What the best choice for my roof?

[cr33ch]

Hello,

My roof is torn quite badly on both sides... its that time of year now that duct tape isnt doing a fantastic job anymore... i dont know what my best choices are, replace/repair or bodge...

Heres what the worst side looks like (stole pic from previous owner)



im in the bristol area so if someone can recommend a good repair/replace person that would be great

Cheers
Alex

[Prof]

I\'d say that\'s a new roof needed.
 
The stock Mazda roof has what can only be described as a design flaw - the side pockets are joined by a weld in the vinyl, and are under strain whenever the roof is lowered - in a few short years the roof will almost always fail in this same spot - and then the split usually turns into a tear and travels horizontally around the back of the hood.
 
I payed £600 for a new vinyl roof from Mazda and had it fitted by a reputable hood fitter local to me - there was nothing wrong with the job -but the hood only lasted 4 years before the split started.
 
You can pick up good quality fabric hoods from the US for half that money - and they will last longer.  It may be worth trying to find one of the local fitters and ask if they have any cloth replacement roofs for the RX7, if not - EZ softops is the company Pete and myself used - £350 will get you a top quality German Cloth hood, and a fitter will charge around £250-£350 for the job of fitting it.
 
It seems a lot of money - but the water that gets in from a split roof will take your car

[cr33ch]

is there no kit out there that a DIY guy can tackle?

Anyone know someone in the bristol\\west country area that repairs\\replaces roofs?

[lee mills]

Hope this helps
:Thumbs-uphttp://www.europeantrimming.co.uk/mazda/rx7.php

[pdtaylor18]

I had mine made on the white FC and that still cost me the best part of £600 in mohair, the orange FC was a hood from EZ softops from USA and is a mohair equivelent and has been on the car for nearly two years with no sign at all of wear or fade;excellent roof. Cost was still about £500 to buy and have fitted. You can fit yourself though.
Not even worth trying to bodge, repair that one you have as Dave has already mentioned the forces acting on the roof when down are ridiculous with a vinyl roof, no repair will last, just use duct tape for now and especially as the roof will stay up for the winter.The fabric ones will give a bit more but can also be easily patched later on in its life.

[cr33ch]

How would fitting it myself go? i cant imagen its a bolt on item. but is it a case of you have to staple pull tight etc? anyone done a guide out there?

[johnf]

Oldish thread but...........................................

Has anyone bought and fitted a mohair roof from \'EZ softops\' if so how did the fitting go?

Are there any suppliers in the Uk

Thinking of just trying a local trimmer.

Mine has a couple of small rips, it\'s very tight and the mohair pops out os the rear window seal when lowered.

Thanks

[jaguarman22]

i need one as well

[Gabor]

Personally I haven\'t used this company yet however they are in Surrey/ Oxted and they can supply and also fit a new roof in mohair black. It is a bit on the expensive side though. http://www.europeantrimming.co.uk/mazda/rx7.php

[grimms]

I bought mine from there last year I got the stayfast canvas roof arrived no problem took me about a week to fit it myself only thing to remember is don\'t rush taking the old roof off the frame and the parts that hold the cloth to the frame are sided. Easy enough for someone who isn\'t scared to tackle it just don\'t rush the most awkward part I found was cutting the rear of the cloth and fitting the window back in ill take some pics of mine up this week.

[JohnC]

I\'m guessing this common tearing is due to the heavy roof that rests on top?

Would it not be better to take that part off and put it on the spare wheel cover, then bring the rest of the roof down?