anybody replace their convertible top on S5?

[wakesurfin]

back window has come unglued from the top and there is spots that are threadbare. I'd like to replace the top but the OEM is waaaay expensive.... does anyone know of someplace to buy the top aftermarket?

[B8 S FOR]

Why don't you just have it repaired? 2010 and you are having issues already ? ? ? ? ? ? I would talk to my dealer first.

[Gurltech]

I have a 2011 S5 Convertible just spent the weekend re-gluing the back window.

Originally I took the car to a convertible top repair place, he took a look at it and said I had to replace the top only they don't make aftermarket tops from Germany
like they do for the 2008 and older.

I was quoted 8k from the dealer.

Went online and researched discovered not when but eventually ALL glass windowed convertible tops will fail some sooner than others.
Audi TT's are notorious for this issue.

I contribute my failure to non use of the car and it sitting on a hot sunny street day in and day out. Noticed the fabric started pulling away from the window.
Took the car to the repair place and that was a no go...then the rains started and the problem got worse.

From my research the top glue to use is "RHINO Glue" don't try any others although some people have had luck with different stuff.
But me I chose to use what the Corvette forum chose to use overwhelmingly and stated with out a doubt it works.

here is the link to how someone did it but on the Audi I did it a little different after trial and error I used 4 inch c clamps and wood to clamp the fabric to the window.

I am usually a good do it yourselfer but I was anxious and hesitant. I thought the glue was like crazy glue which it is except it is crazy glue on steroids with one exception it does not set as fast a crazy glue.
So that was my only mistake trying to tack it down with hand strength. Use "CLAMPS" doing it by hand I got about 6 to 7 inches done in 2 very hot hours working in the sun. covered the window with plastic to attack it
the next day this time I got the whole window done in 2 hours now the car is sitting with the back half covered in plastic curing for 3 days before I let the top down.

Here is the corvette forum how too
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...efasten-3.html

Here are the Amazon reviews as you will see the first review is for a VAG Group Beetle and the top has stayed glued for 2 years
http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Glue-RGW.../dp/B000S76N4M

When I have a chance I will post some before and after pictures the top was in bad shape for a 2011 now it does not look perfect but it is tacked down to the glass good and tight.
I do have to do a little scraping with a razor and acetone to clean up some shaky handed over glue but over all I am happy with the results.

Next up I have to re-glue the inner head liner to the rear window as that came loose to and it won't go back in the u channel and I can't find instructions on how to do it so i am
going to glue it as well because if this does not hold I am going to need a new top anyway so I might as well try it.

Good luck and I hope my experience helps someone else. I am sort of disappointed with Audi as it seems a very common issue with the 2008 and older cars.
And Audi still has not gotten the glue thing down as apparent with my issue. Not everyone has a temperature controlled garage in which to house their car.
But in the overall scheme of things most glass windowed convertibles have the problem so it is not just me.

[wakesurfin]

Thanks for the informative reply. I bought the car in 2012 with 37k on it, took to local dealer to ask about top creases and got nowhere. The dealer did refer me to the mom and pop shop that repairs theirs. They are going to quote a new exterior. I've already tried getting the exterior top quoted, came back at 2200 or so using Robbins (?) German made fabric top but they are back ordered. Waiting to see if the other place can get one from GmbH or whoever she said they sourced through.

I would love too see how you clamped the back window.


QUOTE=Gurltech;10888520]I have a 2011 S5 Convertible just spent the weekend re-gluing the back window.

Originally I took the car to a convertible top repair place, he took a look at it and said I had to replace the top only they don't make aftermarket tops from Germany
like they do for the 2008 and older.

I was quoted 8k from the dealer.

Went online and researched discovered not when but eventually ALL glass windowed convertible tops will fail some sooner than others.
Audi TT's are notorious for this issue.

I contribute my failure to non use of the car and it sitting on a hot sunny street day in and day out. Noticed the fabric started pulling away from the window.
Took the car to the repair place and that was a no go...then the rains started and the problem got worse.

From my research the top glue to use is "RHINO Glue" don't try any others although some people have had luck with different stuff.
But me I chose to use what the Corvette forum chose to use overwhelmingly and stated with out a doubt it works.

here is the link to how someone did it but on the Audi I did it a little different after trial and error I used 4 inch c clamps and wood to clamp the fabric to the window.

I am usually a good do it yourselfer but I was anxious and hesitant. I thought the glue was like crazy glue which it is except it is crazy glue on steroids with one exception it does not set as fast a crazy glue.
So that was my only mistake trying to tack it down with hand strength. Use "CLAMPS" doing it by hand I got about 6 to 7 inches done in 2 very hot hours working in the sun. covered the window with plastic to attack it
the next day this time I got the whole window done in 2 hours now the car is sitting with the back half covered in plastic curing for 3 days before I let the top down.

