Mounting 2003 convertible top outer cover on 2000 Boxster?

[Palbox]

Hi,

 

One of my cars is a 2000 Boxster. The top needed an overhaul; I renovated frame, gears, motor etc. I'd like to keep the car with original Porsche top parts as much as possible. The replacement convertible top outer cover (98656191506A10) comes with a vinyl window (despite the catalogue description; it is a poor translation of the original German catalogue description). I read in multiple fora that you can directly mount a 2003 complete top (outer cover AND frame; 2003 outer cover has a glass window) on 2000-and-up Boxsters. I can't find any info whether it is possible to mount a 2003 convertible top outer cover (98656191507A10; glass window) directly on a 2000 frame?

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by palbox

[JFP in PA]

If the top has a glass rear window, the answer is no; if it is plastic, the answer is yes.  The glass window tops used a mechanical top system that has one extra metsl bow to accommodate the glass window.

[Palbox]

@JFP in PA Thanks for the clarification! This is what I figured! For those like-minded out there: the list price of the replacement Porsche outer cover is currently about $3,200. If you search on the part number (98656191506A10; original Porsche with vinyl window) it can be found online for about $2,400...

[JFP in PA]

There are multiple aftermarket top suppliers that make glass window replacement tops that fit the earlier cars, but they have a smaller rear window because of the differences in the mechanical mechanisms. 

[mikefocke]

JFP I have Maurices instructions for the later top to earlier swap as long at the later top and frame are together. You are right on just swapping the cover onto the old frame, of course you are.

[Palbox]

I finally got around to replacing the outer cover. It was actually pretty easy to get the old outer cover off. I am ready to mount my new Porsche replacement outer cover. The original part (98656191506A10) comes with steel plates, wires, rear rubber linings, parts 986561559/560 and everything, so buying the original part (surprisingly) turns this into a much easier DIY project compared to all the aftermarket kits where you have to reuse all these now 20+ years old original parts. I do have one question: The original outer cover part also comes with a long velcro strip about 1 inch wide and 7 feet long. This I don't see anything on either the old outer cover or the new outer cover that could possibly attach to this strip, nor is there a velcro strip anywhere on the old frame on the car. Any idea what this velcro strip is intended for?

[mikefocke]

See if this helps toward the end of part 2

 

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/replacingthetop-adiy

 

[Palbox]

Finished the job last night. Never figured out what the velcro was for. I never dismounted the plastic guard on top of the frame that the outer cover ridge slides into (the plastic guard is strapped in with a metal clip I didn't wanted to pry out); perhaps the velcro is for re-mounting this part...

 

Either way, the job was fairly easy (but annoying!). I'd like to offer a few comments since all other comments online seem to be in favor of aftermarket outer covers with glass windows and defrosters:

 

The original Porsche outer cover fits perfectly and all holes are pre-punched and all edges are cut and trimmed to perfection. The cover comes with metal plates, springs and wires, rear rubber and plastic linings, foam side linings as well as parts 986561559/560 for mounting the bottom of the top. Those are plastic parts that I imagine are beat up on many Boxsters although they were in good condition on mine and wouldn't have needed replacement. Anyway, it is significantly easier to mount the new outer cover when mounting on these parts BEFORE they are attached to the car frame. With the original cover, there is no need to reuse any wires, springs or metal plate parts. The new metal plates come with adhesive and you can reliably glue the canvas on by aligning the pre-punched holes before even putting the top on the car. The cover simply fits perfectly. There is no trimming of corners or along metal plates. There is no need for spray adhesive (I did use one strip of double-sided tape and two beads of black rubber adhesive). There is no need to stretch the canvas to get rid of bulges etc. It simply just fits! It's a Porsche product! However, this was never intended as a DIY part; it comes with NO instructions whatsoever. It is, though, much easier to mount than aftermarket kits (think Porsche wants this replacement to take as few shop hours as possible for a dealership mechanic!).

 

Now for the plastic window: If you choose an aftermarket cover with glass window, it will significantly be in the way when in service position and your access to the engine from the top is going to be significantly restricted. My car has ~160,000 miles on it and I spend a lot of time accessing the engine! I prefer to have full access. Also, I have not even once thought to myself: "I really wish I had a defroster in my summer roadster". I simply don't need a defroster. The plastic window is much larger than the glass version and your field of view is thus much larger and there's more light inside the car. I like my car OEM as Porsche designed it. My 2000 Boxster rolled out of the factory with a plastic window and I like to keep it as original as possible. When I look on youtube, it looks like even quite new canvases get sharp wear-lines radiating from the corners of the glass window. I imagine the canvas takes a beating in EXACTLY the same spot every time the top is lowered because the glass window is rigid. The longevity of the plastic window is obviously lower compared to glass; my car is 23 years old and I just replaced it (although it should have been done 3 years ago). Even so, my plastic window had a lifespan of 18+ years. The new one will probably last longer as the car is always parked in garages and only gets sun exposure when I am out driving. To me, it's simply part of maintenance that the outer cover must be replaced every 15-20 years. I doubt the canvas on a glass window top is particularly attractive at this age anyway.

 

Not trying to tell other people what to do or that they are wrong in their choices, simply offering a different perspective on choosing the top outer cover replacement that fits your needs!

Edited May 23, 2023 by Palbox