MX5Ireland

hi Guys
new to this forum and new to the world of mx5 having recently purchased
a 93 silver 1.6. I am wondering if a mark11 soft top and frame will fit mark1 or is this a good idea/have found a good condition one with car dismantler. if it will fit is it a very difficult job (considering I am a mere woman ha ha only I can get away with saying that!....would it in your valued opinion be just as easy in the long run get a new soft top fitted frame on mine seems ok roof just tatty....must admit i am a bit fussy! Do not have a price yet from dismantler ....how much do you guys reckon it's worth. Thanks so much in advance

Hi hilly, welcome to the forum.
As far as i know it would fit but whether its worth it depends on the price really.
you could pick up a new mohair roof for about €250-300 iirc. Fitting could be done by a friendly member depending on where abouts you are.
Hope that helps & get some pics up.

If its already on the frame its v.easy to do.. just nuts and bolts... 3 behind the trim on the pillar near the seatbelts, then 13 along the bottom of the roof under the carpet at the back , just lift back the carpet and you'll see them.

Fitting a new roof to a frame requires a little more effort but can be done in an afternoon (4 hours or so for your first time) easily enough.
A new mohair roof can be bought from Jack Smith Trimmers (think thats his name) in Wales for 200stlg. If you search the forum you'll find his details + a guide to roof fitting easily enough.

Steve

thanks guys very helpful...
will get some pics up when i have her a little bit more presentable...concentrating on the mechanics for now but getting there

Welcome Hilly, another new member joins the ranks!! Roll on the Summer runs

John

Welcome Hilly + no worries. A year ago I didn;t know anything about them either and now I know loads compared to than. There's plenty of folk in the club who can give you a hand if you don't feel too comfortable making a decision or changing a part. What's your location/area?

Hi Hilly from another new member.

Unless you have mechanical skills and more specifically tools, I wouldn't try fitting a hood to a frame, you need to be able to pop rivet the hood in 4 or 6 places, I can't remember now as well as a nuts to fit.

A hood on a frame is a different option but you need to be aware also how much it all weighs and you would need help to lift it into place.
The rain rail is also prone to splitting. This is basically a big gutter that the back of the hood fits in at the rear. You can fix them with Duct Tape but a new one is a much better idea.

HI GUYS
THKS FOR THE WELCOME I AM BASED IN ENNIS...THINK I WILL CONSIDER THE NEW MOHAIR HOOD ONCE I HAVE GATHERED THE BOBS MUST MAKE SURE SHE IS MECHANICALY SOUND FIRST....WHEN I BOUGHT HER SHE HAD SERIOUS INDUCTION KIT ( SERIOUSLY NOISEY THAT IS ) AT PRESENT HAVING THAT REMOVED SO I CAN HEAR MYSELF THINK I WAS VERY LUCKY AND SOURCED A FILTER BOX AND PIPE SECOND HAND WITH AUTO LINK SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL SILENCE HER OLD FASHIONED OF ME I KNOW BUT I LIKE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT CAR FOR RIGHT REASONS!!! ALSO PUTTING NEW DISCS AND PADS ON THIS WEEK. CONSIDERING A CHANGE OF ALLOY WILL STICK TO 15' OR 16 ANY IDEAS WELCOME. LOTS OF BITS TO DO BUT LOVING IT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO LOTS OF FUN!!

15" would be the best bet for alloys. Mx5's are know for there handling and a larger wheel kind of ruins that imo.
Also the weight of them is a big factor. the lighter the better. Rota's do some nice alloys. Remember you are looking for 4x100 pcd (4 stud with a 100 pitch circle diameter) Offset is also a consideration but not a major thing.
http://www.rotawheels.com/
Glad to see your having fun and modding already.
Ash

Hi Hilly,

Personally wouldn't go for a second hand hood on the frame.
I used to have a vinyl roof which had rips on the side (from poor maintenance and weather) and I bought this 5 months ago and fitted it myself with not too much bother.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php?currency=EUR&products_id=724
I was very apprehensive, and am very far from a mechanic. It was very straight forward, but just time consuming.

Problem I have now is that my car was broken into last week and they cut my roof open + took out my DVD player & satnav.
I've been emailing with MX5 parts and they have a local guy who is now making the mohair tops especially for them, so they don't have to go to Japan anymore. It shipped yesterday and I will be fitting over the weekend.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php?currency=EUR&products_id=159

If you decide to buy a new mohair, just give me a shout and we'll pick a day where I can give you a hand.
PS it's defintly not worth paying any of those guys advertising soft-top fitting. You can pay up to € 1,400 which I think is a total rip-off, considering how easy it is.

Good luck with your choice

Cloggy,

Ah s*it man thats terrible news, that was a lovely system you had there....hope they burn in hell......

I hope you are able to source a decent hard top too, I know you had been looking for one.
Did you have the car alarmed ??

B*gger man thats really annoying.

Keep the faith..

Regards John.

thanks lads
what a helpful bunch you are ......I restored an mg midget a few years ago
and never came accross as helpful and friendly a site as this which indears me even more to my 5. Great roof Cloggy might be taking you up on that offer must wait a while though and get the priority stuff covered sorry to har bout your break in such miserable ******ds. Funny thing i sourced my car in Dundalk!!

Hi Hilly,

Welcome to the club and hope you're enjoying your mx5.


Beware your credit card could get a serious bashing now with all those accessories available online........

Hope to see you on one of the runs sometime.

ps keep her safe there are sc*mbags about...

Regards John.

Cloggy wrote:Hi Hilly,

Personally wouldn't go for a second hand hood on the frame.
I used to have a vinyl roof which had rips on the side (from poor maintenance and weather) and I bought this 5 months ago and fitted it myself with not too much bother.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php?currency=EUR&products_id=724
I was very apprehensive, and am very far from a mechanic. It was very straight forward, but just time consuming.

Problem I have now is that my car was broken into last week and they cut my roof open + took out my DVD player & satnav.
I've been emailing with MX5 parts and they have a local guy who is now making the mohair tops especially for them, so they don't have to go to Japan anymore. It shipped yesterday and I will be fitting over the weekend.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php?currency=EUR&products_id=159

If you decide to buy a new mohair, just give me a shout and we'll pick a day where I can give you a hand.
PS it's defintly not worth paying any of those guys advertising soft-top fitting. You can pay up to € 1,400 which I think is a total rip-off, considering how easy it is.

Good luck with your choice

HOW MUCH!

ta John I will have to hide the card...prob is I keep remembering where I left it! ah sure we only live once..... its a pity we have to share the planet with the scumbags though.