There is a vertical white line on the top. What could be causing this.

 

Not much to go by with your description. Got an image?

 

A bird.

 

 

From the picture, it looks like the top is separating at the seam.

 

 

Just looked at the top on my car because I remembered there is a "pleat" somewhere on the back corner. But that fold or pleat is below the area that shows as white on yours. On my car that area is a seam, no white is visible. I agree with njaremka that the stitching there must have come out. Not sure why there is white showing though. I don't see any white on the inside or outside of my car's top.

 

Agree that looks like the seam in the top is coming apart. This picture is of my R59 top but the construction of yours is very similar in design ... note the seam <which is not sewn ... but heat sealed (glued)>

here's yours



I would not drop the top until I had this looked at by someone who knows rag tops .. that's probably NOT a dealer.

Dunno where you are but around me there are shops that specialize in convertible top repairs and replacements.

It may be possible to sew or glue the seam.

Replacement tops are readily available but they are $$ as cloth tops always cost more and that's b4 installation charges ....
https://www.topsonline.com/model/Con...r_S_(R52).html
<Robbins has a VERY GOOD reputation for replacement tops and Haartz Stayfast Cloth is the material used by most manufacturers with cloth tops.>

This source site also has a list of recommended installers that may help ....

##it happens ....

that's a R59 roadster with the window having come away from the top ...


<my top was replaced by the dealer under warranty ... they did NOT do a good job and I complained ... second try was better but not 'excellent' ..... stay away from a dealer for this kind of work unless you KNOW they will sub it out to an expert>

 

Going to see it Sunday. Maybe it will just be a mark on the picture.

 

I noticed no plates and suspected this was something you were looking at ... had I known that I might not have answered so 'completely'

On one had ... the car can at best be 2008? Meaning the top is 12+ years old and having been a rag top owner for a LONG time .... 12 years on a top is pretty good unless the car is a toy that's garaged and the top doesn't see much weather.

On the other hand, as I provided above, a new top is going to be in the neighborhood of $1000 so consider this when setting a price.

 

Thank you and yes, I am considering purchasing. I have not made it to the dealership yet as it is 4 hours away from me. The car is a 2008 with 87,000 miles on it. I found a top online that is 775 plus shipping so I have that figured into my bargaining.

Again, thank you for your reply. I am hoping it isn't a separation, but just a mark on the picture.

 

Cant they send a better picture? Remember, the cost of the installation will at least double your cost for the roof, but there are also DIY fixes. The problem is that while some can be re-glued, others just wont take. One suspects if it was fixable the dealer would have band-aided it before attempting to sell as thats more money in their pocket.

FWIW heres a DIY video I came across that as well as the rear window also shows the rear side seam. Remember, some of that is supposed to be a pocket, its not supposed to be solid all the way from top to bottom

Bottom line for me is that this particular car isnt unique so dont fall in love with having to have this particular one, there are plenty of others out there if you are patient.

 

Thanks. We actually do have a guy near me. If I purchase the car, it will go see him asap!

 

Agree with others being out there, but I've been looking for a bit and this is the closest I could find to what I want without having a million miles on it and 600 miles away. As it is, this one is 4 hours from me. Southwest Virginia isn't close to any mini dealerships.