POSSIBLE solution to opening top with FOB key......and MORE
 

Hi Guys,

I just got my Z roadster for a week but ever since I've gotten it, I been trying to find a something/anything that would allow us to do the following functions:

- open AND close top while car is in motion
- open AND close top using key (while away from the car)
- one touch open/close option while in the car (instead of holding the button)

My friend, who has a 2010 Mercedes Benz SLK, (its a hardtop convertible) installed a module from mods4cars.com which allowed him to all of the above!

Now, I did a bit of research on mods4cars.com. They are a company that creates modules for convertibles to do all of the above functions. On their site they have modules for sale which range from Bentleys to Porsche to Mini Coopers. You can even Youtube them! BUT of course, they haven't made one for the 370z :mad:

I got in contact with mods4cars and found out they are interested in developing a module for the Z. They told me they need a 370z for their lab to firstly see if its possible to create one for the Z and then develop a prototype. I would honestly lend them my car but there are a few problems.

1st - they need the car for roughly 3 days
2nd - they are located in Ocean, NJ and I'm in Toronto, Canada

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that's around Ocean, NJ and willing to let the guys from mods4cars, see what they can do???

I'm sure I can't be the only one out there that wants my roadster to learn a few tricks. Is anyone willing to 'take one for the team' ??

Thanks for reading guys! I know that was a long post. Let me know what you think

Bump!

Just wondering if there has been any progress on this -- seems like a real worthwhile mod for Roadsters.

I wish I was in Jersey to lend them my car. It's really worth it if they can do all of the above or at least the first one and the last one...

There has been no progress whatsoever *sigh*
Quite disappointing......

Are you still trying to get this done, I don't suppose the interested people would be willing to chip in on a rental car? I just got my roadster and I am only ~3 hrs from there. I'm not really interested in this kit but I could be convinced to take one for the team.

Why would you want to open/ close the roof while your moving anyway?!? Does it at least have a speed limit or can you close it at 70mph on the highway and watch it fly away?:ughdance::rofl2:

YES we are STILL trying to get this done. I'll be the 1st to chip in on your rental car.

I'm sure most of us just wants to be able to have 'one touch - open/close' function and to be able to open/close the top when standing outside of the car. As for open/closing the roof while moving, its not bad to have if you're about to pull into a driveway and going 20 km/h. So by the time you're parked, your roof is closed.

I think you can actually open/close as long as you're below 60 km/h. Not that I actually suggest any do that though. lol

I for one am quite happy with the top operation. A one touch system defeats the purpose of the press and hold which is safety. If there's a way someone could get their head stuck between the top and the top header of the windshield, it will happen with a one touch system.:ugh2: And guaranteed, someone will put the top up while doing 60 kph and bend the framework and then call it an issue. I can wait out that long 20 seconds. Anyway, good luck in your gadget search.:tiphat:

Yeah I was thinking that as I decided to open the roof in traffic this morning... of course as soon as I did everyone started driving again. You know how agitated people get if they have to wait 21 seconds to roll that 3' forward :rofl2:

Mods for cars now works
 

I got an e-mail last night from Mods for Cars. I have been asking them for a year about G37S.
They are now doing it for the G! And I would imagine for the Z also. Here is what I got:
you will be able to
- operate the top while driving (low speed about 40km/h max)
- one touch operate the top from the button inside
- chirp (enable/disable)
- operate the top (one-touch) with your original key fob remote without
reprogramming anything

It will be $299.
Welcome to Facebook

Shane D

Awesome. Thanks Shane! When you get yours, hook us up with review if you wouldn't mind.:tiphat:

I am looking forward to the release for the ZR.

It will be months before I buy it. While I do drive my 'vert in the winter that top is not going down until at least April here in the Great White North.

These guys have been doing this for a few years for Benzes and Porsches. I will likely buy in March. I got two more e-mails, so I will pass these on:
1) Hello,
we are working on it right now and what you see is a first demo.
Tomorrow we will finish the product and start adding it to our online shop system. It will be available in about 8-12 weeks because of the manufacturing time of the wiring harness.
Best Regards, Sven Tornow
2) Installation will be full plug and play and finished in under 5 minutes.

Best Regards, Sven Tornow

Website: mods4cars smartTOP - remoteTOP - remoteKEY Porsche Carrera Boxster Mercedes Benz SLK SL CLK Comfort One-Touch Soft-Top roof control units and Comfort remote controllers
Twitter: mods4cars (mods4cars) on Twitter
YouTube: YouTube - mods4cars's Channel
Facebook: mods4cars | Facebook

I think the first Nissan/Infiniti testers will live WAY south of my location:p

Shane D

PS:" Key fob will drop AND raise the top!:tup:

Thanks Shane! I hear you on the timing thing. :)

I will be watching. +1 for sharing.

