How many have the Durametric?
 

One of the first tools that I bought when I plunged into P-car ownership was a Durametric enthusiast version. This (to me) indispensable tool is selling brand new from Durametric for $287. It seems that everything that I do to this car costs more than that, and I do all the work myself!
I'm always surprised that those of us who are hands on with these cars would hesitate to buy this tool. It would seem that if you don't find it useful, you could always sell it for a good percentage of the original price, there is definitely a market for them! :)

I have the same one, got mine used with 2 VIN's left on it...now 1. I also thought this was indispensable for a DIY guy like myself

I bought my used and it was supposed to have 2 VINs left. Low and behold, it had 3.
The funny thing is, I have connected it to both my 986 and 996 and it still says 3 VINs left

Hacked......LOL
 

Tell us how....I wish the pro version was not so much money for a trade in

Bought mine brand new from Durametric for $287 (Enthusiast model). IMHO, well worth the money and a must have tool for any Boxster DIYer. If you get a used one, make sure it's the newer version 6 cable. I'd also recommend that you stay away from the cheap Chinese clone cables. An authentic cable will come in a molded gray plastic storage case without any software. You'll need to download the latest software from the Durametric website. I think I read that someone on the forum was able to buy a refurbished cable from Durametric at a discounted price.

I have the enthusiast version that can also handle the pre-OBD2 cars (not sure if it's actually OBD1 or a proprietary form). It's been used on 3 cars but still has a VIN left since one wasn't OBD2. :D

I wish the Durametric was like the VCDS (formerly VAG-Com) from Ross-Tech. No limit on how many cars can be connected to it (may have changed on newer ones) and it can do much, much more. Alas. I have both and I'm very glad for that.

I bought mine last year when I was doing my first DIY service. It was very helpful to be able to run a full diagnostic, check certain values, and test/trigger certain things. That said, it has not gotten much use since, besides checking a few codes. I wish there was a comprehensive guide to understanding the raw data the Durametric provides because if I knew what it all meant, I would use it a lot more often. Since I plan on keeping my 986 for some time, it's a nice tool to have even it doesn't get too much use.

I'm curious of anyone uses the raw data to check for possible problems preemptively?

@ JayG, mine has also not registered my VIN, I emailed them about it, and the response was basically congrats on an extra free VIN.

@ BirdDog, I agree people should not buy the clones, mostly because I think people should support the company to help support the development of the software, but also because the clone cables can damage your car, and normally don't work very well, if at all.

Hmm, it seems fairly common then. Mine never registered my VIN either, but I'm not complaining! :)

Bought mine used off of this forum. In my opinion a very useful tool for the DIYer .

Vag Cable
 

Is this it ?

VAG COM VAS Diagnostic Kit

I have had my Boxster since new and do a lot of the DIY stuff. I had a code that was a pain to chase down and have no doubt the Durametric would have pointed me to the problem a lot quicker than it took me to find it; it was a bad MAF.

But, from all of the posting I have read and looked at how all of the data is displayed, it appears there is a ton of data that is extremely hard to decipher.

+ 1 ....LOL

I also have the Durametric, but unfortunately I don't know how to read many of it's functions.

Perhaps we need to spend more time playing with it to learn to use it properly...?

Perhaps
 

More of the experienced members could chip in comments and techniques. Do we need a Durametric Tips and Tricks section ???

Go for it Dwight!

I bought a used one off of this forum for $100. It was supposed to have two VIN's left but it had 3. I thought that the original owner might not have used it. I'll need to check if my VIN is registering.

Even if I had paid full price, the Durametric would have paid for itself by now. If you can avoid the inconvenience of flat bedding the car to a shop when the CEL is flashing just once, you will be glad you made the investment.

YES I would absolutely love that. I have one but don't know what 75% of the data means. It would be nice to know just what every name on the data page means.

I think that may be a knock-off version.
Here is the Official Site and there is a list of distributors: Ross-Tech: Home

I got a knock-off version from ebay or amazon for about $10 to get a look at it. Now I'm on the fence about whether to get an official Durametric or VCDS. The VAG-COM/VCDS is more capable for Audi/VW cars than Durametric is for Porsche, but does not support many of the Porsche modules. Anyone do much with the VCDS on a 986?

Tommy, after reading your message and the ones below I feel much better, knowing that I am not alone.. ha.

A Durametric Tech. Section would be very helpful for the rookies like myself :-)

I ordered a new Durametric Pro version last fall....only because that was the only version they had left in stock, otherwise the Enthusiast would have been fine.

I haven't had a chance to use it yet but did some searching and came across a link that some may find useful.

