986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post

Rob175 · 03-24-2021, 08:21 AM

I strongly suggest the money you spend on labor with an EXPERIENCE shop who has done a Boxster top before .... (others will disagree) is IMHO money well spent! So really think about it, because top replacement can be a real difficult job for a first timer!

Having said that.....IF you decide to have a shop install it I would also suggest you discuss it with that shop to get their recommendations as to the brand of top they prefer and the reasons they prefer it. The plus of a glass back window has the defroster wires (you have a wired switch already in your panel) and it will never deteriorate like plastic.......the negative is that the glass window could be smaller than the plastic window in most cases.

I had an experienced automotive upholstery shop do mine. They ordered the top from the vendor they had prior experience with. My 98' now has new a standard (not acoustic) black top with glass and a defroster that works great. the job was done in ONE DAY. In the Chicago area has typically high prices....I paid $1,400 total and that was 2 yrs ago.

It's my summer sunny day driver so 90% of the time the top is folded down.

03-24-2021, 08:21 AM	#2
Rob175 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Lincolnshire, IL Posts: 446	I strongly suggest the money you spend on labor with an EXPERIENCE shop who has done a Boxster top before .... (others will disagree) is IMHO money well spent! So really think about it, because top replacement can be a real difficult job for a first timer! Having said that.....IF you decide to have a shop install it I would also suggest you discuss it with that shop to get their recommendations as to the brand of top they prefer and the reasons they prefer it. The plus of a glass back window has the defroster wires (you have a wired switch already in your panel) and it will never deteriorate like plastic.......the negative is that the glass window could be smaller than the plastic window in most cases. I had an experienced automotive upholstery shop do mine. They ordered the top from the vendor they had prior experience with. My 98' now has new a standard (not acoustic) black top with glass and a defroster that works great. the job was done in ONE DAY. In the Chicago area has typically high prices....I paid $1,400 total and that was 2 yrs ago. It's my summer sunny day driver so 90% of the time the top is folded down. Last edited by Rob175; 03-24-2021 at 08:24 AM.