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MG MGF Technical - Hardtop Security

I'm on the lookout for a secondhand hardtop for my F but after talking to a few people I'm a bit concerned about the theft risk.

How secure are they? Is there any other kit I can get to make it more secure?
Mark Coles

Mark,
I got one with my car. I just tried fitting it today. It mad a huge difference. As was pointed out to me today on the <rear screen> thread, much lighter inside, quieter, dryer, warmer and safer

Security? It's held on using four points, the front two clips (same as soft top) and then two clamp/clips at the rear. I think if someone wants it, they will have to break a window and if their prepared to do that, then without glueing it on, I doubt you would stop them.

Richard
Richard

Last winter there was a spate of hardtop thefts reported - as Richard says, if they want it they'll have it.

I'm sure you could do something with clamps or grub screws on the clips to make it a bit more secure but at a risk of further damage to the car when they take it.

Swings & roundabouts.
JohnP

JohnP,
was the spate of thefts across the country or localised?
Richard
Richard

believe Midlands but look in archive
JohnP

Thanks guys..

Just read the archives about HT thefts. Not going to sleep now :-(

Richard
Richard

ever considered glass-etching?

paul weatherill

>ever considered glass-etching?

I suppose it serves as a slight deterrent but really I was wondering if there were any products out their that physically secured the lid (and also came with a nice warning sticker informing Mr Thief-Scum of my inpenetrable security device, just so he didn't waste his time popping out my window).

Glad to see no one suggested a garage though :)
Mark Coles

Hi Ive had my F for nearly two weeks now. I was looking at getting a hard top for the winter, more than anything to keep the local cats off my soft top. Does anyone know the average cost of a hard top?
Mandy

Mandy

Used hard tops go from about £500 upwards.

New from MGR about £950, more if colour matched.

You could speak to Victoria at MGF Centre as I understand she was doing some good deals on hard tops recently http://mgfcentre.co.uk Wolverhampton 01902 403045
JohnP

Thanks for that John

Mand
Mand

Mand I've just bought an MGF and wanted a hardtop for Winter but the guys on here talked me out of it. They said its not all that apart from being more rigid and quiter but they seem to think that they are not a neccessity! Also the theft thing was mentioned quite abit.
Must be a girl thing eh!!
Dolly
Dolly D

Mandy

That should have been http://www.mgfcentre.com not co.uk

I've got their mouse mat and still got it wrong!
JohnP

>>I think if someone wants it, they will have to break a window and if their prepared to do that, then without glueing it on, I doubt you would stop them.

I had mine nicked about this time last year, and believe me its easy! No windows needs to be broke, and yes if they want it they will take it!

I wont say how they do it but I will never buy another. Yes it was great while it lasted but they are so simple to take its not worth the hassle imo.
Chris

>and believe me its easy!

Note:
in this case

Easy != painless (for you or the car)
Will Munns

Thought they had to put in the window to get it though? Was thinking of putting my hard-top back on this year, but doubt if I'll bother now. Might be better just selling it and putting it towards a new soft-top in a few years.

I also thought about getting the rear glass window etched, basically as I thought it might put someone off nicking it as it's slightly more tracable then. If someone's after a quick buck they're less likely to want to replace the rear screen before selling on.
Leigh

Guys - Last year I added a quick and nasty bodge to the h/top clips, just to slow down any toe rags who had their eye on it.

The two clips/catches at front - I put a couple of real chunky circlips round them, done up nice and tight.

At the rear - with the top on and clipped down, I drilled a hole right thru the clips (I seem to recall an existing hole in the h/top side of the clip which just needed drilling thru - take a look, you'll see what I mean) Then it's a simple matter of a 4mm bolts all the way thru. The clip/catch can't then be undone or pulled off very easily.

Aint pretty - but does the job. Not foolproof but tips the balance in my favour. And hopefully, with the alarm going off, they won't want to hang around undoing bolts etc..

Pete
P Gill

Call me paranoid .. but I always park up overnight with the hardtop on ( not used everyday ) I take the top off when I go out
( builds up your shoulders )

The bolt through the side/rear clips is a good plan, I'll be doing that later.

For the front clips, i'm thinking of drilling into the casting just above the 'release button' and putting in a self tapping torx screw or bolt. If you can't press the release down ~ the clip will be locked on.


Feel free to pick holes in this idea...

Grahame
Grahame

>>Chris
>>I think if someone wants it, they will have to break a window and if their prepared to do that, then without glueing it on, I doubt you would stop them.

I had mine nicked about this time last year, and believe me its easy! No windows needs to be broke, and yes if they want it they will take it!

I wont say how they do it but I will never buy another. Yes it was great while it lasted but they are so simple to take its not worth the hassle imo. <<


Im not sure if this is the chris I know but if it is I will concur with him as I know how it was done (He is a work collegue! if this is the right chris) However in defence of this it was parked on the road and not on his drive.

I would imagine though that the people who knicked it new what they where doing. When u think about it, it was quite simple.

Chris Glen

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2003 and 14/10/2003

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