Rear Window Replacement--Ny Suburbs

[BassMD]

Anybody know a shop that replaces plastic rear windows at a reasonable price? I'm debating DIY, but I'm not so great at mechanical stuff. Thanks!

[juniinc]

DIY, U can do it!

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/topic/16350-new-rear-window-installed/page__p__81595__hl__%2Bnew+%2Bwindow+%2Binstalled__fromsearch__1#entry81595

[Wayne R. Dempsey]

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

[BassMD]

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

[CarreraLicious]

You can get a GAHH aftermarket top with glass window online for around $600. There's a guy named Peter Serbanica on the 986forum.com that is a top installer, and can both order the top for you (so you would get full warranty) and install it in around 4 hrs while you wait. He charges about $400 for the install plus the cost of the top, and so total price would be around $1k, if you're willing to drive to NJ to have it done.

No affiliation, but I was considering going with him prior to finding an OEM 2003 top with complete frame that I threw on my car instead. I would advise against going with another plastic window because all it takes is one cold day when you put the top down when it can crack again.

[1schoir]

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanpa...lass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

Wayne:

Since you don't want to DIY, if you can find someone to strip off your canvas top and then install it again after you get the window sewn in, I know a local guy on Long Island who does excellent work who will sew in the window for $100, including parts (vinyl) and labor. PM me if you want the details.

Regards, Maurice.

[BassMD]

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanpa...lass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

Wayne:

Since you don't want to DIY, if you can find someone to strip off your canvas top and then install it again after you get the window sewn in, I know a local guy on Long Island who does excellent work who will sew in the window for $100, including parts (vinyl) and labor. PM me if you want the details.

Regards, Maurice.

I'm not Wayne, but I'm interested. Please provide contact info. Thanks!

[1schoir]

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanpa...lass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

Wayne:

Since you don't want to DIY, if you can find someone to strip off your canvas top and then install it again after you get the window sewn in, I know a local guy on Long Island who does excellent work who will sew in the window for $100, including parts (vinyl) and labor. PM me if you want the details.

Regards, Maurice.

I'm not Wayne, but I'm interested. Please provide contact info. Thanks!

BassMD:

Sorry about that! Sent you a PM.

Regards, Maurice.

[BassMD]

You can get a GAHH aftermarket top with glass window online for around $600. There's a guy named Peter Serbanica on the 986forum.com that is a top installer, and can both order the top for you (so you would get full warranty) and install it in around 4 hrs while you wait. He charges about $400 for the install plus the cost of the top, and so total price would be around $1k, if you're willing to drive to NJ to have it done.

No affiliation, but I was considering going with him prior to finding an OEM 2003 top with complete frame that I threw on my car instead. I would advise against going with another plastic window because all it takes is one cold day when you put the top down when it can crack again.

Thanks, B. Spoke with him today and that looks like the way I will go. He suggested I wait until late summer/early fall or so, and that's what I'm going to do.

[CarreraLicious]

Glad it's gonna work out for ya. Enjoy your new top!