New hood

[ah]

Happy days, after 3 years of waiting and getting wet whenever it rained I've finally got a new hood.For anyone in the Surrey area or who is prepared to travel I can highly recommend the carhoodwarehouse in Chessington surrey.I had the fitter Tyrone to do my roof,what he didn't know about hoods and fitting wasn't worth knowing.

[Z3I]

Did you replace the straps, and the top rail too?

What was the total for our reference!

[singlezero]

Happy days, after 3 years of waiting and getting wet whenever it rained I've finally got a new hood.For anyone in the Surrey area or who is prepared to travel I can highly recommend the carhoodwarehouse in Chessington surrey.I had the fitter Tyrone to do my roof,what he didn't know about hoods and fitting wasn't worth knowing.

Tyrone did mine a few weeks back and did a brilliant job! Nice bunch of guys and very professional.

[Z3I]

Its really good to know that Tyrone is a good bloke, and everyone is professional, but most people I meet here for hardtops, want to know the price of softops , and if it included straps and headrail.

[singlezero]

Its really good to know that Tyrone is a good bloke, and everyone is professional, but most people I meet here for hardtops, want to know the price of softops , and if it included straps and headrail.

I disagree!
For things like prices and what's included they can make an enquiry to the company about those things just like I did. The thing I wanted to know above all else was the quality of their work and the type of outfit they are; I think both are covered in this thread.

[singlezero]

Did you replace the straps, and the top rail too?

What was the total for our reference!

They replaced my straps on request (I supplied them), but told me they can tighten older ones a lot of the time. The rail didn't need changing on mine.

[daimlerman]

Did you replace the straps, and the top rail too?

What was the total for our reference!

At a wild guess,the OP's 'er indoors reads his imput...and there are two things that one keeps secret;
The bills for the car(s)
The girlfriend.

[Z3I]

Its really good to know that Tyrone is a good bloke, and everyone is professional, but most people I meet here for hardtops, want to know the price of softops , and if it included straps and headrail.

I disagree!
For things like prices and what's included they can make an enquiry to the company about those things just like I did. The thing I wanted to know above all else was the quality of their work and the type of outfit they are; I think both are covered in this thread.

So, when you next post for advice, information, details etc, you are happy with just half the information? Theres plenty here that are not so comfortable as you.

[singlezero]

Its really good to know that Tyrone is a good bloke, and everyone is professional, but most people I meet here for hardtops, want to know the price of softops , and if it included straps and headrail.

I disagree!
For things like prices and what's included they can make an enquiry to the company about those things just like I did. The thing I wanted to know above all else was the quality of their work and the type of outfit they are; I think both are covered in this thread.

So, when you next post for advice, information, details etc, you are happy with just half the information? Theres plenty here that are not so comfortable as you.

I'll be happy for people to answer my questions to the best of their ability whether that nails exactly what I'm personally looking for or not. I've done that for you.

Having gone through this recently my priority was to find a professional company that would do a proper job; so if that makes me "so comfortable" I'm guilty as charged!

I stand by the value of this thread giving independant feedback on a reputable company which supplies services specific to some owners on this forum. I wish I had read this myself before going.

[ajay]

I am looking to get the hood & straps replaced on our cab, i know that the above company have been succesfully replacing hoods on E30's & many other vehicles too, but what concerns me is the quality of the new hood, ie, fabric quality compared with an original, what do you guys honestly think..?

[singlezero]

I am looking to get the hood & straps replaced on our cab, i know that the above company have been succesfully replacing hoods on E30's & many other vehicles too, but what concerns me is the quality of the new hood, ie, fabric quality compared with an original, what do you guys honestly think..?

I was going to attemp to do it myself so bought and EZ-On hood after reseaching all over the net and had it sent from a company in California (£265 delivered if I remember rightly). The tension straps I bought from a company in Germany for approx £70-£80 (if you want me to do a search for the company let me know as it was a while back).

Having spent out a fair bit of money, I got nervous that I'd do a rubbish job of it so I asked Carhood Warehouse just for a 'fitting only' quote and that came to £200 (the tension strap fitting was free).

I'm very happy with the result, but if I was doing it again I'd save myself the hassle of buying everything and just hand the car over to them. I actually sat outside in the sun for 5-6 hours and watched them working on all kinds of cars that came and went in the time it took to fit; all those hoods looked equally as good as the one I supplied.

[ajay]

So is the quality of the aftermarket ( ie, non original hood) noticably ( visually or by feel) of less quality than the one i am replacing..?

[Gert_8]

I've had my top done by these guys approximately four years ago. They did a good job, and if I remember correctly, they offered to replace the front rail (which mine didn't need) but didn't mention the straps.