Here is the corvette forum how too
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...efasten-3.html

Here are the Amazon reviews as you will see the first review is for a VAG Group Beetle and the top has stayed glued for 2 years
http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Glue-RGW.../dp/B000S76N4M

When I have a chance I will post some before and after pictures the top was in bad shape for a 2011 now it does not look perfect but it is tacked down to the glass good and tight.
I do have to do a little scraping with a razor and acetone to clean up some shaky handed over glue but over all I am happy with the results.

Next up I have to re-glue the inner head liner to the rear window as that came loose to and it won't go back in the u channel and I can't find instructions on how to do it so i am
going to glue it as well because if this does not hold I am going to need a new top anyway so I might as well try it.

Good luck and I hope my experience helps someone else. I am sort of disappointed with Audi as it seems a very common issue with the 2008 and older cars.
And Audi still has not gotten the glue thing down as apparent with my issue. Not everyone has a temperature controlled garage in which to house their car.
But in the overall scheme of things most glass windowed convertibles have the problem so it is not just me.[/QUOTE]

[Gurltech]

I can't post a pic here but over on Aoc I got the before pictures up. I will post the after pictures once I take the plastic off and clean the window up.

All I can say is the faster you get on it the easier the fix.
It took me two weeks to get to working on the car by the time I got around to it the whole rear bottom fabric had detached from the glass.
The car was fine in May discovered the issue in June and between trying to get someone to fix it and researching then waiting for the glue, the pictures you see on Aoc happened.
When the window goes it goes fast.

[Gurltech]

[QUOTE=wakesurfin;10888667]Thanks for the informative reply. I bought the car in 2012 with 37k on it, took to local dealer to ask about top creases and got nowhere. The dealer did refer me to the mom and pop shop that repairs theirs. They are going to quote a new exterior. I've already tried getting the exterior top quoted, came back at 2200 or so using Robbins (?) German made fabric top but they are back ordered. Waiting to see if the other place can get one from GmbH or whoever she said they sourced through.

I would love too see how you clamped the back window.

As for top creases I found if you condition and waterproof the top the creases go away.
When the car needs waterproofing again the creases come back.

How do you know you need to waterproof? The water soaks into the top and does not run off.

I am getting ready to condition and seal the top again once I get past the glue thing.

The key is to clean condition and waterproof then let the car sit for two days in the sun with the top up.
Do not drop the top for any reason in those two days.

I have tried the 303 and that was a little effort you either have to tape off the glass or it is a bear to get it off the window even with a good glass cleaner.

This time I ordered:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fabsil-GRANG.../dp/B005STIF6O

Based off a video I saw on youtube (can't fined it right now)
By the guy that owns Finish Line Upholstery & Top Shop he does re-glues which is what I was searching for.
Then stumbled upon his waterproofing technique and figured I would give it a try.

[Atmmac]

What do you guys use to waterproof the top?

[mj_remote]

Repost from A5OC.

I have the same problem Dealer quote in Atlanta, GA was $5500 so still too expensive. Seems it is happening a lot according to the dealer, and new tops differ but I dont see how they will hold either, probably just enough to get them out of warrantee. I would think a rivet solution could be developed but too late now. Mine is 9 months out of warranteee and dealer who has generally been good about issues wouldn't go for it. So

Ordered the glue, and will be trying your approach on my 2011 A5 Cab in the next couple of weeks
Thanks for the pics and details, problem looks identical, I hope I can be as successful, the end result looked great.

A few questions if I might?
My top has a couple spots inch or two along the bottom edge that are still holding should I open them as much as the rest which is about 1/4 inch open and do at once or leave it?
I assume you opened the top to allow the C clamps to press a board on top and bottom? any pics while clamped? any issue with the 4 inch c clamp fitting?
<< I ordered and received some extra deep clamps, will try this in the next couple weeks, still would like any answers below>>
Did you do the whole lip at once with 1 piece of wood and multiple clamps or just work across with several pieces of wood and 1 clamp at a time?
Did you prop like what they did at the corvette site or do anything to keep the overall top from moving while propped open?
I saw some suction clamps that are designed for car windshield and or convertible tops but was not sure the would hold? any attempts with those?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A3BUJ4ZPESQSK2

Any other advice on cleaning or prep?

Sorry for all the questions just hoping to learn from someone who clearly got it right.

Thanks in Advance...
mj_remote 2011 A5 Cab