New owner - 04S project car

[BoxsterSteve]

That would be our Canadian legislated DRL's.
The headlight switch only turns on instrument panel lights; all exterior lights turn on like Christmas Vacation when you start the car.
You can pull the DRL relay if you want it to act like normal.

[boxxster]

Really?? That was my best guess but I've never had a car where the rear lights stay on as part of the DRL's. Is this a porsche thing?

[GTA_G20]

Same thing with my Audi. For some reason the Germans dont know how to enable DRL with factory XENON's. Its as if they wire the light switch to ACCESORY.

I was able to remove the DRL feature in my audi. Im sure it can be disabled with a PIWIS or PST2.

[boxxster]

Thanks guys. Good to know that there is nothing wrong with my car. It just seems so unnecessary to me to have the rear lights and side markers on all the time. My mini has xenons and doesn't do this. Wouldn't mind disabling the side markers and rear lights some how. The clear side markers I bought from ECS came with "stealth" chrome coated amber bulbs but it makes no difference if they are stuck on all the time!!

[Bryanf]

Any updates?

As someone who recently restored a wrecked boxster I'm particularly interested in your project..

[boxxster]

I haven't been able to do much lately because I've been waiting on the bumper. I didn't want to put the fender and all the other stuff in that area on just to take it off again when I bring the fender and bumper to a shop 45min away for paint. The bumper is likely arriving tomorrow, and assuming I can get it painted before christmas, the car should be put together by the new year. Then I have to get a structural inspection to change the title from salvage to rebuilt and safety, e-test etc. After that I have the whole winter to clean it up properly and look forward to driving it in the spring.

I managed to track down the PO. A very nice older gentlemen who said it was about a 5mph collision. He mentioned he would send me all the records he had for it as well. He said he wanted to keep it but the damage estimate got really high (19k) and the insurance gave him a really good pay out. Apparently the biggest reason for the high estimate was that there was a small piece of plastic that was broken off on the blue plug that powers the projector. I've looked at it and it in no way affects its function or keeps it from being firmly secured to the car. Nevertheless, they were going to replace the whole wiring harness which would have costed 6k. A new headlight up here is about 3k, and then add dealer prices for the rad/condensor assembly and all its associated parts and a bumper and fender. Add to that paint and labour and it all makes sense now.

Oh, and the PO said he replaced it with a newer 650 convertible but that he still much prefers the way the boxster drives

[986ohana]

Hey Boxxster check your messages sent you a PM

[boxxster]

Alright so I just have one or two more questions about how things go back together. Firstly, where does this black tube go? It routes behind the rad and under the center of the front bumper. Looks like some sort of drain? I've noticed there are some drains around the battery but I looked around that area and couldn't see a fitting for this hose. Perhaps I am missing something?





Secondly, what is the correct routing for this drain hose that drains the area around the gas cap? Does it connect to something or does it just hang there? If it does connect to something, I haven't been able to find out where.

[boxxster]

Picked up the fender and bumper from the the body shop wednesday and managed to get at least the fender on. Took a bit of playing to get everything lined up but I think I got it 95% where I want it. Also got the headlight roughly installed. I know I'll need to slide it out again to install the washer but I just wanted to get the bracket where its supposed to be as thats the most important part. What a ridiculous system though. You can't really tighten the nuts with the headlight in it so it was a ton of sliding it in, looking how it fit, then removing it and readjusting the bracket. Also had to add washers under two of the nuts to get the height right. Took over 2 hours but I think it came out pretty well.





All thats left is to install now is the headlight washer, wheel liner, and bumper!

[boxxster]

[rexcramer]

Well done sir. The paint looks like it matches great. I am also covetous of your 6" high density foam knee pad.

[Chuck W.]

What a great thread. Thanks for posting the story and photos. Getting a hold of the PO was a huge plus. Now, drive and enjoy it.

[boxxster]

Thanks guys. Prior to this I had never fixed up a damaged car or even touched a porsche so this was quite a learning experience for me and it's immensely satisfying to see it all come together. I'm going to try to get in insured for a day or two this coming week so I can get the structural inspection done before the winter weather hits up here. Then it's going to be a loooong 3-4 months before I can bring it out in the spring.

