Z- Top's are avalible
 

Just thought I would pass this on to all of you as some on here and I count myself among the crowd like the Z- Top. They are available, I contacted Adreas through facebook and paid through paypal. I think from point of contact to point of arrival took 3 months, Andreas was helpful and easy to deal with and most of all the product is exactly as described and in my home. The quality on the Z-Top is outstanding. I am looking forward to getting it painted and on my vehicle.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1456457020.jpg

You got something on your left arm....it's all over.

So what was the total cost?

Purchase price
Shipping
Other fees

Thanks

Top cost 2000usd
Shipping 360usd
Duty and tax 200aud

Looking forward to seeing it on your car!

Can you provide the supplier's contact info?

Thanks

That's not a bad price when you consider the cost of the factory top.

But like a luxury items dealer sourcing items for you overseas, the buyer would need to see pictures, video, etc. of the actual unit that is shipping out to him test fitted on an actual Boxster before completing the ordering. Quality control has to be very high on something like this otherwise you end up with a squeaky top that drives you mad.

I had one experience with fiberglass that had to be freight shipped by truck only for my body shop guy to tell me that the fit was off on one side of the car but fine on the other. I had to live with it because the shipping cost, hassle and risk was too high.

That's way cheaper than the current ebay price of almost 5k
Who is the supplier?

Sorry been busy.

https://www.facebook.com/Z-ART-automotive-design-LTD-Hongkong-124875237552630/

Pretty close to the price of the factory 987 hardtops, except it looks like they come painted.

https://www.****************************************************.com/product/SKU987TOP.html

Been talking with whoever it is maintaining their facebook Page. Their price is much cheaper now than then. And he has photos of tons of tops ready to go out. Provided patent information that supposedly proves they are the original inventor of the top. Even said I could save 100 bucks by just using my own trunk hinges. I'm now seriously thinking about selling my Artic Silver Hard Top to get one.

I see people were talking about the noise or rain... Stuff like this isn't really an issue unless your trully looking for weight savings. Tons of different body panel sound deadeners available on the market that can reduce noise a ton. And weather proofing if there is non on the top, can be easily done with tons of different products. OEM Hardtops aren't quiet anyway. They squeek under flex, (not soo much after a while) and have wind noise on the freeway... Which after a few minor mods to the factory seals to make them a little flufier is almost gone entirely. All I hear with my OEM Hard top now is engine noise mostly and road noise from tires to wheels to suspension on up.

Now the main problem with the 986 is its ugly tail lights that make the ZTop Boxster look like it has down syndrome lol.

Dark Star, What was the price they quoted you?

Yes, I'd also like to know ;)

I was quoted $2695 delivered via FedEx Freight from Xtrememotorcars.com.

Perhaps cheaper if you deal with the factory direct.

I wonder what duties and taxes are also levied?

On Facebook, they have posted that they are selling their Z-top for $1500 usd.

I sent them a message a couple of days ago asking about shipping costs and duties but have not yet received a response.

I did a little research, but could not find anything else out about them. Google only lists the company on face book, no other links. Their web URL is non-functional. But, on Facebook, they have posts going back 6 years.

1500$ +shipping/handling +taxes = I would say bottom line still ~2500$....

I did just receive a reply.

The Z-top kit is $1500. Plus 2.5% tax on their end.

Air freight would be $1450.

Shipping via container would be $360 to closest sea port. Shipping and duties from there to me would be my responsibility.

More info:

Size is: 158x160x48 all in cm

Weight: 50kg

"Top hardware includes all real glasses, all seal rubber, break light, smallpart, instruction manuel, hinges, or without hinges u can reduce 100 usd... hinges are the same as rear hood,
Excluding spinlocks, excluding rear lock holder"

I spent a little time investigating shipping requirements, options, etc. this morning. I called FedEx and UPS. They were pretty much no help at all. Then searched on freight brokers.

I happened across marineairland.com international freight services. They are a customs broker. I talked to JR, who happens to be the president. Very, very helpful guy! I will be using his services if I buy the top directly.

Here is a breakdown of expected costs to the US:
importer security filing $55
shipping with bill of lading thru to Kansas City ~$400 (best/cheapest to ship thru to destination)
customs exam $30 to $80
Insurance $100
warehouse handling fee at pickup $35
customs broker fee $175

So basically around $800-$850 plus the purchase cost. About 5 weeks time.

For all they may like to know more about .Z-top
z-art have found a distributer for USA and CANADA

DRR USA Brunswick OHIO phone number 330-220-3102 ask for Louis

Looked them up and looks like they sell 4 wheelers, you sure on this one?

