Best aftermarket soft top?

[Dalek]

Jack Smith in Swansea, I’m getting mine done tomorrow, photos to follow.

Thinking of taking mine to be done in Swansea so lots of photos inside and out please.

 

[Tom Pack]

Wow, sounds like thats a fairly inexpensive repair in the UK.
I was asking today in the Seattle area because I need a new top. Lowest I could find was $600 labor to remove and replace if I supply my own top.
I found some tops on Amazon for $250 to $350 by Sierra auto tops and seats. So I am still looking at about $1000. A Gah top would run me close to $1500-$1600 bucks!

Just signed a contract here in Virginia to have a black GAHH top put on our 1998 2.8L.......$1302.34
Which wasn’t a bad price........top alone is $650 and I don’t have to install it!

 

[mrscalex]

Thinking of taking mine to be done in Swansea so lots of photos inside and out please.

Raymond makes a great roof. Nice material, nice stitching, retains pockets. Only thing I don’t like but they all do it is stitch in the rear window. It doesn’t bother most people and is only because I like it how it left the factory and also with one eye on future replacement in x years time.

But what you won’t see from the pictures is how the hood frame is sealed to the sealing frame and car body.

I’ve recently been helping another member on here with some advice on how to seal as per the factory with butyl strips. He bought his car with a 2-3 year old roof which I suspect was NOT done by Raymond but one of the other shops often mentioned on here. And it was badly done with sealant from a gun and a fully cracked through sealing frame was left in place. Well it’s possible they cracked it I would think. The roof leaked.

Having removed a Jack Smith roof, he also uses sealant from a gun. But I assume he makes a better job of it.

 

[Dalek]

Thanks for that. Based on your knowledge do you recommend anyone else maybe a bit closer to us? Obviously I want it done properly and don’t mind paying a bit more for a job done properly!

 

[mrscalex]

There are people I'm aware of in Swansea, Coventry (more expensive but will be zip in) and Croydon. But they are all about 2 hours from Swindon.

Jack Smith has a very good reputation and I can hardly recommended against coming to see him when you have the opportunity to spend a few hours or overnight here in lovely Swansea He's 5 mins from the sea front and therefore one of the finest beaches in the country

Yes, this is Swansea, not The Gower and not the Costa del Sol. It's even more amazing with the tide out

 

[Dalek]

With a beach like that it has to be Swansea and for the entire weekend!

 

[handsomejackuk]

let me know when you get it booked in ca arrange a run out somewhere if you there for the weekend.. some lovely scenery around my way brecon beacons national park...

 

[Dalek]

let me know when you get it booked in ca arrange a run out somewhere if you there for the weekend.. some lovely scenery around my way brecon beacons national park...

That sounds like a great idea.
I hope to do it when I get out of hospital in a couple of months so will let you know once booked in.

 

[bonbon]

I bought a top from EuroTop in Germany about 4 years ago. https://www.verdeck.de/en
Quite happy (although the sun has made the rear window a bit "orange peely"

 

[kyrix1st]

Update: Ended up going with Haartz Twillfast II ($360 shipping inc.), bought on Ebay.

I would say the cloth quality is OEM. I am so glad I can see when the cops are on my ass again..
Fitment is alright but not great, as you can see some grooves on the skeletons near the plastic window.
It could be due to incorrect installation. We'll see

 

[Ianmc]

Doesn't look quite right, maybe just needs to "settle".

 

[mrscalex]

It must have been folded when it went in the post. That may be all it is.

 

[Dennis in Colorado]

I also own a jeep. When I got it, and this year when I got a new soft top, I had to let it "settle in the sun". They go on really tight. Might be what is needed.

 

[BMBabe]

@Lenny b

 

[Lenny b]

@Lenny b

Thanks, I am going to give them a call. Very much appreciated

 

[BMBabe]

Thanks, I am going to give them a call. Very much appreciated

Or give @spurs fan in a coupe a shout see if he still has a good second hand one for sale

 

[Nodzed]

http://www.hothoods.co.uk/z3_fitted.htm
Did my 2.8 3 years ago and are mobile (came to Gloucestershire to fit it) £650

http://www.thesofttopshop.com/

Did both my Ms. The Imola was £750 and again they are mobile and came to me

 

[Paul Rice]

Soft tops Stockport did mine 1st class job but a bit pricey at £660 with pockets

 

[Rickypoos]

Thinking of getting a new hood on my Atlanta blue 2.8. Fancy a change from the standard black to blue but worry that it may be too blue all together and maybe should stick with black - in which case should I bother???

 

[Ianmc]

Dark blue hood would look well on your car IMO.