How to put top down 1998 BMW Convertible

depends on what type of top you have (full power or power assisted).

if power assisted, then release the latches on the inside where the top meets the windshield, then hit the button on the lower dash (its near the button for the heated seats & traction control) and give it a little push with your hand to start it folding. it has a picture of a side window & top on it. pushing it one way lowers the top. you have to be in park (or drive with foot on brake) to lower it. hold the switch down, the side windows will lower a bit and the top will begin to move. keep holding it till the top tucks under the boot and the windows begin to go back up, then release it. if the light on this button is not flashing when you release it, then the top is tucked away properly. if still flashing, then keep it depressed until the top folding sequence is complete.

if a fully automatic top (you will not have latch releases on the top where it meets the windshield), then simply hit the button as described above. no need to push on the top during the beginning sequence. keep holding it until the windows begin to go back up, then release it.

for both, watch the top as it tucks into the boot. sometimes if the top is not properly aligned, the top cloth may not tuck correctly and may require some help from you. the sequence can be stopped any time, but the red light on this button will flash.

to put it back up, simply hit the button in the opposite manner and the sequence will start with the rear boot lifting up first. fully auto tops will lock automatically to the windshield. power assisted tops will require to lock the top. if red light on this button still flashes when released, then the sequence is not complete or has encountered an error.

hope this worked for you.