Boxster S Questions

[philipm]

Hi,

Just placed a deposit on a UK 2002 Boxster S. It's interesting as it's semi-facelift! It does have the electric release for the bonnet/boot and the smoked indicators, but no opening glovebox or glass rear screen.

Anyway, two questions for you:
(1) how many keys should it have? The owner has two black ones. Is there a special red key or anything?
(2) seems very stiff to move the gear lever over to reverse. It engages perfectly, but it just quite hard to get it to go left first. Is this normal? Anything to worry about?

Thanks,
Philip

[Marc Gelefsky]

Philip,

Congrats on the Boxster S!
My US Spec 01S has the electric release for the boot & Bonnet as well
My car engages reverse with no major issue, I think there should be some resistance
I think there is a valet key in addition to the 2 main keys, my car did not come with it either.

Did you get a pre purchase inspection on the car??

Cheers!
Marc

[philipm]

Thanks for the info.

I didn't get an inspection. My father is a mechanic, so I'm pretty good at checking. I got my hands on Porsche's own 74 point checklist and checked it myself.

The car has been owned by the current owner from 9,000 miles to it's current 71,000 miles. It has a full main dealer service history, the correct pirelli tyres, all the correct stickers on the hood/service book etc. So it looks like it's straight and been looked after.

Aside from an airbag light bulb, minor oil weep from the front end of the engine and slightly stiff reverse, it looks really very nice indeed.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by philipm

Thanks for the info.

I didn't get an inspection. My father is a mechanic, so I'm pretty good at checking. I got my hands on Porsche's own 74 point checklist and checked it myself.

The car has been owned by the current owner from 9,000 miles to it's current 71,000 miles. It has a full main dealer service history, the correct pirelli tyres, all the correct stickers on the hood/service book etc. So it looks like it's straight and been looked after.

Aside from an airbag light bulb, minor oil weep from the front end of the engine and slightly stiff reverse, it looks really very nice indeed.

As Marc said, there is supposed to be 2 regular keys and a thin valet key. The reverse gear actuation is supposed to be stiff, so that you clearly can feel the difference between putting the car in reverse and 1st gear when starting off from a full stop, or downshifting at slow speeds.

[leify01]

Just curious and if you do not mind sharing, how much did you pay for it?

[Marc Gelefsky]

Originally Posted by leify01

Just curious and if you do not mind sharing, how much did you pay for it?

Comparing UK and US prices?

[denverpete]

Originally Posted by philipm

Thanks for the info.

I didn't get an inspection. My father is a mechanic, so I'm pretty good at checking. I got my hands on Porsche's own 74 point checklist and checked it myself.

The car has been owned by the current owner from 9,000 miles to it's current 71,000 miles. It has a full main dealer service history, the correct pirelli tyres, all the correct stickers on the hood/service book etc. So it looks like it's straight and been looked after.

Aside from an airbag light bulb, minor oil weep from the front end of the engine and slightly stiff reverse, it looks really very nice indeed.

First off, to your earlier post, the 2002 didn't come with a glove box or a glass rear window.

As to your concerns, you've raised several in this post. There seem to be plenty of Boxsters out there with far under 71,000 miles. I can think of at least one member who, while he really likes his Boxster, probably wishes he would have bought one with fewer miles. He calls it his "black hole for dead presidents".

Oil leaks on a Porsche are always cause for concern. With regards to the airbag light bulb - I'm assuming it's on all the time? This would be fairly common and probably due to the seatbelts (there's a great post on this somewhere here).

[rdancd816]

Here's the thread on airbag light fix. I did this after driving around for months with the light illuminated. It's been off for over a month now!


Airbag Indicator light will not turn off?

[philipm]

The light isn't on at all. Hence I suspect it's a blown bulb. The porsche service centre confirmed they checked it 700 miles ago as part of the service and it was ok.

I'm not too worried about the oil. It's well soaked and not obviously dripping much. I got a good price in which I have budgeted for a clutch / RMS seal change if it comes the worst.

The service centre also confirmed that reverse is OK. It's meant to be really stiff on the 6 speed box to stop you putting it there by accident.

It should come with two main keys and an emergency wallet spare. New keys can be added by the dealer for around $400 equivalent.

If you want to see UK prices. Head over to www.pistonheads.com. Their classified section will give you a good idea. I paid around $32k equivalent.

My car has these options and is basalt black metallic:
C16 - UK
IXLF - Sports Exhaust System
IXRL - 18" Sport design Wheel
IXX1 - Floor Mats, Logo, Leather Border
M012 - "Sport Design" Package
M197 - Stronger Battery
M239 - prep for 18" wheels
M288 - Headlamp Washer
M375 - Sport seat, Backrest Shell, Left
M376 - Sport seat, Backrest Shell, Right
M424 - CD Compartment
M441 - Prepared For Radio
M490 - MJ 01 Hi-Fi Sound System 6 Speakers, Amplifier (6 x 25 watts),
Multi-channel loudspeaker system with base reflex boxes in doors
M502 - make in Finland
M551 - Wind Deflector
M567 - Windshield Tinted, Upper Part Darker Coloured
M571 - Activated Charcoal Filter
M573 - Air Conditioning
M584 - storage box above engine
M601 - Headlamp Litronic
M659 - Computer
M695 - CD-Radio "Porsche CDR-22"
M983 - Seat Covers Front, Leather