What's that smell???
 

My Boxster has about 500 miles on it and every time I get out there is a smell that I can't put my finger on. Is it possible that it is my clutch or brakes or is it some coating that new cars burn off?

Hey Luxury, you need to start driving that yellow beast, and get out of the break-in period...so you can see the brighter side of 4,500 RPM man!!

The smell could be any one of those things. Does it smell that way after a normal easy drive or a spirited one? If after just a normal drive, it could be some of the protective coating. But, if after a spirited drive, you might be slipping the clutch a little too much.

Could it be your tires?

If it smells like burning rubber and happens after the car's been run for a while, it may be a small oil leak -- so small that you don't even see it on the garage floor. I understanding burning synthetic smells this way. I recall that there there have been postings on PPBB about this. Check it out in their archives.

my 3-mo-old 987 had a "burning plastic" smell after operation for awhile -- noxious and "fumey" -- it was still there at 700mi -- but i haven't noticed it in a while -- dunno when it resolved specifically but i'm at 1500mi now fwiw -- couldn't tell you what it was

Every Porsche that I have ever stocked has a bit of an odor when the engine has been run a bit.

The 911 is worse, as the motor sits right out in the butt end.

Normal as far as I can see.

just got back from a drive -- i used to notice the burning plastic smell when i exited the car -- big whiff of it -- i thought it was gone at 1500, as i said above, but today i poked my head down to the side intake -- the smell is still there -- but nowhere near as pronounced as at 500.

I have noticed it during all driving but including normal driving (not too hard) and I am pretty sure it is not the tires. Maybe it is just a normal smell of the engine since the intake is right at the door. I will keep a nose on it and let you guys know if it keeps doing it. Thnaks for the advice!

probably the adhesives that glue the engine compartment insulation to the body

Usually new exhaust components will smell funny when exiting the car for the first week of driving. What you smell is the oil/grease used to lubricate the bending machines while bending the exhaust tubes. Sounds like your problem has been longer than a week and therefore would not be this very normal occurrance.

KRZ