I’m considering replacing my roof in the not too distant future, and most people seem to recommend mohair over vinyl.
The vinyl roof on my car is the original (13 years old) and is still in fairly good condition, so I’m inclined to replace with another vinyl roof on grounds that I believe the seams are stronger, and vinyl is easy to treat/keep looking good.
Regardless of fabric I’d be going for a heated rear glass window.
Any thoughts?
I replaced mine this year with a mohair hood (Jack Smiths in Swansea)
Personaly, I would never have another vinyl roof, mohair looks better and lasts longer. It also drys out quick. I would recommend mohair.
Mohair mark if you don’t use the tonneau, harder to clean, and reproof, but look good if you look after them. I’ve had both. I have a vinyl now.
Hi, may seem odd but I actually prefer vinyl to keep the car looking original and period. Have you considered a tan coloured hood, always think black Mk1s look better with a contrasting tan roof.
If they weren`t so much more expensive and they did them in a true tan colour rather than the non-descript beige I might be tempted to go for a mohair, the real advantage of them as far as I can see is they dont so readily crack when being folded in cooler weather conditions (8 celsius and below)
Dr.Eunos
Hi Tomoose,
My recent experience:
I agree with Taff and went with vinyl to keep the car looking as close to original as possible. I replaced my original Mazda roof (13 years old too) with a BAS vinyl roof with zip out window last year, which was pants, stretched one way and shrunk in another, you would not believe how anal I was at looking after it. Totally inferior to original material, yet one of the more expensive roofs out there. The BAS design is missing the secondary side support strips sown in above the door glass when the roof is up on the original roof. These strengthen the roof edges to resist shrinkage on a vinyl roof. Check out Prestige Hoods website they show these on their roofs. Yet I have heard bad reports of poor quality from them as well on vinyl roofs. There seems to be so much varing quality out there.
I have just upgraded the roof within warranty to a Mohair one with a “glass” window (So much easier/quicker putting the roof up and down and a heated rear window, luxury). It also fitted better from the off, just mm from the top of the door glass, I have hardy seen a correctly fitting vinyl roof on a NA for a long time, they all seem too short on the sides above the door glass to rubber seal. Maybe Richard can spread some light on that one? I was also shocked at how much more insulated the you are from noise with the mohair with the roof up, a lot more civilised. Agreed, Mohair will be a lot more difficult to keep clean (see Renovo International web site) but as previously said, so much more usable in the cold (I think I have my roof down more during the winter, as we have so much rain now during the summer months). However, if I was going to buy vinyl again, I would buy a Genuine Mazda roof as in the long run, I think they probably work out cheaper, fit perfectly and take a decade to shrink but thats why they are nearly twice the price. . . . .
With regard to Seam strength on the Mohair roofs; Mercedes, BMW and VW all fit Mohair as standard now? Mazda moved to Mohair with the later NB cars. Some hood manufaturers for the MX5 are now offering a two peice NC type roof for the NA/NB with the NC gutters above the doors in Mohair.
My advice buy the best soft top you can afford with a good warranty and preferably fitted by the company who sold it to you. That way, if all goes wrong, there’s no charges for being refitted when replaced.
Jon
Go for a mohair. I had my mohair roof with a glass window fitted a couple of weeks ago at Jack Smith’s. Looks great and it doesn’t stress like vinyl. My old vinyl hood was getting stiffer and less willing to go up and down in the cold weather. All modern convertibles have mohair roofs. Dries much quicker too and is worth any extra effort to keep clean etc.
Vinyl is always going to be the cheaper option unless you are fitting an OE Mazda one.<o:p></o:p>
Best one I have ever fitted (and I have fitted quite a few in my time
)was a dandy cars mohair roof, everything lined up on to the frame as it should straight on the roadster perfect fit no missing, I think AT on here knows who makes theirs, might be worth giving him a shout
i shall be getting a new roof in the spring,red mohair, i think, hard top stays on for now. i think if you’re going to keep the car for the long term it’s worth getting a mohair, as others have said get the best you can afford.
i had a tan vinyl roof put on my last car, the guys done a great job fitting it, but it did start to shrink back (sideways) after two years or so,
Thanks for the advice everyone.
Mohair it is then!
I’ve just had a mohair roof fitted today at Jack Smiths…love it already!
Well worth the long trip from Leicester.
I’ve fitted a vinyl and mohair hood this year, the latter was supplied by The Car Trimming Company: http://www.mazdahoodshop.co.uk/ who manufacture and supply hoods to many other resellers. The fitting instructions are extremely comprehensive and the owner, Brian, is an absolute diamond. Although the mohair was a little more difficult to fit than the vinyl the finish is brilliant.
Incidentally I also had both seats recovered by The Car Trimming Company, the quality of the finish is excellent and the price was extremely competitive.
My mate, the chap who got me interested in an MX5 has recently had his hood replaced at Jack Smiths in Swansea, it looks absolutely superb and was a good price to boot. Not sure how far you live away from here, but it appears to be worth the effort.
Good luck, Neil
Just had a Google look at where you live, it looks to me that you are only one petrol tank for the round trip away, so only about £45 in petrol costs. Swansea has some charm, not much but a little, get in touch and i’m sure we can look after you!
Cheers, Neil
I have just had a new mohair roof fitted from mx5parts (they have free fitting on offer at present). My old vinyl OE roof had splits and it, was leaking terribly, and was very noisy on the motorway commute to work.
The new mohair one looks fantastic, road noise is much reduced, so much so that I am now putting serious consideration into ebaying my hard top…
I had my mohair hood fitted by them just over 3 years ago now. Still as good now as it was when fitted. I went back last year to have my seats re-trimmed and padded too. Great service.
Wipe it with a yellow duster for a laugh 
Only kidding, I agree with alot of what has been said. Get a decent cleaner and conditioner and make sure you look after it and the Mohair looks great. However, I have a vinyl roof have always had vinyl. Had it on my previous 5. Cleans up nice, with a nice sheen to it, it’s easy to get the bird crud and other rubbish out - it’s also cheap and hard wearing. With vinyl, you can use a little back to black or another brand of black wax that will really make it look new, which is something that’s not wise with mohair.
So, in a nutshell, either are good in my opinion. Personally, if my car’s spending alot of time outside and not garaged, mohair is out. If it’s a track toy, mohair is out. If it’s for period looks, mohair is out. In fact - for me, although I like the look of both as much as each other and the folding of the mohair is nicer - the mohair is out. Hehe. Either way, the car will look great 
Point in fact - mohair will last ages but takes more looking after and if it’s not been it will quickly deteriorate with no chance of restoration. Vinyl is more forgiving but some feel it has a cheaper look. On the flip side, you can restore vinyl pretty easily.
My understanding was that the mohair roof has gutters above the doors, can anyone confirm?
regards
David
Been thinking and looking at both options as am in need for one for the winter however I’m more into vinyl.
As the car is sitting away from home so it doesn’t really get looked after a lot these days Thought to preserve the old roof once bought the car but even then it was already shrinking over windows. And now it started cracking… And, being honest I only guess it’s mohair atm…
Saw couple guys localy runing with vinyls and they look ok and seems to be easier to look after which is a good thing for me.
By the looks of it, I’ll got with it. Mmm, might look for blue one 