Hi everyone! I have read many threads on RS door panels but would like a final opinion on who offers the best quality (leather) price etc? Are the factory ones more than a good quality aftermarket? I have the standard speakers so I am not worried about making any of them fit. thanks for any help!!!

 

If you want the best quality when it comes to the leather and the fit and finish of the leather panel I would go with a bare kit and have if covered in whatever quality you want....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2449451399
This is what you would need....

 

Thanks for the heads up Chris. Ordered a set today!!
Is this not the best site for Porsches!!!

 

From previous threads my understanding is that the RS door panels fit 993s, right? So why does EVERY ad I see from EVERY vendor say that they fit only up to 1994 911s only?

...just curous...

 

From previous threads my understanding is that the RS door panels fit 993s, right? So why does EVERY ad I see from EVERY vendor say that they fit only up to 1994 911s only?

...just curous...

 

hey, don't go with the ones form Applied business concepts they are just heavy mat-board.. they advertise them as a "fiberboaed composite" but it's just matboard.. the ones form original fit interiors are made of think wood paneling. not much better due to warping.. If I were to do mine again I would...

Remove the original door panels.
strip off the vinyl, and all other parts.
take the bare mosinte panels
buy some 1/2" foam
Buy some nice leather
lay the panels on the leather and trace the panel
add a few inches around all the edges
get some carpet adhesive, thinner based.
glue the foam down to the panels
glue the leather to the foam and back it around the edges,
glue it to the back, cutting pie shape expansion wedges out with the exacto knife
staple the edges for security
let dry and re mount with hardware.
your going to need to fab/buy the handle and webbing pull
the leather does not compress into the holes that were for the extra stuff that you had removed from the door panel...

Coleman

 

No, but the farbon ciber ones are pretty cool... I have a feeling that they will fit the 993 but the indexing on the holes would be different..

C-

 

Kim, I spoke with Bob the owner of Applied Business concepts and he told me earlier today the ones that Performance Products sells are made by him.
Just a little FYI. I don' know if this makes a difference or not.

 

Coleman

I already purchsed the APC brand so I hope I am not dissapointed. What do you use for the backing board to fab your own? What are the problems with the one they sell,Mattboard?? Thanks for the help

 

I have not had any problems so far with the panels, so maybe I should no be too harsh, but, you do have to friction-fit the metal reinforcers for the window switches into some die-cuts in the cardboard, which gets loose real fast.. the cardboard/matboard just becomes mushy; Now my swtiches are kinda crooked... grrrr...

EC, I assume your asking about the panel itself, I would use the original Porsche door panel that came with your 993.. just srtip all the junk off it and re-cover it...

Coleman,

 

I have not had any issue with mine as well...As far as aftermarket fit go I think they were pretty easy to install....

 

I am considering becoming a dealer for the ABC brand, so I am getting a set of the leather panels and see how they install, fit, look, etc. I will post my findings.

If it works out, I'll make it a DIY for Robyn's site...

 

FWIW, I will probably be pulling the RS panels from my 964 and the stock panels from my 993 over the holidays to do some maintenance work. I'll take a 964 panel and see if it fits the 993.

 

Is it even worthwhile to bother with this? About how much weight does it save?

 

Just as a follow up, I installed the RS leather door panels from ABC. They are great. The leather is first rate, the precut panels are really nice, and the fit is perfect for a 993. Nothing special you need to do for our cars. I am in the process of installing some new speakers in the door panel and rear deck, and a new Alpine unit (just need something for reasonable sound). Overall instructions, or lack of them, are not good. As I have been un-installing and installing I have been taking pictures and will be doing a comprehensive DIY for Robyn's site. Look for it soon. Since this went well and these make a nice addition to our cars, I am also going to start distributing for this company. I will also be available if anyone installing them has any questions....

Also while I was there, I replaced the lower dash and removed the passenger airbag..