Hi all, does anybody know a reliable fitter for either a mohair or vinyl soft top?
Ive seen some people mention a place in Cardiff but cant seem to find much information about them online.
Idealy id like to find somewhere that is cheaper then a hardtop, if not then ill pick up a hardtop instead.
TIA,
Soft top is/ was around £350:from Cardiff but with a long wait for the fitting.
A hard top in good condition is somewhat >:( North of £1k.
Someone, like
@puma2 will be along to give you details of the Cardiff guy and also more available but costlier options.
I have a blue HT with fixing kit for 1K if you are interested.
:) its a Swansea job job for less than £400 ;D
plenty of right up on this on the forum.
Jack smith is name is Raymond
biggest problem is his waiting time as so busy :o :o :o
Jack Smith Trimmers in Swansea. Around £350 fitted. Decent quality and good service, but (as peeps have said) there's always a waiting list. Hardtops are going for around £1250 with fitting kit.
Their prices did jump a bit due to recent general increases so note the price when you go on the waiting list.
Best to get on the list ASAP. They don't mind if you cancel if you change your mind unless they have made your roof!
South West roadsters. More £s but maybe shorter waiting time.
Top quality. Not used myself but have seen their work.
Quote from: Ardent on April 26, 2023, 16:47South West roadsters. More £s but maybe shorter waiting time.
Top quality. Not used myself but have seen their work.
:) :) that is where i had mine done and it was the 2nd cheapest place to have fitted that i found :)
from what i gather from other people is that it is a better quality roof fitted 8)
For most people the Swansea job will be well and truly happy with his work.
i have visited Raymond a few times over the years with other drivers and always helpful 8)
I had my roof done in Swansea in November and it was £350. As others have said, there is a 6 month waiting list. I rang a few times to see if there was a cancellation but there never was.
I also contacted South West Roadsters and they could get you in within a month at about £690. I opted to wait for Raymond in the end for a number of reasons. Really happy with the roof and the quality of it.
Quote from: Mr220Mike on April 27, 2023, 21:41I had my roof done in Swansea in November and it was £350. As others have said, there is a 6 month waiting list. I rang a few times to see if there was a cancellation but there never was.
I also contacted South West Roadsters and they could get you in within a month at about £690. I opted to wait for Raymond in the end for a number of reasons. Really happy with the roof and the quality of it.
Sweet, I'll contact him, does he just do vinyl or can he do mohair also?
Quote from: maffiozo1234 on April 27, 2023, 22:35Sweet, I'll contact him, does he just do vinyl or can he do mohair also?
As far as I know he does a mohair alternative. Also it's generally better to choose black rather than red or blue it wears better.
A vinyl roof would probably only be supplied by Toyota if at all and would be mega bucks.
Quote from: 1979scotte on April 27, 2023, 23:22As far as I know he does a mohair alternative. Also it's generally better to choose black rather than red or blue it wears better.
A vinyl roof would probably only be supplied by Toyota if at all and would be mega bucks.
Having had both black and blue, the blue wears better.
One of the other guys in Milton Keynes also has a blue and at 5 years old, his looks brand new, as did mine of a similar age before I sold it.
My black one that's 2 years old is fine, but I can see it fading quicker.
Quote from: The Other Stu on April 28, 2023, 14:45Having had both black and blue, the blue wears better.
One of the other guys in Milton Keynes also has a blue and at 5 years old, his looks brand new, as did mine of a similar age before I sold it.
My black one that's 2 years old is fine, but I can see it fading quicker.
My mr2 is sable grey so it's definitely going to be a black top for me
I just re-dyed my five year old Jack Smith roof. It wasn't difficult and it looks like new..
Hi guys. I need to replace a soft top quickly - I can't wait six months. Does anyone have any other suggestions for places that can do it well, even if it costs more?
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:12Hi guys. I need to replace a soft top quickly - I can't wait six months. Does anyone have any other suggestions for places that can do it well, even if it costs more?
