MR2 T-bar roof....worth the trouble?
Discussion
Hi guys, i posted this on MR2DC but there are plenty of Mister Two fans here as well, so ill throw it up again.
Im talking to an importer at the moment about getting a top-grade Rev3+ MR2 GT from Japan.
One thing that I am unsure about is the T-bar option.
now i LOVE open top motoring. its the way driving is meant to be (in good weather at least...) but i hear of a lot of T-bar problems, and reading the MR2 forums corroborates this!
so basically my question is "is the T-bar worth it?", which can be broken down into:
-Do they ALL leak? Mine will be street parked in the UK, so rain is a given. If i take it to a specialist can i get the seal checked on purchase, and have "preventative" work done before any problems?
-Does the T-bar make the car easier to steal? can it be levered off if street parked in London?
-Can the T-top panels be stored in the boot when you are driving? Do they take up all the room, or can you fit a small bag (laptop etc) in there as well?
thanks
Im talking to an importer at the moment about getting a top-grade Rev3+ MR2 GT from Japan.
One thing that I am unsure about is the T-bar option.
now i LOVE open top motoring. its the way driving is meant to be (in good weather at least...) but i hear of a lot of T-bar problems, and reading the MR2 forums corroborates this!
so basically my question is "is the T-bar worth it?", which can be broken down into:
-Do they ALL leak? Mine will be street parked in the UK, so rain is a given. If i take it to a specialist can i get the seal checked on purchase, and have "preventative" work done before any problems?
-Does the T-bar make the car easier to steal? can it be levered off if street parked in London?
-Can the T-top panels be stored in the boot when you are driving? Do they take up all the room, or can you fit a small bag (laptop etc) in there as well?
thanks
They don't ALL leak. A lot do, it'll be luck of the draw to some extent. Most expensive (and effective) way to fix it is to replace the roof seals, costs £200 - 250 odd and a bit of time to do it. Did one a few weeks ago, it wasn't that hard to do
Can't see how it'd make the car easier to steal, they're pretty secure when in place.
The glass panels are stored behind the seats when they're out, so they don't take up any boot space.
Can't see how it'd make the car easier to steal, they're pretty secure when in place.
The glass panels are stored behind the seats when they're out, so they don't take up any boot space.
Top Trump said:
Tintop all the way. Proper roof, no hassles, stiffer, more secure and better looking. The MR2T looks sleeker without the T bar.
However, if the car is a good un then go for it.
However, if the car is a good un then go for it.
you see im 100% with you but LOOK OUTSIDE!
wouldnt you want some open top motoring in this weather!?
True but you only ever get a few weeks of good weather. For the rest of the time, for me anyway, I'd rather have a tintop for the reasons above.
As I said though, if the car is really nice then it's no big deal - it's a fairly minor consideration really. Lots of people have them and love them.
As I said though, if the car is really nice then it's no big deal - it's a fairly minor consideration really. Lots of people have them and love them.
I'm slightly biased as one of the reasons I bought an MR2 was because the roof could come off.
Mine did leak but I have managed to fix it by adjusting the window a little bit. As said before the glass panels clip in behind the seats.
It really depends on whether you really enjoy open top motoring. I take my panels out anytime its not raining and put the heater on full if it needs it.
IMO its worth the slight loss in ridgity for the experience but you may not feel the same, I wouldn't let the issue of security or storage change your decision though.
Mine did leak but I have managed to fix it by adjusting the window a little bit. As said before the glass panels clip in behind the seats.
It really depends on whether you really enjoy open top motoring. I take my panels out anytime its not raining and put the heater on full if it needs it.
IMO its worth the slight loss in ridgity for the experience but you may not feel the same, I wouldn't let the issue of security or storage change your decision though.
Edited by num2uk on Friday 13th April 17:24
Hello!
i had a t-top MR2 Turbo and like many mine also leaked quite badly. i fixed mine using Eccentric Rod Guides
what this basically does is slightly re-aline the clamps so that there is a a much tighter seal around the rubber. the best bit? they only cost a couple of £ each!
here is what i did:
1 take seals off, give them a good clean in sone warm water
2 dry and re-attached the seals, (make sure you clean the area where the seals go one)
3 spray on some some rubber rejuvinater, available from halfords and the like
4 attach the rod guide as shown in the link above
Job done, after i did that not one drop came into the cabin. total costs wher about £10
let me know if you need any more help.
Umar
i had a t-top MR2 Turbo and like many mine also leaked quite badly. i fixed mine using Eccentric Rod Guides
what this basically does is slightly re-aline the clamps so that there is a a much tighter seal around the rubber. the best bit? they only cost a couple of £ each!
here is what i did:
1 take seals off, give them a good clean in sone warm water
2 dry and re-attached the seals, (make sure you clean the area where the seals go one)
3 spray on some some rubber rejuvinater, available from halfords and the like
4 attach the rod guide as shown in the link above
Job done, after i did that not one drop came into the cabin. total costs wher about £10
let me know if you need any more help.
Umar
My uk Gti rev 2 leaked but i just used some silicon until i had the seals changed and they were fine after that. The panels store behind the seats so they don't take up any room in the boot.
The boot is a decent size carried my golfs clubs easily as well as my over night bag too. Open top all the way!!!!
The boot is a decent size carried my golfs clubs easily as well as my over night bag too. Open top all the way!!!!
Def go for the T-Bar is worth it on a day like today! As regards to leaks plenty of simple fixes if you do find it leaks, these can be found on mr2oc and imoc. When the glass panels are fitted it might aswell be a tin-top with regards to noise and comfort, and sun shades can be fitted.
The panels are very secure when fitted and to be honest if anyone wanted to break into the car they would just break the window, hell off alot easier.
The panels are very secure when fitted and to be honest if anyone wanted to break into the car they would just break the window, hell off alot easier.
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