[biotechee]

Alright- one thing that I will eventually need to get addressed is replacement of the cab plastic window. I found a small place near my work which appears to do very good work. I asked what it would cost me to have the window replaced.... He said around $525.



He also had done 944S2 tops before so he was able to describe how the rear section is "fastened" to the car.



Does this sound "fair"? I think it is a little high, but not that bad. I was hoping for something closer to 400, but....



So what say the experts? By the way- the area of the shop/my work/neighborhood/etc. isn't a depressed area if you know what I mean. So I expect service-based things to be a little more expensive than what I really want to pay - for better or worse.



Also, he mentioned that he can provide the window in tinted plastic and showed me a piece. He also fessed up that the window is actually very cheap- it's all the labor to remove the rear piece then the window then sew in the new window. What do you think about a pre-tinted window? He had just done an E46 top and the work looked stellar.



I had thought about tinting the sides- very light- just enough to provide some protection, but nowhere near limo tint.



I submit myself to the Forum's mercy! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

that is high if he is going to sew a new window into your old canvas, but not by much - doing it that way though avoids dealing with one half new canvas and one half old



the top section and the window surround are separate pieces, but when you replace it like that, you get two different levels of fading of the canvas



either way, they have to pop the rear deck, likely snapping your clips, and potentially wacking out your motors



tough call - personally, i would change out the whole top before i wold mess with a window - it's not like an old british car where you can lift the thing off and take it to them



in fact, i'm just about to replace mine - no problem with the window, but the canvas is original, and i have a couple of popped threads - when i do it though, i am installing a zip out rear window



a short term option would be to get a piece of plastic, cut the old window out, leaving enough at the perimeter to glue the new one onto



E46 is glass - maybe he meant E36? or were you just commenting on the E46 work and not the window?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

Nope- just commenting on the work he did on an E46.



Thanks for the viewpoints. When Spring approaches, I'll take a closer look to see what I am comfortable with.... The overall top is in very good condition, so that is what is making me lean towards just doing the window.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i thought mine was in good shape too - then i saw a new one right next to it

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

Very good condition and new condition are two completely different levels to me. Mine is in very good condition. It is, by no means, new or in like new condition.



The new top on the E46 I saw in his shop was spectacular to say the least.



I have no doubt a new top would look 1000 times better, but I am holding out as long as possible for various reasons. First being that the top is in... very good condition! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I am also going to try to remove as much of the scratching and hazing as I possibly can this Spring. Got a few things to try... My window almost looks as though someone gently used a mild abrasive to clean it once. I am guessing the original owner would be the culprit. The previous owner is too fanatical to have done something like that...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[94SilverCab]

My rear window has a bit of cloudiness. I'm not concerned since it hardly ever leaves my house with the top up anyway.



Unless you are going for concourse (clearly not, given your mods.), is it really worth it?



Jay

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

The only reason I want to address it, if I can, is because it is difficult to see out the rear window while in the car. I guess because of the angles and lighting, the scratches and hazing are really pronounced from the inside. From the outside, the window appears clearer.



Even if I can get a little improvement in the window, I would be happy. And you are right- not looking for concours by any means. Just a clean car that looks awwwwsum (spoken like the hamster from Bolt).

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

have you tried a buffer with Novus 2? i have removed even the nasty brown stuff from windows with that

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[wiseman]

Your half the way to a new top and window. Just had mine done...................what a difference. I'd get the whole thing done.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

I also had a lousy rear window (made me fail NJ state inspection) and a top in very good condition. I wrestled with the same decision, ended up getting the whole thing replaced, and haven't looked back (except when I have to, and it's easy with the new window).

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jwillman]

<!--quoteo(post=64365:date=Dec 17 2008, 07:31 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Dec 17 2008, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->that is high if he is going to sew a new window into your old canvas, but not by much - doing it that way though avoids dealing with one half new canvas and one half old

the top section and the window surround are separate pieces, but when you replace it like that, you get two different levels of fading of the canvas

either way, they have to pop the rear deck, likely snapping your clips, and potentially wacking out your motors

tough call - personally, i would change out the whole top before i wold mess with a window - it's not like an old british car where you can lift the thing off and take it to them

in fact, i'm just about to replace mine - no problem with the window, but the canvas is original, and i have a couple of popped threads - when i do it though, i am installing a zip out rear window

a short term option would be to get a piece of plastic, cut the old window out, leaving enough at the perimeter to glue the new one onto

E46 is glass - maybe he meant E36? or were you just commenting on the E46 work and not the window?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I just priced a replacement window in Austin, texas and it was $500.

Are you planning a self install for your nre roof? Ebay has a seller with OEM material at $389 but the next closest I have found on the internet is ~$600 so the ebay seller makes me nervous. Anyone with experience with that seller?

Jim

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

no - i've done tops on other cars before, but the chances of damage are too high with this one for me to feel comfortable doing it - there are jut too many stories about broken bows and punctured tops - besides, i am having custom work done on it at the same time

i will not buy a top from an ebay seller - i will only use a genuine robbins top (the original) - i've seen the others, including the GAHH, and i don't like the fit or the material

i won't likely be replacing it this summer as it is still hanging in there, but the threads are popping now, and it won't be long

fortunately i have the tonneau cover, so the top almost never goes up anyway

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

Jim-

Haven't addressed the window yet. In the past 2 months, all my driving in the 968 has been top-down. Couple that with my recent employment change (went part time), I am not in a hurry to spend money on the top. The top is in very good condition, I have converted to manual operation, and I am happy.

I will, hopefully this upcoming week, try to buff out some of the haziness with my Griot's mini-orbital and some plastic polish. I am pretty sure I can clear it up a little after the job I just did on my daily driver headlights (plastic).

Maybe somewhere down the road, when the top becomes really worn, Ill address the whole kit and kaboodle with a complete new top.... But that is REALLY far down the road!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[DayDreamer]

The 356 guys at my Porsche garage recommend BWM's tube of plastic window cleaner. I have not tried it yet, but they swear by it

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.