From the complete lack of responses I got looking for info on installing hardtop hardware in a 987.2 BS, I think that these top installations may be pretty rare, particularly related to the fairly common number on 986's. I just finished the top install and first driving impressions so I thought I would add to the hardtop lore for others thinking about it. I have seen a number of posts where the view is that the Gen 2 tops are so much improved over the 986's that the hardtop is now unneeded. I do agree that the gen 2 tops with the added interior liners are really good soft tops, quite quiet versus single layer tops and pretty livable. However, I am a big fan of winter hardtops and went ahead. First (and only) issue is the installation of the required Spinlock receptacles just behind the B pillars. Porsche installs the brackets which hold these little cylinders, but skips install of the cylinders themselves. In the 986, this install is a matter of minutes, but due to a redesign of the soft top mechanism, it is a big pain in the 987's. I acquired the parts (about $95 from Suncoast), and also the Alldata instructions and instructions from a couple of less specific sources. After a couple of hours trying to DIY, I called in a top drawer Indy, EPE of Natick, MA, who installed the parts with a bit of swearing and only a 3 hour charge. My thanks to them for taking on a small but bothersome task that I failed at. Once the locks are in, the top is a simple drop in using the original front latch system and two simple levers to lock down the rear sides into the new locks. In my case, I fell into a perfect used top that came from a 2008 BS RS60 in GT Silver. The top was removed up front and never used on the car, which was moved to FL without top and later sold. I put it on a Meteor Grey car and I think the two colors are really a good pairing so not planning on painting the top so far. With top installed, there is a definite reduction in noise, both wind and all other noises. It is also definitely much more insulated, and overall a very nice improvement for cold weather use. I suspect that the pile of soft top material over the engine further dampens engine and tire noise. The fit appears to promise complete water tightness, the windows seal properly against the top seals just like the originals, etc. For this top, I just dropped it on and tightened clamps with no adjusting. There is a good bit of latitude with the clamps so fine tuning of the fit looks to be very easy if needed. On first run on rough roads, no rattles at all for this one. A nice benefit is that the soft top is completely protected from all of winter's harshness, so there may be some payback in soft top longevity. From the interior, there is a distinct improvement in visibility, particularly if you snap out the mesh screens in the headrests. The glass rear window is much wider. More light is also a plus. Otherwise, the interior looks much the same with a very similar cloth roof liner that about matches the soft top liner. The glass wind blocker should be removed for air circulation to the rear glass, but same for the soft top in winter. The whole top weighs about 50 pounds, as it is aluminum. I would not try to install it alone due to the two long sharp pointed locking pins that stick out below bottom edge and will easily scratch or dent metal. I have a hoist in my garage for a Mercedes SL top that I jury rigged to hold this top for this first pass at installation, and anything like that is more than enough to allow one person to handle it. With two people and no hoist it is cake. So far the only negative is a reduction in the exhaust note from inside. Highly recommended upgrade for the cooler climates.