9114SCV

My 2013 911 4S is showing a lot of wear on the convertible top. I pointed this out to the dealer who took pics and sent them to Porsche. The dealer's response was that a "bulletin" was issued by Porsche "about 10 yrs ago" that states creasing and wear are "normal" and are not defects under the warranty. What I am seeing is more than creasing; it appears that the fabric is fraying and will have a hole at this rate in 1-2 years from now.


I put the top down frequently but do not store it in the down position.


Has anyone successfully had their top replaced under warranty?

Al.Fresco

Not sure what's going on with your untimely wear mark, but that top looks like it could use a treatment of 303 Fabric Guard or Raggtopp.


Does it look the same on the other side?

TrappistMonk

this does not look good.

Do you put your top down when it's wet? (and no, I have not tried this as a pick up line)
Have you tried removing the inner liner and feel if there is something sharp rubbing against it?

RYE

Must be disappointing. The black is much more faded than my 2012.5. How often is it parked in the sun?

fuddman

When I look at your pic, I see a black/grey smudge like streak running across the sown seam starting just above the seam and going down the side of the top. If that's what you referring to, then, to me, that looks a crease problem. The sort of crease a convertible eventually develops because of the folding action taking place when the top is stored. I've seen something similar on my 10 year old blue top. In a similar location, too. I attribute it to rubbing on something when its stowed.
For me, nothing else in your pictures appears out of sorts.
I would suspect the folding action is not quite right. And I'd follow the top through its folding movements stopping the top at several points in its travels to see what it's doing.
I'd suggest, also, you find a competent auto upholstery guy and get his opinion.

JW911

Yes creases are normal. The 991 gets them, but to a much lesser degree than the 996 and 997. The top design on the 991 is much better and less prone to creases. Your crease is in an identical location to the crease I see on my top, but it looks like much more than a crease. It looks like the top is not pulled tight and you have an indentation there. The 991 top pulls very tight and smooth and once you put the top up the crease should be very minor and not very noticeable. It really looks like your top is not fitted correctly and not pulling tight.

squid42

There is some rubbing inside the enclosure. I suspect that this is actually done while driving with the top down, not storage.

What I would try is line that the enclosure walls with Teflon.

9114SCV

In response to some of the questions in the replies to my post, the car is parked 90% of the time inside. The only time it is parked outside is when I am out driving and running errands.


I never put the top down when it is wet.


I have not taken the liner apart to see if anything is rubbing. I don't think the dealer did that either - I think they just took pics and sent them to Porsche and got a response "normal wear"

dreamerstudio

This looks prematurely worn out to me. Mine is '12 but doesn't look as bad as this. Have you been washing your top with soap when you wash your car?

9114SCV

I have now checked with 2 dealers (including Park Place where I bought the car and who I really respect their opinions) plus 1 non-dealer Porsche repair shop. All 3 have told me the same thing - normal wear and tear. This is very disappointing for a $150,000 car that is only 3 yrs old.

KenTO

Time for a new car!

LexVan

Stop washing your top with soap.

Time to do a thorough RaggTopp treatment.

beaverlake

Rag top - no soap, only water and soft brush. After using Raggtop to clean and condition (3-4 coats). That wear does look excessive however.

fuddman

IMO, Raggtopp isn't going to do anything for your top.
And you can have my unopened box of RAGGTOPP for $35 + Shipping. I bought it in 2009 for my '06 BMW 330Ci because I wanted to protect my beautiful little drop top. After 7 years of forgetting about the RAGGTOP and just squirting a little water on it now and then, the top looks fine.
Normal wear and tear? Is that what they're telling you? I think what they're also telling you is: "I don't know, you figure it out." Are you up to it?
Does it look like it's tearing? No.
That leaves wearing. But it looks like wearing in one spot on the roof. But why that one spot? That makes no sense.I would suspect the top is rubbing against the retraction and storing mechanisms.

solrac6262

From PP you always get the same answer, normal wear and tear or everything within specs