leaking roofs

[stough999]

Hi, Could you please advise, this is my first owned porsche and already experiencing an issue with my hard top and soft top roof.I own a 2000 Boxster S 27500 miles full porsche service history,last servie in December 2005 which was a major service.I bought the car in October 2005 with no issues to the roof, but since removing the hard top i have found the hard top has removed the paint with a gash of 3 inches by 3 millimeters,which wasnt there when i purchased the car,also the soft top leaks, which visibly shows,which has really angered me to say the least as this shouldn't happen.I have spoken to Porsche main center as i was hoping they would do this under courtesy warranty, to be told of this is my issue and not theres, and of which i should lubricate the seals and not them,and its not only the seals of the soft top but the hard top which needs replacing to a real high cost, which i find disgusting after the limited mileage.Is this a common issue as they advise also they don't lubricate the seals within a service and of which state this is down to me to maintain?Are they fogging me off ?and how far can i take this as im really aggrieved by there attitude and feel with the quality of the car this is totally unacceptable. please advise regards Steve

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Sorry,

I think yours is the first leaking roof I've heard of. Where is it leaking?

I can't really comment on the Hard top as I don't have one - but I'm sure John will be along soon to advise here.

 

[stough999]

its leaking on the passengers corner at the front of the roof, porsche advised the whole lot has to be replaced which has cost approx £600, which i find utterly disgusting as this shouldnt happen after 27,000miles, as the same will now apply for the hardtop, im thinking of outing that as its seems more trouble then its worth.
Porsche advised this is for the owner to look after and not part of the servicing which astonishes me, how far can i take this issue because this isnt of porsche quality more like of a lada, and the main gb service center is as much use as a chocolate fireplace.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: stough999

its leaking on the passengers corner at the front of the roof, Porsche advised the whole lot has to be replaced which has cost approx £600, which i find utterly disgusting as this shouldn't happen after 27,000miles, as the same will now apply for the hardtop, im thinking of outing that as its seems more trouble then its worth.
Porsche advised this is for the owner to look after and not part of the servicing which astonishes me, how far can i take this issue because this isnt of Porsche quality more like of a lada, and the main gb service center is as much use as a chocolate fireplace.

I am not sure how far you will get with the OPCs, especially since the car is 5 (6?) years old? The mileage is a bit irrelevant as at the end of the day if the car was not properly garaged throughout the years then I am afraid it would have, to most extent, been exposed to the same elements as a 100,000 milers[]

Sorry, I know the above doesn't help but getting you ready for the worse; if you have to replace the roof then I would recommend going for the heated glass facelift softtop (I am sure someone will drop a link on where to get one) instead of the plastic one which OPC will offer.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: stough999

its leaking on the passengers corner at the front of the roof, porsche advised the whole lot has to be replaced which has cost approx £600, which i find utterly disgusting as this shouldnt happen after 27,000miles, as the same will now apply for the hardtop, im thinking of outing that as its seems more trouble then its worth.
Porsche advised this is for the owner to look after and not part of the servicing which astonishes me, how far can i take this issue because this isnt of porsche quality more like of a lada, and the main gb service center is as much use as a chocolate fireplace.

At Mark's request.

There is no servicing routine for either the soft-top or the hard-top. My 2000 has 87,000 miles on it with 5 winters worth (October-March) of hard-top use. Neither hood leaks and all the seals are fine because I clean them twice a year. Having said that I don't go overboard with my car as it is my daily hack.

As you have been advised the owner does have responsibilities too.

The finest quality items still need looking after if they are to remain in tip top condition.

If you have bought it in this condition then chase the supplier.

JCB..

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Thanks John[]

I have to admit, beyond wiping the mating surfaces at the front of the roof and the seal on the windscreen rail when the car gets washed I have found little else to do here either. The seal on the rail is quite a bit more complex thatn it first looks though - so it can trap dirt/dust/grit in the folds of the seal. A quick wipe in the folds should generally suffice to clean any muck out though.

I'm pretty sure that is where some of the squeaks come from that people sometimes post about - if the mating surfaces are not clean then there is more chance of them moving over each other and making noise.

Lubricating the seals with gummi-pfledge (if you can get it) or similar, or a glycerine-based cleaner/conditioner will help keep the seals supple as well.

Is it the seal that needs replacing, or the roof? (I'm guessing seal?)

 

[stough999]

thanks for the advice all, it seems im to learn an expensive lesson here, not used to owning a porsche until now and relying totally on servicing as i know as much about cars as i do nucleur physics, maybe im being naive,but after having 3 cabrios before and not experiencing issues like this i suppose i put it down to disappointment rather then cost, im just surprised at the poor attitude of porschegb and there tone of helpfulness, and to be honest im surprised i wasnt even informed of the slight damage this has caused when they were giving the car its major servive,even my eye noticed it.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: stough999

thanks for the advice all, it seems im to learn an expensive lesson here, not used to owning a porsche until now and relying totally on servicing as i know as much about cars as i do nucleur physics, maybe im being naive,but after having 3 cabrios before and not experiencing issues like this i suppose i put it down to disappointment rather then cost, im just surprised at the poor attitude of porschegb and there tone of helpfulness, and to be honest im surprised i wasnt even informed of the slight damage this has caused when they were giving the car its major servive,even my eye noticed it.

It is unusual that items requiring attention were not pointed out at a service as they normally exploit every oppotunity to get you to part with your cash.

Check these guys out.

http://www.bas-international.com/

 

[stough999]

thanks all for advise here, its only the front passengers side roof seal has gone but i cant believe they have to replace the whole strip not just the part that is knackered, is that a way porsche make there money with attititudes of sod it replace the lot save them on come backs, or again is it me not seeing the whole picture.
will taking this issue further with porsche sway there minds to part with some kind of compensation package?, like i stated 27,000 miles and with mild winters, i dont see why this should be an issue,its hardly siberia and surely the parts are strong enough for a few cold spells,any ideas if its worth it or whom i could contact.

thanks again

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: stough999

thanks all for advise here, its only the front passengers side roof seal has gone but i cant believe they have to replace the whole strip not just the part that is knackered, is that a way porsche make there money with attititudes of sod it replace the lot save them on come backs, or again is it me not seeing the whole picture.
will taking this issue further with porsche sway there minds to part with some kind of compensation package?, like i stated 27,000 miles and with mild winters, i dont see why this should be an issue,its hardly siberia and surely the parts are strong enough for a few cold spells,any ideas if its worth it or whom i could contact.

thanks again

As the car is 6 years old I rate your chances of a goodwill offer from Porsche UK to be about zero and IMHO rightly so. You need to go back to where you bought the car and give them some verbal.

As I posted earlier your seals are an item to be maintained by the owner. If they haven't been looked after or have been abused by a previous owner it's hardly the fault of the manufacturer.

JCB..

 

[Black80XSA]

Soory to hear about your news - open the roof and give the seals a good clean with a soapy cloth, and then apply soem rubber dressing to them - Autoglym Bumper Care worked fine for me, BMW Gumifledge (sp?) is the proper stuff but not so widely available now.

One other thought - is is leaking at the very corner ? - if so have you checked that you passenger window is actually raising to the correct height ? - if it 2mm short of where it should be it could be enough for water to seep through. This particular area will not withstand a hosepipe direted at it side-on when all is well, but should be perfect with water from above (ie rain !!)