About to purchase 2004 50th anniversary

[Retroman1969]

Congrats, it's a great version of the Boxster and one worth restoring.
Honestly, I've seen many high mileage and dogged out 986s before but I've never seen peeling paint or clear coat on one before. I'd almost guarantee that there has been some damage repair on that car. The seat looks like it has been severely water damaged at some point judging by the pattern of disintegration of the leather. (Also notice the wrinkling-shrinkage around the edges)
The top issue could easily be the micro switch in the parking brake handle. It's a very common failure, and it will act like the whole system is dead. (But the parking brake light will still come on like normal).
I can say fairly confidently that you are going to have the same or more invested in this car as the price of a low mileage super clean example before it's over, but you will have the confidence that every possible issue has been addressed and that it will be solid car at that point.

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Congrats, it's a great version of the Boxster and one worth restoring.
Honestly, I've seen many high mileage and dogged out 986s before but I've never seen peeling paint or clear coat on one before. I'd almost guarantee that there has been some damage repair on that car. The seat looks like it has been severely water damaged at some point judging by the pattern of disintegration of the leather. (Also notice the wrinkling-shrinkage around the edges)
The top issue could easily be the micro switch in the parking brake handle. It's a very common failure, and it will act like the whole system is dead. (But the parking brake light will still come on like normal).
I can say fairly confidently that you are going to have the same or more invested in this car as the price of a low mileage super clean example before it's over, but you will have the confidence that every possible issue has been addressed and that it will be solid car at that point.

CarFax indicated no major or minor accidents...do they miss stuff, yes, be if all front panels were replaced I would assume that would be a significant accident, and would have been documented.

Previous owner left the car outside, car has never seen a garage...I took it to a body shop and see to think the paint is original. It's my understanding that there were only 2 colors offered for the box that required clear coat, maybe that's why we don't see as many failures? Regardless, it doesn't bother me tremendously and I will have the car repainted GT Silver.

The seats look horrible, the leather is brittle so I'm thinking water damage as well...how else could I validate that thought?

[tomonomics]

Hard to tell from the pics, but if the interior and top are Black/Grey, that will save you a ton of money instead of looking for the cocoa parts. The top and heated seat are the same as the standard models parts/colors, not sure about the dark gray leather covering.

Black was a factory option on the SE, and is pretty rare compared to the SE brown.

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by tomonomics

Hard to tell from the pics, but if the interior and top are Black/Grey, that will save you a ton of money instead of looking for the cocoa parts. I believe those are the same as the standard models parts/colors.

Black was a factory option on the SE, and is pretty rare compared to the SE brown.

Yes both top and seats are black...what seats am I looking for specifically, all leather, heated?

[Smallblock454]

Hi,

i'm sorry but the 550 Spyder edition model seats are not standard leather. Both cocoa or dark grey seats are natural leather seats, which was an expensive option from standard leather for the normal car and the quality of the leather is different - less paint on the leather, more open pored and by that more breathable. This leather is also more sensitive against moisture. Which maybe describes the really bad condition of the drivers seat.

The rear cover of the seats is painted with the exterior color GT silver. You look for heated seats. As i said, these seats will be hard to get - especially in dark grey color.

Regards from Germany
Markus

Again cocoa:

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Hi,

i'm sorry but the 550 Spyder edition model seats are not standard leather. Both cocoa or dark grey seats are natural leather seats, which was an expensive option from standard leather for the normal car and the quality of the leather is different - less paint on the leather, more open pored and by that more breathable. This leather is also more sensitive against moisture. Which maybe describes the really bad condition of the drivers seat.

The rear cover of the seats is painted with the exterior color GT silver. You look for heated seats. As i said, these seats will be hard to get - especially in dark grey color.

Regards from Germany
Markus

Again cocoa:

Your seats look incredible, the painted seat back makes is look so clean and crisp...love it!

[rick3000]

I mentioned the difficulty sourcing parts earlier in the thread, best best would be to try and have a shop repair the seat and match the color. You can find your option code sticker under the hood, it will have all of the options and color codes so you know what to look for. You can find decoders online.

[tomonomics]

"the 550 Spyder edition model seats are not standard leather. Both cocoa or dark grey seats are natural leather seats, which was an expensive option from standard leather for the normal car."

You are correct...I meant to say that the 'seat' was a standard heated sport seat. But it is covered in natural leather, which I will assume it different than the 'Large Leather' package that was offered that year. The painted seatbacks were an option, but not in GT Silver.

[Smallblock454]

@ GTsilber: Sorry, that might be misleading. The pictures don't show my car. Found them on the internet just to illustrate the differences.

My car has a black interior. Sorry, i don't have good photos from my interior.

Regards, Markus

[Muskoka Minute]

Here are some pics of my 04 SE







Hope this helps.
I wish my seats were painted GT Siler....

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by Muskoka Minute

Here are some pics of my 04 SE















Hope this helps.

I wish my seats were painted GT Siler....

