New Hardtops!

[SC986]

I talked to the guys in CA when I got the price info. When you click on the link for dealer they all point back to Autotech Innovations in CA no matter waht state I chose.

I look foward to the pics, if these were the same or close to the factory price I might jump, no way for 5K plus shipping across the country. I would still have to think, not sure howI feel about re-installing my trunk and cover to go topless again.

[djomlas]

i think the zeintec looks nicer because of how the lines flow, but its not practicel.

also, it might just look better because the car has european bumper, diff spoiler, sideskirts, lowered, and wheels, i dunno how it woul look on dead stock box with 16s

[Boxter]

if one is looking for something "different",

practicality does not always find its way into the equation.

We've all seen examples of mods that have one half of the (Porsche enthusiast) house thinking it may be the greatest addition while the half of the house is left scratching their heads.

That said I haven't heard any real world examples of how long it actually takes to install one yet so I'll reserve judgment for now.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

One thing which concerns me is that being Fibreglass, this top can be very noisey, creaks, rattles, etc.

A review on a UK Boxster board, had one owner complaining of this saying it was terribly noisey and distracting. He was pretty disappointed.

I realize the OEM top is also fibreglass, but it was designed for the car and uses only the OEM mounting points which may be why it's not such an issue. FYI...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[FrayAdjacent]

I think the Zeintop is nice, it's a great OPTION for us to have. I love the lines, and actually like that it serves as a trunk...

But before dropping a lot of coin on it, I would want to know a few things... How heavy it is. How long it takes to 'install' it, and then deinstall it.

It would be great for places where seasons really get cold and ugly for a few months if it were easy to get on and take back off. I mean, if it were <1 hour to install or remove, that might not be so bad.

Not sure if I'd do it down here, tho, as within the next year or a little longer, I plan on replacing my top with a glass rear window top. And the weather isn't bad down here for probably 8 to 9 months out of the year.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

I realize the OEM top is also fibreglass, but it was designed for the car and uses only the OEM mounting points which may be why it's not such an issue. FYI...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

The OEM top is aluminum. I agree with everything else you say.

[lombo]

OK, Since we are on the topic of hardtops. I'm a new owner of a 2001 Boxster. Both tops came with car the car was delivered to me with the hardtop in place. I drove the car for about 3 weeks and the rattles were driving me nuts. The noise was coming from were the top meets the top of the front window.

This car is a beautiful car all OEM stuff. Can anyone give me some suggestion on the rattles?

[KevinH1990]

Here's information on how to adjust a hard top. It might help reduce noise:

I'd advise you adjust the Hardtop, as no matter how hard the Germans or Finns tried, all cars will have flexed and 'settled' differently. If you have no leaks past the window seals when the soft top is up, use this as your datum and don't touch the windows at all.

a) Take off the plastic covers from each side of the hardtop and loosen the five alen bolts each side so you can just move the spinlocks in both planes.

b ) Open both doors and fully lower the windows, get your assistant to offer up the hardtop, clip in at the screen, make sure the spinlocks drop in, latch the top at the screen then make sure the top is sitting squarely on the car.

c) Give each spinlock a 45° turn, then carefully using a 5mm drill as a spacer, have your assistant gently press down on the top to provide a 5mm gap between the metal of the top and the bodywork on both sides, tightening the alen bolts each side. The remaining 45° turn on the spinlocks will make the top 'snug'.

d) Now have a look at the side window seals. On one side, gently pull the seal out of the aluminium channel - revealing the channel retaining screws. Loosen the screws enough to give some lateral movement of the channel. You will notice there is still a small strip of rubber on the outside of the channel - this forms the seal to the window. Now close the door and close the window, taking care that you and your assistant guide it into the slot with the small strip of rubber providing even pressure to the window. It doesn't require much, just even.

e) Hold the channel in this position, reopen the window and tighten the screws, then start at one end of the rubber seal and push back into the alumium channel in small increments. Repeat for the other side window and your hardtop will be fitting and sealing perfectly.

Here's the original post on Renntech: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10070&hl=hard+top

[dcallas]

That seems to be the biggest drawback (money aside for the moment) - the fact that you can't simply pop it off if you want to convert back to the ragtop. It sounds like a 2-man, multi-hour job to install/un-install it. Not sure any hardtop is worth that sort of effort.