bought from a little old lady

[Mark_T]

Congrats on your great deal! Here's a couple of differing opinions for you (the great thing about forums!):

Firstly, the brake fluid. The reason for changing brake fluid is that it is a hygroscopic fluid (absorbs water over time) and this will of course affect the efficiency of the brakes. (so far we probably all agree). BUT, as the fluid absorbs water it gets darker in color, so if your fluid is still completely clear then you don't need to flush it, regardless of how long it may have been in there. (the part we likely don't all agree on, but I think changing things that are still good just because the service manual says so is a crock) If the fluid is starting to darken then, by all means, change it.

Secondly, the top. I just don't get why everyone is so hot to get the glass window "upgrade". It is smaller than the plastic window (less rear visiblilty), more expensive, and I really, really hate the orange defroster lines. I don't think that just replacing the window is a good idea - looks like crap no matter how well it is done. Replace the whole top with a good quality one. If you do have your heart set on the glass window you can buy a glass window top upgrade that will fit your existing frame.

I got my replacement top (plastic window) for my '99 from Prestige out of England for about 2/3 the price of GAHH and I am very happy with the fit and quality. Prestige is one of the few that can "weld" in the plastic window, unlike many aftermarket suppliers who just stich it in. You can do the replacement yourself if you are careful and slightly mechanicall inclined.

Good luck with your project!

Mark

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

...BUT, as the fluid absorbs water it gets darker in color, so if your fluid is still completely clear then you don't need to flush it, regardless of how long it may have been in there. (the part we likely don't all agree on, but I think changing things that are still good just because the service manual says so is a crock) If the fluid is starting to darken then, by all means, change it.

Secondly, the top. I just don't get why everyone is so hot to get the glass window "upgrade". It is smaller than the plastic window (less rear visiblilty), more expensive, and I really, really hate the orange defroster lines. I don't think that just replacing the window is a good idea - looks like crap no matter how well it is done. Replace the whole top with a good quality one. If you do have your heart set on the glass window you can buy a glass window top upgrade that will fit your existing frame...Good luck with your project!

Mark

Well, we agree and disagree.

You absolutely CANNOT determine the moisture content in brake fluid by simply looking at it.

The ONLY way to accurately check it visually is with a refractometer.

An SAE study of 5000 3-yr. old cars found an avg. brake fluid moisture content of 8%. At 10% moisture content, you may as well be running pure water through the system. So changing the fluid every two years is not only prudent, but proven to be necessary.

Brake fluid is indeed hygroscopic and this means that not only will it hold moisture, but it will actually absorb moisture from the air. All brake hydraulic systems are 'open' in that they have a vent (usually in the cap) to prevent a vacuum from being created and every brake application causes this vent to pull in outside air. Not only is this a safety issue with potential fluid boil causing inefficient braking, but the moisture trapped by the fluid will lead to corrosion of the hard lines and brake internals.

I totally agree with you on the aftermarket glass window tops and would add that these also prevent you from putting the top into the 'Service' position making filter and fluid replacement difficult to impossible.

Cheers!

[lowmiler]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Congrats on your great deal! Here's a couple of differing opinions for you (the great thing about forums!):

Firstly, the brake fluid. The reason for changing brake fluid is that it is a hygroscopic fluid (absorbs water over time) and this will of course affect the efficiency of the brakes. (so far we probably all agree). BUT, as the fluid absorbs water it gets darker in color, so if your fluid is still completely clear then you don't need to flush it, regardless of how long it may have been in there. (the part we likely don't all agree on, but I think changing things that are still good just because the service manual says so is a crock) If the fluid is starting to darken then, by all means, change it.

Secondly, the top. I just don't get why everyone is so hot to get the glass window "upgrade". It is smaller than the plastic window (less rear visiblilty), more expensive, and I really, really hate the orange defroster lines. I don't think that just replacing the window is a good idea - looks like crap no matter how well it is done. Replace the whole top with a good quality one. If you do have your heart set on the glass window you can buy a glass window top upgrade that will fit your existing frame.

I got my replacement top (plastic window) for my '99 from Prestige out of England for about 2/3 the price of GAHH and I am very happy with the fit and quality. Prestige is one of the few that can "weld" in the plastic window, unlike many aftermarket suppliers who just stich it in. You can do the replacement yourself if you are careful and slightly mechanicall inclined.

Good luck with your project!

Mark

Mark
Thanks so much for the input. The boxster community is great. I will check out the color of the brake fluid and make a decision to flush or not. I really don't think it is going to be that bad. I have known the woman I bought the car from for over five years. It sounds cliche but the only thing she ever really used the car for was to go to church on sundays and a few trips up north. The rest of the time it was in her garage. Thats really the reason I bought the car. I wasn't looking for a boxster but now that I have one I love it! I'm not sure what I will do about the back window yet. The weather is nice in Phoenix so most of my driving will be with the top down anyway.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by lowmiler

Mark
Thanks so much for the input. The boxster community is great. I will check out the color of the brake fluid and make a decision to flush or not. I really don't think it is going to be that bad. I have known the woman I bought the car from for over five years. It sounds cliche but the only thing she ever really used the car for was to go to church on sundays and a few trips up north. The rest of the time it was in her garage. Thats really the reason I bought the car. I wasn't looking for a boxster but now that I have one I love it! I'm not sure what I will do about the back window yet. The weather is nice in Phoenix so most of my driving will be with the top down anyway.

Don't bother checking the color of the brake fluid... it will not tell you a thing, except maybe that it's REALLY bad as opposed to just bad.

If you don't know when it was last changed, or if it was 2 or more years ago... change it!

Cheers!

[Mark_T]

I will gladly defer to Lil B's obviously better knowledge on the topic of brake fluid (and just about everything else Porsche, for that matter). A classic case of fact vs. folklore. And I guess I'll change my brake fluid when I pull 'er out in the spring...sigh*

[lowmiler]

Sounds like I will be doing the brake/clutch fluid in addition to all the other things. I don't want to cut corners on maintenance.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

I will gladly defer to Lil B's obviously better knowledge on the topic of brake fluid (and just about everything else Porsche, for that matter). A classic case of fact vs. folklore. And I guess I'll change my brake fluid when I pull 'er out in the spring...sigh*

Thanks, but there are many more here who know more about these cars than I.

But, I guess if you've been around long enough for 1700 posts, you do pick up the odd tidbit now and then.

Cheers!