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MG MGF Technical - Replacement Soft Top

Hi guys,

I did a very silly thing over christmas. I put my roof down when it was still partially frozen, the rear screen didn't survive :(

Anyway, now I've finished paying for christmas (and associated speeding fines from visting rellies around the country) I thought it was about time I got it repaired.

I've seen screens advertised between £90 unfitted -> £125 fitted, however I can get a whole new hood at http://www.prestigeautotrim.com for just over 300 notes inc rear screen. Seeing that I also have a small 2cm tear in my roof above my drivers door this seems like a good deal.

Has anyone fitted a roof before, how easy/hard is it?

Any fitting guides anywhere?

I assume there are places willing to fit this for me, any idea how much fittings likely to cost?

Thanks

Ross
Ross

Ross

Assuming that the hood comes complete with frame then fitting is a doddle.

- undo the t-bar (interior trim running across the car behind your head) to get at hood bolts

- undo 4 bolts

- remove hood complete with frame

- fit new hood

- re do the t-bar.

It is not necessary to remove the t-bar, just undo the screws at each side and along the top so that it can be pulled forward a bit.

Fittings are fir trees not normal screws.

If hood is without frame then there are loads of rivets to remove/replace. I've not done that route myself and probably wouldn't bother.

Where in the country are you?
JohnP

Ross, maybe you should go for the new MS hood, the 1 with the glass rear screen.

This would be my choice.

Johan
Johan Slagter

Replacing the hood and frame together is child's play - and I think that John has covered it perfectly. Some pix of the operation can also be found here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/mgf_hood.htm
Rob Bell

John, Im in the south east.

MS hood looks good but at £775+vat (inc fitting) it's getting a bit more than I can justify at the moment, I may just have to fall back to the original plan of just replacing the rear screen.

Mine's a 96 F and I'm reluctant to spend out for the MS hood as I'm hoping to upgrade to a newer trophy in about 6 months.

Does MS only do the glass screen with his hood or can it fit into an existing hood? Does anyone else do one?
Ross

Ross, Mike does do a glass screen that will fit to a standard hood. However, unlike the hood that was designed from the outset with the glass rear screen, with this 'retro fit' you have to un-zip the glass rear screen before lowering the hood. If you are prepared to make that concession (and many people unzip the plastic rear screen before lowering the hood anyway), then the glass rear screen could be the way to go (especially as it has heated elements that will plug into your car's existing rear demister wiring!)

A plastic window replacement would, however, be a lot cheaper (and isn't too difficult to fit). I suspect that the MGF Centre could be a good source of these...
Rob Bell

Ross
also contact http://www.softtopwindows.com in Croydon .
JohnP

Taken from another BBS:

>>Car Hoods Northern Limited. Based in Knutsford, Cheshire, they can supply and fit either OE MGF Hoods (plastic window) for £675.00, or the new hood complete with heated rear GLASS window and revised webbing straps for £695.00.<<
David Clelland

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2004 and 26/01/2004

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