Great news - sounds like a great mod! :iagree:

Fully operational video
 

Just got another e-mail on this. This is SO cool! I asked about the Z, but I assume it will be the same.
YouTube - mods4cars SmartTOP for Infiniti G Convertible - operate the top with your remote & while driving

Shane D

Its been a couple months since the last post on this thread, and I just checked the mods4cars website to see if they have added the 370ZR to their available mods. No luck, unfortunately. Not seeing it on there yet, so I just filled out their contact us form on their site to see if they have it in the works. Personally I think this looks like an awesome feature that I wish the car came with. I guess for safety reasons Nissan didn't include these features, which I can understand, but used under ideal conditions I think these features would be a huge convenience! I am wondering if installing something like this would void warranty. I did, however, see on the mods4cars site that the product has a featured they refer to as:

Passive / Invisible mode
Turn the whole module off with an easy key sequence. Ideal when letting someone else drive your car.

You could activate this feature if you ever take the vehicle in for service or warranty work that would hopefully help to make its instillation more undetectable (unless they actually come across the device where it is installed).

From what I know, the guy is ready and willing but needs a test car in new jersey.... So if you're in that area, drop him a line so we can all benefit :driving:

Yep... heard back from the guy and it looks like they are still looking for a car to develop the product for the 370ZR. He Says"

"We would need a car in our lab in New Jersey to test and maybe modify the SmartTOP for Infiniti on the Nissan. We are located in Ocean/NJ"

I'm 7 hours away from Ocean NJ. There has got to be a 370ZR closer to them. Anyone out there in that area with an interest in this product? I'm sure if someone was to lend them their car for the testing, which would lead to more business for them, you could probably negotiate that they give you, and install, the product on your car for free. I would totally recommend trying to negotiate that type of deal if someone is considering this. Food for thought.

This may have to wait till the Spring time anyways... I'm assuming most of you don't drive your roadsters in the winter like me, am I correct?

I don't want one, but I would be willing to take one for the team. But I'll still need transportation for however long they need it for, not to mention a 6hr round trip. If the people who are waiting for this want to chip in on a rental car I'll drop my car off anytime.

I've been thinking about selling it though, but probably not until at least spring. That does raise some concerns though as to what they are actually going to do to the car.

What type of costs are we looking at here?

Well, judging from their website, once they have developed the product for a car and then list the product available for the car, then the part appears to sell for $299. They then provider Do it yourself instructions to install the product. Which the closes car they currently offer the product for appears to be the Infiniti G convertible and the process doesn't appear to be too difficult for a DIY. See the process HERE. So basically if someone offers to let them do the testing and development on their car then we all would probably be able to buy the product through their website for $299 and install it ourselves. Again, I feel that whomever actually lent them their car could probably work a deal to get the product for free, considering it would open up the possibility for future business for them.

That should answer your question on cost.

Would you be able to get a quote on a rental car and let us know how much u're looking for?

I would have to talk to the mods4cars people and see exactly how long they would need my car for, but normally a rental is only like $20-$35 a day and I think they said three days at the beginning of this thread right.

However as I mentioned I have been thinking about selling the Z, and so far it seems like it's going to happen. I am waiting for the dealership to call me back with an offer on my car so that will determine what I am going to do. I've been thinking about it and assuming the deal does go through it's probably not a good idea to have somebody tinkering with it when I am supposed to be trading it in.
I'll let you guys know how it goes though.

Alright it looks like I'm keeping the Z so should I be calling these guys about the roof?

That would be great. One of my choices would be able to open or close the top while driving. To be able to open the top after stopping at a light or stop sign and not have to hold up traffic would be great. Also opening or closing with the fob would be good. Keep us posted.

Sorry to hear your deal fell through and thanks for doing this for all those that want this mod.

I for one would be willing to chip in some money for your rental car. Are there any other members here that's willing to do the same? Paypal OK?

As long as paypal doesn't charge me any fees that's fine. I'll try and call them on Saturday then, it wouldn't hurt if somebody reminded me though :D

I too would like this mod to be available for the 370ZR. That said I would also be willing to chip in towards a rental car, through PayPal. I'd be willing to throw $30 your way towards the rental car. Anyone else? The more willing to chip in, that are interested in this mod, the cheaper it is for all of us.

I didn't see a phone number on their site, but I sent them an email. I haven't heard back yet though so I'll keep you guys in the loop

I'm down as well... Give us a quote crash ;)

I'll let you guys know, I still haven't heard back from them yet though. I've got so many damn people I need to chase down, why can't they just call me back like their supposed to :facepalm:

I am a little surprised... they were rather quick to get back to me after I filled out the contact form on their website. Give them another day or maybe just submit the form again and see if that starts a fire under their a$$.

Crash.... did they ever get back to you on this? Curious. Let us know when you can. Thanks.

Sorry guys, No they haven't gotten back to me and I forgot to email them again with all the chaos going on here. I will send them another email now

I guess the last email must not have gone through, I sent them another this morning and they got right back to me. They said their going to disscuss it and give me a call in a few days

Here's the latest news, I just talked to them. He said he's pretty busy next month and will call me after that to schedule a time to drop my car off, so we're looking at probably doing it in April.
He says he's got a car I can use so we don't need to worry about that

Crash... awesome! You are the man for doing this! Hoping this all goes well as I am really looking forward to this mod.

Keep us posted next month or in April when they call you. Thanks again.

:tup: Big ups there... that‘ll be just in time for summer =)

Sweet!!!

Very sweet. Look forward to updates and maybe install it before summer.:stirthepot:

Well, it's April. No call yet of course but we'll see if they call me. If not this will remind me to call them.