used or new soft top replacement?

[domchang]

Greetings

Well, my worn out soft top finally had its main window crack during the current cold spell.

Now I am looking to replace the soft top in the Spring. The condition is marginal at best, in fact the rear window had been the best part. : )

However, was looking at local salvage yard on west side of town today and saw what appears to be a good condition soft top that they'll sell me complete with frame for $400.

The top is dusty and dirty but I did not see any wear marks, holes and such, specially on the plastic windows. Heck, the cloth portions looked better than my present top! The interior lining looks pretty good, way better than my present top, in the short time they gave me to look at it before they locked up for the day.

My gut (or the fact I'm a cheap bastard) tells me just spend the minimum to get it back to working order...my 560SL is not even close to concours level, but a nice looking daily driver.

However there's the small fear I'll buy the used top and get it home only to find some unfixable defect and be out $400.

So, here's the decision I'd like input on from fellow SL owners:

Option A. Spend the $400 for this used soft top, clean it up and use it. ( I think she'll clean up nicely, it was all dirt and dust that I could see.

Option B. Wait till Spring, pay between 800-900 for a new soft top and the labor to install it.

comments?

thanks

domchang

[GermanMarque]

Decisions, Decisions. How about remove your old top first. You have a quoted price from them, so the price won't go up. Drive down "Topless" fit the top on site and that way if there's a fault with the top, you'll find it there and then. If it's faulty let them keep it and drive away. If not, you have a cheap top! Too easy campessee!

[Litton]

Try performance products, they have new tops for about the same amount of money.


http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=SL+Convertible+Tops&productid=105683&producttype=20

[domchang]

Originally Posted by GermanMarque

Decisions, Decisions. How about remove your old top first. You have a quoted price from them, so the price won't go up. Drive down "Topless" fit the top on site and that way if there's a fault with the top, you'll find it there and then. If it's faulty let them keep it and drive away. If not, you have a cheap top! Too easy campessee!

yep, thought about that....however, current cold spell remains here in Denver....am hesitant to try and fold/unfold the used top while its so cold and you have to do that to mount it into the car...

that's all I'd need, to try it and break the window on the used one and then have two broken tops on my hands.

good idea though....just wish it was warmer.

[domchang]

Originally Posted by Litton

Try performance products, they have new tops for about the same amount of money.


http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=SL+Convertible+Tops&productid=105683&producttype=20

thanks for the feedback, it's not the price of the top that I would be saving money on...it's the labor charge to install it. I am definitely sure I can't do it correctly.

[GermanMarque]

Please accept my apologies, Brisbane, Australia is a balmy 26 degrees centigrade at the moment and it's 2am! Shorts and t shirt weather and summer hasn't hit yet!

In the long run I would think you would be way better off with a new top!

Why are you so sure you can't install a new top! I've never replaced a soft top, but maybe someone here can shed more light? It could be easier than you think and certainly worth it if you can! BB

[Robert Mowbray]

If you get the used top, you will have a spare frame, and they are more expensive than the soft top. For instructions on replacing the soft top, see this: http://www.worlduph.com/mbtopinstall.htm
Best of luck. BOB

[el Miguel]

Buy the whole outfit. If it fits up with no damage, sell your frame on E-bay. Have you priced a frame mechanism! They are outrageous!
Mike

[airedale]

Not being cute but 3M makes a clear duct tape with virtually invisible cross stitching. I used it to cover small flaws in my tail lights until I could find suitable replacements on eBay. This could work on your rear window until spring.

[domchang]

Hello all and thanks for all your responses.

I picked up the used top complete with frame today, he cut the price to $300 due to a small tear where the top meets the bottom u-shaped piece of the frame. Easily fixed I believe with a bit of glue.

The rest of the canvas appears in great shape and of course all the windows are intact, though very much in need of cleaning/polishing.

I'll be cleaning it up over the next few weeks while winter occurs here in the Denver area....it already looks pretty good after an initial wash and scrub of the canvas and initial cleaning of the windows.

thanks again for all who commented.

domchang

ps: anyone need a replacement soft top frame?