should trip the switch that opens the lid.  You can see if it this by getting the roof to this point and then getting in the back of the car to see if the metal work is setting off the switch.

This may not sound too clear but these roofs are a nightmare if they go wrong!  Please post back if you need any more help.

Funo