NA replacement softop

[ferg]

Hi Guys.
I recently did a re-skin of my NA softop using a UK product from Prestige Autotrim Products purchased via ebay. I was really impressed by the roof and it was (relatively) easy to fit with all holes lining up etc. The car then sat undercover, unused for 6 months until I pulled it out a few weeks back for an MX5 club run. The roof got folded open by mistake WITHOUT zipping open the rear window (does everyone ALWAYS unzip their window) and the rear window split and tore away from the welded edge seam. This was the FIRST and ONLY time the roof had been opened!

I tried to make a warranty claim from the manufacturer and have been told that because the window was not zipped open as per Mazda's recommendations, they would not take responsibility.

My defense is:
1/ Even if the window SHOULD be unzipped, my old roof was opened with the window left zipped MANY times as are many other owners I have witnessed - surely their product should be capable of one inadvertent misuse
2/ There is clear evidence (to my inexperienced eye) of a faulty welded joint and the joint has let go and the window torn from the edge of this fault - as such it is a faulty product.

My questions are:
1/ Does anyone else have any experience with this manufacturer?
2/ Does everyone zip open their roof before dropping it?
3/ Am I an over expecter or are they (the manufacturer) and underachiever?

I tried to load a photo for reference but not sure if it worked or not!!

Would appreciate your thoughts/comments.

[93_Clubman]

Only forumite I'm aware of to have an issue with them was wun911. They also have an outlet in Bentleigh East Vic, so may be approach them & see if they are prepared to listen: http://www.prestigetops.com.au/

Even the original Mazda soft-tops can suffer from cracked perspex if the window is not unzipped when lowering the top, if the temperature is low & the roof is about 10 years old. Happened to my '89 NA6 during the '98 Canberra Winter.

[bruce]

50/50 I think (more in the way of the manufacturer).
As you did the install, I think it's on you. This is because there's no warranty as you did the work (warranty ends when you touch it).

[Mr Morlock]

your problem essentially seems to be the window i.e. the material has split and that may be so because it was cold and brittle. If its brittle that can have a lot to do with the quality of the window- plastics are not all the same. It does not look to me like a weld fault. By all means go the distributor or to a trimmer for an opinion on what caused (a trimmer will tell you but not get involved)Time 6 months and you will probably struggle.Also what is their condition for warranty- i.e. return the product to them at your expense? PS if \you did not open the roof as instructed you have another problem.

[khlmx5]

So is it not worth to get a new softtop ? I just bought a na6 and need a replacment unless i stick to my hard top

[Mr Morlock]

-this is choice thing. Personally I would not be without a soft top. I don't think there is any substitute for driving a sports car top down and if a it a bit cold or bucketing down you need it fir parking or travelling. The heater and maybe air and demisters work a treat . The MX5 has a great little hard top and if I had one I would keep it but probably never use it. Ultimately if you want a coupe there are plenty of brilliant coupes about but its not the same as open air driving.

[khlmx5]

Does the wiring and other bit and pieces of demister come with the softop? Or need to buy separately

[ferg]

no, it's the soft rear window not the glass so no demister. They do a glass rear window as well but it's twice the price and I imaging transport would be significantly more