olivier_wery
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2005
- Messages
- 41
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- Age
- 53
- Location
- London
- Your Mercedes
- R129 SL280 N reg 58k miles
Hi all, here we go again...
There has been many threads on the subject so far, but I'll add my two pennies...
I drive an R129 SL280 1996, that has cracked and yellowed soft top windows... So much so that I currently would not dare using the car with soft top on... Winter's coming so no biggie, but getting ready for the spring refit...
Re the very long thread that was posted a while ago, the final opinion was that when it comes to genuine Merc quality soft top replacement, KHM in Stuttgart (http://www.cabrio.de/Englisch/navi.htm) seems the only outfit that not only replaces soft top, but uses quality 1.5mm thick plastic. Now... I don't really feel like going down to Stuttgart, so I thought i'd give them a quick call, see if they have any shop they recommend closer to the british isles... And indeed they do:
1. Adridge Trimming (http://www.aldridge.co.uk/index.cfm) in wolverhampton
2. southbound motor trimmers, stockbridge (01264 810 080)
3. T&D, Maghera, Belfast (website not responding, don't know if still in business)
These 3 outfits DO NOT replace windows, they just order KHM rear part of the soft top, which is what is recommended.
It is obviously more expensive than windows only... but KHM assured me that they were no way that you could refit windows properly to an existing original Merc hood, with the correct material in the correct thickness...
KHM has quoted me €490 for the hood, and around €500 + german VAT for fitting, so around €1100, with a wait of around 1 month in winter, and 6 weeks to 2 months in spring and summer...
They are official refitters for the official Merc museum in stuttgart too...
So three questions for you, ladies and gents:
1. Have you used KHM? How good is their work?
2. Have you used Aldridge Trimming or Southbound Motor Trimmers?
3. Have you been happy with a windows only replacement, did the plastic windows last, can you recommend a fitter?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Olivier
There has been many threads on the subject so far, but I'll add my two pennies...
I drive an R129 SL280 1996, that has cracked and yellowed soft top windows... So much so that I currently would not dare using the car with soft top on... Winter's coming so no biggie, but getting ready for the spring refit...
Re the very long thread that was posted a while ago, the final opinion was that when it comes to genuine Merc quality soft top replacement, KHM in Stuttgart (http://www.cabrio.de/Englisch/navi.htm) seems the only outfit that not only replaces soft top, but uses quality 1.5mm thick plastic. Now... I don't really feel like going down to Stuttgart, so I thought i'd give them a quick call, see if they have any shop they recommend closer to the british isles... And indeed they do:
1. Adridge Trimming (http://www.aldridge.co.uk/index.cfm) in wolverhampton
2. southbound motor trimmers, stockbridge (01264 810 080)
3. T&D, Maghera, Belfast (website not responding, don't know if still in business)
These 3 outfits DO NOT replace windows, they just order KHM rear part of the soft top, which is what is recommended.
It is obviously more expensive than windows only... but KHM assured me that they were no way that you could refit windows properly to an existing original Merc hood, with the correct material in the correct thickness...
KHM has quoted me €490 for the hood, and around €500 + german VAT for fitting, so around €1100, with a wait of around 1 month in winter, and 6 weeks to 2 months in spring and summer...
They are official refitters for the official Merc museum in stuttgart too...
So three questions for you, ladies and gents:
1. Have you used KHM? How good is their work?
2. Have you used Aldridge Trimming or Southbound Motor Trimmers?
3. Have you been happy with a windows only replacement, did the plastic windows last, can you recommend a fitter?
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Olivier