smartTop
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 2
From: Corona del Mar, CA
smartTop
OK...this is my first cab...IT IS AWESOME.
I have looked in the manual and the top doesn't seem to be "one touch." I know the boxter will open with "one touch" over ~ 6 mph...my 997 doesn't seem to do that and the manual mentions nothing of it...
So...I have been reading a bit about smartTop...there appears to be good feedback from this forum.
Anyone install one on a 997? What is a reasonable cost? Is it a "do it yourself?"
Thanks.
I have looked in the manual and the top doesn't seem to be "one touch." I know the boxter will open with "one touch" over ~ 6 mph...my 997 doesn't seem to do that and the manual mentions nothing of it...
So...I have been reading a bit about smartTop...there appears to be good feedback from this forum.
Anyone install one on a 997? What is a reasonable cost? Is it a "do it yourself?"
Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: East Bay, CA
It is a do it yourself, 20 min. job.
If I remember correctly, it's about $700 but check their web site.
I like it. The one touch is almost enough to justify the cost.
The remote open/close function is also great.
You can also program the car to beep when remote lock etc.
If I remember correctly, it's about $700 but check their web site.
I like it. The one touch is almost enough to justify the cost.
The remote open/close function is also great.
You can also program the car to beep when remote lock etc.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Agreed on the DIY. It's only $479 now and free shipping, but since you in CA you'll have to pay tax. Mine came to about $520 and got it a day later since they're nearby. Love the one touch, autolocking, and beep when locking/unlocking.
AutoX
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,740
Likes: 292
From: Santa Barbara, CA
It's the best modification for a 997 Cabriolet, hands down. It installs in minutes, adds lots of custom features (e.g., remote opening, closing, hood opening delay, headlight remote turn-on and shut down, one touch opening/closing (critical for those with 6-speeds and only 2 hands) etc.)
Periodically they run a deal on Rennlist if you get enough interest to do a group buy. It's been some time so it's worth a try.
It can be turned off quite easily before you drop the car off for servicing if you're concerned that they will 'discover' you've modified the car. The features should have been offered in the USA model but our litigious society has dictated much of the design for Porsche.
Periodically they run a deal on Rennlist if you get enough interest to do a group buy. It's been some time so it's worth a try.
It can be turned off quite easily before you drop the car off for servicing if you're concerned that they will 'discover' you've modified the car. The features should have been offered in the USA model but our litigious society has dictated much of the design for Porsche.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I had the SmartTop installed on my car. It worked great until it failed catastrophically. The horn was blasting and the top wouldn't go up. The battery had to be disconnected. Had to have the module removed & the top reset. Luckily, the car wasn't damaged. Warranty for affected parts would have been void. Lost 5 days of use. The manufacturer(Wilhelmy) was unapologetic, uncaring and less than helpful. I was out the cost of installation, removal and two way shipping. Aftermarket manufacturers like this are nothing but a detriment to the automotive community. Do business with them at your own risk.
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Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,740
Likes: 292
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I am perfectly willing to accept that the Smart top unit works effectively and as promised most of the time. Mine, however, did not. Its failure could have caused significant damage to the car. It was just new on the market when I purchased it and one would think that the manufacturer, Wilhelmy, would have treated this incident with all due concern. This was not the case. They were not legally obligated to recompense me for my incidental costs, but a simple apology would have gone a long way.
As a customer, I resent being treated with indifference and do not want to deal with anyone who does not make an effort to get things right. The true measure of a firm is how they perform when something goes wrong and Wilhelmy clearly failed here.
As a customer, I resent being treated with indifference and do not want to deal with anyone who does not make an effort to get things right. The true measure of a firm is how they perform when something goes wrong and Wilhelmy clearly failed here.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Lower Gwynedd, PA
I have the SmarTop in my cab and have had nothing but a good experience. Based on that experience I recommended and installed it in a friend of mine's 997 cab. His driver side rear window is now permanently stuck in the up position. This may not be a defect in the SmarTop as the issue remains even with the SmarTop in pass-through mode and he hasn't had a chance to remove it yet. However, when I spoke to Wilhemy for support they were disinterested in even feigning an attempt at assistance and referred me to the latest version of the rather spartan on-line manual. My friend will be bringing his car back to the dealer for what I hope is a simple reset.
I would still recommend the SmarTop as a great mod for a cab, however now with a caveat regarding my support experience.
I would still recommend the SmarTop as a great mod for a cab, however now with a caveat regarding my support experience.
