britairdog

The 987 folding soft top is the best in the business. My car has both soft and hard top options. The hard-top is actually noisier than the soft top because, although the hard top reduces side window noise, it also reflects more engine noise into the cabin.Some people like that- I do! The soft top is very durable - my previous 986 boxster soft top was fine after 6 years, though it was garaged every day. The soft top should do well for at least 5 years under all conditions and should not cause any worry. You will never be sorry if you choose a soft-top boxster over an SLK. My reason for opting for a hard top ( which is lightweight aluminium, NOT steel) was to extend the life of the soft-top and for enhanced security for city parking. Also, the cabin has a more open feel and visibility is better. It has been mistaken for a Cayman!

I collected my 987S in June with the hardtop factory fitted. I removed the top after a few days, as the English summer had arrived. It is very easy to do: remove the cover plate where the soft-top latch release is hidden, release the latch and turn two levers behind the offside of each passenger seat. Find a buddy to help you and then slide the top rearwards about 12", disconnect the window heater loom behind the passenger seat, then lift the top away. It takes less than 2 minutes. Refitting is the exact reverse of the above, except that you need to be careful about getting the alignment right before sliding the top forward into the top rail lugs. Put something across the rear panel ( behind the rear windscreen) to allow you to rest the weight and make adjustments without scratches or damage. Even so, refitting takes less than 10 minutes. In comparison to the soft-top, the hard-top definitely cuts down upon the wind noise and the cabin has a feeling of more light and space, mainly due to the very big rear window and parcel shelf area. The soft-top has a noticeable amount of wind-noise ( on my car, at least) along the side windows, plus a whistle from the side mirror mounts. I think that the gap between the two arms supporting the door mirror are ducting air onto the rear door window frame (as well as producing the whistling noise).This is not apparent with the hard-top fitted. I think the hard-top looks great, although removal and fitting is definitely not something you can do single handed. Who needs a Cayman?? (edit - incomplete images removed - Loren)

I collected my 987S in June with the hardtop factory fitted. I removed the top after a few days, as the English summer had arrived. It is very easy to do: remove the cover plate where the soft-top latch release is hidden, release the latch and turn two levers behind the offside of each passenger seat. Find a buddy to help you and then slide the top rearwards about 12", disconnect the window heater loom behind the passenger seat, then lift the top away. It takes less than 2 minutes. Refitting is the exact reverse of the above, except that you need to be careful about getting the alignment right before sliding the top forward into the top rail lugs. Put something across the rear panel ( behind the rear windscreen) to allow you to rest the weight and make adjustments without scratches or damage. Even so, refitting takes less than 10 minutes. In comparison to the soft-top, the hard-top definitely cuts down upon the wind noise and the cabin has a feeling of more light and space, mainly due to the very big rear window and parcel shelf area. The soft-top has a noticeable amount of wind-noise ( on my car, at least) along the side windows, plus a whistle from the side mirror mounts. I think that the gap between the two arms supporting the door mirror are ducting air onto the rear door window frame (as well as producing the whistling noise).This is not apparent with the hard-top fitted. I think the hard-top looks great, although removal and fitting is definitely not something you can do single handed. Who needs a Cayman??

I collected my 987S in June with the hardtop factory fitted. I removed the top after a few days, as the English summer had arrived. It is very easy to do: remove the cover plate where the soft-top latch release is hidden, release the latch and turn two levers behind the offside of each passenger seat. Find a buddy to help you and then slide the top rearwards about 12", disconnect the window heater loom behind the passenger seat, then lift the top away. It takes less than 2 minutes. Refitting is the exact reverse of the above, except that you need to be careful about getting the alignment right before sliding the top forward into the top rail lugs. Put something across the rear panel ( behind the rear windscreen) to allow you to rest the weight and make adjustments without scratches or damage. Even so, refitting takes less than 10 minutes. In comparison to the soft-top, the hard-top definitely cuts down upon the wind noise and the cabin has a feeling of more light and space, mainly due to the very big rear window and parcel shelf area. The soft-top has a noticeable amount of wind-noise ( on my car, at least) along the side windows, plus a whistle from the side mirror mounts. I think that the gap between the two arms supporting the door mirror are ducting air onto the rear door window frame (as well as producing the whistling noise).This is not apparent with the hard-top fitted. I think the hard-top looks great, although removal and fitting is definitely not something you can do single handed. Who needs a Cayman??

Ok, that was just my opinion. If you really want to disable the seatbelt chime, you will probably find a dual wire feed to the female part of the seatbelt connection. These wires are 'open circuit' without the seatbelt fastened. If you cut both wires and connect them together, the car will always sense that your seatbelt is fastened. This has worked on other cars, it may answer fix your problem <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why don't you just do the right thing and fasten the seatbelt? Even if you are sitting in your stationary car it may save you, if you are rammed by another vehicle , since the airbags may not activate. If you are driving, airbags will not keep you from being thrown out of the car or into the passenger side if you have an accident. If you are driving your Porsche around without a seatbelt on you must be crazy. Maybe does on an '02 C4 .... but, we're talking 987 S here ... the annoying gong stops momentarily but, then starts in again ...... sure wish someone had a fix !!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your salesman was WRONG! There is a break in period for the Boxster. Porsche recommend staying off full throttle and high rpm for 3000km/1850miles. You should be able to find this information in the owner's manual - you did read it, didn't you? My dealer (UK) suggested a max of 5000rpm during the break-in period which still allowed me very satisfactory performance. I now have 2000 miles on the clock so I can enjoy the car to the full. You may regret not having optioned the PCM option if you ever get to try it. The radio, mobile phone and CD operation is brilliant and the sat-nav incredibly clear and accurate. You are right, it's a great car, better in every respect than the 986 model, except.........it's not quite such a good looking car, in my opinion. Have fun, but take it easy for a while!

Thank you for the advice on this problem. I checked out all suggested fixes, but nothing cured the fault. It turned out that Porsche tech department were right - the only answer was to replace the alarm module ( under the passenger seat) . This took 2 hours and £400 (£700 USD) from my bank account, just to get the interior lights working!! My current car is now sold to a new owner on 20 June, my new 987 Boxster S arrives next day........

My car is a UK spec 2.5 Boxster MY1999. After a major accident repair, the internal ( overhead) light does not work at all, either in auto or manual mode. I have checked the bulb is ok!! The footwell lights fitted in the lower door panel are also inoperative. As a possible indicator of the problem, the central locking system does not re-arm if the car is not entered within 30 seconds of disarming the system, otherwise it is ok. Porsche think that the alarm and control unit under the passenger seat is faulty and that the cost to fix is $800USD (500 Sterling pounds) I think that it could be a simple wiring fault due to the repair. Any ideas out there? Can anyone supply a suitable wiring diagram?