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  #1  
Old 01-27-2008, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2003
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107 Soft Top Sources - Review/Comments

Anyone have any experience, good or bad, with any of the following softtop suppliers? I've included pricing on a top for a 560SL, current as of this posting. I'd like to get as much input as possible to make an informed choice.

I'd especially like to get input from those who did their own installation....but even if it was hired out, feel free to chime in....additions to the list welcomed too.

Internet Sites

Robbins www.robbinsautotopco.com (Do not sell direct)

GAHH www.gahh.com North Hollywood CA GER $717.00 SON $642.00

Rich and Famous Van Nuys CA www.richandfamousautotops.com (See EBay list)

Germanex Northridge CA www.germaneximportsinc.com GER $350.00 SDK $325.00

Electron Top Richmond Hill NY www.electrontop.com SON $900.00

EZ-On Iva SC www.ezonauto.com (no info on site)(sold by EBay seller Topsonline and Cabrioworld)

Kee auto Tops Charlotte NC www.keeautotop.com (no info on site)

Convertibletopguys South Kingstown RI www.convertibletopguys.com SON $560.00 SDK $445.00 STF $300.00

German auto tops (location ?) www.germanautotops.com (no site info)

Prestige auto tops UK www.prestigeautotrim.com GER $449.95

Cabrioworld Newark NJ www.cabrioworld.com GER $410.00 SON $365.00 (EZ-on distributor)

Duettomotors CA www.duettomotors.com GER $439.95 SON $359.95

World Upholstery Santa Paula CA www.worlduph.com GER $499.00 SON $425.00

Adsit Muncie IN www.adsitco.com GER $445.50

KHM Germany http://www.cabrio.de/Englisch/navi.htm GER 565 euros (added Jan29/08)

EBay Sellers

Diamondmall http://stores.ebay.ca/Diamond-Mall GER $299.99

Topsonline.com http://stores.ebay.ca/Topsonline GER $329.00

Richandfamousautotops http://stores.ebay.ca/Rich-and-Famous-Auto-Tops GER $350.00

Hindsightseeing http://stores.ebay.ca/Autotops-Net-Store GER $402.00

(And I'd like to credit forum poster laverda from Benzworld for the initial list of internet sources http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1226367-how-maintain-your-soft-top-5.html)

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Last edited by donbryce; 01-29-2008 at 09:07 AM.
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  #2  
Old 01-28-2008, 08:25 AM
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I have tried them all.... GAHH is the most consistent. Cabrioworld, (bill Hirsch) is just a distributor and sells easyon.I have 38 years experience and only sell GAHH!!!!!
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  #3  
Old 01-28-2008, 02:43 PM
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I am going to buy a new top soon for my 380.

What exactly, or even sort of, do you get for your additional $218 if you buy GAHH instead or World Upholstery?

Thanks,
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'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #4  
Old 01-28-2008, 04:44 PM
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You may like to read my indepth review too R129 - Soft top manufacturers albeit for R129s.

However in summary, KHM make R107 soft tops for Benz! That speaks for itself...

They also fir in their own factory In fact I'm off their in the summer...

Regards
Lea
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  #5  
Old 01-28-2008, 06:09 PM
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European cars drive much faster than we do in the US. GAHH has a better and consistent fit and they back their product. I have tried them all wish they were cheaper..... Quality is very important to me!!!!
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  #6  
Old 01-29-2008, 09:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeaUK View Post
You may like to read my indepth review too R129 - Soft top manufacturers albeit for R129s.
However in summary, KHM make R107 soft tops for Benz! That speaks for itself...
They also fir in their own factory In fact I'm off their in the summer...
Regards
Lea
Lea, many kudos for your threads (I did read the entire UK site thread too!). I'm certainly not trying to start the soft-top discussion, but the focus here is more on the lesser priced variants out there, and I would think, for the same reason, available in the US.
I did add KHM to the list though. Right up there with Robbins and GAHH.
It appears that you get what you pay for, but as ctaylor738 noted, just what are we paying that extra for? What is missing on the $400.00 tops, and is it important enough to pay twice this to get it?
For the do-it-yself owner, like me, I'd like to hear from others if they encountered specific installation problems that could be related to the supplied product, things like poor sewing or pattern cutting....
Also, it appears that you are the expert in the subject of window plastics. I gathered from reading your threads that we can expect thinner with lesser $, but again, given modern materials, Ultralite eg., and proper care in folding etc., how big a deal is this for a $400.00 top that may flap more than original or $high-end at 125mph?
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  #7  
Old 02-02-2008, 12:48 PM
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Hi

I understand your viewpoint, but is 1000 euros really that expensive, considering the car's value? Oh, and especially as the local MB will charge you 6500 euros!

