LOL!

In all seriousness I couldn't take any money from anyone, but the gesture is moving and greatly appreciated, thank you! :cheers:

The score so far....
No codes from the transmission. Records show that the service was done actually 30,000 miles ago, instead of 50,000. Fluid is full. My mechanic test drove it all day to get a good feel for what it was doing, and it's definitely acting very erratic, and is transmission related. He also said it otherwise drove beautifully for such a high milage car (I knew that) and it would be a shame to put it to pasture quite yet. (even though it's getting into that "dead man walking" territory)
Two things generally cause the behavior he was experiencing: Torque Converter or Valve Body. Not worth fixing at such mileage, he suggested another transmission service, where the valve body is taken out and really cleaned and checked thoroughly. See if it fixes or improves it, and either way, just driving it until it craps out.

I'm likely going to give it a shot, just to know for sure. It may sound like throwing good money after bad, but I've had at least two other vehicles in the past that experienced bad slipping and erratic behavior. In both cases a transmission flush and service fixed them. I'm not silly enough to forget that they had fewer miles than this car, but I think it's worth a shot.

P.S.: This helps get me off the fence about manual vs. auto. ;)

Thanks again everyone! All advice and opinions certainly welcomed!

There is a slight difference in a 1997-99 to 2000-04 tiptronic. I've had customers switch vice versa with no problems. I have one of each for $300 but both came from cars with a blown motor so I can't verify running condition. Drag your box down here and I'll help you replace it for beer and lunch:cheers:

A better offer
 

You will never find :cheers:

A Class Act, indeed

Hello Retroman,

from what i know about this transmissions your mechanic is absolutely right.

It's just a 6 hours ride to get a new "old" AT. ;)
https://www.google.de/maps/dir/Bastrop,+Texas,+USA/Oklahoma+City,+Oklahoma,+USA/@32.7662726,-99.6620091,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x86449a5be8d1db 69:0x340d3c665badd960!2m2!1d-97.3152701!2d30.1104947!1m5!1m1!1s0x87ad8a547ef8d2 81:0x33a21274d14f3a9d!2m2!1d-97.5164276!2d35.4675602

But make shure to clean the valve body and check valves and valve filters. I've done this with MB 722.6 AT – which is quite the same than the Porsche AT. Not that complicated; especially if the transmission is out if the car. Also remove all old ATF oil in the transmission and torque converter - around 11-12 litres and put new ATF oil and a new ATF filter in.

The Mercedes 722.6 have sometimes problems with the electronic circuit board on top of the valve body. Don't know if there is a problem at the Porsche AT too. Picture shows MB AT 722.6

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1466746742.jpg

Regards, Markus

FYI, the 98 tip I have came off a box with 144k but the trans looks like it had already been replaced. Fluid and torque convertor look almost new

Yikes!! That's an amazing and incredibly generous offer! Thank you so much for that Woody! I don't want to take advantage of anyone's generosity, but I'd be a fool to say no. :)
They already started on my tranny service and said that he fluid and filters are absolutely filthy for only 30,000 miles. However... There' still the fear that the torque converter is shot because it was shuddering badly on deceleration and not fully releasing at a stop. Yours would be a much better bet. I'll PM you!
Thank you everyone again! The support and encouragement has been just mind blowing and very much appreciated! I'll keep you up to date.

This type of offer from Woody doesn't surprise me at all. What a class act. And, I can't think of a better person to receive the offer. To cool. This is what makes this such a great place.

In both of them, the force is strong


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Keep Retroman's Boxster rolling!!!

"Remember, I'm pulling for ya! We're all in this together."

I always look forward to your travel posts. Please reconsider. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

David

Thank you very much for the sentiments guys!
Well I'm driving it for work today. Unfortunately the transmission service made it worse if anything. Or maybe it's just getting worse on its own. It's definitely on the way out, either way.

Well... you are not to far from Texas, just saying..

I think it would make a steady highway run. ;)
It's just straight down I-35.

If you have an issue on the way, I'm here to help in the DFW area :cheers:

You really need to tow or haul it down here. As hot as it is, you might completely kill the transmission and be stuck on the side of the highway. I have faith in our ability to get your transmission swapped out, but we are putting in an untested transmission. I'v also taken a lot of these things apart but dont get to put them back together very often.

so? is she gonna make it doc? :D