Authentic Mugen hardtops fit considerably better than the knock-offs, all of them. I've owned two Mugen FRP tops, two OEM tops, and currently own two Mugen carbon fiber hardtops.

I've also helped plenty people local to my region install their various knock off tops.

Everything from sourcing window and door window seals, to helping fit rear windows, to installing the hardware had a bit of finagling to get them to mount close to straight and even on the car. The Mugen tops I've installed and helped install, have fit better than OEM (not saying OEM fitment is bad by any means, just that the aluminum OEM top requires a little side to side compression to get both rear pins to seat).

There is stress AND tension on the tops once mounted and obviously when the car is driven. OEM hardware has been the best solution for accurate and well-engineered installation; quick on and off is VERY important (much like the quick up and down feature for the soft top). Using the stationary hardware that many use for the replicas need for adustments every time the hardtop is put on after being taken off.

If money is an issue in your decision, then either wait to save up more for a much higher quality product, or get yourself the cheaper alternative; but know that there will be some small issue and could be some very big issues in being able to use the hardtop. Once you've owned any of the Mugen or Mugen style hardtops, you'll be able to point out certain things that will tell you whether the top is authentic or a knock-off (seals, window, fitment, carbon fiber if it's showing, hardware, serial number (or the lack of), and more).

 

I don't like almost. I like perfect.

Once you've owned an authentic top, you'd never even consider a replica.
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I agree. I'm saving up for the real mugen carbon fiber hardtop

 

That's cool. With OEM hardware i'd be willing to bet my VIS top will fit perfect too. Even with the cheaper VIS hardware I have it still sits flush in the rear and haven't had a single problem with leaks or anything. I know there are some replica tops that arent worth a damn because they have bad fitment and such, but the Spyder and the VIS hardtops are very good for what they are. Like I said you guys don't have to agree with me, it's fine but i've had nothing but a good experience with mine and wouldnt pay double for practically the same thing i'm already happy with. Yes I know there are differences such as hardware, seals, the window, ect.. but if something works great for a better price I just don't get why you would spend more. If some of you seek absolute perfection with your S I sure hope you don't drive them much, you wouldnt want to get a rock chip in your OEM paint or you will have to get a new car.

 

You keep contradicting yourself.

You say you have no problems, but you imply that your fit isn't perfect because "with OEM hardware [you'd] be willing to bet [your] VIS top will fit perfect too."


Like you said, to each his/her own. No need to get defensive bro.


You like your replica, I like my authentic part.

 

Yes that is why earlier I said "almost" perfect..is it completly flush with the car 100% with my current VIS hardware? No but it is a tiny gap and the top seals up perfectly with no leaks or problems. If I used OEM hardware like the authentic comes with I would be willing to bet I could adjust it better and would sit just as flush as authentic. So it's not just the top, it's the hardware you use also.

I'm not getting defensive, i'm just stating my own opinon about it and everyone has their own view on things. I think it would be great to have an authentic top to pay credit to the original makers, but since the replica of this top seems to do a good job and looks just as good for a better price that's what I did. I don't have a ton of money to spend on my S and i'm still very happy with my choice since it does the exact job just as good as the more expensive authentic.

 

Well with that logic, you could say I don't get why anyone buys music when you can download it for free. I realize most people are going to consider me naive for saying this, but I don't like the idea of getting replicas because it's just morally wrong. You're going to make companies that actually design good products go out of business that way, or at least do financial damage. If they can base off and improve a design, I'm fine with that, after all, you're buying something that's better, but if it's just a plain knock off, that's just being cheap. I understand if people don't have the money of course, I actually want a hard top myself and don't have the money for a genuine one. But guess what? That's why I don't have one.

The Mugen hard top is actually heavier than the replicas, and I'm curious as to whether that's because Spyder's hard top actually improves in the construction, or just because Mugen wanted their top to be stronger. I don't really understand why it'd need to be stronger though since it's not like the top actually proves structural rigidity. Nonetheless, I'd like to think that Mugen and Honda had their reasoning to making the top as strong as it was.

And I did not mean any of this to be a personal attack at all, so I apologize if I insulted you. I was just stating my personal response to your question as to why I'd pay double the price for a genuine product. Honestly, I think someone should start making OEM hard tops though. I know GT Motoring sells them in CF, which is awesome because you couldn't get them before unless you got the Amuse, but now that Honda stopped selling the OEM in aluminum, I see a business opportunity. Then again, maybe people just bought the OEM because of the fitment which would be hard to replicate.

 

I understand where you're coming from man, and no personal feelings have been hurt so we're good. I still love my VIS top since it still has great fitment, looks great, and is nice quality for what I paid for it. It worked very well for what I wanted it for so i'm very happy with it no matter what. If I just had a ton of money I would have gotten the authentic since you don't have to question fitment, and plus like you said it would be good to pay respect for the original designers of the top. Sadly that's not the case but i'm still happy with the VIS top and does its job as intended, and looks great still.

 

100% agree