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Hardtop - is it much quieter?

sbloxxy

sbloxxy

New member
We're about to start using our Boxster as my wife's everyday car which will include a fair old amount of motorway work. She's changing out of a BMW 745 (which is a bit like driving a small cathedral) and the Boxster is going to be something of a culture shock. So I was thinking about fitting a hardtop in order to make it slightly more civilsed. I know having a hardtop can be a pain so what I want to know is: is it much quieter at motorway speeds with the hardtop on? Is it worth the expense? The lack of any noise in the BMW means that its easy to cover huge motorway journeys and you are still able to jump out at the other end feeling fine. I know the Porsche won't ever be like this, but the situation is kind of being forced upon us and I want to make the most of it.
 
My 996 is certainly a lot quiter with the hardtop on and I expect it will be the same with the Boxtser.

A huge difference between the cars and what each is intended to do. If she is used to the peace and quiet of the BM then she's going to be hugely unhappy if she has to do long journeys on a regular basis.

Most of us doint mind the sound of the engine and wind over the fabric roof - but our gentle lady friends may see it otherwise.

If you need a hardtop, my friend has one that he is selling and you may be able to come to some sort of deal. Just PM me and I will give you his number.
 
Yes, a bit quieter, although a lot of noise on Porsches is tyre roar.

However, it needs to be properly fitted otherwise you will get significant wind noise.

Later Porsches, such as the 987s have better hoods with more effective sound insulation.
 
You also get better rear visibility through the Hardtop The glass area is larger. But you miss the Boxster point of roof down motoring on a sunny day.... It is easy to install and remove if there are two of you, one each side. You can buy a hardtop wall mount or floor mount for the roof if you eventually decide to go topless in the Summer.
 
Hi, just taken the hardtop of my '98 Boxster and it certainly does make a difference. Biggest advantage though is the heated rear window. It's an easy fit but takes two people to do it properly. Use some silicon spray on the rubber seals before fitting (spray on a cloth an rub onto the seals) as it can squeak a bit. You might need to refit a few times to get a good seat, I've used a few bits of chamios pushed into the 2 lugs that locate the top above the windscreen. This seemed to cure most of the squeaks. Good luck.
 
Provided it's fitted correctly then it's a millions miles better for wind noise and rear visibility. You'll still have plenty of engine and tyre noise though, and lots of creaks n squeaks from the hardtop until it's fitted right.
 
I have a 2003 facelift model, complete with hardtop, and I cannot say there is much in it. If anything the engine note is slightly louder.

Better rear vision though, which has to be a benefit on motorways.
 
ORIGINAL: simonf

I have a 2003 facelift model, complete with hardtop, and I cannot say there is much in it. If anything the engine note is slightly louder.

Better rear vision though, which has to be a benefit on motorways.
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Absolutely - i think the hardtop may possibly keep more of the engine noise inside the cabin area, but it could be thats there so much less wind and traffic noise from the rear quarter area. I had my hardtop on my 2004 model car, which had the better insulated roof to the earlier cars, and it still dropped the wind noise considerably.
 
I too am wondering about the hardtop option. My car seems to rattle and creak around the window 'frame' area where it meets the fabric roof. Its like an odd tapping noise. Is this normal because my old Audi A4 convertible didn't make any noise at all.
 
ORIGINAL: solidstate

I too am wondering about the hardtop option. My car seems to rattle and creak around the window 'frame' area where it meets the fabric roof. Its like an odd tapping noise. Is this normal because my old Audi A4 convertible didn't make any noise at all.
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You can pack the locating holes ont he left and right side of the header rail with vaseline - this cushions the locating lugs of the fabirc roof when closed and stops the tapping noise.
 
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