I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ replacing the retractable hard top as the seal across the top and above the rear windscreen have perished (holes).
I can get a full good quality 2nd hand retractable top from a reputable seller. It’s £90 less than just the top seal costs from mx5parts. I’m struggling to find someone to fit it though. Any recommendations, preferably near FK10 area (central Scotland)?
Stupid Question Alert Suzy.
Just change out the seal from the new used roof?
I know the square root of zero about these roofs bar the fact they are intricate. I’ll try and see if I can identify a business local. ( I’m just in Falkirk BTW)
My concern is , it looks (to my Lay Eye) potentially very labour intensive in terms of £ per hour.
Thanks ScottishFiver, but I think it would be more time-consuming (and expensive)to swap the seals over for the middle of the roof (the one that holds the 2 roof sections together), and also the seal around the rear window is actually part of the window. I’m waiting on SDM Mazda in Falkirk getting back to me but suspect they won’t fit a part that is 2nd hand (Arnold Clark wont).
I’m just off phone the Service Manager at SDM.
He cannot recall ever doing one…but suspects getting any bits that fail the strip down could be difficult to get…plus the complexity.
And…the Biggy. No g’tee the hood off the scrapper will be reliable.
Our shared general opinion is bite the bullet and buy the seals.
Sorry I cannot be more positive Suzy.
Thanks for doing that. I’ll have a think. It’s potentially £1500ish for the rear window and roof seal new, never mind fitting. The 2nd hand roof is £265 and the guy has really good reviews. I also spoke to him this morning and he’s going to send more images and check it. A local garage has said they’ll take a quick look to see if they’ll consider it. I’d rather have an MX5 specialist though.
I have a 2009 NC2 Roadster with the retractable roof. I think it would be a nightmare to replace. What is the condition of the replacement roof and what colour is it. The new seals from MX5 parts will be about £500
Hi Dave. The roof itself is perfect, but there are gaps in the seal (the one that’s £354) so that’s irreparable and needs replaced. There’s also a very small hole above the rear windscreen. Mx5parts said that would be “at least” £1000 as the seal and window are one unit That’s why I thought replacing the whole thing would be better. It’s not looking like an option unfortunately. 3 garages have said no .
Earlier I was going to suggest similar, maybe try and inject some suitable and obviously flexible black silicone type filler in there. Could it then be (if required) trimmed to suit the existing seal?
I’ve got the same retractable hard top, I’d give it a go first before shelling out on a new seal.
I’m with MickAP on this, regarding black flexible sealant.
There are a few on Amazon to look at .
I too have a 2011 Sport Black and even with a mechanical engineering background, have often thought what a nightmare it would be to replace the seals, never mind fitting a second hand PRHT!
Thanks everyone for your input. I managed to get a brand new roof seal on ebay for £200. Guy bought it for his car last year from mx5parts £354) but never got round to fitting it before selling the car. Bargain! Fitted today at SDM Mazda in Falkirk, and small hole above rear windscreen plugged for £216. MOT and service was done elsewhere on Mon. Foxy needed new brake disks for tge MOT, so it’s been an expensive week! That’s her (and me) happy again though, and they said there’s not a spot of rust underneath
That’s why I thought replacing the whole thing would be better. It’s not looking like an option unfortunately. 3 garages have said no .
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