How hard is it to replace Cabriolet top?
 

I'm looking at a cabriolet to potentially purchase. The top, however, has a small tear and looks worn. How difficult is it to replace a top yourself? I know you can get them over the internet at good prices versus a business that does tops and installations. So, is it a bear of a job to do?:confused:

Thanks for the advice.
Slant_Nose

Sorry, the Cabriolet is an 89 with power.
Slant_Nose

Hard. not for a novice.

Just had mine done - it took a professional shop 3 days to do it plus 2 extra days of adjusting. I know some who have done it themselves. Search for my recent thread for a story and update.

It can be done, but it is not easy or for the faint of heart. It took me almost 2 weeks part time to get mine perfect, and I started with the best top I could buy. If you get something that does not fit you will have your hands full. Shop replacement costs vary from $800-1500.
Good luck,

20 hours. And your results are not likely going to be as good as a pro.

The best advice I got when asking whether I could do it myself was "Only if you're insane". The second best advice I got was to take it to a shop that had actually done 911 tops, the more the better.

Two years ago I took mine to a shop that had done some before, but I don't think many. They charged a fair amount, about $500, and the result is good, if not outstanding.

But what tells me that I got value for my money is that the shop told me to plan on a week. It took a few days longer than that and the shop owner was on the phone with me regularly telling me he was working on it an I believe him. He also admitted after I picked it up that next time he does a 911 top he'll charge a lot more than he charged me. I figure that was money well spent.

Scroll down and look at the pictures for my newly done cab top and interior.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/112127-87-cab-needs-new-top.html

$850 for the top and $750 for the interior. You should go to check out the shop that does it work. It's craftman's work. A lot of cutting, fitting, glueing. If you don't do it right, after few opening, you will have rips somewhere. A German top go for $500. For the labor of $350, it's worth it. It's probably the best $$$ you will spend on your Porsche. Valve adjustment, $500, I will probably do it myself. Top installation, leave to the pros. My also comes with 5 years warranty.