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YOUR RESEARCHNew owner & best mod for pre-02 cabrio (pics!)
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Adjust free
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Suggestion · Original poster
So if anything goes sideways (stops closing properly, brackets fail, etc.) they will fix and/or adjust for free.
Leading evidence: 'Adjust free' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust free' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I called a local indie mechanic and a dealer and they both recommended these guys.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The canvas itself has a 3 year warranty, but if anything mechanical fails for the life of the top, Premier will replace fit it for me, no questions asked.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
So, I opted to replace the whole thing with the GAHH top.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The canvas itself has a 3 year warranty, but if anything mechanical fails for the life of the top, Premier will replace fit it for me, no questions asked.
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24 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T103553Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I've sponged long enough without posting any pics so, before I get banned, here area a few. In fairness, I've been waiting on getting a few critical mods completed before uploading. (I'm still sitting here with pedals, dash trim, aluminum gauge rings and a carbon fiber ebrake to install, so interior pics will have to wait.
So, for now, check out my new ride and its new top. I had a very faded grey top with an opaque plastic window that was separating from the canvas. So, I opted to replace the whole thing with the GAHH top. Now, I have a real glass window (with a defroster, no less).
Visibility is great. True, it's probably not as good as an OEM top on an '02 or newer because the glass is not as tall, but it's the next best thing. (I couldn't see anything when backing up before, so this is a major improvement.)
It's lengthy process. The shop had the car for two days and when first fitted, it's tight like a drum. Plus, you can't put the top down for 2 weeks while the canvas continues to stretch. After two weeks, I have to take the car back and they'll spend another 7-8 hours fine-tuning the fit of the top and the new headliner.
More pics to follow once interior is done. Then on to wheels? This forum is great. The advice is invaluable.
Looks great - sounds like you found a very thorough place to install the top. I have a guy across the parking lot from me who does them in about 4 hours. Worried the crap out of me.
Welcome!
Thanks, all.
The color is actually a match to the factory original. (I believe it's "graffiti" grey. Confusing, since interior is graphite grey...) I thought about black b/c black actually holds up better to sunlight, but opted to stick with the original color.
This place is called Premier Upholstery in Santa Clara (
www.premierupholstery.com)
. I called a local indie mechanic and a dealer and they both recommended these guys. They do a lot of warranty work and insurance claims for the dealers.
The job was pricey. $2,000 for the top and $1,000 for the labor. (I think the replacement top with plastic is $500 cheaper, but that was an easy decision.) I probably would not have gone this route if the old top had not been as faded and beaten up as it was...
The other benefit is that Premier takes responsibility for the top should anything go wrong from here on out. The canvas itself has a 3 year warranty, but if anything mechanical fails for the life of the top, Premier will replace fit it for me, no questions asked. Since they take it apart, they take ownership of it. So, part of that $3k includes a psuedo-lifetime warranty on the top.
The guy who did the top told me (just as Joan's plastic surgeon told her) that the tightness would relax a bit after a couple weeks... It's like a drum right now.
"Looks fantastic! Is this top a three-layer with the aluminum reinforcement?"
Hmm. I have no idea. All I know is that it's the "A5 Sonnenland" canvas, which is what they use at the factory. The framing is all still original, so only the canvas, glass and headliner is new...
I like the top a lot....the small window remindes me of the older spider models for some reason...how much for the top?? Mine is getting there (replacement wise
Looking good!! Welcome to the board!
I read somewhere before in a german magazine that porsche still makes those roof liners a certain way so the sound of raindrops is still appreciated by the drivers.
Premier Upholstry seems very reputable. Glad to hear you went to the right place. I've been to the shop twice and owner gave me consultation that is frank and didn't try to sell me BS.
Price is probly on the high side but the results are stunning. There is a lot of rattle etc associated w a new top so the warranty is definitely worth the money. Dealer charges $140/hr to fix rattles so....
Love to see it in person. Any chance u will come to AX on 7/21? It's at Bay Meadows in San Mateo. Hosted by PCA golden gate region.
Cost was very close to $3k. Top is about half that cost, I think. The nice thing about this installer is the implied warranty on their work. The top itself is good for 3 years but these guys warranty their work for the life of the car. So if anything goes sideways (stops closing properly, brackets fail, etc.) they will fix and/or adjust for free.
I did not know about AX on 7/21 but I'm not far from Bay Meadows. I will try to make it.
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