Has any one had to replace their convertible top? I have an '05 XK8 and the top is beginning to show wear in the areas where it folds. I'm interested in whether anyone has used the dealer or a local company. Is the new top the same as the original, were you satisfied with the work and how much did it cost? Also wondering if I should wait until after the inevitible repair on the hydraulics.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Hello Edward, I am currently in discussions with the dealer over abnormal wear spots on the top of my '06. The estimate I got was $1619.80 for the cloth top, $782.80 for the headliner if you need it and $8,029.50!!!! for the mechanism if you need to replace it. They send out for installation and gave me an extimate of $950.

 

I'm pretty sure I can beat those prices. PM the colors.

 

I will probably be flagged by Jaguar forever for this postbut I have an invoice from a previous owner where they replaced the top on my 2002 XK8due to premature wear under the original warranty. The owner had several Jaguars over several years and had them serviced at one dealer. The car also had the driver's seat and seat back leather replaced under warranty which is a lot more understandable from a wear standpoint.

The message is that if you do long term business there is latitude in warranty service.

As far as the hydraulics are concerned, the top replacement will not be related, in any way, to the hose replacement. Based on mythree documentated failures on 2 cars yours will fail next year.

 

Mine has wear also, I know exactly what you are referring to. I can't believe it could actually get replaced under warranty...simply wow. I doubt I will worry about my top unless something worse happens to it than the 'rub' marks. It annoyed me a ton when 'i first got it.

 

while there are definite wear areas in the tops, I have yet to see any tearing, holes,leaksetc in tops going back to 1997 xk's and thats in the hot Tx sun with less that good maintenance(read that as None)

 

i do not have wear and tear to my top.. but im having the cloth replace.. it was black.. im replacing it with red... it cost me 1250... at a place call don's in memphis tn

 

Whatcha recommend for maintenance on these tops brutal? anything to prevent actual 'fray' areas?

lc, give us a pic when you get it finished, ok?

 

ok.. as soon i finish with it im ggonna send u pictures... its a mean combo...

 

My 97 has some fraying on one side of the rear window. I'm currently looking at options for repair rather than replacement of the top.

Anyone tried buying the top cloth and headliner sets sold on Ebay?

 

I would only have a reputable upholstery shop do the top if your ever gonna do it..maintenace is keeping it very clean as road grit that collects in the headliner when down and the folds accelerates the wear in these areas. See top care in the owners manual

 

After getting my 05 XKR from a private party last August, I noticed the slight chaffing just aft of the driver's side rear quarter window (for some reason this side is slightly more noticeable than the passenger's side). There is nothing really ripped or torn but it is just really cosmetic. I visited a local independent shop that sells and services Jaguars and the guy said this was very common on these cars and nothing to worry about. I believe that he said if and when the "canvas" needed to be replaced, it would be about $1,000 more or less. In the meantime, I have been using Raggtop by Wolfstein to help protect the fabric.

Doug

 

as a side note, we have an xkr in with a brand new top courtesy of his insurance after he drove offroad through a barbwire fence, missing 2 posts..food for thought

 

Hey Brutal,
From your posts I can see that Southeast Texas hasn't changed too much. I grew up a bit south of you in the Freeport/Lake Jackson area.
Thanks for the updates!
Regards,
Brian

 

Too funny....but he'll be likely be paying for the top in higher insurance premiums...