hi! just acquired this 2002 carrera convertible. i just drove it long distance (500 miles) and can't tolerate the noise at 70 to 80 mph while the top is up. is that normal? i think its tolerable at lower or higher speed but too noisy at that range.

i'm planning to acquire a 1999 hard top (cover). will this fit a 2002 convertible? I just joined this forum so please bear with me.

thank you!

 

can you elaborate on what noise you're referring to? I have an 02 cab and its pretty quiet considering its a cab, you will notice a difference with the hardtop on.

I've had both hardtops for my 00 and 02...seems like it should be compatible.

 

I haven't noticed any sound issues at speeds up to 120.

 

it seems like the top is vibrating and i feel like i'm inside a drum being beat up. it's tiring and i'm tempted to wear an ear plug which i think is illegal.

anyway, my question is... will a 1999 hardtop, will it fit this 2002 996 model?

thank you!

 

there shouldnt be that much noise..."like a drum being beat from the inside" is not normal. You are going get some noise as expected but not that you need ear plugs. Could be something else going with your top.

As for the hardtop, I am pretty sure it will fit...

 

You should try to figure out what that noise is... that's not normal...

 

thanks for all the reply. i had it check at the dealer and they said its pretty "normal". i enjoy driving the car when the top is down but it's winter.

anyway, this is my first convertible or driving one for that matter.used to have 88 carrera coupe and i enjoyed it very much especially the sound of the engine. its pretty docile now. is there any adjustment to make on the top or just live with it. also will the hardtop kind of quiet things out?

thanks....

 

That's not normal to have drum like noise inside the interior. Have a friend drive along side your car at the speed that you experienced the noise tell him to look for any flapping around both sides and look at the top if it bulge up. Could be loose cable or weather strip is loose that let outside air get into the cabin.

Does the sound like sunroof open with all windows close on hardtop car? I used to experience this with some of my cars in the past.

 

i suspect the cable that tightened the top is loose and need tightening. how come the dealer would not touch this issue. anybody knows to recommend what to do?

thanks!

 

maybe there is another dealer you can go to?

If you use the hardtop, it will be like a coupe as far as interior noise.

 

also since I have my hardtop on right now...and for the next couple of months...you will hear FLEXING. Since the regular top is down when you have the hardtop on it...you will hear creaks and squeaks here and there...ALL NORMAL. Whenever I pull in or out of a steep driveway at an angle I hear the chassis flex a little...so thats the only other thing you will hear with the hardtop on.

 

Don't bring it back to the dealer unless you still have CPO. Otherwise, let the professional top/upholstery shop take a look and adjust if needed.

Keep in mind, Porsche service center is not known for diagnose and repair interior upholstery and soft top. They go thru the service manual for instruction and those guys are not top notch expert when it comes to this type of problem. They usually send the car out to a local specialty for repair.

 

Definately not normal. I have more wind noise with the hardtop on than just the softtop.

 

thanks to everyone's opinion and recommendations. i will get a hardtop and have the shop look at the convertible top soon. right now i can't stand the noise in the highway.

 

WAIT! New-used car … Have the tires and rims checked for balance!
I’ve had this problem too! My sled is a 2002 C4 Cab, and I had the same deep-base throbbing/resonating through the car. Barely noticed with the roof down at speed, heard what sounds like your situation with the roof up, but either up or down over 100 mph it was no longer audible, but ‘felt’ throughout the car. After several attempts to fix a ghost problem (which has to be paid for), someone mentioned getting a 4 wheel alignment and all 4 rims balanced.
That was the answer. Seems I lost a rear wheel rim weight, not something I’d have noticed as it was on the inner rear of the rim.
I’ll bet you don’t hear this sound when at 70+ mph while navigating a curve at 7/10ths. The stress you’re putting on the tire, rim & suspension, compensates for the minor “out of balance” and throws off the rhythm developed by an out of balance tire in a straight line. If I’m right, it’ll be worst when you put on the hard-top, as it’ll resonate even louder. So will the exhaust when you stab the throttle … but that’s a good thing! I hope it’s as simple a solution as I had.
Good luck.