Cost to replace a 348 Spyder Top???

anyone have any idea what it would cost to replce a top on a 348 Spyder? Is this a dealer item or ?????

Thanks

 

http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#ConvertibleTop

The cost will depend on whether you need the metal supports, hinges, shocks, fasteners, et al...or if you just need the new cloth covering material.

 

Around $1000 for the top seems pretty reasonable to me. I remember my dad spending $4k in 1986 for a new top on a Mercedes 560 SL.
BT

 

Ah, but the whole Ferrari 348 OEM convertible top (supports, shocks, hinges, etc.) is $16,000.

The cloth cover, if purchased aftermarket, is only $900 to $950 if you know what you are doing.

So if you know about the 348 Primer, then you can replace your 348 top yourself for less than a grand. If you just take it to a Ferrari dealership and opt for a full replacement, then parts alone are more than $16,000: http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partsListing.asp?M=1&Mo=559&A=2&B=30695&S=&ID4=1264934

Click on the link for an eye opener!

 

Just need the cloth. there is a 5 inch tear/rip. Is the aftermarket top identical to OEM??? $1000 for the cloth seems great.. the boot is $1600 so i figured the top would be crazy expensive.

 

The aftermarket German canvas ($1,017) is supposed to be a better material than OEM, while the Sonnendeck cloth is supposed to be about the same quality as OEM ($892). The rear window won't come with a Ferrari Cavilino prancing horse in either case, though.

You may still be able to request blue or black aftermarket cloth, both of which were Ferrari factory options originally.

Pause

...for a bit of contrast, you're looking at $25,000 for the whole 355 top ( http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partsListing.asp?M=1&Mo=522&A=2&B=29227&S=&ID4=1204023 ) if you go OEM!

 

Horse on the rear window..never seen that on any of them I've looked at..????

 

It's etched in the plastic. Here is a picture of mine. You can find it in the lower right corner of the plastic rear window.

There are threads on Fchat and links on Google for how to forge these etchings...simply because some dishonest people **really** want to have the OEM originality without paying the OEM price.
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great tid bit to know...everyone claims their tops are original but I had my doubts with a couple...now I'll know

You are the 348 GURU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

When I replaced the top on my old VW Rabbit I did not cut in the factory glass rear window for about 6 months. Although the car was slow I felt like Batman sometimes driving it.
BT

 

Good thread - I would have thought the tops were much more expensive (fabric only). Thanks for the information.

 

Couple more questions... anyone know what a dealer or shop would charge to put the cloth on, just the cost of labor if I bought the top. Or is it a fairly simple do it your self?

 

I just happened to call a dealer this morning and was quoted $12,100 retail for a complete top. The person who works on the tops locally said that the German replacement top comes in blue or black.

 

anyone know if replacing the top is a do it your self type job?

 

That depends on your skill level. Here is a pictorial of replacing an old Detroit muscle car's convertible top: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/howto/155_0310_top_how_to_replace/

and here are the instructions for replacing a Mercedes SL convertible top: http://www.worlduph.com/mbtopinstall.htm

A 348 top is perhaps somewhere in between the two, though I haven't done it.

 

Replacing the top on the old VW rabbit convertible was pretty easy and took about a day to make watertight. 6 months later it took about three hours to install the glass window.

BT

 

Hi Ben, we could probably help you with that. PM me if interested.

 

Brother, I dont think you want to do that kinda job. Replacing a convertible top is serious stuff. I used to work for a Cadillac dealer and I can tell you first hand that the Allante tops were a NIGHT MARE, and we had to do a bunch of them. The bows, the cloth. You DONT want to mess with that set up. Leave it to someone with experience. Remember, we arent talking Cavalier or Sunbird tops--This is Pininfarina, like the Allante. Not necessarily a dealership, but someone with years of hands on experience. Maybe a reputable upholstery shop?