Hardtop

n.turner · Aug 14, 2004

Thinking about getting a hardtop for my boxster. I've been looking around and have come across a few, but none in seal grey. Wondered if any had experience of respraying one for their car (cost / quality of finish?), or whether it is best to hold out and hope to come across one in the right colour.

Please let me know if you know of anyone interested in selling theirs.

Nick

Helen Goff · Aug 14, 2004

you can expect to pay about £400 to get the top re-sprayed and for that it will be a perfect match.

expect to pay up to £1000 for a good 2nd hand top. and your need to buy the fixing bolts for your car approx £56 for the kit.

n.turner · Aug 23, 2004

Has anyone bought a hard top from one of the parts specialists advertised in Porsche post. Are they genuine Porsche items or copies. New will cost ~£1700 vs ~£2500 from OPC. Any thoughts?

Nick

Guest · Aug 24, 2004

Nick,

I paid £2000 for my Boxster hardtop from OPC JCT600 in Leeds almost 2 years ago. From memory they initially wanted to charge close to £2500 but it was surprisingly easy to negotiate them down in price - and I'd expect there is not such a demand for hardtops now that the standard fit hood is so much better than that fitted to my 01MY (?) so maybe even better OPC deals can be had.

JCT did a great job with my car - and the hardtop looked so good I left in on right into June.....

Peter

richardlawless · Sep 22, 2004

If you are still looking for a Seal Grey hardtop, this one is currently on eBay (& no, it's not me selling!).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10408&item=2490011999&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Same person also selling a hoist for it on a separate item.

Hope that may help,
Rich.

cFirth · Sep 22, 2004

I think I heard that the hard top is slightly different for MY 03 cars onwards. It is probably worth checking part nos with your OPC before parting with cash.

n.turner · Sep 22, 2004

Thanks Richard, I've managed to get one, planning to pick it up when I get the hardtop preparation (fixing bolts) fitted. Trying to find out how much it should cost for these (OPC quoting ~£150 whilst I see that Helen says that the bolts should cost £56), not sure how difficult it is to fit them ie how much labour charge is reasonable?

Nick

peterfrost · Sep 22, 2004

Hi,
Bit of hardtop info-I had a factory collection stuttgart fitted one meridien colour on my Y reg "S".When I p/ex for an 03 they offered me £500 extra at first or keep the h'top but I agreed £1000 if they could sell it with the car. Theyre certainly dearer to buy than if specced new. The car sold but not the top so I had to get it re-sprayed (£350)and the installation kit fitted(£130)all thro OPC
They made a right mess of it,the colour was a bit off,the interior all loose(all the clips break when they strip it and need renewing) and it didn't fit.
So it was all re-done but when they came to fit it it wasn't that good a fit,not too mention denting the wing!
I got it re-fitted at Reading and the dent knocked out .(paid by original dealer)
Its not bad but is slightly small for a perfect fit-OPC told me they're the same but maybe not.Aside of security there a waste of money on 03's I reckon.

Guest · Sep 30, 2004

Has anyone noticed a significant difference in ride handling with the hard top on?

Black80XSA · Oct 12, 2004

Just purchsed the fixing bolts so update on pricing:-

Jasmine £55 + VAT + P&P

Design911 £49.50 + VAT + P&P

Porscheshop £18 + VAT + Delivery

No guessing where i got mine - no porsche part numbers on them, and came in non labelled bag, but fit perfect, labelled L & R (although they have a notch so idiot proof anyway).

Two inserts and two securing pinch bolts.

Fitting is easy when you know how - 20 minutes max for the pair.

Helen Goff · Oct 18, 2004

ORIGINAL: Boxterboy

Has anyone noticed a significant difference in ride handling with the hard top on?

no, though i did do a track day with the hard top on which was a mistake as my car was noticable slower... or it could have been my whimpy driving[:-]

the car is noticable warmer and quieter with the hard top on

Guest · Dec 3, 2004

I haven't noticed any difference in ride and handling but found the creaking a pain. I have hardly used it because of this and the fact that I like to put the roof down at every opportunity. Total waste of time for me. I bought it because it was much cheaper as original equipment and I liked the look of it.

