What should I have maintenanced?

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by kerplunk

I wouldn't say your thoughts here were particularly helpful to me, but I do appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Whether or not you realize it, you joined a very large global family when you signed up for this forum. Expect helpful advice, some really lousy advice, and comments that don't really answer your questions, all in the same thread. It's like a dinner table experience. Dad gives good advice, your sister sneers at you, and your little brother can't wait to show you the food-yet-swallowed they've been chewing for the last 90 seconds.

:dance:

Someone recommended bleeding your brake lines above, which is great advice. What I'd add to that would be to have the brake system's master cylinder reservoir pumped out electronically (done at a dealer or Porsche shop) if you have a manual transmission. Flushing brake lines doesn't actually replace all the brake fluid in the reservoir and it's used by the clutch as well.

A pre-purchase inspection after the fact will yield a lot of good information about your car and cost you about $250. I'd do that if I were you plus change out all the fluids just in case they're original.

Enjoy your Porsche and don't hold back. Drive it hard and to the redline when you get the chance. The car really does love to stretch its legs and run hard. Just remain cautious... our cars are the most forgiving version of the Porsche lineup with the engine in the middle where it belongs, but new owners usually find themselves in a predicament sooner than later from the simple thrill of ownership. My car got away from me more than once when I was finding the limits in those first exciting months of ownership. Thank God no curbs or brick walls were anywhere near me back then!

[ramo80]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

My car got away from me more than once when I was finding the limits in those first exciting months of ownership. Thank God no curbs or brick walls were anywhere near me back then!

I found the curb twice. I had to replace 2 rims once and 1 rim the other time. Wheel carrier, bearings and had to get the bumper fixed and repainted.

Both times i was with girls showing off like an idiot. Never again.... NEVER!!! :dance:

[mptoledo]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Drive it hard and to the redline when you get the chance. The car really does love to stretch its legs and run hard.

I have actually run across a lot of thoughts on running your car hard and IMS falilure rates(by no means a scientific study).
Now I am just repeating what I have read and have no proof of the claims. but is goes something like this:..

People who baby their porsche and never get close to the redline don't get enough oil flowing. Now people like, well , me (and others) who "drive it like you stole it" and love to here the engine rev out through the gears apparently get more oil to ims and subsequently have fewer engine failures. Now this is assuming you have the proper levels of fluids and regular mainenaince done.

[mikefocke]

or is it a function of the driver who does also being more fanatical about maintenance than the driver who drives it like a Volvo.

I'd say getting the oil hot and keeping it clean are two keys to longevity.

I bought my current Boxster (my second) at 42k miles and with an uncertain history and it being 4 years old at the time, I asked for a 60K, coolant flush, trans flush and brake fluid flush. That was 4 years ago and the car has been more reliable than any of my other 3 cars (Honda, Acura, Mazda) in the years since.

Before you go do that and spend the $1k+, see if a bit of detective work can give a hint about if the 60k was done. Have the mechanic pull one sparkplug and look at the poly/serpentine belt. Their condition might tell him if the 60k was done. Or look at the air cleaner. You can do that yourself. If it is really foul, you know it hasn't been done.

[Paul]

The 60K is not hard to do yourself....