On other threads I have mentioned that on my '07 the top is "OK" but I need to use a screwdriver as leverage to open the linkage on the passenger side...once pried open, it works fine. But looking at my top, it probably could also be replaced...it is 14 years old or so and has some weak spots, and driving on the highway it sounds like I am in a wind tunnel.

The one quote I got from a local convertible top shop was $1200 just to repair/replace the linkages (yikes), but what would be the total cost of replacing the top and linkages? I could get this info by calling other local shops (surprisingly NorCal doesn't seem to have a lot of convertible top repair shops) but wanted to see if anyone here has done it for their R52, just for context. Thanks.

 

Ha, no replies, but I have a service appointment at another Bay Area shop on Monday, and will find out the damage. Will keep you all apprised.

 

Topsonline.com

 

Thanks...roger that, plus the cost of linkage/cables...it is the labor cost that is big $$$. Will find out when I get next quote.

 

Have you considered buying the whole top as a used item? Probably less labor, possibly even a DIY job, to un bolt remove and replace the entire roof, and cheaper to buy too. Depends where you are and how comfortable you feel with your DIY skills, but last week there was an entire roof (green) on ebay for about $800 including shipping, probably others out there too
Its a bit of a gamble on condition, but its a significant potential saving.

None of these tops have significant extra layers for sound deadening, noise at highway speed is to be expected. Have you been in another one for comparison that was significantly quieter?

 

Good suggestion about a used top. No, I haven't been in another car on the highway for comparison. All the noise in mine seems to come from front left corner.

 

I'm potentially in the same boat as you but mine is an '05. I was quoted a similar price last summer when mine would only retract to sunroof mode. Unfortunately I replaced my battery last spring, along with a rear window regulator and now all of a sudden, the top doesn't work AT ALL. At this point, it probably costs more than the car is worth.

 

Yeah, any big repair now is that level...probably not worthwhile economically. But the repair cost is less than even the sales tax (Calif) on a new car, so sometimes it is worth it. This is just a fun, drive-around car for me, so I will probably spend the $$ to keep it in shape.

 

Had called MINI of Portland (OR) regarding top replacement for my 2005 R52. Part $2490.15. Labor $1000. So now I am watching the one video on YouTube to determine if I can get the top and do the work.

 

Your issues could potentially be a bad FWM from the battery change. This seems to be common issue with the Mini. Search FWM on here and you will get a ton of hits.

 

I had my cables done last year. No indy shop I called in my area would touch it. I had to go to a dealership. They waned $4k. That wasn't even a new top, just cables, cartridge, latches and labor. My top has wear spots, but it's structurally sound. I don't care how it looks, I just want it to work - go up, go down, not leak. They did not want to do just the cables - which I was pretty sure was the issue (as is common on R52). I fought with them for a bit and they finally agreed to do it. They quoted $1500 parts and labor cables and latches only. They ended up having serious problems with it. A job that was supposed to take a couple days ended up being around 10, as they had to assemble, disassemble, reassemble at least once if not more than once. At the end of the day it works fine - but its still the old canvas. I go back and forth on whether it was worth it, but if you can't DIY what choice do you have? A convertible top that doesn't work destroys the value of the car. I'm usually pretty cheap, and try to keep maintenance to a minimum so I don't go underwater when I go to sell. But some cars like this one it's very difficult. I decided to do it because I'm gonna keep the car a couple more years.... Good luck!

 

Long shot but I just bought one that did the same thing. This just happened one day according the owner. I managed to get this one going by releasing the top at rear using the latches in the boot. Once I released and lifted the rear section, made sure the luggage cover was in the proper position and connecting with the switches. I re-latched the top went in the car and bingo back in business. With this one I could hear the hydraulic pump start up for a second or 2 then quit.

 

So, I am now $1600 poorer, but I have a top that works! So, the problem with my top wasn't the latch mechanism or the cables...it was another part with a plastic piece at the end that broke. The convertible shop had my car for a week trying everything to fix it, ruling out both cables and latch, and then found the necessary part at a salvage yard somewhere near Sacramento.

I will post a picture later of that part and the schematic that shows it. But while at the convertible shop, they said my top was in decent shape and didn't recommend replacing it (even at 13 years old) and just adjusted a few things here and there. Re the $1600, it was $700 for the part (salvage rip off plus repair shop markup) and $800 for the labor, plus tax. Anyway, nice to have a top that works as advertised, and on drive home from shop the car was a bit quieter, as they adjusted everything so it fit better.

Now I can enjoy my car, until the next small thing breaks!

 

I lived in the Bay Area for a bit

and for this reason am not totally surprised by your experience ...

but DAMN $1600 for a REPAIR??????

outside of the Bay Area ...outside of Cali' in general ...... $1600 will probably get you a new top .... installed!!!!!

<not from the dealer>

 

$1600 for an entire new top installed? I find that hard to believe. I live in the Philly burbs and the quote I got was $4k all in. If you got a shop that will do parts and labor an entire top, post up the name of the shop, it would almost be worth it for some people to drive/ship their car there and then back.

 

excerpts from a facebook discussion / after action report of someone who followed suggestions and went to a professional top shop to get a 'fallen rear window' fixed on a MINI:

back from the top shop, and it was well worth the $300.00 it cost to have it professionally done.

Bernie's Auto Upholstery and Convertible Tops is where this minor miracle was performed, and I recommend them highly.

My window had been almost completely detached, except where about 8 inches of glass was still holding on well to the fabric.

If I end up needing a new top down the road sometime, I'm heading there, he said top and install would be about $1200.00 to $1400.00.