Hello. Please be gentle!!

[srad34]

Hi Bob,
There couple a couple of reasons for the noise, lowere suspension arm (or coffins) coulodhave worn bushes, could also be a worn shock. Best thing is to get it on a ramp and look for anything obvious.
Very important to note that parts are not massively more expensive from any other car and there is no rocket science in there. Most regular garages will try to charge a premium so look for a good independant specialist garage and you won't go far wrong.
I (fortunately) do all my own servicing but not come across anything too taxing just yet.

Get out there and enjoy the drive while the sun is shining!

Matt srad34 UK

[Spinnaker]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

Is it really OK to wait until 3000 RPM until changing gear?
When I drive the car as I do (like an old lady) I find that changing gear can be somewhat "clunky". I must admit that, on the odd occasion that I have let the engine rev a bit higher that this problem disappears. Do you think that that I am driving the car wrong?

Bob

Yes, I think you are driving it wrong.
You bought a Porsche, not a Austin. Drive it like it was meant to be, like a race car.
Around town and in traffic, you may have to shift at 3000. When you are out on the open road, on occasion, let the engine windup to 6000 before you shift. Let the sound of the engine intoxicate you. You will experience a phenomenon that we on the forum call the "Perma-grin". You will still be well below the red line for the engine.
You can harm an engine by not letting it rev up into its power band. Lugging and carbon build up come to mind. When I used to work on engines a lot, I could always tell when on car was driven like an "old lady". The combustion chambers and valves would always be crudded up with carbon deposits and the top half of the rod bearings would show excessive wear from lugging. A engine needs to get exercise at higher RPM's to blow out the deposits that build up from driving around town at low speeds. I blow out the carbon every chance I get.
When you have the suspension checked for the "clunk" noise, make sure the front engine mount is examined also.

While "the beer is on me" sounds interesting, I prefer mine in a glass or straight from the bottle.

[Mark_T]

Think of your Boxster as a girl with a fondness for bad boys. If you don't treat her rough, she won't stay with you. Run her hard and keep the revs up. This isn't your mom's Corolla, and the fastest way to kill it is to lug it. It's a small motor with lots of horsepower but little torque. You need to spin it fast. De-snorkling (a free mod) will definitely encourage you to wind it out more often.

[Homeboy981]

Driving it like you stole it can be challenging in town! It is hard to rap it out in traffic, and, like Sammy Hagar says, "I can't get my car outta second gear!"

I live near the Interstate so, once warm, I blow her out with quick bursts up to ***mph or so - when no one is around - I'm not irresponsible - just havin' fun! Seriously need to get it on a track!

I was getting some clunking and found it to be the front engine mount (you have to remove the belly pan to check). Like most repairs…there are "tricks" you must know. Thank God for these people here….they have saved me throwing tools or worse! So lurk and learn. I too was a new owner many months ago (seems like another life). Now, I could not go back to a regular "Box" car!

My wife has a 2008 Honda, and so far our expenses have been about the same. Same payments, she gets better mileage by about 2mpg, almost same amount of $$$ spent on repairs. My car is older and you have to factor that in.

I am going to write a book titled, "How To Drive A Porsche…On A Honda Budget!" Of course my IMS could have something to say about the killing the book deal!

[san rensho]

My theory on what RPM to run is based on how far the throttle is open. Around town, when I am in traffic and I have the throttle barely open, I will run it in the 2500-3000 range. If I want to go near full throttle, I am never below around 4500. So usually, when I'm on the freeway and I'm going to do some slicing and dicing, I keep it around 4000 and when I accelerate, shift around 5500, maybe 6000. No need to goto redline since the max HP on our cars drops off around 6500 and max torque is around 4500.

[mcomet]

Originally Posted by san rensho

So usually, when I'm on the freeway and I'm going to do some slicing and dicing, I keep it around 4000 and when I accelerate, shift around 5500, maybe 6000. No need to goto redline since the max HP on our cars drops off around 6500 and max torque is around 4500.

Exactly...starting car let it warm up not going above 4k rpm or so until oil temp is around 180... After that let it rip.

I definitely tend to keep rpm around 4 when driving for "fun" and wanting torquey shift and acceleration. If I get behind traffic that is slower or I see I can't get anywhere for a bit I will up shift to 3k rpm or so to save gas mileage.. Driving at higher rprms isn't cheap for gas but it is fun. If you aren't shifting around 5k or more you are missing the whole experience of driving the Boxster.

Comet

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

BTW. I am in the USA in December. Arriving into Atlanta and driving down to Florida for three weeks over Christmas. If anyone is about, the beers are on me

Kindest

Bob

Well then we'll need to set a Florida get-together in place for beer.