Wow your car is immaculate! This is what I want mine to look like. I went to 3 body shops today, all deal with high end cars. All 3 confirmed that the clear coat peeling is the result of the sun NOT the car being repainted. I got quotes to repaint the entire car ranging from $3k-$5k...really want to do it

[Timco]

I'll post the 550 brochure later. Painted seat backs were an option. Mine does not have them painted.

[Smallblock454]

Originally Posted by Timco

I'll post the 550 brochure later. Painted seat backs were an option. Mine does not have them painted.

Hi Timco,

to be honest i've never seen this model without the painted GT silver seat backs over here in Germany / Europe. Maybe it was a ROW option. I don't know. Also checked the official Porsche press release and it says the seat back covers are in GT silver. Don't have a brochure for the car.

@GTsilber:

If you don't have i would recommend you to get an official Porsche workshop manual or another good workshop manual for the car as a base documentation. Wiring diagrams will be helpful if you have bigger trouble with electronic components. The forum will help, but there is a point when it's really difficult to solve complex problems via remote diagnosis. Just my 2 cents.

Regards, Markus

[GTsilber]

I have been trying to trouble shoot my top issue, so far no luck. Here are some things I tried and observations:
1. Check handbrake is illuminated in dash when pulled - confirmed
2. Check top microswitch is working correctly - when pulled Windows go down, when pushed up windows roll up - confirmed
3. Remove top double relay and reinsert - confirmed but not sure if relay is bad?
4. Replace B6 fuse - confirmed
5. The top warning light does not illuminate when placing key in ignition, not sure if it should
6. The top rocker switch does not illuminate with yellow light, upon toggling switch no sound from top motor or otherwise

What else can I try?

On another note, got a CEL light, P0420. Hooked up my OBD2 and noticed that B1S1 and B1S2 are showing similar voltage, do I need to replace S1 or is it the cat that's bad?



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[dghii]

Originally Posted by GTsilber

I have been trying to trouble shoot my top issue, so far no luck. Here are some things I tried and observations:
1. Check handbrake is illuminated in dash when pulled - confirmed
2. Check top microswitch is working correctly - when pulled Windows go down, when pushed up windows roll up - confirmed
3. Remove top double relay and reinsert - confirmed but not sure if relay is bad?
4. Replace B6 fuse - confirmed
5. The top warning light does not illuminate when placing key in ignition, not sure if it should
6. The top rocker switch does not illuminate with yellow light, upon toggling switch no sound from top motor or otherwise

What else can I try?

On another note, got a CEL light, P0420. Hooked up my OBD2 and noticed that B1S1 and B1S2 are showing similar voltage, do I need to replace S1 or is it the cat that's bad?

The windows toggle up and down with the microswitch in the top latch assembly.

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I guess you've got to do a little more digging with the top.

First off, handbrake illumination does not mean the microswitch for the top is good, Bypass the switch at the top controller relay. See Pedros DYI for instructions, its easy and once you do it, you'll like it!

1, Beg, borrow steal a new top controller relay and see what happens.
2. Get out the top pry bar and disconnect the pivot arm ball joints to allow top and clam shell to operate manually. This will allow you to inspect the mechanical aspects of the top operation, along with allowing you to place the top in any position you want.

3. with top disconnected, get to the tops motor, which is directly underneath the rear window. Disconnect drive cables (to keep both sides in sync) and power the motor directly to check its condition.

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by dghii

I guess you've got to do a little more digging with the top.



First off, handbrake illumination does not mean the microswitch for the top is good, Bypass the switch at the top controller relay. See Pedros DYI for instructions, its easy and once you do it, you'll like it!



1, Beg, borrow steal a new top controller relay and see what happens.

2. Get out the top pry bar and disconnect the pivot arm ball joints to allow top and clam shell to operate manually. This will allow you to inspect the mechanical aspects of the top operation, along with allowing you to place the top in any position you want.



3. with top disconnected, get to the tops motor, which is directly underneath the rear window. Disconnect drive cables (to keep both sides in sync) and power the motor directly to check its condition.

Thanks for the help...wasn't sure which Pedro article you were referring to but I tried the one for bending back pin 18 to drop the top while moving...didn't work for me is there another article that I should try?

How do I get my hands on another relay to test?

[dghii]

Originally Posted by GTsilber

Thanks for the help...wasn't sure which Pedro article you were referring to but I tried the one for bending back pin 18 to drop the top while moving...didn't work for me is there another article that I should try?

How do I get my hands on another relay to test?

Look for the hack where you ground pin 15 (I think). that bypasses the parking brake.

[GTsilber]

Originally Posted by dghii

Look for the hack where you ground pin 15 (I think). that bypasses the parking brake.

Yup I already did that and it works!

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[Tcar]

I think the car also sat outdoors with the TOP DOWN in the sun (maybe rain) for extended periods to make the seats look/feel like that.

Same treatment that caused the paint fail.

[BIGJake111]

Who does this to a Special Edition. I could see someone buying a base and letting it rot because they're exponentially more replaceable, but if you're going to let a car sit why pay more for the special edition.