Hardtop 996

[clorenzen]

I am having big trouble with my hardtop. (Facelift 3 year old 996) It rattles a lot and is not water proof with water comming in above the far side window. The OPC has "repaired" it a couple of times but they are not able to fix it properly stating that it was an error to deliver this as standard in the first place and actually it is not of much use over the insulated canvas roof anyway. At this time of year I see quite a lot of 996s with their hardtop - do you have similar problems or are you happy with the fit.

[Don]

clorenzen said:

I am having big trouble with my hardtop. (Facelift 3 year old 996) It rattles a lot and is not water proof with water comming in above the far side window. The OPC has "repaired" it a couple of times but they are not able to fix it properly stating that it was an error to deliver this as standard in the first place and actually it is not of much use over the insulated canvas roof anyway. At this time of year I see quite a lot of 996s with their hardtop - do you have similar problems or are you happy with the fit.

They may consider it to be an error to have shipped it as standard but Porsche didn't. They shipped it - it should work.

I had a hardtop on my previous Boxster and didn't bother getting one on my current one.

Reason? Well - the newer Boxster got a glass rear screen which was heated - the key advantage of the hardtop in winter. The hardtop was also good for keeping the winter nasty road grime and salt from out of the "canvas" roof.

BUT it never fitted as well as the canvas roof and rattled a bit. The fit against the windows was also nowhere near as good as the canvas roof - I always found that with the hardtop the wind noise when travelling was MUCH worse.

Mine didn't leak around the windows though.

The OPC offered me the following advice. Prior to fitting the hardtop rub all its seals with a silicone lubricant. This is probably the only "fixing" your OPC is doing anyway. You can re-apply the silicone stuff to the window areas over the winter as necessary.

It should help.

A bit.

[Don]

Oh. In winter I just keep the car in the garage on the worst days - got myself a "runner" for the purpose. No need for the 'top then.

They *may* be able to replace the seal and make an improvement? Or have they already done this?

[bennno]

clorenzen said:

I am having big trouble with my hardtop. (Facelift 3 year old 996) It rattles a lot and is not water proof with water comming in above the far side window. The OPC has "repaired" it a couple of times but they are not able to fix it properly stating that it was an error to deliver this as standard in the first place and actually it is not of much use over the insulated canvas roof anyway. At this time of year I see quite a lot of 996s with their hardtop - do you have similar problems or are you happy with the fit.

The 996 cab comes as standard with a hard top, so this is nonsence.

Check you have locked it down properly or ask another OPC to take a look at it for you.

Mine never leaked

Bennno

[clorenzen]

Thanks gyus for the feedback. I have come to the same conclusion. I will leave the hardtop tucked away and put the car in the garage over the winter. I find it a drag to listed to that squeaking noise all the time . Furthermore during nice winterdays such as yesterday I had the flexibility to open up and enjoy the sunshine with the heating full blast - great driving. The OPC told me that there are only two occassions where you use the hardtop. The day you take delivery and the day you sell - I think they are right but I do no endorse the fact that they use this as an excuse not to solve the problems associated with the "fitting".

[964cup]

No problems at all with mine ('03 facelift C2 cab). Ran it with the 'top on all last winter, and have put it on again this winter. No squeaks, no leaks.