Give South West Roadsters a call, their wait times were a couple of weeks when I called them.
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:12Hi guys. I need to replace a soft top quickly - I can't wait six months. Does anyone have any other suggestions for places that can do it well, even if it costs more?
Post #6
I thought SW Roadsters were out of favour these days. Something about getting caught clocking cars?
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:37I thought SW Roadsters were out of favour these days. Something about getting caught clocking cars?
this may be true or not sure as it a forum for mx5 only read it just before i left to go there.
how ever due to a few problems my end when i got there on a Sunday night he was most helpful and looked after me for 2 days i was there.
as for the roof everyone including me is more than happy with the work has done and came a better finish than the Swansea job this could be due to using different mohair.
Thanks Puma, a recent recommendation always beats old news. You know how it is - need to feel you can trust someone before handing your car over.
Devon's a very long way from Glasgow though, so if anyone else has suggestions please chime in!
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:56Thanks Puma, a recent recommendation always beats old news. You know how it is - need to feel you can trust someone before handing your car over.
Devon's a very long way from Glasgow though, so if anyone else has suggestions please chime in!
Devon is a long away so is Swansea for the money and most people are very happy with there roof from there.
you could try J Spec he is in Scotland and may be throw some advice or be in the no who can help you if not himself
I'm speaking to J Spec on Friday. I'll see if they've got any ideas ...
Quote from: The Other Stu on April 28, 2023, 14:45Having had both black and blue, the blue wears better.
One of the other guys in Milton Keynes also has a blue and at 5 years old, his looks brand new, as did mine of a similar age before I sold it.
My black one that's 2 years old is fine, but I can see it fading quicker.
Have you got a photo of the blue roof?
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:37I thought SW Roadsters were out of favour these days. Something about getting caught clocking cars?
Have only ever heard of them in relation to replacement roofs.
Had my roof replaced this week by South West Roadsters.
Very pleased with the work by Nathan, I met him in Bideford and spent the day there whilst he fitted the roof.
The material feels much thicker than the original roof ( i asked for the middle section of the old roof to have an industrial seamstress friend make me something with it) also the material is more like a Mohair similar to my Wife's 70 plate Mini.
I paid £690 plus he charged another £60 to fit new drain bags supplied by me.
I was fed up of having to wash my car each time before putting a car cover on it, so wanted a decent roof and new bags as it will stay outside from March to September.New hood 1.jpgnew hood 3.jpgNew hood 2.jpgNew hood 4.jpg
Quote from: poprock on May 8, 2023, 09:37I thought SW Roadsters were out of favour these days. Something about getting caught clocking cars?
See my post re new roof.
I have seen the historical post regards MX5 clocking, but did some due diligence and was happy with Nathan.
:)
Quote from: Rushy67 on May 11, 2023, 08:05See my post re new roof.
I have seen the historical post regards MX5 clocking, but did some due diligence and was happy with Nathan.
like i said on a earlier post he could not be not be more helpful to me.
he help me a lot while i was down there and would recommend his work on roof replacement anytime :) :)
Looks like I have an option closer to home - I've found a trimmer here in Scotland who's confident he can make a new soft top and my usual mechanic is comfortable with fitting it (he drives a roadster himself).
Failing that, Car Hoods Northern in Manchester have given me a fair quote, and even offered to come up to Glasgow and do a mobile fitting.
Quote from: poprock on May 12, 2023, 15:13Looks like I have an option closer to home - I've found a trimmer here in Scotland who's confident he can make a new soft top and my usual mechanic is comfortable with fitting it (he drives a roadster himself).
Failing that, Car Hoods Northern in Manchester have given me a fair quote, and even offered to come up to Glasgow and do a mobile fitting.
the last time i looked for mobile fitted price was over £1000.
sound like you have found your best option when done do show as we all like a new roof picture 8) 8)
Once I factor in the cost of driving/petrol, overnight stays, meals, etc ... then even a Swansea or South West roof would cost me over £1,000 in total, so prices in that higher range but nearby end up comparable.