Durametric Logging 101: How to Log, What to Log, and What to do with it Afterwards - 6SpeedOnline - Porsche Forum and Luxury Car Resource

I can't verify the accuracy of the info as I haven't tried it yet and it is a few years old, but might be interesting reading for some of us.

:cheers:

ccjazz - thanks for the link! I'll definitely check it out when I have some time.

Ouch on having to buy a Pro cable! Those are double the price... Worth it if you have a shop or more than 3 Porsches, and I think they let you do a few extra things, but...

Funny, I've had the same experience as Jay - bought used with 2 VIN's left and then used it on my silver Boxster, blue 996, and now the black Boxster.

Kudos to Durametric for not acting like the VIN police! :cheers:

I bought the enthusiast version, used on the 986, our Cayenne and now on the new Boxster. As a garage warrior this is a must have!

Seems like it's common for it to not register VIN's. I bought mine used, it didn't work. Thought I bought a clone by accident so I called Durametric. They were able to tell me it was authentic but for some reason or another was defective. They sent me a file to reset it, now it works fine but has never registered my VIN so I have three left

I don't have one
Obviously won't help with the bolt ons like expansion tank,motor mount
But when codes flash and it starts missing and coughing it's got to be the go to tool

That's probably when I'll bite the bullet when i need to diagnose those issues

I would be nerves to hook it up and read my timing
It would be very interesting ro see how previous owners drove it

I want tunECU to make a software package for Porsche like they have for Triumph and KTM. :D
I've used vcds on our Volkswagens, but don't like the idea of possibly bricking anything by trying it on the box. When time comes for anything more complicated than my Bluetooth/iPhone reader I'll have to cave and get a durametric...

Haha.....yep BirdDog, it was more than I wanted to pay for sure. I would like to start doing some of my own maintenance and Durametric seemed like the right choice.

I thought the unlimited VIN's on the Pro might be a selling feature if I ever chose to sell....but with all the folks getting extra VIN's with the Enthusiast version maybe I was wrong.

Still happy I picked one up though. :D

Bought one with specific purpose of activating OBC.

So far, it won't do it, so it's just a doorstop currently. Will verify wiring once it stops raining.

You can send the enthusiast model in and they will upgrade it to the Pro for a lot less than buying a Pro right off the bat. I sent mine in and for $99 they upgraded it and sent it back. Upgrade cost may have gone up in the last couple years, but its an option most don't think about asking of them.

I bought a $20 clone just after I bought my 986 to evaluate how useful it might be, with the intention of buying the authentic Durametric version.

There are a few times when I found it indispensable to read and reset codes but overall I'm not terribly impressed with its capabilities and that of the Real Durametric Enthusiast version.

Its lacking programming features for the security system and Engine tuning.

Our cars are run by computers now and there is no reason that you should not have full access to it with a device that costs $500 or less these days.

I'd gladly pay $500 for a Durametric Pro if you could reprogram car keys, play with security settings, turn options off and on and do engine tuning on top of the other diagnostic stuff.

A big problem is learning how to correlate all the readings and figure out how to use them to find issues and correct them.

It took me a while to figure out how to tell if your O2 sensors have died, and which ones, using the graphs.
I did figure it out eventually through many hours or research and trial and error to validate what I found.

We should absolutely have a section on using diagnostic tools like the Durametric and others and document how to debug specific issues.

I think the Performance and Technical section would be a good place for them and have a Index thread stickied and updated with links to all specific Diagnostic tools and procedures.

I think a group effort could get this done fairly quickly and easily with the help of a Moderator to do the sticky part and update the index page.

+ 1

Vote JFP for President… :)

I bought a pro about 6 months ago to add OBC and cruise control to my S. It worked fantastic. It does all kinds of other things too but I have not played with it enough to see whats good. Any suggestions would be appreciated. FOr the person who said theirs wont do the OBC, make sure you have selected the right instrument/gauge package.

Is there anyone with a Durametric Pro in the Los Angeles area who can help me activate my OBC and Cruise? I have a 2003 986S.

I am trying to avoid a day at the stealership.

Finally installing it today after having bought the 4-stalk and all the parts last year.
Thanks :)

I bought a Durametric Pro a few weeks ago to try and fix my alarm problems.

The enthusiast version of the Durametric cable can enable OBC but not cruise control on the 986/996
It's almost like a tease, I would have bought it if it did both.

Got my OBC and Cruise enabled at my Porsche mechanic, totally worth the price. I am glad it all worked first time so I didn't have to take it apart again :)

Are you saying that all cars have the capability of having cruise control?
All you have to do is turn it on?

Unfortunately there are more steps, I wish it was just a "turn on" thing, I miss cruise control on this vehicle, I end up going way too fast on the highway.

Porsche Boxster Cruise Control Installation - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article