5 problems on my 97 Boxster cost $5,125?!?!?

[97Boxsterian]

After having great time with my 97 Boxster for about 1 month, nightmare started: I bought my baby to Porsche dealer to fix the RMS leak yesterday and they call me today telling me 5 bad news:

1) The Mass Air Flow Sensor is bad. It will cost me $500 for part and $300 for labor.

2) The Convertible Top doesn't go back down evenly, had to loosen parts to contact the top. There are 20 parts need to be replaced in order to fix this issue. It costs me $1,700 for parts and $800 for Labor.

3) Hand break need to be adjusted. It will cost me $135.

4) Coolant leak due to either the tube or tank is broken. Need to remove the fuel tank in order to inspect which part is broken. Lots of labor require so it will cost me $1,700 for this issue.

5) Motor mount need to be replaced. My extended warranty cover that.

I almost fell out of my chair when he told me my bill is gonna be $5,135. Does the charge make sense? Are those problems considered major? Can any of those problems be "DIYable"? I don't wanna let the "Stealership" to rip me off I paid $20K for my Box, $3k for extended warranty, $676 for 30K service, $250 for tires, $150 for alignment...etc. I don't wanna pay another $5K after I brought my car for 1 month. Any opinion will be appreciated

[threpwood]

Sorry to hear about the problem. I'm not an expert but I think the only major problem is the coolant leak. It might be a pain to investigate which part that actually causes the leaking. Other adjustments such as MAF, hand break, convertible top can probably be done by yourself. That way you can save maybe 2000 or 3000 bucks for DIY.

[99-Boxster-MK]

Did you get a Porsche Used Car Inspection on this car? If so you may have some grounds for them missing some pretty obvious things?

I assume the RMS leak is being done under warranty?

Mike

Originally Posted by 99-Boxster-MK

Did you get a Porsche Used Car Inspection on this car? If so you may have some grounds for them missing some pretty obvious things?

I assume the RMS leak is being done under warranty?

Mike

How many years is the RMS under warrenty...this car is 8+ years old?

[Brucelee]

It seems to me that you have several issues to address:

Who sold you this car and did you get it inspected prior to purchase? You may have grounds against either or both of these parties as it appears they may have let you down a tad here.

Pull out your extended warranty and get very informed as to what is supposed to be covered. Insist that all that should be covered WILL be covered.

On the face of this, you are either very unlucky, gullilble (hope not) or you have been had.

Try to figure out which and if you can, seek some redress.

Keep asking questions, we are here for you!

[Perfectlap]

put it up for sale and try to get the extended warranty canceled, if not see if its transferable to the new owner they often are.
There are many great boxsters available for $25K and probably in newer model years no need to be married to this one forever.

[my89_928gt]

$300 labor to change a Mass airflow sensor???? That is insane. I would change it myself for sure. Was your check engine light on? Preaty sure it would come on if it is bad.
Coolant tank or tube? Coolant tank is in the back, see if you smell any colant in the rear trunk or pull up the carpet and look. As for the tube, I don't know what they are talking about on that one..But off hand do not see why the gas tank is needing to come out(unless their is a tube their that they are talking about). I RR my coolant tank this summer. I got the tank at Zimms Auto Technic for $259 and some change. With a 3rd hand this is a easy job, without a third hand it's dam near inpossable, lol.

Richard

[MikenOH]

chat with a few local porsche club members and see who they use for repairs other than Porsche dealers. Most of what you'ree talking about can be done by a repair shop that does Porsche work for a labor rate a lot less than the dealer--I'm guessing a difference of $20-30/hour. I'm guessing there are a lot of good Porsche repair shops in the LA area.

The top issue is a know problem on early cars; Porsche changed the cables in '99' IIRC.

Unless I missed it, was this bought from a private party or dealer? If a dealer you should have recourse.

[Ronzi]

I agree with some of the other folks. There is no need to panic just yet.
Your car appears to have been the victim of some deferred maintenance, but nothing that is not fixable.
As advised, find yourself a trustworthy independant Porsche repair shop and show them the list of stuff that needs to be done, then level with them about your ability to swallow the bitter pill of the repairs, and take them one at a time from a priority list.
At the end of the day you will have the Boxster you wanted, and will have the satisfaction of knowing you did not simply pass the problem(s) on to some other poor soul.
If it makes you feel better, think of the guy that is going to end up with a Boxster that was under water in New Orleans for a month.

[xclusivecar]

1) The Mass Airflow Sensor is literally a 5 minute DIY job! AND...you can find the sensor through vendors other than the dealer for hundreds less than what you were quoted.

2)The Top...search renntech org for problems and answers to the top...maybe its not as bad as they say...hell for $2500 i would try to fix myself!

3)The hand brake...nothing special about this...its a HAND BRAKE like all other cars! If it seems OK to you then don't worry about it at all. If it is bothering you I'm sure a basic mechanic can adjust it for under $50.

4)Coolant Leak...This is a pretty normal problem that has been talked up a bunch...go to renntech.org and see how to change yourself. Other than being a bit of a pain in the ass to change its really not hard to do. Save yourself the $1500 and spend 3+ hours changing it yourself.

5)The extended warranty...for $3000 it sure doesn't cover much! Why even have it? Cancel it immediatly 'cause your getting screwed!

Good luck!

[bhduxbury]

great points x -- indeed, renntech even has a whole forum dedicated to top issues alone:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showforum=46

[TVC15]

which dealer in LA did you take it to?