W107 Soft Top Replacement - DIY? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

flixbiz · #1 06-27-2003, 12:15 PM

I'm getting quotes of $700-100 labor to replace a soft top on my 1986 560SL. How hard could it be to remove one top and put a new one on? Do you need special tools for this? Has anybody done this themselves? Is it worth $700-$1000? I might want to save the $$ and give it a try.

Robert Mowbray · #2 06-27-2003, 04:10 PM

Flixbiz,
Everyone would like to save some money, but I suggest you look at what is involved in replacing a soft top before you attempt it. Check out the link below. I had my soft top replaced last year by an upholstry shop for $800. Best of luck!! http://www.worlduph.com/mbtopinstall.htm

flixbiz · #3 06-27-2003, 08:06 PM

Thanks Robert!
That's exactly what I needed to see! I'll make my appointment with the top shop! It's worth the $$.

Pete Geither · #4 06-28-2003, 04:19 PM

WHEEEEEEOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I thought changing oil was a pain in the ass.

maheath · #5 06-29-2003, 11:48 PM

You can do it yourself, but it involves a lot of time. That said, $800 should cover the cost of the top AND installation, not just labor. You can buy the top for around $400. Figure at least $300 for installation.

I replaced mine myself last year. I'm not sure if I'd do it again, but a local shop quoted me $1200 and I just couldn't make myself pay that much.

Robert Mowbray · #6 06-30-2003, 12:14 PM

Yeah, $800 was for the total job, top and labor, from a very good shop. I figured that I had a nice looking car, except for the ratty looking rag top, and if I tried to replace it myself, I would be wasting the money I spent on the top if it still looked like crap!! So, with any luck, this top will last 10 years and it will be well worth the investment. Best of luck. BOB

#7 06-30-2003, 01:28 PM

I just bought a new top from www.Cabrioworld.com out of New York I think. Fast good service. $345. for an American canvas top. I had it installed here in St Louis for 400. I had to buy all the rubber seals from Budsbenz for another 200 to finish the job. It looks great. very good quality.
On www.sl107.com there is the following ad; I can't comment on their quality having had no experience.
posted May 24 03 12:51 PM
I have a complete interior kits for a 107 SL chassis Mercedes Benz. This is what's included in the kit:

Convertible Top(German canvas)-$310.00
Seat Covers(MB-Tex vinyl)-$330.00
Carpet Kit(German loop)-$300.00
Door Panel Skins(MB-Tex vinyl)-$160.00
Trunk Carpet Kit(German loop)-$225.00
Convertible Boot Lid Cover(MB-Tex)$85.00
Total-$1410.00(shipping cost not included)

If you would like leather seat covers add $300.00 to the total. All items come in any of the original 107 SL Mercedes Benz colors. All items are ready to install, no sewing required. Prices are only good when ordering complete Interior Kit. If you would like to order please email me at convertguy5@yahoo.com

flixbiz · #8 07-01-2003, 02:46 PM

NACTOM (818) 763-0287

I just bought a German Canvas top for my 560SL (1986) for 325 + $15 shipping. They explained that there's very little difference between the German Canvas the Sonnendeck and the American Canvas ($275) tops except for some embossed design on the interior that identifies the German Canvas top. The quality of the material and the vinyl window is about the same. I figured $50 to be a small price to pay to keep it original. The trick is to find someone in the DC/Maryland area to install for less than $800.

#9 07-01-2003, 03:18 PM

Why couldn't I find a $275 top when I was shopping?
A Merc colector here in St Louis looked at my top after I had it installed and had to look hard to see the missing German diamonds inside the top. Cabrio told me there was no differance in quality. Since my car will never be "collector quality" (it is a very nice car but I know the differance) I saved $40 by going with the American version that was missing the snob/collector appeal.

flixbiz · #10 07-02-2003, 11:44 AM

Makes sense. That's another way of looking at it.

Tom McMenamin · #11 07-03-2003, 02:55 PM

When you find someone in Maryland, DC or Va. to do this work and he/she turns out to be good or bad please let the Board know. Especially me!

flixbiz · #12 07-03-2003, 06:36 PM

sure thing

MD2B · #13 07-05-2003, 01:57 AM

I just had my new top installed. The Mercedes dealership in town wanted $2000 to do it. They said $1000 for the top and $1000 for labor. I couldn't spend that much, so I bought the top from Performance Products for $400. I went to what is supposed to be the best auto upholstry shop in Indianapolis, and they said they put lots of tops on and would charge me $400 to install it. From the outside it looks beautiful, but from the inside I notice that it doesn't seat properly above the side windows. The noise while going down the highway is worse than before. I was unhappy and decided to see if the Mercedes dealership could tighten it, but they couldn't. I sure wish I could have afforded to go to the dealership in the first place and have it done right, but the cost couldn't be justified.

ctaylor738 · #14 07-05-2003, 06:37 PM

In the DC area, the place to go for top and upholstery is Lim's in Tyson's - (703) 893-7373. He does SL's (including mine) for $395.

American Service Center sends their work to Sure-Fit in Arlington.

flixbiz · #15 07-05-2003, 07:25 PM

Excellent!
Thanks Chuck. I'll call Lim's when my top arrives.