986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post

gwellman · 08-10-2009, 09:51 AM

Hey all,

After about a month of browsing through this forum I found a boxster that I loved. I took it for a test drive and had a PPI done at a local porsche mechanic. The dealer was lacking in the customer service dept, but everything looked good so I took the plunge a week ago and I am now the proud owner of a 2003 boxster S. For the short story, skip to last paragraph.

The cars looks and feels great (in my novice opinion), but on the first night I owned it I noticed that the right tail light was out. When I pulled out the assembly the tail light seemed fine but there were two other bulbs missing all together (rear fog light and side marker light I think). Shocked but unphased, I bought replacement bulbs and installed them. They still weren't working. At this point the frustration began to set in.

I called the dealer (I bought it used from a BMW dealership) who was not at all helpful until I remembered that the original description of the car mentioned in passing that it needed a new tail light to pass the state inspection. Somehow this didn't show up the the PPI and the dealer had overlooked it when giving the state inspection sticker. Is it just me or is this a wildly simple thing to be passed in two inspections? It took more finagling than I expected, but the PPI mechanic eventually agreed to fix it (turned out one of the lights was installed backwards and had blown a fuse). That was on Friday.

On Sunday I bought winter tires from somebody local who had just sold his '02. We talked for a bit about the car and then he pointed out that my front rims are a little bent (greeeeaaaat). I can safely say that I remember every minute of driving this week old car and did not hit any big potholes/curbs. He suggested that I go back to the dealer and demand that they retrue them for me. It seemed reasonable that either the PPI mechanic or dealer should be responsible.

So now my question: are the bends bad enough to need attention? The dealer has begrudgingly agreed to have it looked at by his mechanics if I bring it in, though I assume that the mechanics will just say its fine and send me on my way. The whole dealer/mechanic experience has been a headache, so is it worth fighting them on this or should I just drive on?

Thanks so much!

Greg

PS - I should point out that I do not notice the bends when I am driving it (not that I have any experience).

(pics attached: front right, front right, front left)

08-10-2009, 09:51 AM	#1
gwellman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MA Posts: 7	Bent wheels for a newbie Hey all, After about a month of browsing through this forum I found a boxster that I loved. I took it for a test drive and had a PPI done at a local porsche mechanic. The dealer was lacking in the customer service dept, but everything looked good so I took the plunge a week ago and I am now the proud owner of a 2003 boxster S. For the short story, skip to last paragraph. The cars looks and feels great (in my novice opinion), but on the first night I owned it I noticed that the right tail light was out. When I pulled out the assembly the tail light seemed fine but there were two other bulbs missing all together (rear fog light and side marker light I think). Shocked but unphased, I bought replacement bulbs and installed them. They still weren't working. At this point the frustration began to set in. I called the dealer (I bought it used from a BMW dealership) who was not at all helpful until I remembered that the original description of the car mentioned in passing that it needed a new tail light to pass the state inspection. Somehow this didn't show up the the PPI and the dealer had overlooked it when giving the state inspection sticker. Is it just me or is this a wildly simple thing to be passed in two inspections? It took more finagling than I expected, but the PPI mechanic eventually agreed to fix it (turned out one of the lights was installed backwards and had blown a fuse). That was on Friday. On Sunday I bought winter tires from somebody local who had just sold his '02. We talked for a bit about the car and then he pointed out that my front rims are a little bent (greeeeaaaat). I can safely say that I remember every minute of driving this week old car and did not hit any big potholes/curbs. He suggested that I go back to the dealer and demand that they retrue them for me. It seemed reasonable that either the PPI mechanic or dealer should be responsible. So now my question: are the bends bad enough to need attention? The dealer has begrudgingly agreed to have it looked at by his mechanics if I bring it in, though I assume that the mechanics will just say its fine and send me on my way. The whole dealer/mechanic experience has been a headache, so is it worth fighting them on this or should I just drive on? Thanks so much! Greg PS - I should point out that I do not notice the bends when I am driving it (not that I have any experience). (pics attached: front right, front right, front left)