E30 Convertible Soft Top

Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:32 pm

After many years. the original soft top on my 1989 E30 325I is desperately in need of replacement. It's torn amd now leaking!!

Having checked out the cost of a new genuine roof and scared myself, I'm now checking on what aftermarket pattern roof's are available to me.

I've seen several advertised on e-bay, but I can't tell what the quality is like compared to my original roof!

I'd really welcome some advice from anyone who has changed a genuine soft top for an aftermarket one. Can anyone recommend a supplier of a roof that is of comparable quality and fit to the genuine BMW soft top please?

Thanks for your kind help.
Dennis

Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:55 pm

I bought mine from BAS International based in wales, just google them. The fabric was same as OEM and price was reasonable, about 350. I would steer clear of the vinyl material as it just looks nasty and cheap

Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:00 pm

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated. I guess for £350 or so I get the roof fabric cover only? You give me confidence to deal with these guys if their product is to OEM standard. However, It then needs mounting to the roof frame and this looks like a complex task, particularly to a none trimmer like me!!! So how did you overcome this challenge please?

Dennis

Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:06 pm

Where are you located? I got a new roof from a company in Surrey. The did a great job in blue mohair. The quality of the material is superb. Cost about £350 too.

Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:19 pm

mrLEE30 wrote: I would steer clear of the vinyl material as it just looks nasty and cheap

mine has a vinyl roof really doesnt look that bad!!

Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:40 pm

Original cover is a canvas type fabric,hard-wearing,but at twenty odd years on it's bound to be showing it's age.
Do factor into any buying decision the condition of the front plate thingy that attaches to the top of the 'screen,and the tension straps,as these can only be changed whilst the hood is off the frame.

A good 'ballpark' price for the lot seems to be in the area of £500,although I have not,yet,had to change the hood on my cabbie,so cannot quote a proper,accurate price.

Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:06 pm

Sorry I forgot to say, I'm based near Ashford in East Kent.

To the person who said it would cost about £500 all in. Is that to have the new hood mounted on my existing framework?

Dennis

Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:20 pm

DENNISMARKHAM wrote:Sorry I forgot to say, I'm based near Ashford in East Kent.

To the person who said it would cost about £500 all in. Is that to have the new hood mounted on my existing framework?

Dennis

That's my understanding,but I have not had this done myself,so cannot quote from my own experience.

Hood on my cabbie is worn,but not to the point of swapping,yet,this spring I used Renovo's colouring to bring it back to black,followed by their waterproofer to seal it,made it much better to look at,and keeps the rain in the right place...
nothing practical that you can do with a tear,a patch will prevent the thing from folding properly,small wear holes can be sealed with black silicone,but the only proper,long term fix is to bite the bullet and have a new cover fitted.

There is,buried in the archive,original BMW service video's for replacing the thing,I think 'Blitz' posted them,careful use of the search function may just pull them up,then you can at least make a reasoned judgement as to the DIY chances!

Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:27 pm

I paid £450 complete for my roof from these guys.

http://www.donhoods.com/

You need to ask on fitting now though as the hood is £300 in mohair.

Rav

Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:36 am

a8dyc wrote:
mrLEE30 wrote: I would steer clear of the vinyl material as it just looks nasty and cheap
mine has a vinyl roof really doesnt look that bad!!

Sorry meant the cheap eBay ones you find for 150-200 pounds, they look ok when new but quickly discolour and wear, ultimately reducing the value of the car by more than the difference to buy the fabric roof.

I considered fitting mine myself but thought against it, it is not too hard for a decent trimmer but DIY without any prior experience is best avoided. The price from BAS includes the cross rail (that the roof needs to be rivetted to) but no straps.

Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:38 am

Got my roof from BAS too, I would also recommend them its very good quality and looks the same as the original. They will also suggest fitters in your local area. As noted though, remember to factor in the front metal rail (about £50) and you will be best getting some new elastic tension straps as if yours arent gone now at nearly 22 years old they will soon. These are expensive when bought from BMW (approx £250) but can be bought from the USA for about half that.
These can only be replaced with the roof off so bear that in mind.

Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:45 am

i used these guys about a month ago,good quality oem hood and fitting.
http://www.carhood.com/
they came and did it on my drive on a saturday morning
i also replaced the rubber seal that goes across the front at a cost of 130 from bmw

Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:35 pm

how much did carhood charge you mate?

Wed Jul 20, 2011 5:02 pm

including the front rail £ 585.for the lecy one

+£25 for new cables +the 130 for the seal=