Plastic Window Replacement - Experiences here please?

[Mark_Bennett]

As it is that time of year again when Nic, John, Claire, and I start getting frantic phone calls and emails from owners who's plastic rear-screens have split, I would like to poll the forum for your help:

• If you have had the plastic window replaced - where in the country it was done, who did it, how much, how long it took etc?
• If you went for the Gahh, or Bas tops (the ones with Glass windows for older models) then where did you buy it, who fitted it, where in the country the fitter is, how much, are you happy with it etc etc...?

I know there have been a few threads in the past, but I would like to be able to compile a "definitive" list of suppliers and recommendations based on real owner experiences.

This can then be referenced from the "sticky" at the top of the forum, and also emailed out in response to the enquires we get[]

Thanks in advance for your help[8D]

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Had a hood replacement during the summer from W. Ramsay (just behind IKEA, Edinburgh, 0131 440 0555). Cost ca. £900 all in. Not sure exactly where it was sourced but it was Germany and took a couple of days to get couriered over. It looks identical to the Porsche part (probably OEM'd). May even be the Porsche part.

Ramsays are specialist car upholsterers (some nice "projects" on the go) and I had no problems. Takes about 24-48h to do and I've had no problems with the hood at all. Additionally, they also do replacement plastic windows if necessary but I took the option to replace the hood completely as it was beginning to look a bit worn/shiney around the frame supports.

Hope this helps.

Iain

 

[cotty]

Split mine in Jan 2005. Thought about a new roof but came across a guy based in Stockport who replaces Boxster rear windows. He takes the roof off and stitches in a new window. It takes a day and cost me £200.

Have a look at www.autoretrim.freeserve.co.uk

The window is still in good condition and water tight after nearly 2 years. He works from home using his shed as a workshop. If all you want is a no hassle replacement then I would recommend him.

Hope this helps.

Cotty

 

[Mark_Bennett]

These are great - Thanks istuart and cotty []

There must be more though - it's all too common []

Can anyone else add their experiences please? [8D]

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I used Tower Porsche (0207-357-0911) 2 years ago for the rear window on my Boxster. They actually outsourced it to someone near the Brent Cross shopping centre. Cost around £220 and took a few hours...very good.

 

[stanleask]

Hi, Dont post here very much but thought I would recommend Car Hood Warehouse in Chessington: www.carhood.com

Mine split last year and it cost me £250 I think. Might have been less. Very good job, dropped the car off at 9am and collected it by 2pm. They also do the glass screen conversions and the owner drives a boxster with one fitted too - cant get a better recommendation than that!

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Hi All
I had my hood replaced earlier this year with a glass rear screen hood. It was supplied and fitted by Simon at Essential Styling. He is based in Tring and did a great job.I had a minor problem with it a few weeks later and Simon came out and fixed it straight away. It has been trouble free ever since and it is great to be able to have the roof off in the colder weather without the worry of the screen splitting. The glass screen also demists within minutes and so has saved me lot of time and trouble. I don't think i could go back to a plastic screen now.
Cheers
Tracy x

 

[s2rjn]

Hi everyone
My rear plastic screen split a few weeks back. I was straight onto my insurance (ecar insurance) who put me in contact with the autoglass people they use. The idea was that they would sort it all and I'd just pay the excess of £60 as my policy covers glass. The autoglass people then decided they couldn't fix it. So I was quickly back onto Ecar insurance asking if they'd cough up for my local OPC (Cardiff) to get it done. THEY AGEED!! I was pleasantly suprised. I paid the excess of £60 and they paid the rest - it cost £385 in total and they had a sub-contractor guy from bristol do the work
I also got a Cayman S to rag for 2 days while they did it. They ain't great - like driving a tank compared to my lovely boxster. Hope this helps - my advice is phone insurance asap!! (as long as you have glass cover)
S2RJN
Silver Boxster 2.7

 

[Mark_Bennett]

There must be more?
We get loads of calls about this each winter!

Pinning to the top...[8|]

 

[Guest]

There is a guy in Bristol that does a fantastic job. I had the rear screen on my MY98 Boxster 2.5 replaced by him in 2001 and he did a fantastic job. I could see nearly as well out of the rear screen as out of the front screen!

I think I passed his details on to John or Mark at the time

 

[nominal]

Excellent idea, split mine Jan 2006, a terrable day, used the guy in Stockport £250, great job, still fine

 

[westy7777]

Essex: I had the rear plastic screen replaced on a 1999 boxster by http://www.hoodsgaloreuk.co.uk/contact.htm recently for around £275. Very pleased with the result and the single day turn around. Seemed nice enough people to deal with. On first arrival the location seems very dodgy though!

 

[Hendrikus]

There is a chap in Norwich, who trades as Top Hoods, who will replace the entire hood (including plastic screen) for about £650. Very good job indeed

 

[Steve Brookes]

These guys replace the window

http://www.kbaggstrimming.co.uk/

They have a 15 picture sequence of replacing the screen and will do it while you wait. A few hours I believe.

 

[911sse]

How much did they charge?

 

[IainCameron]

ORIGINAL: Hammerhead

Had my plastic window roof replaced by BAS International in Wales last week, with the glass window version they developed. Fit and finish is perfect (and I'm a fussy so-and-so!).
Cost £695 all in.
More info here: http://www.bas-international.com/content.php?nID=2&cID=29&pID=297

Stephen, It looks fantastic! And the price is the best I have seen. Does the rear window demist operate with the heated rear view mirrors?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Thanks everyone - this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for in this thread. []

Keep the info coming - whether Plastic or Glass.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

James,

I can help with one point straight away - you can't replace plastic with glass WITHOUT replacing the whole hood.

The glass window (even on the aftermarket BAS and GAHH hoods) is smaller than the plastic, therefore you get a new hood with these.

 

[sbloxxy]

Has anyone gone for a hood colour change while upgrading to a new glass screen? My Boxster is Silver with red leather interior and I quite fancy a red hood in place of its current black one.

 

[Guest]

hi, i have a 2001 boxster s and yes ive had the split rear screen problem too.
i live 20mile north of edinburgh scotland, and have read these successful replacement (screen only) jobs that some members have had carried out, but they all seem to be down in england. Does anybody out there know of anybody that carries out that work nearer me please?