Rear Vinyl Window Replacement
 

I just purchased a 2002 Boxster S yesterday. I live in New Jersey where we are still experiencing cold weather. In the process of opening the top, the rear window broke leaving a 6 inch tear in the plastic. Seaching the internet I fould a site that sells a do-it-yourself replacement for $89. Does anyone have any experience with this type of kit? Are they are deal or something that I should pass on?
One thing I do know is not to lower the top in cold weather!!!

i would say pass on it and get to a real installer/repair shop. My buddy tried one of those and its useless!

Find an auto trim shop in the yellow pages ...then find one that does BMW, Merc, etc. convertible tops (in fact, it may be better to call serivce mgrs. at those dealerships an ask them who does their work...)

jim

Most boat canvas shops can do this for cheap if you take the top off. Let them source the window or you will get no warranty. They do this every day for boat owners.

the same thing happen to me last year. I took my car to an upholstery place. They replaced my plastic.
Live and learn......

Good news - most auto upholstry shops can replace the window (they have to remove the top and sew in a new peice of plastic). Find a shop that does convertible tops.

Bad news - it ain't cheap. I'm talking $300-600. I might have my plastic window replaced, but since my top is a little rough and is showing some wear... I might just wait until I can afford a glass window top.

i get $525.oo for new plastic window. $1350.00 for gahh glass top installed

I wish I could find someone that would do a GAHH glass top for $1350... shop here quoted almost $1900.

i was searching for an answer on this, but is it not possible to install, say, the 2003 glass convertible top on a 2000-2002 model ?

If you're talking about the WHOLE top, the bars, bows, cables, transmissions, motor - the whole mechanism... it could be done, but it would be PROHIBITIVELY expensive. (probably in the $3-5000 range, if not more)

If you're talking about just the canvas top without the mechanism - no. The 03's mechanism is different, so it's top will not work on an earlier Boxster.

The options for a glass window top are either a Robbins or GAHH. Robbins can be found on Ebay from (IIRC) topsonline, for about $725 shipped, which includes the wiring for the defroster. GAHH, I'm not sure about, but I've only seen it for just a little more than $1000.

Live and learn, but it's a bad idea to open or close a vinyl window top in cold weather. Vinyl becomes more brittle in the cold. Also, when putting the top down, watch to make sure the window folds correctly, without any creases. If it starts to crease, stop the process, get out, and then gently push the window into proper shape. You may have to raise the top slightly to do this.

I'm guessing your window had a crease when it was down, and it cracked right along that crease when the top was raised. Sorry to hear about this, but it might be a good opportunity to get the glass window replacement top.

I had mine fixed on Long Island. Bartons did it. It was 600 and it took one day. dropped it off in the morning and picked it up at night. That is where the local stealerships bring it.

You could buy a complete used top with a glass window and unbolt the old top and bolt in the used top. 3 bolts on each side. The trannies and motors are the same.

If only it were that simple... or cheap. Buying a whole top like that probably costs north of $3k.

I wonder what Parts Heaven charges.....

I bet it ain't cheap... probably not even close enough to the cost of a shop installing an aftermarket glass window top to be considered competitive.

One could call/email and ask.

I just sent them a parts request....