Thinking about getting a new hood

[dabofoppo]

Just bought a mk2 MX5, and it has had the hard top fitted for a year or 2 now, with the soft top bearly used. It has a tear in the roof, with a patch over it. I took off the hard top to have a better look at it, and plan to keep the hard top off for the rest of the summer. there is a small hole visible where the adhesive from the patch has dried up and come away. I had some black silicon stuff that I used to fill the hole, and i think it's waterproof now. I only did that yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to fold the roof down and check if it will just separate again. So i've 3 options...

1. Re-patch the rip. Doesn't look great, but hey...
2. Put the hard top back on and forget about it
3. Get a new soft top fitted

For the 3rd option, what are the costs?
Does a new hood come with the frame & window, or do I transfer them from the old one?
Is there anywhere in Ireland that could fit it for me, or maybe the tech day in Down would be a good opportunity?

[mx5ash]

Hey welcome to the forum,
1. Re-patch the rip. Doesn't look great, but hey...
If its dry and your happy with the look of it then ok
2. Put the hard top back on and forget about it
No. Hard tops should be stored for the summer, end of....
3. Get a new soft top fitted

Does a new hood come with the frame & window,
No
or do I transfer them from the old one?
Yes
Is there anywhere in Ireland that could fit it for me,
Yes few places do fitting - rs limited on here does then for a resonable price or many of the lads have done them and will prob be willing to lend a hand for tea and biscuits.
or maybe the tech day in Down would be a good opportunity?
See above!!!

Cheers Ash

[dabofoppo]

Where's the best place to buy them?
The one I have is vinyl, but what's the deal with the mohair ones?

[leamyj]

MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT BETTER LOOKING...

[dabofoppo]

what kind of price does a hood cost?

[Steve]

bought mine from Jack Smith in Wales.

see more details here :
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3228&p=27993&hilit=jack+smith#p27993

[johnc55]

Can recommend Jack Smith.

Watching him make and fit the new one made me realise the skill and experience involved and glad I had him do it rather than get one and fit myself. I booked in advance, took an early ferry, stayed the day and got a late ferry home. Even with the ferry cost, was cheaper than anything I could get at the time here or mail order.

pm me if you want to have a chat about it or have a look at mine.

Johnc55

[dabofoppo]

john: what's a ballpark for the total cost?
(ferry, parts, labour)

[johnc55]

Going from memory, I think at that time (2008) Jack charged either £260 or £300 sterling to supply and fit. Day trip on the ferry was a special and I can't remember the price but you should be able to get something around €170 or so. (I did a day trip Dublin Holyhead recently for €168 with Stena)

Give him a call - worth the chat.

John

[Igor]

Where's the best place to buy them?
The one I have is vinyl, but what's the deal with the mohair ones?

I like the look and texture of the fabric ones. Pricewise I think are halfway between vinyl and mohair, another option and apparently lasts longer than the vinyl.

[Lynott]

I've just returned from a holiday in Wales where I had my soft top replaced by Jack Smith Trimmers in Swansea. Many of the lads here have used this place for hoods over the years. I would highly recommend. Cost £260 fitted for mohair with the
zip-out window and a few hours work. Very nice people and cool to deal with.

[leamyj]

Hard to beat that kind of price, might just do the same. The roof on my recently purchased mk2 is not in great shape.

John