Top Install $
 

So I'm about to purchase a new top with a glass window from autotopsdirect (A5/Acoustic).

I've called the recommended installer in the area (Cleveland, Ohio), and they say it should be about $700 in labor. Funny that the purchase price and the install are identical.

Does that sound about right? I don't know why that sounds a little steep to me...

Thanks!

I've seen the price anywhere up to $2k, so $700 is relatively cheap. However, considering it would take one person who knows what they are doing just under a day to do, even though it's not a particularly easy job. It seems steep to me, when you can DIY for free.

paid $500-something (i think $525) to have mine installed a couple of years ago, plus the cost of driving to northern jersey.

$950 for top and two seat covers replaced.

Yes, $700 is reasonable. But, you may be able to find a place that's cheaper. Just, balance out the cost with the quality of work. No use paying someone $400 to install a top badly vs paying someone $700 to do it professionally...

Or do a perfect job of it yourself for free.

Another reason to do it yourself - when I got mine apart I found there were parts to be ordered before the re-assembly. I took a couple of weeks to get the parts and I'm glad the car was in my garage during that time rather than some guy's shop. Plus I still got to use it on sunny days while the canvas was off.

If you go slow, take lots of pics along the way, and use Mike Focke's most excellent tutorial, you and a buddy should be able to bang it off in a weekend.

Top replacement
 

$700.00 seems pretty reasonable for labor to replace a top. A local top shop quoted $2400 for top and labor. The dealer told me $5000. I did it myself but it is a lot of work to get it right. The plastic fasteners that hold the plastic sliders in place are very prone to breaking. I as able to reuse mine, but if doing it again I would order new parts. They are not very expensive.

Paid about $900-$1100 for the top and install was $900. Love the new top except for less room to work on the engine and when I am in there the roof doesn't stay up and falls on me occassionally.

I was told 1700 at Brumos Porsche Dealer. I was also told by someone else that they charge that and dont do the work there but outsource it.

An indpendent P car shop told me around $900 for the top with glass and defrost and then about 1200 for instanll. So that price you have seems very reasonable and I might go there !

$1,200 for the install is rather expensive. It generally takes about six hours. Faster with experience. So in essence, you're paying $200/hr for labor. And consider, the dealer isn't doing this work. They're farming it out. So, the place that's doing the work is probably getting about $50-100/hr and the dealer is keeping the rest.

Two months ago I bought a new top and was going to install it myself.
I located a shop in the Toronto area and had it installed professionally. The cost was $500 cash. It took one day. I also bought the top through Autotopsdirect.

And416 - How do you like the top?

How did you like their work? I think mine will have to be replaced soon. I'd love to have the contact of where you get yours done. Thanks.

Me too. Maybe Ekam and I can work out a deal for 2

Shop in Toronto
 

Hi ... The shop in Toronto that I went to was :

New Image Auto Interiors
1630 Midland Ave (North of Lawrence)
416-752-0883

I was given their contact name by a local Indy Porsche repair shop.

I am very pleased with my new roof. It needed to stretch when it was first installed but has now fallen into place. The installers were great. They knew exactly what to do and how to do it. The top looks perfect and is tight. It is a small shop but I was very impressed with the quality they turn out.

The top I bought had the glass insert inplace of the plastic window. It takes a little getting use to because you do not have the same amount of rear viability as with the plastic window. I tend to use the side mirrors to see in further back vs the rear view mirror to see immediate traffic following.

I think the top is very good quality. I'd make the same purchase again if I had to. I was concerned with the color and the company mailed me a sample of the material so I could compare it to the original. It feels and looks identical to the OEM top. The only difference is the glass insert.

It does change the look of the car with the smaller rear window. I like the look. Maybe not all will like it ... it is a personal choice.

Thanks

I will check them out.

$450.00 Tony :)

Hi
i just found this thread thanks to Ekam. i'm located in toronto as well. maybe we can work out a deal for 3 :)

i still have to decide which top to go with...GAAH, Robbbins, this one mentioned here...

Hi
I am looking to buy a new top as well. Do you remember how much shipping to Toronto was?
Did you get charged a lot of duty/taxes coming over the border?

thanks

Hello ... No duties were not that steep because it was 'Made in the USA" ... It was shipped UPS and they charged me an additional $46.17 to clear the package. The actual shipping charge is listed on the vendors website. Again, I bought through Autotopsdirect . Hope this helps.

I bought this one on ebay. $60 to ship USPS. No duties taxes or other fees.

Porsche Boxster & S Convertible Top w/Glass Window Haartz Cloth 6yr Warnty 97-02 | eBay

Stopped into a place today here in Woodstock On and was quoted $1600 for top and $1200 install. He said if I didn't buy from him absolutely no warranty if it didn't fit too bad, the quality probably wouldn't be any good etc. Autotopsonline as the top i need for $559! May look in London or Kitchener for an installer, or drive to Toronto

thanks. i'll check it out.
have you had it installed yet? happy with it?

i drive with the top down as much as i can, but would still like original quality material if possible.

did you go with the shop in Scarborough that was suggested?

I am half way through the install. ie the old top is off. Not an easy job.

I had to order a couple of parts that were damaged from Porsche. If you read the install instructions online they recommend you pre buy because it is highly likely damaged during removal. Not expensive. The sliders were about $15 each x 2.

I decided to do it myself as the logistics of getting it done in Scarboro ( i am in Mississauga ) were too complicated.

The top quality looks excellent but I cannot comment on the fit yet

Brian:

If you take your time, don't cut any corners and follow the DIY instructions posted on Mike Focke's website, you can get a perfect result.

It's tempting to expedite matters because it's such a lengthy process, but if you stick to it you'll be very pleased with the end result.

Regards, Maurice.

Hi And416
I was wondering if you would be able to tell me how much time you left your car at the shop for?

thanks

I upgraded to the Gahh glass top a couple years ago. The top including install cost around $800.

If you arrange the time before hand it can be done in a day.

I left the car overnight, so technically they had my car two days.

Where did you have it done? That is an excellent deal.

Finished the top install myself. I am extremely happy with the results. Not a wrinkle in sight and top opens and closes perfectly. The glass rear window and the unfaded black canvas really improve the look of the car.

Not an easy job, but do-able. Like everyone else says it would be so much easier the second time around.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1344619090.jpg

Looks great! Congratulations! I'll most likely try the DYI when time comes to get a new top for my Box.

We're you able to do it solo? Or is it a 2 man job. I just got a a tear on the window and need to replace mine, but finding extra wrenching help doesn't look good (my friends are not working on car types). Wondering if I could do it by myself.

I did it entirely by myself. Had wife help for about 5 minutes to slide new roof into channels

Wow. Great work. Congrats!!!

Where did you meet your wife?
I think I need to go there.

Me too. My current one is a PITA. I need one that likes Halo and working on cars...