[Nobbynumbnut]

Wow wow wow !!!

You lot are incredible.

Just got back from a trip to the coast. Been on the motorway and through country lanes. Gear changes are an absolute delight when you let the revs build up. no more of this driving like an old dear for Bobby Boy. no sir I Will leave that nonsense
to the blue rince brigade.

I LOVE IT....NO REGRETS NOW.

Talk about perma-grin. I'm still smiling after half an hour back indoors. It's like I've got a coat hanger stuck in my mouth. I keep looking out of the front window at my new favorite thing in the world sitting on my driveway.

It's a completely different experience and car when driven more like it ought to be (I'm not professing to be an expert but oh my goodness, what a difference)

I couldn't have done it without you guys. I am soooo Hapeee!

I will get the suspension checked out next weekend at my friends garage, but for now I couldn't care less. I OWN A PORSCHE !

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I arrive on the 19th DEC and would love to meet up with whoever wants to. just let me know or PM me to exchange mail address.

Oh did I mention how grateful I am to all of you.

Kindest regards

Bob (Boxster Pilot)

[jb92563]

I think one of our Florida forum guys should take you for a pre beer ride and show you how its really done so you can emulate the thrills when you get back home.

Plus it will help from your early withdrawals symptoms of being away from your car
while on vacation.

Its amazing how much you can learn from other drivers, different handling techniques, limits of adhesion, tires, and tips on learning your Porsche.

[clickman]

Nobby, if you haven't found it yet, check out Mike Focke's website:

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages

Tons of great info. Enjoy the car!

[nicecar]

lower control arms (trailing ) are the culprit change both the left and right usually there is no signs of wear in the bushings just the annoying knock over driveway cracks or cobblestone driveways at lower speeds. 207.00 dollars ...pelican parts or i've heard of using the adjustable ones from a 911? I'm in jax. fl. as well dont leave untill dec.22 for the bahama's. We can meet up at brumos porshe if you like. DRIVE THE PISS OUT OF THE CAR!!!!!!! and remember OIL IS CHEAP Change at least7500 miles or sooner

[trimer]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

Wow wow wow !!!

You lot are incredible.

Just got back from a trip to the coast. Been on the motorway and through country lanes. Gear changes are an absolute delight when you let the revs build up. no more of this driving like an old dear for Bobby Boy. no sir I Will leave that nonsense
to the blue rince brigade.

I LOVE IT....NO REGRETS NOW.

Talk about perma-grin. I'm still smiling after half an hour back indoors. It's like I've got a coat hanger stuck in my mouth. I keep looking out of the front window at my new favorite thing in the world sitting on my driveway.

It's a completely different experience and car when driven more like it ought to be (I'm not professing to be an expert but oh my goodness, what a difference)

I couldn't have done it without you guys. I am soooo Hapeee!

I will get the suspension checked out next weekend at my friends garage, but for now I couldn't care less. I OWN A PORSCHE !

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I arrive on the 19th DEC and would love to meet up with whoever wants to. just let me know or PM me to exchange mail address.

Oh did I mention how grateful I am to all of you.

Kindest regards

Bob (Boxster Pilot)

Where in Florida will you be??

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

... but for now I couldn't care less. I OWN A PORSCHE !

Yep, now you're livin' the dream just like the rest of us!

[jcb986]

Before I purchased my Boxster...I was at the local dealer asking about the pits of owning a pre-owned model. I spoke with the mechanics in the shot and basically they said the same thing. Get PPI first from a dealer, and if it checks and you buy it, drive it like the wind. That is what it was built for. No regrets here either. Now, the suspension knock is either the rear shock or the bushing in the control arm or the police chap you ran over. Being a Scott, I will have a keg with you.

[Nobbynumbnut]

Hello Gostrider,

please see pics of my Boxster as requested.

Hope you like them.

Bob

[jcb986]

Like the color, not the tag. You will love driving in the States. Here we drive on the right side, but set on the wrong side. Cheers.

[Nobbynumbnut]

Thanks JCB.......what is a tag?

Cheers

Bob

[Meir]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

Hello Gostrider,

please see pics of my Boxster as requested.

Hope you like them.

Bob

that's a dandy boxster right there. but who is the ugly lad seating in it?

[Ghostrider 310]

Nice! That really is a very clean and good looking Boxster, it's a lot of car for such a young lad, good for you.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Nobbynumbnut

Thanks JCB.......what is a tag?

Cheers

Bob

He's just giving you a hard time about your License plate(tag). They are a bit smaller in the states. Nice car! Enjoy it now that you know how to drive it