E30 Convertible repair or replace!?

[dan_lboro]

Hi, I bought a 320i E30 convertible a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen it much since I bought it as the garage are doing work on it to get it past its MOT. The roof lets the look of the car down and it leaks so I need to get it sorted soon as the carpet in the rear passenger seat well on the left side is soaked through!
Would people recommend repairing or replacing the roof? I've seen a kit on ebay for about a fiver (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stormsure-Sof ... SweuxWTG-r) which might stop the water getting in for the minute until I sort out what to do with it.
Also where are good places to get the roof done? Has anyone else had a new roof? Is it something I could do myself? Or should I approach a breakers? The roof at the minute is blue, so as I want to keep everything original I might try and get the same colour or maybe black would look better? So many questions! Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you. Will post a picture of the current roof soon.

[dan_lboro]

[andysheep]

Crist on a bike you said the roofs ropey but,,,,,,,i think if you got tough with it (cleaning)youd go through it you need new fabric i bought that kit its not cheap,i think its the same one,iv a black roof,and the patchs were black,only time will tell if it leaks,but its being moted and there keeping it inside so it doesnt get nicked,its looking a bit special at the mo,and when i droped it off i took the centre caps home too

[Dlb26]

Where are you based? Previous owner put a new blue roof on mine a year ago for £540 from The Soft Top Shop in Stockport, they didn't do front seal though and really should have. I noticed a slight drip inside but nothing major. I store under wraps and only use on sunny days anyway so not a major issue. If I got caught in rain it would hardly pour in.

[dan_lboro]

From what the poll is saying and from what you've said Andy maybe I shouldn't be so tight and I should buy a new roof! Good idea taking the centre hub caps off, cant imagine a replacement being cheap! Dlb26 I live in Stoke On Trent, so Stockport really isnt far away.I'm surprised that they didnt do the front seal, is it a rubber seal that was missed out or something!?

[Dlb26]

I think they are expensive and it really isn't that bad. It looks like they reused the old one but I could be wrong. That price also included frame adjust and lubrication

[andysheep]

Centre cap £45each ,ow!i cant make up my mind either,go to kent £1500(bmw club member told me great job and correct fabric and stiching)550ish possibly leaky and maybe not looking right,this is a wet country

[Dlb26]

I'll take some photos and let you look for yourself.
The roof itself certainly doesn't leak and it would be unfair to judge the company if they were asked to reuse an older seal. I suppose they could have refused but it was before I owned it so I don't know the circumstances.
Check out their website, looks pretty good to me.

[Cypriotgeeza]

new roof 100%!! without hesitation!

My roof looked like Freddy Kreuger had been at it and when I replaced it, it made such a difference to the look of the car!!

It may seem a bit expensive to replace but you will thank yourself for it later!

[dan_lboro]

Just looked at the soft top shop and they can do it for £750. They've got a decent website and seem to have good reviews. Ive seen a place called Prestige Roofs on ebay and they are about £550. Cypriotgeeza- where did you get your roof done, and does it leak!? Cheers

[Cypriotgeeza]

Cypriotgeeza- where did you get your roof done, and does it leak!? Cheers

I got mine done at Carhoodwarehouse and it doesn't leak luckily!

I don't drive it in the rain but I have been caught out a couple of times and it's been fine!

[dan_lboro]

Cheers, and how much was the replacement?

[Cypriotgeeza]

Straight from their website:

Please note: Prices include VAT; but exclude delivery and call out fees.

Year Description Supply Only Supply & Fit
1977-85 BMW Baur Hood (Mohair) £313 £640
1977-85 BMW Baur Window Repair N/A £225
1987-93 BMW E30 Hood (Mohair) £380 £650

[dan_lboro]

Cheers appreciate it

[andysheep]

Some good prices there so now what do ya think
Andy

[corkie]

i replaced my roof a while back,the guy came to me and fitted it on my drive ,it is blue mohair the same as yours,with the front seal and the metal bit which i purchased from bmw the whole lot came to almost a grand, guy made a great job of it and it was well worth it imo !!

[Gert_8]

Your windows look like they are not aligned properly, so that won't help with leaks.

The roof is junk and needs to be replaced. Make sure (don't make the mistake I did) and get the tensioner belts done at the same time.