Lovely New Roof.

[Dalek]

Jack Smith is certainly getting a good following on here. Mine was replaced by Softtops in Croydon. He extends the side of the hood fabric slightly to overlap the top of the window more and reduce the risk of water ingress. Not sure it really makes much difference as it is mainly a case of getting the seal rubbers on the roof frame correctly positioned.

Can I ask what the cost was?

 

[roadvoyager1]

I think Softtops charged £395, or £425 with side pockets. @Davyhoogy had his done more recently and can probably give a recent price.

 

[Zeddicus]

Jack Smith is certainly getting a good following on here. Mine was replaced by Softtops in Croydon. He extends the side of the hood fabric slightly to overlap the top of the window more and reduce the risk of water ingress. Not sure it really makes much difference as it is mainly a case of getting the seal rubbers on the roof frame correctly positioned.

Thanks for that info. How much did that cost? (And is the window zipped or stitched?)
Croydon would save on time & petrol for me... but I quite fancied a trip to wales.
Ooops... see you’ve just replied.

 

[g8jka]

Hello, just to confirm, that was £300 all in for a new roof fitted? (Inc window). That’s half the price of some of the hood companies that advertise on the internet.
Did they make an effort to make it more watertight than the old one? - any rain yet? Thanks. Zed.

I've been to both Jack Smith and Soft Tops at Croydon to have roofs fitted and you can't go wrong with either. Jack Smiths £300 Dec 2018, Soft Tops £350 Apr 2014 (old car, priced increased since). They make their own, which is why they are half the price of others. The fabric comes from the same factory but they save costs by making them an not buying in pre made. So there are no issues on quality as some people claim compared to the overpriced ones. Yes the windows are stitched in but the price of a Genuine BMW window and the hassle of getting it fitted I would rather spend a little more and get a whole new roof than mess about with a zipped window. Been there and done it with a zipped window and unless your lucky it can turn into a pain of a job.

Most leaks don't come from the soft top itself unless the rear window is coming apart. It's the rubber seals around the windscreen / window or that are the problems so fitting a new roof won't get rid of these leaks, unless it's the butyl sealant failing around the rear which gets renewed when a new roof is fitted. Jack Smiths did remove my seals around the windows and treat them, I still had a small leak at the top of the windscreen (common) which has been repaired with some Sugru moldable glue. If your roof leaks, 9 times out of 10 it's the seals and not the actual roof.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Nice drive out to Jack Smith Trimmers in Swansea today to have a new roof fitted
This guy really knows his stuff! Took one look at the roof/frame and said it's from an older car and must have all been changed at some point.
The roofs are hand made in his back street garage and fitted within 3 hrs... all for £300!!

Before,

After,

Before,

After,

(Still a bit of life in the old zip-in window so if anyone want's it PM me and I'll happily send it for the price of postage)

Believe it or not it wasn't too bad. Just a small leak on the passenger side and the battery compartment would sometimes have a bit of water in it (common problem) Not had any rain yet so don't know if it's rectified that or not - fingers crossed!
Car does look so much better now and really happy with it... don't want to put it down now

Morning Mike
Do you by any chance have a email address for John Smith please ?

Geoff

 

[MRH1966]

I have had two done at Croydon, Mine was £375 and the other was £395. I have got to book another one in soon but with definitely use Croydon again. Nice bloke and great workmanship.

 

[Shieldz]

Morning Mike
Do you by any chance have a email address for John Smith please ?

Geoff

I think he's a bit old school and doesn't seem to have email or web address. His contact number is 01792 461022 Usually very good at answering.

 

[Shieldz]

Hello, just to confirm, that was £300 all in for a new roof fitted? (Inc window). That’s half the price of some of the hood companies that advertise on the internet.
Did they make an effort to make it more watertight than the old one? - any rain yet? Thanks. Zed.

Checked this morning and dry as a bone! So the new roof/window/removal and refit of the rubbers has done the trick. Very happy!

 

[Zeddicus]

Checked this morning and dry as a bone! So the new roof/window/removal and refit of the rubbers has done the trick. Very happy!

Thanks for the update.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

I think he's a bit old schoolI and doesn't seem to have email or web address. His contact number is 01792 461022 Usually very good at answering.

Ok I have phoned but just wanted to ask a question so will phone again Thanks Geoff

 

[Davyhoogy]

I think Softtops charged £395, or £425 with side pockets. @Davyhoogy had his done more recently and can probably give a recent price.

Mine was 395 from soft tops in October last year