Firefighter

Since there is no general Cabriolet site this applies to all.
Rear window separation is common in our older Cabriolets. To slow this aging / deteriorating process two things seem to apply. One is not to open or close the top in colder weather. The greatest strain around the rear window is during the closing process and the material is stiff. Second (and I am not the first to note this) is to throw an old beach towel over the rear window when possible. Apparently ultra violet light exposure constantly weakens the material holding the window and the top fabric.

Brian Cecil

I had my Cabriolet here in Southern California for nearly 8 years. It was always parked with the top up. It was almost always parked in a garage. I had a custom car cover I always put over it when I'd park it outside for more than a few hours. It still developed the dreaded window separation syndrome after seven years. It just happens. You can do as much as possible to try and prevent it, but you always have to be ready for it to happen to you.

Firefighter

Brian,
Not good news on the top issue. I was hoping to avoid what seems to be an inescapable problem. So, I'll buy lots of super glue and/or take $ 2,000 out of my beer budget. :-)
Thanks, Ed

xaviexavie

I also am in So Ca. Bought the car new; garage kept, lovingly hand washed by yours truly. Happened BEFORE the four year warranty period was up. Replaced for free (I had to work for it / they were not going to do it).

I still have the car. Window issues again in 2015 (Audi could not tell me if this wouldn't happen again back in 07); you name it, I tried it to fix. Finally spent $1800 for a Sonnendeck top.

My advice? Augment that beer budget when the time comes & get the new top. The patch work eventually fails. This new top is guaranteed to never have window failure. And yes, this happens to all the high end cars - Jags, BMW's, Mercedes.

Resales on an older Audi is not good. Worse w/ a bad top. Sigh.

mromanik

I've had my '04 for about 4 yrs. Original top no window problems. When I was looking for one, I did see several with the window separation.
My '97 Jag has the original top, no window problem.

Am I just lucky?

xaviexavie

Very!! Hope your top as well as your luck remain in great shape!

F18Lumpy

FWIW, the best luck I've had with repairs is using 3M 08609 Window Weld Urethane with 3M 08682 Single Step Primer. It's easy to work with and gives a better repair in my view. Several Suck-n-Clamps as well as some paint stirring sticks to help apply even pressure to the repair area are a must. All are available from Amazon.

I'd love a new top, but its out of the budget for now. The 3M is the next best thing.

RoMan709

Try following this video and use GE Iron Silicone Adhesive...I used sofa cushions to support the window on a warm sunny day.