I ordered a Z-top from DRR on Friday. I had originally planned to import one from China, but decided there were just too many problems with doing so.

Instead, I decided to order one from DRR in the US. It cost a little more, but it is being shipped form Cleveland. I spoke to Lou several times over the past month. He sounds like a straight up guy. The top will ship tomorrow.

You better take a lot of pictures of the installation!! ;)

Someone is hawking these locally on craigslist (Seattle craigslist, under "auto parts - by dealer"):

RARE! Zeintec Hard Top For All First Gen Porsche 986 Boxster's.......

It will be good to see someone document what they received and all the steps to get it fitted properly.

Thats a good price for all that you get but I would expect that for that price you will need to do some tweaking to get things fitted properly.

From what I have seen getting the alignment/gaps even will likely take the most time and tweaking effort but the end result should be worth it.

I really like the look it achieves and is yet another option in customizing the look of your car.

I'm sorry for not responding sooner. Guys please beware some of these posted are not legit dealers. I've been talking to Andreas and his associates since my last posting here. Even become mildly acquainted with them. Andreas is the original creator. He just moved to China. As for someone claiming they messaged someone on facebook and not gotten a response, this is strange because they respond to me and everyone else I've seen within minutes if night time (because they are on opposite side of the world than us). Lookup Z Art. Thats what they are called. Not Zien anymore. And there have been a few fake distributes stealing people's cash.

DRR IS THE LEGIT DEALER IN NORTH AMERICA. Specifically USA.

The top is 1500 plus shipping. Takes a couple weeks. DRR is better to deal with since they have a few in stock at all times. They deal with all the shipping issues, if you order directly you'll have to deal with the stupid BS the USA puts international shipping of large packages through.

EVERY TOP is manufactured on molds, and test fitted on a Porsche Boxster before packaging and shipping. So its less likely needing any major prep. You just need to prime, paint most of the time. They have them setup to use your stock trunks hinges. They are even starting to develop a nice headliner.

I'm about to sell my OEM top to order one.

If you want, contact Andreas or Jason Chang on Z-Art Automotive on Facebook. Good guys, Cannot wait to get mine.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1473311331.jpg

Never mind...I was confused :D

Well, there seems to be a contact person for Germany & Netherlands :cheers: I think it is time to get in contact.
Has anyone seen/installed a carbon one, yet? I would like to know, if 400$ more is for the real deal or just a fake carbon pattern.

https://www.****************************************************.com/product/SKU987TOP.html

I Love the look of both of these. The one in the above link, Do you just put the soft top down and put this over the top? Or is it more complicated than that?

Cayman look hard tops available in the United States - Home

These are just freaking amazing.

Can you order it in black?

For the OEM hard top, you just lower the soft top and place the hard top over it. The one complication is that you need to install spin locks so that the top can latch into place behind the seats. At the front, it uses the same latch point as the soft top.

I am in contact with the German/Netherlands distributor. He replied, it still takes some time to set up their business/distribution/website.
So I guess, we'll have to wait and see...:cool:

Any news on your side ksjohn?

I picked up my top from UPS freight Monday evening. The box was in good shape, but I unpacked everything there to verify that it was all in good condition. My only real concern were the windows.

It was well packed and everything was fine. The fiberglass looks good to me, but I am no expert. The fiberglass parts are primered and ready for initial sanding.

I did discover that I was missing a couple of small parts, the centering pins that align the top to the windshield frame. I called Lou today and he is going to ship me the parts in a few days. So, I would say they want to take care of their customers from my experience.

I don't plan to get started fitting the top and prepping it for paint for about a month.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02/top1473910533.jpg

Would be really cool, if you could document your major prep steps :cheers:
BTW, did it come with a useful prep & installation guide?

Yes, I will document the prep and install process and post it here.

Yes, it did come with an installation manual. 14 pgs with text and pictures. Looks OK, but I won't know for sure until I go through the process.

ksjohn, any news or not started yet?

No, sorry, have not started yet.

To many things on my to-do list that come first: BMW tranny, Jeep motor...... And hand surgery mid December is going to keep me from doing anything till late January.

So, it is becoming a Spring project. Not happy about it, but it is what it is.

I am curious however if anyone else on this forum has purchased a Z-top?

I am so looking forward to having the Z-top and a new front bumper on my Boxster! I think it is going to look great!

Not yet, but getting there. I have a contact and a quote now ...and the assembly/install instructions, finally.

Project ("the most Versatile Porsche model ever") continues early 2017...

--> V Gruppe or Z Gruppe :D

Like this?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1481802861.jpg

Sweet, sweet, sweet! :cheers: