GT3 RS plastic rear and side windows - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

can a GT3 RS 997 owner please give me the low-down on the rear and side plastic windows? i read in a road test that they start to vibrate at high speeds. has somebody experienced this? also, i guess you get more engine noise (most often good) and more road noise (bad) than with glass windows. and the climate effect? there is surely less heat/cold insulation, correct? thanks mates, peter

I was not aware that the 997 RS had plastic side windows but generally the plexiglass or derivative windows fitted to the RS's fit well and are reasonably practical. They do vibrate a little but only when the windows are cracked open and the car is travelling at speed. I'm sure that they do not insulate as well as glass but I cannot see this as a major problem as the heating systems - whether climatically controlled or not - are efficient. Some people think that GTRS's are impractical cars to live with as a regular driver but I doubt wether the plastic rear screen is ever a major factor in that view

thanks steve. no one else with comments on this? cheers peter

No plastic side windows and Steve has covered the rest. The rear resonates a bit at high speed but only if the widows are open. It's really not an issue.

Alpinestars said: No plastic side windows and Steve has covered the rest. The rear resonates a bit at high speed but only if the widows are open. It's really not an issue. that is good to hear. thanks peter

Alpinestars said: No plastic side windows and Steve has covered the rest. The rear resonates a bit at high speed but only if the widows are open. It's really not an issue. second that...been no issue.

OEM or after-market? FWIW, a 996 on aftermarket plastic windows is not an especially pleasant place on a long motorway schlep. Rear is a big piece and will vibrate slightly. Rear three quarters are small and pretty solid. Front with sliders are a nightmare for noise. Plastic will deteriorate faster over time and develop a milky patina within a couple of years esp if stored outside. May need to apply a plexiglass polish on a periodic basis.

markow said: can a GT3 RS 997 owner please give me the low-down on the rear and side plastic windows? i read in a road test that they start to vibrate at high speeds. has somebody experienced this? also, i guess you get more engine noise (most often good) and more road noise (bad) than with glass windows. and the climate effect? there is surely less heat/cold insulation, correct? thanks mates, peter Yes, they vibrate, but not in the sense of "rattle", only in the sense that the view in the mirror is a bit blurred sometimes. Given that most of what you see when it's not vibrating is your own wing, it does not take away much in terms of safety. I don't know whether you get more noise, presumably yes, but then most enjoy that. I do. On climate I have no views, and I don't think you will find it inconvenient. A part from speed and open windows, the third way to make it vibrate is loud music (Pantera works well) What some people have observed - milky, foggy plastic windows - I have never seen. My RS is about to turn 8 years old, but it must have spent its life mostly parked in a protected environment.

Steve Rance said: I was not aware that the 997 RS had plastic side windows... As well as the rear screen, the 997.2 RS has plastic rear quarter windows. Driver/Passenger side windows are of course glass. Not sure of the 997.1 RS The 996 RS has plastic rear screen only.

LaSource said: Steve Rance said: I was not aware that the 997 RS had plastic side windows... As well as the rear screen, the 997.2 RS has plastic rear quarter windows not sure from factory??..... maybe aftermarket?

LaSource said: As well as the rear screen, the 997.2 RS has plastic rear quarter windows. Driver/Passenger side windows are of course glass. Not sure of the 997.1 RS The 996 RS has plastic rear screen only. Are you sure on that? The PET doesnt list a plastic side window for any of the road cars. 997.1 and 997.2 use the same rear window for the RS versions (and which differs from the non RS rear window which is glass) but the side windows for all the versions are regular glass using the same PN. This is the shared across all coupe versions of the 997. To the OP, the main issue is that it scratches easily so you need to be careful when cleaning the car etc. If you dont you will end up with a hazy window in pretty short order. There is also the potential for the plastic window to blow out if you do a lot of running with the front side windows down. Ive seen a couple come out so its not exactly a frequent occurrence but worth a mention.

LaSource said: As well as the rear screen, the 997.2 RS has plastic rear quarter windows. Driver/Passenger side windows are of course glass. Not sure of the 997.1 RS The 996 RS has plastic rear screen only. That made me go and check! Both 7.1 and the 7.2 have glass side windows.

My rs has deff glass sides,in the original factory spec they were to be plastic. These later rear windows are fairly durable with a tough non scratch coating,and bonded well in.

Alpinestars said: LaSource said: As well as the rear screen, the 997.2 RS has plastic rear quarter windows. Driver/Passenger side windows are of course glass. Not sure of the 997.1 RS The 996 RS has plastic rear screen only. That made me go and check! Both 7.1 and the 7.2 have glass side windows. Err...really? I recall mine being flexible...I'll have to check mine again...its at the garage though.

LaSource said: Err...really? I recall mine being flexible...I'll have to check mine again...its at the garage though. Yep really. I had to check after your post. All RS' have glass side windows and plastic rears.

Alpinestars said: LaSource said: Err...really? I recall mine being flexible...I'll have to check mine again...its at the garage though. Yep really. I had to check after your post. All RS' have glass side windows and plastic rears. Quite certain the 4.0 has plastic rear quarter windows. I tapped on one on saturday unless i was imagining things.

isaldiri said: Quite certain the 4.0 has plastic rear quarter windows. I tapped on one on saturday unless i was imagining things. I think that's right. I was referring to the 7.1, 2 and 6 that La Source included in his post.

Alpinestars said: isaldiri said: Quite certain the 4.0 has plastic rear quarter windows. I tapped on one on saturday unless i was imagining things. I think that's right. I was referring to the 7.1, 2 and 6 that La Source included in his post. Ok, ok, maybe I got it very wrong I may have got my cars mixed up

no defroster on the plastic rear window i suppose.... peter

The gt2 Rs and gt3 Rs 4 litre has plastic rear side windows. I priced them up and they are something ridiculous like £400 each!

Yes no rear defroster on the RS with plastic windows. You get more sound feedback from the engine with the rear plastic window over glass. Saves a bit of weight too. I know tony at acw motorsport plastics who can make this sort of thing a LOT cheap than buying oem. You can get various different thickness for road and track use. Polycarb based materials are more durable for road use. Not so easy to scratch and stay clearer for longer.

O/T Does the new RS have plastic windows?

400 is not to bad for the real thing,try. Buying some glaverbel glass,£1000 each for replicas. The side windows glass or plastic leak if you lean on them while washing!