Isnt the cost of a replica + paint & hardware nearing $3,000? You can still find OEM tops for around that price. Someone earlier said $4,000, but I've never seen a Honda top sell for that. I would sell mine today for that money.

 

I'll give you $4K right now if it's mint, you include all hardware, and you ship it to me.

 

no offense taken, haha ive had the s for almost 4 years now, i just went through a lot of parts i suppose.. you can check out my build thread in my sig. just for the record. i never had 2 hardtops at any one point lol

 

Can't you have a window guy come install glass in any hardtop? I keep reading that this is common especially because the seal that comes with most plexi-glass windows is terrible and doesn't work for s***.

 

Unfortunately, your statement just isn't true anymore since the OEM top was discontinued. The markup on the OEM tops has gotten out of hand. A few years ago they could be had used for less than $3k. I have a double sided cf mugen rep from forbidden with all OEM seals and hardware and I've probably spent close to $3k (not sure of actual total), but a used OEM will cost you at least $3500-5k these days depending on the balls of the reseller.

Somebody mention the lack of a glass rear window. I agree that if your getting an OEM replica, a plastic rear window is silly. The mugen reps have plastic windows, but so does the authentic mugen. You can buy a tempered glass window for a few hundred.

 

it isnt a flat glass piece, so it needs a mold in order to produce, which isnt cheap to make a mold. VIS does offer a mugen hardtop glass window but the price is steep.

 

You also have to take into consideration what you are using the top for. Lightweight is a big deal for some of us.,

I've personally owned
2 OEM
2 authentic mugen frp
1 authentic cf mugen
1 authentic amuse dry carbon
1 vis frp
1 rsg infused cf amuse style

All tops minus the vis fit the way they are supposed to. The vis was sanded down and later fit great.

The OEM is heavy. This helps sit the top on the car. The seals also are more forgiving in the fitting dept. If you were to hypothetically use aftermarket seals with an OEM top, you would have the same issues as the replica tops. The OEM hardware is almost non adjustable compared to the stuff we use on our tops.

OEM window seals actually collect water and drip into the car. My soft top used to do the same thing. I've gotten water in all tops except the new rsg amuse style. The authentic amuse was never really mounted to the car so I couldn't tell you.

The majority of fitment issues are caused by improper installation. I can make even the worst tops fit. I'm pretty good at that stuff now.

The rsg tops fit perfect because ive come to know what issues other tops had and why. We take care of those issues beforehand.

Our plastic windows on our rsg tops are far superior to glass windows. They are even more clear than glass and much stronger.

 

OEM hardware has tons of adjustability. specifically the side catchers. they have left/right, up/down, forward/backward adjustment, not to mention the built in tightening capability when you turn the handle. The only part of the OEM hardware that i don't care for is the front latches/strikers, as well all know they creak/squeek eventually.

It's the rubber seals that shine on the OEM hardware kit though! They are very thick, especially the rear seal, which is a big part of being able to seal well with proper fitment.

It's no surprise that so many people have fitment issues with the replica seals because they are so thin. You can see it when so many of the replica Mugen tops sit flush against the rear of the car--it's not supposed to be that way, but a lot of customers don't realize that. The real mugen top, of course, was designed for OEM hardware and seals, so it baffles me to see how people expect to use subpar and thin seals and expect it to fit and not hit windows, etc. without a lot of adjustment.

now, i know YOU know all of this, but let's not try to mislead people on OEM vs. replica hardware/seals. OEM is near perfect. I've also said it before, fitment problems aren't usually in the top themselves, as you replica guys make almost exact copies. A lot of the fitment issues are with the replica hardware that so many people use. If people would just pony up the cash for the OEM hardware for their replica tops, then there would be a lot fewer posts regarding replica hardtop fitment issues.

 

BUY OEM. Ask real S2K Owners that know. It is the most sensible decision.

 

you get what you pay for