I didn't understand the importance of the straps, so should have had them done in retrospect.

Having said all that, the mohair material is great. Regrettably it is not stitched like the originals are.

Regarding the discussion of how much it cost, why is this such a secret? It is available on their website, but when asked, why not simply state the cost? These people aren't going to do you any favours, so I don't see the reluctance to mention the payment.

Mine cost about £400? I'd have to look up the invoice.

[ah]

Right price wise hood supplied and fitted £550 + £50 for front rail which I was told at the start of the job may need a new one because of the amount of adhesive BMW had used.As for quality of hood in my opinion it is an exact replica,other than the small BMW logo in the rear window.

[singlezero]

So is the quality of the aftermarket ( ie, non original hood) noticably ( visually or by feel) of less quality than the one i am replacing..?

This is the one that I bought and I would say it was at least as good as the one that came off http://www.ezonauto.com/products/viewpr ... ductID=287.

The only difference I noticed was some vinyl piping around the rear screen, but that's as much as I could tell, the quality is excellent. I've seen some horrible hoods fitted to these cars over the years and this ISN'T one of them.

The OP may be able to tell you more about the one Carehood Warehouse supplies in more detail.

[ajay]

Ok, thanks for that, i know of a place in essex that buy in the fabric & make the roofs from scratch ill check them out & then decide which way to go. Cheers

[singlezero]

Regarding the discussion of how much it cost, why is this such a secret? It is available on their website, but when asked, why not simply state the cost? These people aren't going to do you any favours, so I don't see the reluctance to mention the payment.

Not a secret or reluctance on my part! I've put what it cost me, but I didn't buy from there so couldn't answer that bit. They did do me favours though, but that cost extra!

[Gert_8]

Having said all that, the mohair material is great. Regrettably it is not stitched like the originals are.

The stitching is a point of failure and can let water in, you are better off without it and I believe BMW roofs later on came without the stitching.

Anyways, you never drive that turd of yours........

It's been out. You're right about one thing though, it doesn't go out in the rain, so not bothered about the stitching.

[Gert_8]

Regarding the discussion of how much it cost, why is this such a secret? It is available on their website, but when asked, why not simply state the cost? These people aren't going to do you any favours, so I don't see the reluctance to mention the payment.

Not a secret or reluctance on my part! I've put what it cost me, but I didn't buy from there so couldn't answer that bit. They did do me favours though, but that cost extra!

That's not a favour in my book.

[singlezero]

That's not a favour in my book.

[Z3I]

Excellent thread in the end, good guide on quality, what's needed, what's not included and good guide to cost! Thanks to everyone!

[Gert_8]

They offer a canvas top and Mohair. As Diable mentioned, they will send you a free swatch so you can view the colour and material.

Mohair costs a little more, but it is the best one to go for.

[daimlerman]

Ok, thanks for that, i know of a place in essex that buy in the fabric & make the roofs from scratch ill check them out & then decide which way to go. Cheers

As I now live in the Anglia area,I would be interested to learn more about this place,please.

[ajay]

They are the Car Trimming Company 49-51 Brentwood rd Romford Essex RM1 2EU, tel 03331236000.
I just phoned & got quoted £695 for their superior mohair fabric supplied & fitted +£50 if you want new straps fitted( supplied by yourself or they can supply straps on request at a cost).. I have a sample of their superior fabric but need to see if it is indeed the same or better than the place previously mentioned on here, ( their cheaper fabric is quite good but not as thick as their best option).

[ah]

Anyway I was only saying I've got new roof and happy with roof and fitting,sorry I spoke!

[Gert_8]

Hahaha!

[daimlerman]

They are the Car Trimming Company 49-51 Brentwood rd Romford Essex RM1 2EU, tel 03331236000.
I just phoned & got quoted £695 for their superior mohair fabric supplied & fitted +£50 if you want new straps fitted( supplied by yourself or they can supply straps on request at a cost).. I have a sample of their superior fabric but need to see if it is indeed the same or better than the place previously mentioned on here, ( their cheaper fabric is quite good but not as thick as their best option).

Many thanks,duly noted.



Mine will certainly need new tensioner straps,and it's probably best to budget for a new front rail by the sound of things as well.
I have dithered about replacing the hood,my current excuse of not using the thing in the rain really does not hold water....

[bss325i]

I didn't understand the importance of the straps, so should have had them done in retrospect.

The tension straps are exactly that, straps the tension the hood as it folds so as not to need tucking when folding back.

On a car with a power hood, if the tension straps have stretched and are not doing their job then it can cause the hood to jam mid operation. Very common problem on E36 convertibles.