R129 Car has gone in for a new soft top

[R129mine]

Finally about 3 years after first cracks started to appear in the plastic windows the car went off for a new soft top, the windows were kind of soft (but split in the middle) when I last used it but now complete yellow and rock hard.

It was due in last year in March 2020 but we know what happened and I then had the car in bits when things started to open up in September/October.

I did not want the new soft top tucked away in the car while I had the hard top on over the winter.

I had been dreading the 15 min drive to the Trimmer shop with all the rain we have had but it was a glorious morning and I had forgotten how nice it is to drive with the roof down

 

[BTB 500]

Wow I've not seen one that bad before! Mine just went across the window - happened quite suddenly overnight after having tiny cracks at each side (on the fold line) for a couple of years:



Did yours definitely need a new hood? If the condition is OK they'd normally just replace the windows ... that's what I had done.

 

[R129mine]

it was a little worn in certain places, and some of the thread had gone as well, the trimmer recommended a new hood, he was not willing to just put new windows in, I did contact a guy in Leicester a few years ago and he would have been happy to put new windows in, the difference in price was quite a lot but after 25 years I thought a new hood was the best way forward long term (10-15 yrs)

 

[R129mine]

and your hood looks in a much better state than mine, a lot better

 

[BTB 500]

The company that did my windows carried out a full check on the hood first to see if it was in good enough condition - I was pleasantly surprised to be told it was fine! The car has had a garage for the last 13 years which helps a lot I guess, and I did use a cover on it before that.

 

[Martin 1]

Hope you'll let us see the new one ?

 

[Yogioes]

We seem to have a parallel ownership experience.
I got a quote for new windows in March 2020. Lockdown stopped progress. It took until a few weeks ago to finally get a slot at the trimmers to get them replaced.
I went for replacement windows as the hood still seems to be quite smart. I did wonder about full replacement as I was £300 just for the windows.
My windows were not too bad but every time I used it the splits spread a little further. The biggest issue was not being able to see through it.

 

[R129mine]

indeed! it was hard to see thru my windows as well, those little tears will get worse and at some point the whole window will just split in half, £300 is not a bad price to get it fixed, about the cost of a headlight wiper arm

 

[R129mine]

Hope you'll let us see the new one ?

of course!

 

[DoberMan]

I'm in Bucks, can you tell me which trimmers you are using? Ta

 

[R129mine]

I'm in Bucks, can you tell me which trimmers you are using? Ta

dave the trimmer, he is based just north of Cranfield (Bedforshire ) so not sure if you are up in the northern bit of Bucks (it is a 15 min drive for me)

 

[DoberMan]

Look forward to seeing the results.

 

[R129mine]

It is back very pleased with it can see through the rear window again

 

[Martin 1]

Absolutely stunning, colour, fitting, everything ! ! Is it normal to replace the headlining ?

 

[R129mine]

Absolutely stunning, colour, fitting, everything ! ! Is it normal to replace the headlining ?

Headliner is the same but the inside of the new hood matches the interior. The old hood was blue on the inside

 

[Martin 1]

Thanks

 

[R129mine]

Some new hydraulic fluid (first time in 13 yrs at least) for the new roof today. Some of the old fluid at the bottom of the reservoir was really dark. I think I will clean out the whole reservoir later this year as there was still some muck in the bottom I could not get out.

 

[volviak]

We seem to have a parallel ownership experience.
I got a quote for new windows in March 2020. Lockdown stopped progress. It took until a few weeks ago to finally get a slot at the trimmers to get them replaced.
I went for replacement windows as the hood still seems to be quite smart. I did wonder about full replacement as I was £300 just for the windows.
My windows were not too bad but every time I used it the splits spread a little further. The biggest issue was not being able to see through it.

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View attachment 113506

Hello there.
That replacement windows look amazing. I have pretty much the samw issue now. The rood is in a good condition but the cracks appeared. Would you be able to recommend someone to do the job. I've contacted one company and they quoted me £750 plus VAT just for the windows. I hope you can help. Thanks. B