soft top shops in canada- ontario - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

moneyguyforu · #1 05-14-2009, 04:10 PM

does anyone know of a good soft top shop to use ? I live in london ontario, and my windows are shot. i am resolved to the fact that my only option is to replace the entire roof as nobody seems to repair just the windows. I have prices range from $1600 to $4000 installed. The guy at $1600 may take a while (long story) but I am also concerned about quality matching OE. Lots of ads in the USA for parts, but not in Canada eh.

dugald · #2 05-14-2009, 06:36 PM

If you search this forum and www.benzworld.org you will find lots of posts about top suppliers and their relative quality and prices.
There isn't much about installation shops ...... installation seems to run about $750 or so.
What colour top do you need?

Tims450SL · #3 05-14-2009, 10:55 PM

My professional here in SFLA with top is 850.00 real canvas top quality. Thank god I am not in Canada! I thought they were out of line for asking $450.00 to install!

nobby · #4 05-14-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneyguyforu

does anyone know of a good soft top shop to use ? I live in london ontario, and my windows are shot. i am resolved to the fact that my only option is to replace the entire roof as nobody seems to repair just the windows. I have prices range from $1600 to $4000 installed. The guy at $1600 may take a while (long story) but I am also concerned about quality matching OE. Lots of ads in the USA for parts, but not in Canada eh.

What Duggie said.
I am going through this as we speak.
Extensive research was done by member LAVERDA and followed up by me.
The top of choice was made by ARO of N.Y. http://www.aro2000.com/ in Sonneland material.

$800 CAD at my door.
$350 for MB seals
$750 quoted to install by a reputable upholsterer. ( I still might do it myself if time permits.)

Barrie, Ontario.

coleyjf · #5 05-15-2009, 02:27 AM

Hi

You could always try someone like these guys by mail

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/info/about.htm

or
http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/uk/hoods/mercedes_hoods.htm

And either get a local guy to fit or fit it yourself ( I believe there's a good detailed post on the subject of fitting replacement covers on this site)

Cheers

Jim

Roncallo · #6 05-15-2009, 06:42 AM

I just put together what I consider to be the minimum parts list to do this job, which includes the padding, belting, pulls and window seals. The elastic band material is no longer available from MB so I will have to find an equivalent from an upholstery shop or I maybe they come with the top, I have to check. I will be using a top from German Top's. The additional parts from MB are about $300.00 US.

donbryce · #7 05-15-2009, 08:15 AM

I did my own install last year, first one ever, and I'm very pleased with the results. It was a Prestige top from the UK purchased through their EBay store. I'm still hoping to put together a 'how-I-did-it' article. I did take lots of pictures and did extensive research on this. Unlike Laverda, I wasn't as concerned with authenticity as with a reasonable cost/quality compromise. I'd give Prestige 8 1/2 out of 10 on this.

Just for the record, unless anything has changed since I last looked into the subject, there is only 1 comprehensive step-by-step article available on-line, from the World Upholstery site. There's a video, maybe still available, produced waaay back by Robbins. I have both, and if you listen to the voice-over on the video, it's almost word-for-word the text of the World article. I don't know who did the documentation first, but I'm betting it was Robbins. My contribution was going to be based on an improved version of this 'seminal' article.

BTW, that elastic is common stuff at any fabric store (thanks to the missus). I used seat belts to replace the old canvas-like straps too, a brand new pair in a nice tan colour that beats the originals by a mile.

Roncallo · #8 05-15-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbryce

I did my own install last year, first one ever, and I'm very pleased with the results. It was a Prestige top from the UK purchased through their EBay store. I'm still hoping to put together a 'how-I-did-it' article. I did take lots of pictures and did extensive research on this. Unlike Laverda, I wasn't as concerned with authenticity as with a reasonable cost/quality compromise. I'd give Prestige 8 1/2 out of 10 on this.

Just for the record, unless anything has changed since I last looked into the subject, there is only 1 comprehensive step-by-step article available on-line, from the World Upholstery site. There's a video, maybe still available, produced waaay back by Robbins. I have both, and if you listen to the voice-over on the video, it's almost word-for-word the text of the World article. I don't know who did the documentation first, but I'm betting it was Robbins. My contribution was going to be based on an improved version of this 'seminal' article.

BTW, that elastic is common stuff at any fabric store (thanks to the missus). I used seat belts to replace the old canvas-like straps too, a brand new pair in a nice tan colour that beats the originals by a mile.

