BikerDrew

I would forget about the plastic window and see if you can change the whole top w/ the glass window, I believe 2002 or 2003 model.

I'm surprised that insurance covers that because most car wash places have a sign not to use the car wash if it's convertible but if its hand washed then it's the workers. Hatin'!

I've seen top w/glass going for around 500 to 600 and the plastic ones for around 400.

Well, good luck!

Last year My vandalized 2002 needed a new top. I chose to go glass. The Robbins top made to fit my 2002 frame with re-used headliner, worked great. I paid the $60 (really...only $60) difference between a plastic window top and the glass top. I am very happy I did the upgrade. My insurance company cut me and the shop a joint check and I paid the difference. Robbins maks high quality tops. Here in the Northwest, we see tons of rain. No leaks, no issues and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

Actually, I kind of like the smaller rear picture. It "fits" the rear view mirror better and I get MUCH LESS headlight glare at night from those following me. The car is darker in side all the time. With a black on black color combo, the car is dark inside anyway.

With two side mirrors and my experience riding motorcycles, I stay very aware of my side traffic, so blind spots really are not a problem.

The car looks like someone stuck a speedster top on it, which is cool with me. It is about two thirds the size of the original plastic OEM window. Which I say...good riddance!

I purchased the Stayfast cloth material for my 2002 rather than the more expensive version Robbins offers... example: Haartz® GmbH German Cloth Toppings Sonnenland® A5 and A5S (Singed) German Cloth. Which is finished on both sides.

This was because the inside look of the cloth was unimportant since I have a headliner, unlike the earlier models. The exterior looks OEM (or darn close), and sheds water like a duck.

A car stereo store owner in town has an 2003 S, black, with a grey top. When the weather is nice I plan to get picks of our cars side by side for comparison. (FYI, I'll pick his brain about getting good bass in the car as well when he gets his car set up the way he likes it). I told him about Renntech.org. He may already have joined.

It's been a while, are pictures still coming?

Patiently waiting......

Heree you go. Sorry for the wait!

OK; I got my car back with the new Robbins top and it looks great :lol: (I know , pictures...they are coming.).

The installer steamed my top to remove minor wrinkles (I watched him do this) and told me to leave it up for a month and bring it back for a re-steam job. For now it creeks a little and you can bounce a dime on it. I was cautioned not to use the top for that first month if I want it to last. Seems he may be overly cautious, but, it is cold here in Southwestern Washington State and most of the time the top will be 30-45 degrees F for the foreseeable future. I am in no hurry to use this top this time of year. The first day I drove it to work it rained like hell and can report no top leaks or door glass leaks either. Something I can't say about the MB SLK I just sold!

I was given a cable to plug in the rear defogger/defroster, but still can't find where to plug it into the harness. Any help here will me most helpful guys. Thanks!

Drew:

Here is where it plugs in (just pull up the little cover):

Regards, Maurice.

Thanks for the photo Maurice! :cheers:

I NEVER use steam on these tops. He should take the top apart and re stretch it.!!!!!!!!

I get your point and thanks for the concern. :clapping:

The top fit perfectly and was without any puckers or mis-shaped areas or wrinkles. The installer has been doing this for thirty years. That's why HE was selected. He was steaming it to warm it up since it was 40 when I took it home. He stated that steam would even out the tension so the top could relax a bit before I stressed it by driving the car. Maybe mumbo-jumbo, but so far it looks as a new top should. I know, pics...

OK; I got my car back with the new Robbins top and it looks great :lol: (I know , pictures...they are coming.).

The installer steamed my top to remove minor wrinkles (I watched him do this) and told me to leave it up for a month and bring it back for a re-steam job. For now it creeks a little and you can bounce a dime on it. I was cautioned not to use the top for that first month if I want it to last. Seems he may be overly cautious, but, it is cold here in Southwestern Washington State and most of the time the top will be 30-45 degrees F for the foreseeable future. I am in no hurry to use this top this time of year. The first day I drove it to work it rained like hell and can report no top leaks or door glass leaks either. Something I can't say about the MB SLK I just sold!

I was given a cable to plug in the rear defogger/defroster, but still can't find where to plug it into the harness. Any help here will me most helpful guys. Thanks!

The Robbins top alone is nearly $1100.

I am getting the Robbins top next week to replace a vandalism damaged top for my 2002 S. I will post pics after the install. FYI accessing the engine requires a service support strap with the heavy glass window. A new strap is supposed to come with mine. Also, a defroster cable is also to be included. Labor (9 hours) and materials, including re using my headliner...about $1900. :P

My only questions to all those who have done this job is: Does it leak? How did you seal the window to the canvas? Thanks for the reply in advance. :P