New hood - Swansea vs Croydon

[jbrodin]

Hi guys

I’m in a need of a new hood. The rear window is cracked and the stitching around it is not great.
I’ve seen that a lot of people are going to Swansea the get their tops replaced for a good price. How is the quality of those tops? I’ve read the window is a bit soft and is not replaceable (no zip).
Has anyone here used the company in Croydon? What are their prices and quality like?
I emailed them about a quote a while back but didn’t get any response.

Thanks,

Jonas

 

[Bazza]

I had my done by Croydon about 5years ago and it’s still like new, a bit dearer than Swansea but well worth it as you should only have todo this once, Somebody on here I know used Swansea also about 5 years ago and I saw the results a couple off weeks ago, it has not weathered well and the stitching in the rear window has gone in places, the old saying is buy cheap buy twice.

 

[Robert Hill]

Car hood warehouse in Kent fitted it. My self

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

I had mine done in Swansea, and it's still looking good 6 years on. At the time they were half the price of Croydon, but that may have changed.

 

[bombur]

Swansea £350 Dec 2021. whats Croydon cost? Mine wasn't perfect, some bits not trimmed inside. But happy overall, When I queried the detail I had..'what do you expect for £350'......I find these back street people to be quirky but great - my exhaust experience Im still getting over and haven't published lol

 

[AntStark]

Croydon are about double the cost of Swansea now. I’ve not seen a Zed they have done but have seen their work on other cars. You’ll probably never get a response emailing, I’d just ring them..even then it’s a bit hit and miss if they pick up. …busy I guess.

 

[Mark Parrish]

I had mine done a couple of years ago at The soft top shop Stockport then it was around £700 still looks like new good quality, priced up for the 3.0 last wk and they are now £900.

 

[BoxClever]

I’ve got a Swansea roof fitted on mine last summer. £350 and looks great. The window maybe soft but the fact you know that means you take a bit of care with it. No cracks or fold lines and the roof goes up and down daily.

 

[bertiejaffa]

I had mine done at Croydon and it was perfect and a great job. It was back in 2017 and the prices then were around £350 but appreciate that is 5 years ago.

For the experience I literally drove there and dropped the car off with them for about 4 hours - there was a cafe round the corner and a pub with the cricket on - laptop out and a relaxing afternoon.

 

[deano1712]

I have had mine done at both places. Croyden 12+ yrs ago and Swansea around 4 yrs ago. Neither were perfect the Croyden top was a bit baggy at the left rear side. When Jack fitted the latest top he said they had made a bad job of fitting it. I prefer the top from Swansea but the rear window isnt great it has creases in the fold. Suggest you need to be very careful lowering it to start with making sure it’s folded properly. Swansea option is very cheap and you get the opportunity of talking to Jack who is a very entertaining bloke.

 

[jbrodin]

Thank for all the replies. Follow up question: do you know if they are using mohair? I‘m thinking that one might be cheaper because they are using cheeper materials.

 

[MRH1966]

I have used Croydon 3 times for different Zeds.............Very good quality hoods, I believe he has the blueprints from BMW and uses the same materials as the originals.
More expensive than Swansea, but less of a drive for me.

 

[Bazza]

I have used Croydon 3 times for different Zeds.............Very good quality hoods, I believe he has the blueprints from BMW and uses the same materials as the originals.
More expensive than Swansea, but less of a drive for me.

That was my understanding that the same material as original is used, possibly why the cost is higher ?

 

[Stacey Aylmore]

I’ve had a couple done in Swansea their great value you just need to book it in , there’s usually a long wait for spaces to have it fitted.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Mine was mohair from Croydon

 

[jbrodin]

Thanks guys. I have now booked Croydon next Saturday! 30 minutes from my house.

 

[Bazza]

Thanks guys. I have now booked Croydon next Saturday! 30 minutes from my house.

You won’t be disappointed

 

[bertiejaffa]

Great news - a couple of words of advice:

1. When I had mine done, the fit was nice and tight - exactly how you will want it and the fitter advised to me that I keep the roof closed for a week or so to help the material stretch slightly.
2. Use vaseline or gummi-pflegh on the window rubbers to ensure they are nice and soft to help with the fitment of the new hood
3. At a speed of around 80mph+ you may notice a slight wind noise coming from between the rubbers and the roof - this is can be annoying but will disappear after a little while when the tightness resolves. DO NOT DO What I did.... Get annoyed with it and drive quicker while pulling the roof down tighter with your left hand on the roof handle while wondering whether you need to try and adjust the locking clips and miss the parked up policeman with the speed camera gun who zaps you as you hurtle past at 88 mph !!!

 

[Bazza]

You naughty boy

 

[AntStark]

Thanks guys. I have now booked Croydon next Saturday! 30 minutes from my house.

What’s the current price if you don’t mind me asking ? @jbrodin