Cracked Plastic

[Hansaplastique]

Wow, sounds like a major headache to do this yourself.

Does anyone have any experience with the GAHH glass top (for an older Boxster - mine is a 2000)? What's the difference between German canvas and Sonnendeck canvas (besides $100 price difference)?

I'm a little surprised to hear that my local Porsche dealer only charges $500 ...?
(I expected more)

[Hansaplastique]

Already found one of the answers I was looking for;

"German canvas is made of a polyester blend, and the American canvas is made of a cotton blend. That is the biggest difference. As far as quality, BMW tested the American canvas for years for fading and quality, and determined that the American canvas held up to the German canvas the same. They started to use the American canvas in 1994, and continue to do so."

Also the glass window is smaller;

"The glass window is smaller than the original plastic window, so that it will fold properly."

Oh and the do not support DIY installation - it will void warranty ...

[ddb]

I've had a glass GAHH on my 2000 for some years now, and love it!

Some of the early versions, including mine, had defective seams that sealed the glass which caused separation. GAHH has great customer service and replaced the tops.

Yea, the glass is smaller than the plastic window so it takes a while to get used to a more limited view out of the rearview mirror. For me after a few drives I forgot all about the larger view from the OE window.

There's limited access to the engine compartment because the glass window won't fold. Thus far I've been able to do everything needed on top of the engine rather easily with my glass top.

The other benefit is you will have an electric defroster with the glass top.

Best of luck,

ddb

[Hansaplastique]

Thanks ddb for the good info!
Did you have to have it installed by a "specialist"?

[ddb]

Hansaplastique:

Yes, my tops were installed by Upholstery/Convertible Top specialist. I believe the GAHH website lists recommended installers in most major cities. If not, they may be able to do so by phone. In my case GAHH knew and recommended a couple of installers they had been doing business with for years (long before they started producing glass-window Boxster replacement tops).

For a couple of reasons I switched installers for my second top (replacement for the defective top) which was blessed and paid for by GAHH.

ddb

[Benny986]

For me replacing the top with a glass one would have been nearly $2500. I had a new plastic sewn in for just over 600. I'd do that again until the fabric is worn out. The remove the top, remove the plastic, sew a new one one, and use some kind of adhesive around the corners to prevent leaking, and to hold the plastic in place.

for 450-500, that some of you have posted, that is VERY cheap. If they are reputable, and if they have done boxtster work in the past, I'd jump on it, My place is where the local Porsche dealer sends their boxster tops to be repaired. : )

[986Porsche986]

Had my back plastic replaced about a year ago at a dedicated convertible top shop, they charged me 450.00. I was very disappointed with the results. So I'm sharing my story to maybe give you some other insight. I was under the impression that they were going to remove the old plastic and replace with a new one. What they
did do was, sew in a new "clear" plastic under the old plastic and then cut out the old window. What was left was a frame of a very jagged edge of the old plastic layered over the new plastic. It stuck out of as much as 1/2 an inch in some places,
they said they had to do it that way to prevent wrinkles in the new plastic. Also it
was not watertight. The first gentle rain we had, the water soaked right into my
carpet above the engine. After complaining to the owner, he said that If I came back in, he would look at it and possibly refund half the money. I didn't even bother to go back in. So what I did was get out my old trusty xacto knife and trim the old plastic edge all the way down to the canvas, then I sealed it with some black RTV, It looks 100 times better and now there are no leaks. I will try to post some pics when i get a chance. Also found out later that they even used the wrong plastic. There is a green tinted plastic that should be used on all Porsches. I am going to replace it with a glass window top when the canvas wears out, although I heard that the dealer might charge extra to do any maintenance where the glass top will get in the way because they cant fold it. Good luck!!

[Peter Serbanica]

Originally Posted by Hansaplastique

Already found one of the answers I was looking for;

"German canvas is made of a polyester blend, and the American canvas is made of a cotton blend. That is the biggest difference. As far as quality, BMW tested the American canvas for years for fading and quality, and determined that the American canvas held up to the German canvas the same. They started to use the American canvas in 1994, and continue to do so."

Also the glass window is smaller;

"The glass window is smaller than the original plastic window, so that it will fold properly."

Oh and the do not support DIY installation - it will void warranty ...

German canvas is cotton American is polyester!!!!!