Does Nilsson replace the convertible top for a 2008
Asked by Caddy_2415 Feb 09, 2017 at 12:31 AM about the 2008 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Roadster
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
3 Answers
I would have an upholstery shop do the job. A dealer would just farm it out.
I did some research on ready-made top replacement manufacturers, and what I learned is that there are 2 choices on material: Twill Weave Vinyl or Haartz Stayfast Canvas. If you live in an area w/ lots of rain and not so hot temperatures, the vinyl will be a better choice, especially if you are on a budget. For colder climates w/ extreme hot summers, the canvas is a better choice, as it doesn't shrink as much & it handles better the cold/hot weather. It actually looks better than the vinyl. Regardless of your choice, if you take good care of the top & clean & condition it on schedule, you can get 5-7 years out of one. I live in Denver, CO so, that is why I got the top of the line canvas & paid $3,800, installed by a reputable specialized shop. I watched many DIY videos & also learned that if you don't have experience, a lot can go wrong, from water seeping in, to the top reaping off the structure, while driving at high speed (topped at 160 mph :-)
I forgot to mention that the Nissan Dealer wanted $5,800 to replace the top, but would have had to shed an additional $750 the replace the hydraulics if I wanted to have the warranty...