Rear Plastic Window - CRACKED
 

Hey guys, well last night while I was investigating why my check engine light was on I lowered the roof of my car and sure enough the plastic was still cold that the plastic window busted with a large crack (plus couple small ones) down the side of the window. For now I was able to put good old grey duct tape to it but I am looking for a better solution to my issue.

I'm location in Ottawa Ontario Canada... anyone have any suggestions?

I've already kicked myself a few times over it...so no need for any more~!

Thanks.

Any local upholstery shops? Try to find one that can do boat or Jeep roofs. If the canvas is still good they should be able to sew in a new one properly.

Here in Montreal, I've had quotes from $250 to $425 to replace the plastic. A new window should be good for quite a few years if well maintained.

I had my entire top replaced in order to get one with a glass rear window. It's significantly smaller, because of where the top folds, but I don't think I'll ever have to replace it again.
Clearly worth the cost, in my opinion.

Depending on your budget, you may want to check out this company: Convertible Top Replacements | Auto Tops Direct Car Tops

My 02S plastic window cracked just like yours did. The top was also well-worn, so I opted for a replacement top with the glass window. It plugs into the outside mirrors for defrost, and the wiring is built in. Plug and play. I had a local auto upholstery company install it, and it's perfect now. Great looks on the car, and a good investment, as far as I'm concerned.

Good luck!
Dave

This is what I got back from local PORSCHE dealer about my rear plastic window replacement:
$5424.00 with taxes !!!! That's half the value of the entire car!!! No way....crazy

Hello,

With the information provided, Porsche does not sell the rear window separately. They only sell a replacement soft top with new rear window as an assembly.
A replacement price on just the soft top is $3793.51

If you wish to further discuss this, please give me a call, if there are any other questions you might have.

Parts Advisor
Mark Motors Porsche
611 Montreal Rd
Ottawa,ON K1K0T8
Telephone: (613) 749-4275
Email:rvolkmer@markmotorsporsche.com
http://mark-motors.porschedealer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Mark.Motors.Porsche

Cracked plastic roof window
 

Hello DrCactus

I put a new one in myself. I took the roof off and did the job in my lounge. Here's one of the photos.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1490267808.jpg

DERFO - Great job, wow looks great. Do you have instructions on how I remove the roof like you did ?? What materials did you use.. any DIY ?

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/havingareplacementplasticwindowsewnin

Buy a used top and transmission. Is the cheapest and easiest route. I did mine on my old box with basic hand tools in under 3 hours and I was taking breaks in between to go over the instructions

Soft top window renewed
 

Hello DrCactus
If you go on the Pelican Boxster & Caymen forum I posted all the details on there a while ago now. Search under, derfo, "Soft top window renewed" you should find it helpful.

Soft top window renewed
 

Hello again DrCactus I should mention I put lots of photos of the job on the Pelican forum.

Link is here:
Soft Top window renewed - Pelican Parts Technical BBS
& here
Soft Top window renewed - Pelican Parts Technical BBS
Make sure you get Marine grade u.v. resistant clear vinyl. There are several brands like Strataglas for example.
Thicker is not better- just muc hrder to sew. Clearer is not better. The most u.v. inhibitor is the best.U.V. is what causes the yellowing and cold makes it even more brittle.
https://www.sailmakerssupply.com/prod_detail_list/window-material

New top is the only way to go. I bought a Gahh replacement top for about $350 and installed it myself. There are DIY wire ups on this, BUT you need to be a skilled handy man... not for weaklings.

Might be useful to other Forum members if you mentioned where you found the write-ups so they could follow your advice?

Hey guys, I contacted a local shop who works on imports... he gave me a quote of 4 hour labour time to remove old top and install new top. Approx $475 tax included. Now I just need to find a new top with glass window that ships to Canada or ships from inside Canada.... any suggestions ??

Amazon has them from Sierra tops with the glass window for an early 986.

I was very impressed with the quality and fit. The glass window is smaller but you get used to it and it won't crack in cold weather. FYI, your installer rate is less than half what they charge in my area.

Are you going to tell us who the Local Shop is? :)
He might get my business at that price. A few hr drive to the capital from my place but that is what the car is for. Driving.

Great, my window cracked as I tried looking over the car in storage. I called the guy I used on my Miata top years ago. He said if I take the top off and bring it to him its $75 including the cost of the window if I bring the car it will be much more. Guess I'll be taking off the top, can't be any harder than the few I;ve done before on other cars.

Such optimism:
"can't be any harder than the few I;ve done before on other cars. "
There are some helpful write ups to avoid gotchas - see the Beat the Bush video for exmple.
Good Luck and tell us what got you ?

Skepticism, I Love it. I do everything myself on my cars short of machining as I lack the equipment or else I would do that as well. The worst that can happen is I'm out a few hundred for a new top with glass window. I remember the first top I did was on a Mercury Capri and it came out great, of course I had my brother helping me stretch it properly and since this was over 20 years ago we didn't have youtube for help, just the directions that came with the top on a single sheet of paper. I did see some instructional videos and now I am considering just sewing in the window myself on the car as time wise it might work out to be the same thing.

Where do you live as $75 is dirt dirt cheap... the cheapest price I got if I brought the top in was over $400 locally....

I'm in the Detroit MI area. It's a shop that I have used for over 25 years from time to time. He said it does not take very long but I have to remove the top so that it sits flat on the machine. I did the same thing like in the 90s with a Miata top at the same place, think it was about the same price back then. I remember that one because it was riveted in the back and I was in some uncomfortable positions drilling those out but he would have charged me like $400 if I just brought the car and I am cheap and love doing the work anyway. If you pull your top off and want the name of the place I will be happy to give it to you in a PM. I love convertibles and have 3 in the garage right now.

Local upholstery shop did mine last year after mine split also. I did a glass rear window with defroster/ plug and play. The new top also came with the interior liner that the S comes with from factory. Here in the northeast US it cost me $1800 out the door. Came out great

DrCactus,

Check around local wreckers for a replacement top. Go on car-part.com and do a search on Boxster roof. I found a complete roof assembly with an aftermarket replacement canvas (I think it's GAHH) with glass window. Wrecker sold it to me for $500...

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1490719531.jpg

Just have to put it on now! That being said, my current top is in very good shape with a plastic window that was sewn in after the fact. If you can wait a few weeks, I would be willing to sell it to you once I get the new one on. Here's a pic of the old roof:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1490719692.jpg