New soft top needed - recommendations ?

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
dave635
Joined: Wed 21 Oct, 2009 12:05
Posts: 11

  M roadster S50
Location: Aberdeen

New soft top needed - recommendations ?

Post by dave635 »

Hi,

The hood on my 98 Z3 is worn, faded & leaking badly so its time for replacement. I don't want to go to BMW so am looking for an aftermarket supplier. BAS-International (car-hood.co.uk) seem to be good quality, does anyone have any experience of their hoods or any other recommendations ?

cheers,

Dave.
badboyblue
Joined: Thu 05 Apr, 2007 18:12
Posts: 316

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Manchester

Post by badboyblue »

I had a BAS hood fitted to my MGF, I was very pleased with it.
Image
Guest

  

Post by Guest »

Hi Dave

Had a BAS hood fitted last August.

Very happy with the quality of the hood but had initial problems with leaking because my 1st choice of fitter was naff.

Spoke to BAS a few times about the problems, fantastic customer service and recommended a guy in Bradford to sort things out for me.

The fitter in Bradford said BAS are an excellent company to deal with, he had recently fitted a hood to a SAAB and it was the 1st one manufactured and fitted. Fitter rang BAS to offer some changes to the design as he felt it could be better. BAS made changes, boss brought new hood up to him and stayed until fitted, that speaks volumes to me.

You're quite a way north though up there in Aberdeen ?

Anyway, firm I would happily recommend

http://www.aspickering.co.uk/
Rob Tan
Joined: Mon 16 Nov, 2009 03:15
Posts: 242

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Christchurch

Post by Rob Tan »

I'm over in NZ, and had a Robbins soft top put on last December. It looks great and we haven't had any problems with it.
the fife flier
Joined: Mon 08 Mar, 2004 22:00
Posts: 11

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Post by the fife flier »

Has anyone had any experience of Hoods Scotland in Callander (Trossachs)? They seem to specialise in MGs and Mazdas, but have given me a price of £500 to replace the hood on my 98 Z3. I haven't been able to find any reviews of the place on the net. As I'm in Glasgow, it's pretty handy for me. Alternatively, anybody got any recommendations for other suppliers/fitters in the Glasgow area?
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Oem

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Does anyone know the price of a new OEM hood?
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Post by Frank.A »

Hood with lining not listed at Coopers.

Hood cover? £1100
Image

2000 Topaz 2.8 Individual.

Youth would be more useful if it came later in life!
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Chw

Post by Mike Fishwick »

The Car Hood Warehouse of Chessington, Surrey, quoted my £600 fitted. their work look pretty good, with lots of cre being taken on the Boxster I was looking at.

They are used by most of the big insurers, and the material looks the same as the OEM - Mohair in the UK or something-canvas in Germany.

As usual, the rear window is sewn in, but in my experience the window will outlast the roof - if you take care of it.
the fife flier
Joined: Mon 08 Mar, 2004 22:00
Posts: 11

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Post by the fife flier »

We had our hood replaced by Kelvin Coachtrimmers in Glasgow. Very good job, and it was a BAS hood - all seems problem-free so far. Cost about £500 all in.

Initially tried to make an arrangement with Hoods Scotland in Callander but gave up in the end as the guy wouldn't get back to me with a date, having postponed the first one.
stevesace
Joined: Sat 12 Mar, 2011 23:04
Posts: 38

  blank.gif
Location: Whitley bay
Contact:

Post by stevesace »

the fife flier wrote:We had our hood replaced by Kelvin Coachtrimmers in Glasgow. Very good job, and it was a BAS hood - all seems problem-free so far. Cost about £500 all in.

Initially tried to make an arrangement with Hoods Scotland in Callander but gave up in the end as the guy wouldn't get back to me with a date, having postponed the first one.
are the BAS rear screens zipped are stitched in?
the fife flier
Joined: Mon 08 Mar, 2004 22:00
Posts: 11

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Glasgow
Contact:

Post by the fife flier »

stevesace wrote:
the fife flier wrote:We had our hood replaced by Kelvin Coachtrimmers in Glasgow. Very good job, and it was a BAS hood - all seems problem-free so far. Cost about £500 all in.

Initially tried to make an arrangement with Hoods Scotland in Callander but gave up in the end as the guy wouldn't get back to me with a date, having postponed the first one.
are the BAS rear screens zipped are stitched in?
They're stitched in, but I get the feeling somebody like Kelvin would be able to stitch a new one in if necessary. I'm hoping the stitched edge might be a better design to stop the canvas popping out from under the plastic piping like the old one did.
User avatar
snoops
Joined: Sat 12 Jun, 2010 17:08
Posts: 971

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Lancashire

Post by snoops »

I have a BAS hood and it has a stitched in window.

Can't see why people are concerned about a zipped in window, like said above, the window will probably outlast the hood if you look after it.

Previous hood was 10 years old before changing, had the usual wear points from being down so much :wink: the window was fine so I didn't hesitate changing hood for stitched in.
Image...........No Mods...... I like him just the way he is
Rob Tan
Joined: Mon 16 Nov, 2009 03:15
Posts: 242

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Christchurch

Post by Rob Tan »

Over here in NZ, the guy who installed my new soft top a year and a half ago told me that if I looked after it I should get twenty years out of it. The car is parked in the garage when not in use, so doesn't sit out under our harsh UV sunlight.
Post Reply