Hello. Please be gentle!!
 

Hello,
I am posting from jolly old England (no..... that's not the problem)

Been following the forum for about two months now. Seen some great threads and have finally pulled the trigger and purchased a 2001 2.7 .

I've noticed some pretty harsh answers to some of the dafter questions posed in the forums and as such I don't want waste anyone's time or upset anybody. I have some very basic and what may seem to be "silly" questions.

I have searched the FAQ sections and have not found the answers to my questions. This may be because they are so basic that perhaps I should already know.

To avoid annoying you good people is there any way of asking an experienced boxter owner advise personally?

Kindest regards

Bob

Bob, just ask in here or you can PM me, I'll try to help if I can. Congratulations on getting a Porsche, posting pictures always makes people happy, if you have em, post em.

Ask away! What's the worst that can happen ? We'll make fun of the fact that your steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car ! :)

Fire away!

Usually the only peeps that get flamed are the ones that have made no effort to find their own answers. You've done some some searching and you've read your owner's manual cover to cover (right?) so any questions are good.

I'll start off by asking a dumb question of my own. There are some tasks, such as checking the oil, that require that the car be level. Where's the best place on the car to check that? The door sill maybe for front-to-back and the trunk floor for side-to-side?

OK guys..here goes nothing.

Having never owned a performance car before. Should I try and drive it whilst keeping the RPM's down in an attempt to promote engine longevity? Ever mindful of the much discussed IMS issue. I really stretched myself budget wise to buy the Porker and do not want to have to spend a fortune in repairs. I do want to enjoy the car but having only ever driven family type cars till now. I am not sure what constitutes engine abuse! 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?

Also, after I have driven the car for a while I have noticed that I get a harsh sounding "knock" from the passengers side rear ( remember that the passengers sit on the wrong side of the car over here) when going over rough roads or sleeping policemen.

Mark T
Sorry fella, I do not have an owners manual ( apparently these always go missing due to the lack of a glove compartment in early models and they get lost in the house) don't flame me please. I don't think that I handle the pressure of new Porsche ownership, not knowing what I'm doing coupled with a grilling from you mate.

Ghost,
Thanks mate. Much obliged. Will PM you if you don't mind.

I need to figure out how to upload pics from an I Pad


Cheers guys

Bob

i never shift below 4000 and on the track push it right to the limiter. car shifts easier that way (easier than when rattling around between 2000 and 3000 rpm) and porsche designed these engines to rev. folks say that NOT reving the engine can promote ims failure, as once the seal has failed on the bearing and washed all the grease out, the only thing keeping it lubed is lots of oil sloshing around at high rpm (tiptronics, which don't rev as high, are said to have a higher ims failure rate). also, any gas, etc. that may be in the oil which is detremental to bearing seals will get burnt off in a high rpm romp.

i say giver ********************!

Nobby, Drive it the way that pleases you but don't be afraid to enjoy the upper RPM range. As King said some say driving it too conservatively actually increases the potential for problems. To me, trying to drive it a certain way so it doesn't break is moot. Since you don't know how it was treated before it came to you just follow all the maintenance and enjoy it! Regarding your noise, we need more information to pin that down.

The variocam doesn't actuate until you hit 4200 rpm so it's important to move past this range to exercise the motor fully.

However, with that said, I do not wind up the motor past 4200 rpm until its fully warmed up.

I am a firm believer that a Boxster motor taken to redline regularly will keep the motor operating smoothly, even if it shortens its life. It's a good trade off.

Noise may be the trailing arm (longest lower control arm). They're often the culprit of a clunk.

Thank you Chaps (I apologise to any Ladies for making the assumption that you are Guys)

I guess it's time to apply a layer of "man up" cream!

It's funny. I spent Years dreaming of owning a Porsche and the past Two weeks regretting my purchase. I suppose that should just get on with it.

I told you I was Silly!

Your advice has given me comfort and confidence to start enjoying the motor. Cheers.

