Does a hardtop turn my Cabriolet into a Coupe?

[ddinmez]

Hi,

I have a '99 C4 Cabriolet at 75k and I am in love with it. I bought it in the beginning of this summer. In Istanbul we have 4 seasons and winter is getting close. I am planing to buy a hardtop. I just want to learn how it affects the cars performance (balance etc.) and is it (maybe) a solution for the weird bird noises coming from the back seats?.

Thanks..

[wvicary]

Sorry but is this a serious question? A hard top was an option for the cabs and I'm not sure about the 'weird bird noises'.

[dammad]

Perhaps he means the rigidity of the car? No sure about the bird noises either.

[ddinmez]

Exectly

Perhaps he means the rigidity of the car? No sure about the bird noises either.

Exactly Dammad, I mean the rigidity and the silence... And by ''bird noises'' what i mean is i constantly hear some noises like -i don't know how to explain it but- high pitch weird noise coming from the back seats... First I thought it is the tent but later I founded out it is coming from somewhere between the seats and I thought if i but a hardtop on it (maybe) decrease the flexibility of the car and somehow I get rid of that noise..

[RFM]

As a hardtop is not bolted or welded completely to the chassis or body it will have no effect on the stiffness of the car, in other words, the car remains the same stiffness maintained with or without hardtop. What concerns the bird noise, i would suggest to put yourself on the back seat and let someone else drive, that offers more possibilities to detect the source of the noise.

[Long Islander]

As a hardtop is not bolted or welded completely to the chassis or body it will have no effect on the stiffness of the car, in other words, the car remains the same stiffness maintained with or without hardtop. What concerns the bird noise, i would suggest to put yourself on the back seat and let someone else drive, that offers more possibilities to detect the source of the noise.

Squeeking sounds often come from leather or vinyl rubbing against other plastic,vinyl or leather surfaces. A little leather or vinyl conditioner will make those parts less dry and could eliminate the squeeks you're hearing.

[fpb111]

Yes a Hardtop turns a cab into a coupe and your seat cushions become flotation devices. :cheers:

Not really but mine is like having two different cars. The hardtop is quieter and has a little more headroom.

[carsareart]

The hardtop on my BMW sure makes the car much quieter. As long as my mounting points are correctly adjusted I have had no noise problems. My Porsche is a hardtop.

[rustymon]

I've got a little squeaking in my add-on hard top, not sure if replacing some seals would fix it... but in general, love the hard top! Warmer in the winter and looks almost like a coupe. It is much quieter as well.

[wyovino]

There are threads about eliminating the squeaking sounds (maybe a TSB as well). You will like the hardtop - it makes it seem like a different car. Sorry I can't explain it better than that, but I think most cab owners will agree.

[99911]

Hard top is definitely quieter, and keeps out those annoying intermittent drips during downpours. It will also improve visability. A suggestion you also might want to think about is investing in the hanging gear and an electric winch. Makes installing and removing a one person operation, plus you can store it by hanging it from the ceiling in your garage when not in use. Definitely worth the price.

[moondoggy]

I have 2000 carrera cab with hard top. Hard top can be removed and installed by one person with ceiling rack. THere are three profiles: soft top up; top down; and, hard top on (and coupe). Believe the hard top installed profile makes the car the best looking of the four views (in fact, Porsche made hard top coupe version in the 1960s). Definitely is a quieter and sturdier feeling ride. My car is silver with black interior and black soft top. I'm considering painting the hard top black color to make it a two toned car. This gives the hard top owner more flexibility in personalizing the looks of the car.

[ltumacder]

I can relate to the noise he hears. For me it was the rubber edge of the convertible rag top rubbing against the top of the clam shell every time i went over small bumps. I put a piece of velcro( only the carpet side) on the rubber edge to minimize the rubbing effect/noise.

[ziiz996]

if it is rubbing on the clam shell, eventually, it will damage the paint job and you will see a line on your shell.  address ASAP.

[Domiac]

There exists (at least) two different connection mechanisms for 996 / 997 hardtop. The older and possibly noisier version is a bayonet kind of mechanism, the newer and quieter is a screw based mechanism. Please have a look at the PDF on this message.

 

In case your car has the older connection mechanism and you are suffering of noises, you can consider upgrading all four connection pieces in your car and hardtop to the newer version.

 

One option for the upgrade is here: http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK997HTM.html . The price currently is sky high, I think I paid something like $300 a year ago.

 

PS. I have an extra pair with new locking mechanism for a hardtop.

 

Carrera__996__Modified_Rear_Hardtop_Locking_Mechanism.pdf

[Domiac]

One more thing. When you install your hardtop, diligently check that it does not grind against your car and mess up with your paint. Some people have had a nasty surprise the next summer when they remove their hardtop.

[HUD]

This forum is getting more nutty all the time. This can't be a serious question. Does running three wheels make my 911 a tricycle?

[987_RDC]

Well folks shouldn't pop up a 2 year old question.