Replaced soft top
 

Yeah!!!! I finally did it!!! I have been riding around with a new black soft top in the box it came in, in the trunk of my 380 for about three months. I have stopped at numerous shops for prices on installation. I have heard everything from $250 to $650 to "I want touch it". Yesterday (Saturday) I popped out of bed and thought "I can do it!". Started at 7am CA time. Worked until 12 and took a break for football game. Back at 3 till 6. Started today (Sunday) at 1:30 pm. Just finished at 5:00 and to my surprise it really looks good. Man am I tired. Would I do it again? I hope not. But it is done and I did it!!!

Have a great week.

Congrats man. I need to do a top on wife's 560SL and I'm not sure what I'll do. Read the procedure for the replacement and it sounds ...well horrible. Price of top is bad enough, but pauing to have doen or DIY? I just don't know. Original top from 1988 as far as I can tell, so I don't really feel bad about it needing it. You've got some serious guts to tackle that job.

BobK,

I had two different sets of instructions that had a great many differences. Basically you just have to be sure that the top is straight when you glue the back bow to the top. From then on it is just a slow go. It would have been a great help to me if I would have had someone to help. If you decide to do yours I would advise to be sure and buy new rubber seals also. I did that and good thing I did as getting the old ones off is almost impossibe without tearing them.

Next project, new carpet and seats.

You're a better man than I am, Rayson! For me, it was worth the money I paid to have it done correctly. I figured that if I messed it up, I would have to put out the cost of another top and the price of labor, because I wouldn't try it twice. The way I look at it, I saved $400!! Best of luck with the carpets. BOB

This is the next project on my list. Any other specific problems/issues to be aware of with the 380? I suppose one instruction set was that off-putting web site commonly mentioned here. Did you get the top from Performance? I'm less concerned about the German vs. US fabric but wonder if there is any difference in the plastic windows.

BTW, I restored the leather seats, rear deck vinyl, and sun visors quite nicely with Magic Mender (http://www.leatherrepairkits.com/). Took about a day (had a wear hole in the driver's seat) but it looks awesome.

Ultraformat,

I bought my top from HMI International in Reseda CA www.galaxymall.com/auto/mercedes/products.html I get all my interior parts from them. They are great to deal with, I have talked to them several times on the phone and prices are good as well as product. I bought their middle range top. The windows are clear and look great to me.