Hood replacement (UK)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 291
Likes: 1
From: Reading, England.
Hood replacement (UK)
Anyone had a new hood recently if so any tips, are they easy to fit (DIY) or is it better to go down the supply and fit route?
What was the quality like did you go after market or genuine and at what cost?
Any tips from outside the UK?
O_S rick
What was the quality like did you go after market or genuine and at what cost?
Any tips from outside the UK?
O_S rick
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 799
Likes: 5
From: Pacific Northwest
You're talking about a convertible top right? I went with a GAHH top on my 2002. I went to an auto upholstery shop that is widely used around here by the trade including the Porsche dealer. Cost me about $2k including installation and took 2 days.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 291
Likes: 1
From: Reading, England.
Thanks bal, Yes I mean the convertible top (sorry Atlantic translation), I have seen a UK company offer for about 1600$ (US) fitted. But I am not sure of the quality (its a plastic window type) hence the question. I fitted a hood years ago but it was on an old UK sports car and it was not as taught and quality as the Porsche design.
Could do with some UK recommendations
O_Sr
Could do with some UK recommendations
O_Sr
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,035
Likes: 269
From: Bentonville, AR
My 2002 Boxster is scheduled to get a new GAHH top installed early next week. I'm getting the same color top with the plastic window.
I was quoted around $1400 -- I think the actual cost will be a bit less than this -- and the job takes two days. One day to install -- this is what I was told -- and another to let the top sit and perhaps stretch and receive some tightening/adjustment. (The factory top needed a bit of tightening as it got a bit flappy with some use.)
Everyone I talk to has good things to say about the GAHH tops. The Porsche techs even recommended the GAHH top as the factory replacement top is super expensive. I was quoted $3229 and this with a discount. (Labor could add another $700 to that.)
In fact the techs recommended I have the new top installed at a specialist. I'm using the one they recommended. The techs told me while they have installed a number of tops, one tech estimated he installed around 10 tops over the years, this tech said it is a job one needs to do often to stay on top of this game. The specialist shop installs tops all day long and the job is routine for the techs there.
Oh, for specific UK recommendations you could check with your local Porsche dealer (OPC in UK speak) and see if it uses a specialist shop for top (and interior) work and which one.
Check with BMW, M-B dealers and see if they can recommend a specialist. Or check out ads in the back of GT Purely Porsche, 911 & Porsche World for top specialists in your area.
You can also check a UK forum for specific recommendations probably from Porsche owners in your area. Piston Heads is a UK forum with a Porsche section that's pretty good.
I was quoted around $1400 -- I think the actual cost will be a bit less than this -- and the job takes two days. One day to install -- this is what I was told -- and another to let the top sit and perhaps stretch and receive some tightening/adjustment. (The factory top needed a bit of tightening as it got a bit flappy with some use.)
Everyone I talk to has good things to say about the GAHH tops. The Porsche techs even recommended the GAHH top as the factory replacement top is super expensive. I was quoted $3229 and this with a discount. (Labor could add another $700 to that.)
In fact the techs recommended I have the new top installed at a specialist. I'm using the one they recommended. The techs told me while they have installed a number of tops, one tech estimated he installed around 10 tops over the years, this tech said it is a job one needs to do often to stay on top of this game. The specialist shop installs tops all day long and the job is routine for the techs there.
Oh, for specific UK recommendations you could check with your local Porsche dealer (OPC in UK speak) and see if it uses a specialist shop for top (and interior) work and which one.
Check with BMW, M-B dealers and see if they can recommend a specialist. Or check out ads in the back of GT Purely Porsche, 911 & Porsche World for top specialists in your area.
You can also check a UK forum for specific recommendations probably from Porsche owners in your area. Piston Heads is a UK forum with a Porsche section that's pretty good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 799
Likes: 5
From: Pacific Northwest
I can connect you with a mate of mine in The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club (TIPEC) in the UK if it is helpful. He's a 944 guy but has friends with 996s. Incidentally, you can replace the plastic window in a 996.1 with a glass one but the glass one will be narrower so that it can be accommodated by the mechanism.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,035
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From: Bentonville, AR
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