My concerns have been confirmed by JJ's comments. Thanks again JJ.

Lea
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  #8  
Old 02-02-2008, 12:50 PM
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Quote:
GAHH has a better and consistent fit and they back their product. I have tried them all wish they were cheaper..... Quality is very important to me!!!!
But they don't use authentic material or do they supply Mercedes Benz? I'm confused.

Of course, I'm assuming MB only accept the highest authentic quality...maybe this isn't true anymore?

Lea
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'89 190E 2.6 - sold in 2002

http://antron.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/i...nature/Sig.jpg
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  #9  
Old 02-03-2008, 08:10 AM
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MB uses Wopavin plastic windows because it is a German product. The "German Canvas" company is now s subsidiary of Hartz a U.S. company.
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  #10  
Old 03-12-2008, 12:35 PM
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damn-what is a euro? lol 6500 of them? for one top? OMG I am serious-My guy here just quaoted me total out the door taxes included 795.00 for a german canvas thick window, extra tough thread sticted top. Does that sound fair? I was told 1500 is average.
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  #11  
Old 03-12-2008, 06:22 PM
MB, love..hate..love..
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeaUK View Post
But they don't use authentic material or do they supply Mercedes Benz? I'm confused.
Of course, I'm assuming MB only accept the highest authentic quality...maybe this isn't true anymore? Lea
There is a symbol, like the MB star, but without the circle, on the left lower side of the plastic window on my '86 560SL top. Underneath it is:

Kal-Glas
VVV A-90
--- SL ---

G.A.H.H. inc
DOT 136ASGM148

I don't know if this is the original top or not. Probably very old, the plastic windows are toast, yellowed and pitted, but they are very thick. Does this look like G.A.H.H. was OEM at one time?
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  #12  
Old 03-12-2008, 10:28 PM
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GAHH in not OEM and never was
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  #13  
Old 05-12-2008, 12:35 PM
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New top finally on order

I made a decision this morning and ordered from Prestige in England. http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/info/about.htm They had a 'sale' on EBay for $420.00, postal at $30.00. Not bad.The fabric is described as "Original Quality Mohair Fabric and feature Original Thickness 'Flexglas' windows." We shall see how it compares to the GAHH top on the car now.
I got a little uneasy when reviewing most of the tops priced under $500.00, because it is very difficult to establish the fabric quality. And I got tired of trying to figure out if the 'original' 'OEM' 'German' etc. labels really told me anything. And I was confused when I got into the whole Sonnenland Haartz fabric business discussion.
In the end, I think any top under $300.00 would be disappointing, with thin fabric and windows. Tops in the $400.00 - $500.00 range seem to be relatively good quality, and over $500.00, same quality but way too pricey. I won't know about the fit and finish until I actually get the top, and I sure wish I had more responses to this thread from owners experiences.
I intend to do a thread with pictures later when my buddy and I do the install. He has done several MG and Miata tops, so armed with my Robbins top installation video, we should be good to go.
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  #14  
Old 05-12-2008, 03:47 PM
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Well you asked for user input so here goes

I just purchased a top from Germanex. Germanex called their material German. Now I know, at least as much as my Alzheimer's will allow, when I called him he said it was the original German material. But now, because of the info from another user on MBWorld, I called and he said they carry two "German" materials, classic and A5 (never heard this nomenclature before) but don't have any classic left, in my color of Blue/Tan. According to the installer what I got was Stayfast. According to him the quality of the build was good, at least as good as the GAHH he orders normally, and the price of 350 shipped was good as well so just be careful.

Did I get taken? Don't know. To Germanex's credit he did offer to have UPS pick it up and returned at his expense but by the time I got the installer it was already on the car. Maybe I was less than completely clear in my request but I think I should have been told that there were two options on material and told the difference and offered a choice.

So bottom line is I think Germanex should be avoided due to his less than complete answering. I won't call it deceit but I do feel a bit snookered.
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  #15  
Old 05-12-2008, 07:04 PM
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miked56, your blue SL looks just like mine (only probably without the bad paint and road rash). I love that color combo. If you had an original top, or a high quality one, how does the Stayfast compare in weight/stretchiness? Is it noticeably lighter and flap more in the wind?
I note that your installer had praised the quality, presumably of the fit and sewing? If it is as good as GAHH, then I think you did well. Price-wise, I also think you did well, and that would support my theory of lighter material (Stayfast) = lighter price.
Thank you for making a contribution to this thread.

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