Several of us would appreciate the how to very very soon. Thanks

tecqboy · #9 05-15-2009, 11:45 AM

For those contemplating doing the top on a R129 yourself or are just curious as to how it's done, I've posted a step by step video at...

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0m3x4p

This link will be valid for only a limited time. It's a large 172 mB mpeg file, so it may take a while to download.

Graham · #10 05-15-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

I will be using a top from German Top's.

If that is the guy in California who goes under name John or Armen and has an email starting with kush, I would stay well clear. I bought carpets from him and they were a disaster - nothing fitted properly and he would not cooperate. Not sure if pictures are still on Benzworld.

Graham · #11 05-15-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneyguyforu

does anyone know of a good soft top shop to use ? I live in london ontario, and my windows are shot. i am resolved to the fact that my only option is to replace the entire roof as nobody seems to repair just the windows. I have prices range from $1600 to $4000 installed. The guy at $1600 may take a while (long story) but I am also concerned about quality matching OE. Lots of ads in the USA for parts, but not in Canada eh.

I have same problem here in Eastern Ontario. I can buy a top, but would have to self install or get a local shop with no MB experience to give it a shot! I understand that there is a shop in Montreal that will do it for $500 and one in Ottawa too. I am sure there must be several in the GTA. Try calling one of the dealers that handles MBs or even MB Canada.

I have only heard good things about tops from World Upholstery. But there is a quality shop in Canada that makes tops - It is Heritage Upholstery & Trim in Vancouver http://www.heritagetrim.com/m_mercedes.htm. They seem to have visors, seat covers and even a nice tonneau. But they are not cheap.

I did see an ad for another company in the Toronto area but I think they were importing low cost tops from USA - might have been on kijiji.

Regarding price - The World Upholstery prices provide a guide http://www.worlduph.com/mb7top.htm . If you got the basic Stafast fabric for $375, you may be able to have one landed for say C$600 if they will ship by parcel post. Add installation for about same - C$1200 should do it?

My own top has 4 small wear holes that I have tried to fix several times with tape. But it always comes off. I even tried using a flexible epoxy to glue small pieces of fabric into the holes, but they eventually came off. The windows have also yellowed and one has a small crack. Resigned to getting a new top and will have same installation problems as you do. I would need a brown or tan top.

PanzerSD · #12 05-15-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneyguyforu

does anyone know of a good soft top shop to use ? I live in london ontario, and my windows are shot. i am resolved to the fact that my only option is to replace the entire roof as nobody seems to repair just the windows. I have prices range from $1600 to $4000 installed. The guy at $1600 may take a while (long story) but I am also concerned about quality matching OE. Lots of ads in the USA for parts, but not in Canada eh.

There's a guy here, in Saskatchewan who does convertable tops, he's VERY good. He'd a retired upholstry guy so he does things at his leisure

Roncallo · #13 05-17-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

If that is the guy in California who goes under name John or Armen and has an email starting with kush, I would stay well clear. I bought carpets from him and they were a disaster - nothing fitted properly and he would not cooperate. Not sure if pictures are still on Benzworld.

Yes thats him. I was very happy with his upholstery.

Graham · #14 05-17-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Yes thats him. I was very happy with his upholstery.

Glad you were happy, but the carpets I received were absolute crap. I see you are buying proper MB quality seals, so why put them on a top from a second rate supplier?

Here are some links regarding my carpets. What do you think of them?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1382031-installing-carpets.html#post2926683

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1382031-installing-carpets.html#post2937337

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1382031-installing-carpets.html#post2938618

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1382031-installing-carpets-2.html#post2955706

I had do a lot of hacking, but in the end, the car looks fine. But that is the last time I would buy anything from German Auto Tops or Qualitytopsand interiors (same guy).

I have to keep telling myself - Don't buy on price alone! Buy quality!

bhatt · #15 05-22-2009, 10:41 AM

Most marine upholstery shops will cut out convertible top windows and replace them with new clear marine vinyl. This stuff is very thick and will likely last 15-20 years just like the original windows did.

I have used the same marine upholstery guy in Burlington for a few boat jobs and he is very picky and excellent. I wouldn't think twice about asking him to do an MB roof, even though he doesn't have MB-specific experience. He will tell you right away if something can't be done or if he doesn't know how.

He does mostly boats, but I see convertibles (usually old classic American cars) and other vinyl items (chairs, etc..) that he is reupholstering.

If you need his contact info, pm me.