Softop replacement

[tomsugden]

The soft top on my 89 350i is getting a bit tatty, and really needs replacing. I've been shopping around various companies mentioned on here, and it got me thinking. One of the most annoying things on my wedge is that the rear window always steams up. Is there any reason why I couldn't get a glass window put in, with a proper rear demist ? I'm thinking it would probably have to unzip on 3 sides, but that's no big deal. Has anyone else done this, or is this a ridiculous idea ?

>> Edited by tomsugden on Tuesday 29th November 18:22

[cuneus]

Not ridiculous, I have done exactly this on my wife's MX5: obtained a glass HRW from a MkII and had it put into a MKI panel

Will measure the glass tomorrow to see if it's any good

[firefox1712]

That sounds like a good idea - my hood is still good, but the screen has gone milky. Let us know how you get on.

[cuneus]

The Mazda one is a non starter - the screen is curved

[firefox1712]

Maybe a heated screen from another car then? Would having something made be prohibitive in terms of cost? Alternatively there could be the option of just plain glass or a hard plastic screen that can be zipped in and out?
(I mean toughened glass of course!)

>> Edited by firefox1712 on Thursday 1st December 06:48

[skyrocketship]

if you lower the roof then you can see out the back no problem

[rev-erend]

skyrocketship said:

if you lower the roof then you can see out the back no problem

[tomsugden]

I don't suppose any of you kind souls know a company I could approach, that might make such a thing for me ? I have phoned a few, but none can do a glass rear window

Anywhere in the London area would be favourable. Thanks.

[dickymint]

tomsugden said:

I don't suppose any of you kind souls know a company I could approach, that might make such a thing for me ? I have phoned a few, but none can do a glass rear window Anywhere in the London area would be favourable. Thanks.

I was talking about doing this about 3 months ago with MikeB, and was going to ask the guy that made Mikes hood the question. Not got round to it yet, but his work is stunning and am sure he would rise to the challenge. Will post his details when I remember them.
unless MikeyB can beat me to it

[BIG DUNC]

The glass for a Mk1 MX5 does not look that curved.
www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/171
I am sure this could be made to fit...

[tomsugden]

I was thinking perhaps an Escort Cabrio screen. I think it is fairly flat, and I may find one in a car breakers. Failing that perhaps a golf mk1 cabrio....

[njhucker]

I have a Wedge with a plastic window, & a Taimar with a glass heated rear screen.
It takes me 5sec to wipe the rear window on the wedge with a chamois, and about 5 mins for the heated rear screen to be effective on the Taimar.Is the car dry inside, and the ventilation vent clear. If so it shouldn't mist up, once under way.
I'd stick with the plastic.

[wedg1e]

Slightly irrelevant, but I found that a polish with toothpaste took a lot of the milkiness out of my plastic screen...