Rex, the lady I bought the bumper from put like 10 of those foam blocks in the box with it. They definitely came in handy.

[Bryanf]

Its looking great, congrats! And you got it done quick

[boxxster]

Drove it for the first time yesterday to get it to the shop for the structural inspection. Engine ran fine, brakes were good, and I was impressed with how quiet it was on the highway with the top up. Very impressed with the handling and power delivery as well. Few little issues though.

-When I turn the projectors on, the drivers side headlight (the one I didn't replace) turns off after a few minutes. If I switch the headlights off, then back on again, it will come on for a few minutes before going off again. I think this might be the bulb or the ballast? I have a spare ballast from the damaged headlight that was included with the car and a bulb isn't too expensive so either way I'm not overly concerned

-The abs and psm off lights are stuck on and pushing the psm button doesn't seem to do anything. I have read this could be caused by the brake light switch being faulty, one of the brake lights being out, or because of a dead battery? Perhaps I need to reset the car? Thoughts?

-The steering wheel is maybe 10-15 degrees off center when the car is driving straight. I believe this will be taken care of when they align the car for me over the weekend though.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by boxxster

-When I turn the projectors on, the drivers side headlight (the one I didn't replace) turns off after a few minutes. If I switch the headlights off, then back on again, it will come on for a few minutes before going off again. I think this might be the bulb or the ballast? I have a spare ballast from the damaged headlight that was included with the car and a bulb isn't too expensive so either way I'm not overly concerned.

I suspect that it is either the ballast or your headlight switch. Trying swapping a ballast that you know is good into the headlight that cuts off and see if that solves the problem. Search this forum for "headlight switch" and you will see that it can be a weak component.

Regarding your failure to bond with your Boxster. When I bought my Boxster I didn't feel the immediate thrill that I felt when I bought my Miata. However, as time went on I've found the Boxster to be a richer experience. Give it some time and I suspect it will grow on you.

[GTA_G20]

Looks good , makes it all worth it

[boxxster]

Thanks.

Drove it again today to get it back from the shop. I am so torn with this car. I bought it with the intention of fixing it up and replacing my mini with it but so far it just hasn't spoken to me. Compared to the mini which has a ridiculously loud supercharger whine and backfires like crazy every time you let off the gas, the boxster just feels like its missing something. I mean I honestly can't fault it though. I think it looks better, its slightly faster, it has HALF the mileage, it handles and rides great, and its a damn porsche. I mean look at the thing. It's just objectively a much better car. Its also not going to cost me anything to sell the mini and keep the boxster. I guess I was just expecting to drive it and instantly fall in love with it but my heart is still with the mini.

Someone please talk some sense into me!

[The Radium King]

desnorkel it. gives you some growl and makes the car feel a bit more visceral. I have a spare set of headers i can send your way if you want it even louder. or hook up with jaykay and take it to the track - it will shame your mini.

[GTA_G20]

Funny you post this. I too had a mini and sold it earlier this year

2005 cooper s. It has to be the most fun car ive ever owned aside from my mr2 turbo. The mini feels like a go cart with tons of power or so it feels because of the hp/lbs ratio. The mini is an amazing daily driver. The shifter is so notchy. The brakes are amazing. Pano roof is a great feature. But the trim and finish is not up to par. Cheesy steering wheel and thin leather always torn. Hated the power window switches. Superchager maintenance aint cheap either. The box here in Canada isnt. I love the box for different reasons I loved the mini.

The driving experience is different in the boxster. Top down, rear wheel drive and mid engine. Was the next newest thing I could find to replace my t-top Mr2. The boxster isnt lightning fast 0-60 isnt good but it handles well and feels planted. My stereo is great, 3 spoke steering wheel feels perfect, seats are perfect. Wait till April. Then take a 1 day trip on the backroads up to sauble beach. Top down. Then you'll connect with it

The mini just feels imo like a go cart. Its so fun tho. I miss it everyday. Im considering buying another if the price is right.