Open the roof with a remote?

[AstonZagato]

I have just one frustration with the new Vanquish Volante: no ability to open the roof from the remote as one approaches the car (or close it as one walks away).

Has anyone investigated a third party solution?

[IanV12VR]

Wow, what a good question.

I have only once put my roof down without the engine on. That was in Spain and the roof module went! Never done it since.

[Dobie177]

Really!? That's astonishing. I was with a friend today whose 7-year old Porsche has this ability. And I'm sure many others marquee do also.

It can never be said AM have leading edge tech...

[IanV12VR]

Dobie177 said:

Really!? That's astonishing. I was with a friend today whose 7-year old Porsche has this ability. And I'm sure many others marquee do also.

It can never be said AM have leading edge tech...

Mind you I have to say I saw a Boxster owner doing that a while ago and thought - what a poser but it did look quite cool

[AstonZagato]

IanV12VR said:

I have only once put my roof down without the engine on. That was in Spain and the roof module went! Never done it since.

I was told to never start or stop the engine while the roof was moving. Open it with the engine stopped. Or with it started.

[AstonZagato]

IanV12VR said:

Mind you I have to say I saw a Boxster owner doing that a while ago and thought - what a poser but it did look quite cool

I don't think it is a posing thing but really just a way that one can get in and moving with the top down more quickly. And pose.

[CSK1]

I can open the roof of my wife's MINI by keeping the unlock button pressed while approaching the car, very practical and saves you time when you're in a hurry.
When I took delivery of the Aston I have been told you shouldn't open a door during roof operation, also to keep holding the button until it says "roof operation complete", not sure why. You can open or close the roof while driving slowly though.

[IanV12VR]

AstonZagato said:

IanV12VR said:

I have only once put my roof down without the engine on. That was in Spain and the roof module went! Never done it since.

I was told to never start or stop the engine while the roof was moving. Open it with the engine stopped. Or with it started.

You misunderstand AZ. The roof failed with the roof being opened without the engine switched on. It was the only time I tried to do so have never done it again since. Always have the engine on when the roof goes up or down.

[brakedwell]

AstonZagato said:

I don't think it is a posing thing but really just a way that one can get in and moving with the top down more quickly. And pose.

More often than not I open the hood of my 718 Boxster with the remote if it parked in a tight space as it makes it easier to get into the car. The folding mechanism seems remarkably simple and can be used up to 31 mph. The driver manual recommends not opening and closing the hood too often when the engine is stopped as it could run down the battery, just common sense.

[Herbs]

Had a few cars now that do this and used to use it a lot especially in the summer as it meant avoiding getting into a boiling car, it also helped that the last one would raise or lower the roof in 9 seconds.

I wouldn't use it on the Vantage even if i had it as it would probably kill the battery after 2 attempts!

[Manwhoneverwas]

In 2004 I ordered a new Mercedes SLK and it was an extra £90 to have the drivers remote control to operate the roof opening/closing.
The roof technology in the current V8 Roadster is just a touch out of date as the roof control modules in these cars is a bit neurotic.

[Gavc]

My Porsche 996 cab. 03 model can open the roof with the key fob and whilst driving up to around 30mph ish. 14 yr old car. Aston need to move forward especially as cars costing considerably more

[AstonZagato]

CSK1 said:

When I took delivery of the Aston I have been told you shouldn't open a door during roof operation, also to keep holding the button until it says "roof operation complete", not sure why.

I've done it a few times now. I think I got away with it.

IanV12VR said:

AstonZagato said:

IanV12VR said:

I have only once put my roof down without the engine on. That was in Spain and the roof module went! Never done it since.

I was told to never start or stop the engine while the roof was moving. Open it with the engine stopped. Or with it started.

You misunderstand AZ. The roof failed with the roof being opened without the engine switched on. It was the only time I tried to do so have never done it again since. Always have the engine on when the roof goes up or down.

Ah. Ok. I've done that a few times now too. I think I got away with that too.

brakedwell said:

More often than not I open the hood of my 718 Boxster with the remote if it parked in a tight space as it makes it easier to get into the car. The folding mechanism seems remarkably simple and can be used up to 31 mph. The driver manual recommends not opening and closing the hood too often when the engine is stopped as it could run down the battery, just common sense.

This is why I'd like the facility too. The Vanquish can open the roof at up to 30mph as well.

[AstonZagato]

I also find the roof button a bit unintuitive to use. It hasn't yet got to the stage where I know exactly what the rear 3/4 windows and roof are going to do for any given input.

[NDA]

If you keep your finger on the unlock button, will the roof open? Similarly if you keep the button depressed on the open button, will it open?

I guess you've tried, but I think I had a soft top that worked this way once.

[AstonZagato]

Yes, I have tried that and asked the dealer if there is a combination that works. Apparently not.

[Flugplatz]

Dobie177 said:

Really!? That's astonishing. I was with a friend today whose 7-year old Porsche has this ability.

My 964 cab had it 28 years ago in 1989

I loved it.

Like Ian, in the V12VSR I only ever open and close with the engine running.

[AndStilliRise]

Not an AM but I stalled when dropping the roof on the Saab and something broke in the mechanism. Dealer fix. The mechanisms do all look similar though.

[RL17]

New minis have the open roof function disabled due to US litigation issues and dealers say can't override it. Assume same fpr Aston although my coupe doesn't like 1 min of SatNav operation before it come sup with low battery warnings