In regards to the suspension issue. I'm not really sure how to explain it but here goes. Before the car has warmed up or been driven on the Motorway (Highway) there is no problem. After about 30 mins and If I then hit the small roads, even at low speed, there is a definite noticeable degradation in the ride quality. Each time the car ( or should I say the rear end of the car) goes over a bump, manhole or joint in the pavement ther is a noticeable bang from the left rear of the car each time the suspension is compressed. My solution thus far is to turn up the stereo but I am sure that this is not a permanent solution!!

Once again thanks for all your support.

Kindest regards

Bob

The rear suspension components should be checked and hey this may sound dumb but make sure the wheel lugs are all tight. No regrets, you live once, it's a big bite for all of us as most of us on here are regular dudes not millionaires, enjoy it!!

Cheers GHostrider,
Your motor looks amazing. Options to enhance the Boxster are very limited over here. Yours looks smashing.

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

Nobby - please don't regret your purchase, at leasy not until after the first massive repair bill... :D

First time ownership can be kinda scary. When I bought mine I thought it was some exotic machine that could only be fixed by highly trained Porsche mechanics and, like you, was very afraid of seeing big repair bills. I was fortunate to find this forum early on and quickly realized that, mechanically, it's just another car. I spent a few hundred bucks buying up tools and I have done virtually all my own work since. Most regular maintenance items aren't that hard to do. Some are.

If you want an owner's manual then pm me your address and I'll send you one on cd. My treat. :cheers:

Everyone… Let’s go to Orlando and then Miami over the holidays, Bob is buying the beer!! :cheers:

You are all very welcome. I mean it.

Be warned though...although I'm British I drink like an Irishman!

Bob.:dance:

YES,YES,YES!!!!
I'm willing share the cost with Bob. :cheers:

Nobby, There is a chance I may be in Dallas Ga by December which is not too for from Hotlanta, I may just take you up on that! You're going to love the 986, in fact if anything is bad about it you will now find living without a Porsche "ordinary". Besides, this forum rocks when it comes to collective problem solving, support and dare I say friendship. There is always someone around to help, in fact I wish more sites on the web were as genuine as this one.

Keg party in Daytona over Christmas break!!! :cheers:

Welcome to the Forum and 986 ownership;

1. Don't be afraid to rev the engine. Its made for it. Drive it like you stole it. Engine abuse IS never going over 3,000 rpm. Feel free to redline it weekly.

2. In regards to your suspension clunk, the components are 11 yrs old. Have the bushings and key components checked. Its not surprising to have to replace the original shocks after 10+ years and/or 75,000+ miles.

3. Go here and download an owners manual. This link is for the 2003 model year but there is minimal differences between 2001 and 2003. You'll have to sign up to download it.

MY03 Boxster (986) Owners Manual - RennTech.org Forums

4. When is the keg party?

As far as DIY, I am pleasantly surprised that many things are dead easy and definately fine for the DIY types.

Just put on new front brake pads, easiest of any car I have ever done.

Just pull one pin and out they come. Must be designed that way for quick pit stops during a race.

Ive come to the conclusion that the 986 is not a consumer sports car but really designed as a race car and is easy to work on for regularly changed stuff, handles like a dream and goes like stink.

Drive it hard and you will be rewarded with the performance it was designed for.

I redline weekly, and shift between 4000-6000 the best part of the power band.

When I'm first in line at the light I love doing max performance launches up to the speed limit plus 3mph. When I look back the folks behind are are small in the mirrors. Love it!!!! Flaunt it if you got it!!!

Ive been driving the car to work...only Porsche in the lot and the guy with two Mercedes has talked to me and wants to trade his in for a 986 now as he has seen me having a blast and also wants that kind of fun from his ride...:cool:

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

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. :D

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.

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! :)

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.

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

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

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)

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.

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!

knock
 

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

Where in Florida will you be??

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

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.:cheers:

Pics as requested
 

Hello Gostrider,

please see pics of my Boxster as requested.

Hope you like them.

Bob:)

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1349718302.jpg


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1349718338.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1349718380.jpg

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.:cheers:

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

Cheers

Bob

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

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.

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:cheers: