Not today, but earlier this week, I applied some Aquapel on my 986. (In the Pacific Northwest, this kind of thing can be important.)

That stuff takes a lot of buffing and paper towels to get off! Did take a bit longer than expected to apply.

It even rained some later that day, and the 'pel worked awesomely. At low speed small droplets would accumulate and when I used the wipers, they would literally hurdle that water off the side of the glass. Above about 40 mph the droplets would move off the glass with no wipers needed.

New wipers (Bosch set specially made for the 986 with curved passenger wiper) working very well also.

I decided to get the NT555's from http://4wheelonline.com/NittoTires.19627 because of the price. I know some guys didn't like them but I have good experience with them. May not be the best tires out there but reliable enough for regular street driving.

I'm keeping this Boxster
 

I've done several things recently to my 2005 Boxster S.
1. Removed factory radio/display and installed Kenwood DNX-892 with XM receiver. I bought the entire system from a company in California so I could retain the factory Bose amp. It wasn’t cheap ($2200) but I now have Garmin Nav with voice prompts, XM radio, HD radio, Bluetooth audio, Pandora and other apps, 7” touch screen, hands-free phone, iPhone mirroring, etc. Fantastic! I have had the radio area apart in the past to install a Dension BT unit (it sucked) and to replace the strut in the glove box so the disassembly wasn’t new to me. The system included a NavTV unit to interface with the MOST. Installation was not simple but everything fit behind the new radio and the technical support was excellent.

2. Removed and re-painted my climate control temp and blower buttons. I used the wrong solvent to remove the rubberized paint (what was left after 10 years) and sort of partially melted the grooves in one of the buttons. The repaint looks very good but it bothered me enough that I just bought a used climate control unit on eBay for $90 and I will cannibalize the buttons, repaint them, and it will go better this time. I’ll use paint thinner this time (as recommended) instead of Goof-Off. There is a company that refurbishes the buttons (Sticky No More - Exotic Cars Interior Refinishing Services) and as it turns out, financially, that would have been the way to go but I didn’t know I was going to damage my buttons and I’m stubborn and like to do these things myself.

3. Next project: replace the broken “Oddments” storage cover in my driver’s door. The hinge is broken so I negotiated with an eBay seller into removing the cover and hinge from a Sand Beige door panel they were selling and I paid for just that.

4. I’m currently looking for a used left Alumalook thumb button for my steering wheel. I WILL NOT give $160 to Porsche for a new OEM plastic replacement. If I don’t find a reasonably priced used part, I guess I will re-paint mine in black.

Installed my new steering wheel!

Before:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431119859.jpg

After:
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431119884.jpg

Drove the Emerald Necklace around Cleveland Ohio
 

We drove the entire Emerald Necklace of metropark roads around Cleveland Ohio. It took us about 9-1/2 hours (152 miles) with lunch, dinner and a couple stops for garage sales to go from the tip of the Rocky River Reservation to the end of the parks just past Squires Castle in the North Chagrin Reservation. It was a beautiful day for it. Only saw 4 other Porsches.

2000 base

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431214270.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431214282.jpg

Took fastest time of the day at Shenandoah region PCA's first autocross of the season!

Nicely done you animal! :cheers:

Finally did that oil change. My washers from pelican were the wrong size. I was already committed, so I had to reuse the old washer.

The drain plug is suspect after torquing it. I'll definitely need to replace it when I do the fall oil change.

Replaces the sway bars with Tarrett Bars. Feels great!

Drove 250 miles and snapped a few photos with my 2.3-16 (getting it out of winter storage).

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps5iiy1pmk.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psgfzrowwl.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps5c3xzj6v.jpg

I forget how loud that Cossie exhaust is. Makes the Porsche sound Lexus quiet.

Installed cat delete pipes, failed installing a PSE, put new floor mats, replaced the wind deflector latches.
Next step is the rear speaker kit :)

Like your 2.3 - 16 bobbeck.

Got rid of some pollen and rediscovered the shine
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431338155.jpg

Replaced the AOS, as I was taking off one wheel why not 2 and replace the plugs as well, tubes were nice and dry, no signs of leaking. Measure the rotors while there, 19.9 mm, still with in spec. Replaced the oil filter after 400 miles, was pleased to find it clean with no alumimum. I found 10 or so flakes when I changed it before hibernation. I will check it agin after anther 800 miles.

Had a business trip to take yesterday and took the Boxster - 450 miles from Valparaiso, Indiana to just outside Madison, Wisconsin and back. Left at 8:30am, had a 3hr. meeting, stopped to have dinner with an old friend in the Chicago suburbs, arrived home at 10pm. 26 miles per gallon.

This was my first drive of any real distance since I've had the 2000 S (almost one year). I was a little apprehensive because of some lower back issues but was comfortable the entire time, just wished I had cruise control.

Great experience

Larry (The Bald Eagle)

Thanks! It's my second favorite ride.

Spec Boxster Build.....
 

Getting the parts list together.......

Today I finally de-snorkled. I should have done that months ago - it only took 5-10 minutes of work. Now I get that "growl" at all RPMs instead of having to wait until I hit 5K rpm.
I also ordered some Carbon Fiber door sill protectors, and a "Porsche" 3rd brakelight decal :)

Changed the transmission fluid...now the steering wheel isn't straight:mad:

I just finished installing the 4th stalk for OBC control using a switch from a 4 stalk assembly I bought on Ebay and the wiring from Dwight. Everything went smoothly and is working great!

PDR'd a couple of trunk lid dings. One was a inward ding, the other a outward ding. Can't even tell now...

Start a thread in the racing section as you get your parts together and start the build - please? :dance:

I'd enjoy following along as you build the car - what are you doing for your engine and transmission - you bought the car w/out, correct?

Lots of pictures and build info!

Did my first AX with the new wheel today - wasn't sure if I really liked it before, but after...no question! Love it. Was much easier to control through the course than with the bigger wheel. Did make a big difference...

I finished early Saturday AM, finally sitting down enough to enjoy the weekend. :o

Friday PM/Saturday AM I replaced the water pump (Pierburg), thermostat and housing (Wahler), coolant (Zerex G-05), coolant tank cap (.04 suffix), and drive belt (Opti-Belt).

I had been getting a grinding noise that I had initially though to be the IMS, but the Durametric scan showed the timing to be spot-on, non-fluctuating, and well within spec. Phew. Deduced it was the pump. When I got under the car to take off the air deflector, I noticed a tiny coolant drip, and afterward the corrosion on the bottom of the pump. Definitely a bad bearing.

The job wasn't overly difficult at all. It could've been done entirely from underneath if I was able to access a few bolts from down there, otherwise the bulkhead panel could've stayed in place. Followed the Bentley manual on coolant fill procedures and all is right with the car. :cool: Feels a touch more responsive, but that's probably all in my head.

First time out of the garage since coming home
 

The poor thing has been sitting in the garage since coming to Nova Scotia from Florida. Yesterday was nice and sunny, so she came out of the confines of the garage, got a nice washing, and I also happily got the DRL hack done as per instructions in this forum. Now she`s ready for her Motor Vehicle Inspection and license plates :) :dance: .
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7775/1...7139da64_n.jpgIMGL5172 My Porsche Boxster by Ian Murray, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8861/1...9d8e0033_n.jpgIMGL5169 My Porsche Boxster by Ian Murray, on Flickr

Next up, the tail lights. And some LED DRL`s. And Fred`s super lighted wind deflector. All are in the mail :) .

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431896818.jpg

I guess I waited a little too long.
All better now

Dang!!!! I bet the car feels so much more solid now. Mine did, and my mount didn't look nearly as crazy.

Pressed my only RMS in askew. ********************************.

Order another tomorrow. :/

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431910860.jpg


All clean

Drove her to work for the first time since she came out of the shop for a 2-month paint job. Cluster began to light up with all manner of warning lights!

Back to the shop. Alternators this time! I swear, she's such a tease!

Washed the box as the 911 lurks in the garage...

Just finished installing the rear speaker kit... Wow! It is worth every penny!
Now I'll be able to hear the music while driving on the freeway with the top down :)

Did the "bike cable fix", found on this forum, to the passenger window regulator. Now the window drops low enough to clear the roof!! Only problem, I re-connected the battery before re-connecting the airbag....now I have airbag light on.

My new Borla catback just arrived today and I'm planning to install it this weekend. I saw good reviews about this exhaust so I decided to buy one, and I got a good offer from 4WheelOnline. Will post a short review about this exhaust next time.

Found my left rear tire was down to 20 PSI so I dismounted it, took it to KAL Tire and had them check it out. They found a small nail and fixed the tire . . . FOR FREE! I'll no doubt go to themn first should I need new tires down the road.

PS. I went to put on ths temp spare and it was down to nothing, so I pumped that up too. Good lesson to learn; don't forget to check your spare when checking the tires.

Put 2 new O2 sensors in today. I noticed today that after the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, the Blaupunkt Toronto with an SD card immediately springs to life and starts playing "Alive and Kicking" by Simple Minds.

Had particlewave install these babies into my car today! They look awesome!

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...521DE2FD01.jpg

Took it out with its older brother for milk shakes.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1432433183.jpg

Can't wait to see some pictures of them on your car (without the tape) :cool:

That's what I was thinking, we need pics:cool: