Soft Top Advice ...

[Ikemi]

I have asked a similar question to this very recently and thanks to SWorks for the advice However I need some quick opinions, especially now the bad weather has returned!

My soft top roof has seen better days - The plastic that runs at the front of the roof has split in 3 places, two of which are next to the seams that run down towards the back of the car and the other is in the middle. The stitching on the driver's side has come out, exposing a large hole approximately 3-4cm in length. The stitching on the passenger side and centre is starting to come away, mostly due to the fact that the plastic underneath is broken and is pulling on the threads when I take the roof on or off ...

I've been told that I can send the roof to Lotus to be repaired - This will take 2-4 weeks to do, which isn't an option! To have the stitching repaired on the driver's side only will be about £35-45 to do.

SO!

Is it worth me following up a few trimmer/professional canvas places to have the soft top repaired or will the broken plastic underneath just cause the stitching to come undone again in the near future?

OR

I have the chance to purchase a soft top that has recently been refurbished by Lotus for £250 - It has new stitching and the plastic running across the front is not broken at all!

I don't want to waste £250 if it really isn't needed - There are other modifications I could spend the money on instead However if it means I'm going to get a roof that will last longer it makes sense to spend the extra now. What do you think?

Thanks! Oh, I promise not to ask anymore questions after this for a fair few months!

[S Works]

Buy roof to use as interim while you send yours to Lotus for fix, then sell roof on at price you bought it for. Sorted.

[Ikemi]

Again, cheers S-Works ... I owe you a beer or four for your help over the past few months!

I've sourced a temporary replacement soft top that has recently been refurbished by Lotus, which I'll be picking up tomorrow. Then I'll be sending my soft top away on Monday to be refurbished too ... So if anyone is on the look out for a S1 soft top with new stitching, elastic and plastic strip, I'll have one for sale very soon!

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 17th August 12:32

[Altrezia]

what colour. i could be tempted.

[Ikemi]

It's black ... I'll most likely be selling it in 2-4 weeks time depending on how quickly Lotus refurb my roof!

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 17th August 13:36

[kevin ritson]

Probably a bit late now but the alternative could be borrowing a hard top - most people have them sitting in the shed in the summer and would probably lend it for a pint

[Chris49]

Can I ask how much it was to have the roof refurbed? Did you do it through a dealer or go to Lotus direct?

[Ikemi]

Chris49 said:

Can I ask how much it was to have the roof refurbed? Did you do it through a dealer or go to Lotus direct?

Ah well ... I called Lotus regarding this and was told that a full refurb is £78.88, although the roof has to be sent to them via a dealership, not from yourself. So on top of the £78 will be another £25 charged by the dealership for courier costs. Not all bad for new stitching, new plastic strip and elastic. I'd rather have sent the roof myself with Parcel2Go - Would've cost about £6-10!