Tom

Helen Goff · Dec 3, 2004

ORIGINAL: b3sun

I haven't noticed any difference in ride and handling but found the creaking a pain. I have hardly used it because of this and the fact that I like to put the roof down at every opportunity. Total waste of time for me. I bought it because it was much cheaper as original equipment and I liked the look of it.

Tom

there should be no real squeeks or rattles from a well fitted hard top, though i found it best to really clean all roof and hard top seals before fitting as the slightest bit of dust seemed to have an effect.

oh and for the record.no you wouldn't notice any diffrence in handling in normal road driving ... i was doing a track day.

gdavison · Feb 6, 2007

Never had the lid - but always been able to take advantage of those winter sunny days when the lid can come down , heat seaters go on and the smile comes back

Chris_911 · Feb 6, 2007

Wife has a hard top on hers. Lives on the drive and is used all year round. Her commute is current about a 70 mile round trip, pretty much all on motorway. The hardtop makes quite a big difference to the level of interior noise - much quieter. Also keeps the worst of the weather off the softop (frost, winter crud, etc) and adds security, but you can't enjoy the crisp sunny days with the roof down. And you have to find somewhere to store it. For her car and use I think its worthwhile - if she was doing less miles and a different pattern of use we might have made a different decision.

Black80XSA · Aug 21, 2009

Fixing kit consists of two spinlocks that fit either side of the rollover bars, you should have a couple of black caps there currently. Fitting them is a diy task but it's fiddly and there is a real knack to it, Internet search will find the bag method i'm sure. Porscheshop or design911 should be able to supply the kit for around £60. Don't forget that a hardtop is a huge lump to store when not fitted to the car. Buy off eBay, use for the winter and sell in spring won't lose you much money though!

ianfiat · Aug 21, 2009

I take my roof down far more often in winter than in summer !

Maybe buy the hardtop in spring and sell it again in autumn when the rain has stopped !

Black80XSA · Aug 21, 2009

I had a hardtop on my old 986, less road noise and the big rear window was a bonus on dark dismal winter days. However everytime we had a half decent winter day I wanted the hard top off which unless you have someone to help is a real pain.

jeegnesh · Aug 22, 2009

I have the same question regarding my 1998 986, I want to get a hardtop but not sure what exactly I should look out for and other the the hardtop what other bits I would need. Thinking to pickup from ebay when I pops up.

jdpef356 · Aug 22, 2009

ORIGINAL: Black80XSA

Fixing kit consists of two spinlocks that fit either side of the rollover bars, you should have a couple of black caps there currently. Fitting them is a diy task but it's fiddly and there is a real knack to it, Internet search will find the bag method i'm sure. Porscheshop or design911 should be able to supply the kit for around £60. Don't forget that a hardtop is a huge lump to store when not fitted to the car. Buy off eBay, use for the winter and sell in spring won't lose you much money though!

My understanding for Hardtops is that all 986 (so upto and including 2004) models have the same Hardtop.
I also understand that all C16 (ie UK models were fitted with the sleeve inserts) If yours does not have these they can be
purchased for your Local Porsche Centre. Cost £20.21 each and your membership discount will bring that down to £18.19 each. The part numbers are P986 563 713 03 and same number with 04. The two bolts to fix part number are P999 219 041 00 cost £3.34. for the pair.
Storage. Not a problem if you have a garage large enough. Smaller garages with a bit of thought you can attach these to the underside of the roof. Take some strong rope and where it touches the hardtop get some plumbers insulation foam tubing to go over the rope. No good at knots - call in the boy scouts[

]
The wife and I can lift our hartop on and off the car in 2 minutes - its well worth fitting for the winter and saves the hood getting the worst of the wear in winter ie salt etc. They also have the heated rear window.
However, make sure that when you drop the hood and fit the Hardtop that the hood is dry otherwise in six months time you may well put it up and find its turned a greeny sort of blue[&o]