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New Beetle Convertible Top Noises

I just recently bought a certified used (10K miles) 2003 New Beetle Convertible. I'm having a love/hate relationship with the car. With the top down I love it but with the top up the squeaks and rattles are driving me nuts. I only wish all the roads were as smooth as the ones the dealer chose for my test drive. When I hit bumps the top starts creaking and crackling. The noise seems to be coming mainly from the framework where the top meets the back windows. I've had it to the dealer once already and got it back with the noises still there and I intend to keep taking it back until the problem is resolved.

If anybody else has had this problem can you let me know what fixed it? I think the only ways it's going to be fixed in a timely manner is if I "guide" the dealer to the proper repair.

Thanks, Bob

Reply to
Bob
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The joys of owning a convertible! You might try to silicone all the rubber seals and see what happens. Other than that... remember convertible cars have a lot more body flex.

Reply to
Woodchuck

it back until the problem is resolved.

I'm not specifically familiar with the NB convertible... BUT, every other convertible I've ever driven has pretty much the same issues. In my opinion, convertibles should not be the everyday car for most people, unless you live where you can drive with the top down everyday! They are not very much fun with the top up, due to body flex, noise, leaks, etc. My convertible only comes out on nice days.

jp

Reply to
Psych-O-Delic Voodoo Thunder P

Cowlshake Baby!!!

Reply to
Peter Parker

I've had VW convertibles in the past and have driven other NB convertibles and none of them made noises like this one. Yesterday I confirmed that it's not glass to rubber noise because it was still squeaking with the top up and windows down. When I put my hand on the top framework I can feel the vibrations in the steel but haven't been able to isolate the offending pieces. It's like some of the pivot points are loose or need lubed or something. Anybody know of any TSBs on the convertible top?

I drove one car that was lemon lawed because of convertible top issues. It was factory repaired and was quiet as can be when I drove it. I didn't buy it because I didn't care for the interior color. The car I did buy was within a couple hundred in serial number of the repaired one so I was wondering if there was some kind of quality issue.

Bob

Reply to
Bob

Probably. VW is notorious for poor hardware quality. You have to understand that the VW convertible is a re-design from the coupe. I'm sure the design has changed to reflect the re-manned NB lemon. If you can find out what that is, you might be able to have a solution.

Reply to
Peter Parker

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