The day before my first ever European road trip last week in the MX5, and the rear window zip comes apart!
The zip handle(?) itself is fine, but the upper & lower section of the zipper have come apart so the window can’t be zipped up (if that makes sense).
Current soft top is decent Mohair with plastic window.
FYI, I have zero mechanical / technical ability.
could a local MX5 specialist such as Sparkes in Bisley repair the zip?
anybody local to Bisley GU24 willing & able to fix for proper pay?
It depends on how the roof is constructed, whether it’s original may play a role.
I’d try removing the rear rain rail (removing the headrests gives better access) and see if the bottom of the zip is accessible to re-attach the zipper (handle) to (mine wasn’t an original roof and I had to sew on a whole new non-genuine zip, and I still haven’t sorted out the leaks I’ve created so maybe a professional should be used).
If need be you can get a new zip fitted if yours is original then this is the part:
Thanks, unfortunately the rear window & zip is really difficult to access:
Bucket seat + TR Lane roll bar behind.
Might need to go down the new roof route then. Shame.
as the top is Mohair, it’s unlikely the replacement zipper will work. What track does the zip take? is it across the top of the window and more or less straight, or does it go around the window?
A good opportunity for a new roof with a glass rear window. Hothoods did a very nice job on my Mk1 with what they call a Mk3-style roof, which lacks the two thick fore-and-aft seams.
To zip the window up, it goes up the side of the window (from passenger side) then straight across the top of the window, and then back down the side (on driver’s side). Not along the bottom, if any do such a thing.
Yes, their prices seem very reasonable compared to others. Quite a basic website, the map showing the radius they’re willing to travel for fitting at your home doesn’t work, but your Mk-3 style roof sounds good. Does the glass window simply fold with the roof, or does it somehow need to be detached first?
That, unfortunately, is a budget hood and replacement of the zipper is not easily possible. You get what you pay for with hoods. A Mazda Quality one will last years but will cost £338 plus fitting (BAS International) A cheaper one will save you about £145 total …look at the hot hoods site, they do both
If you fit a glass window hood you need a MK2 frame to make it work properly, as part of the frame is sprung to make it fold properly.
My Hothoods ‘Mk3-style’ hood uses the Mk1 frame with a couple of minor mods, which the Hothoods fitter carries out. It all works fine. The glass window is permanently attached to the hood and folds away with it. Open the hood part way, push window down, continue opening until fully down. Having a glass, and heated, rear window is brilliant in winter.
Thanks, that’s really useful. The hood was fitted by the previous owner, and I’ve owned the car 15 years so I guess that’s been a reasonable life span. I’ll look into the options, and won’t go cheapest.
