stef

Everyone knows that the way you spell Boxster has a significant effect on tire wear. If you leave out the "S" you will get 78% of the wear that adding the "S" in your communications provides.

hahaha :D

op: 6k sounds way too low, but the wear should still be even. If it's not, there's an alignment or suspension issue. bad shocks can wear tires out really fast, too, but you'd probably feel it in a boxSter.

We have forums for all the specific models, but I find a lot of general conversation taking place in those. Sure, things like CEL errors and "how do I charge the battery if it's dead" threads belong in the specific model forums.

But what about general things, such as a road rally announcement, or a porsche car show, upcoming models and rumors, or things like that?

Where should we post them?

edit: bah, I guess I see official news and events. Still, seems like there are too many specific forums, and no good "general" forum.

I haven't tested it, but I think you can manually lock the doors when you leave. Hit the button on the dashboard to lock both doors, then when you get out only your door will open (you'll have to pull the handle once to unlock, and once to open it). Then you can use the key to lock it, without arming the system. Again, I haven't tested it, but that's what I'd first test.

The real question is, is there a way to see exactly which sensor triggered the alarm using a PIWIS or something? Then you can figure out what's going on with that sensor.

I know I've seen some posts talking about cleaning out drain plugs.

This post might also have info.

I spoke to the dealer about it today while I was in for service. They are going to order them for me ($13 and change) and install them for, get this, free! =-O This will be my cheapest service visit yet (and probably ever)! :-D

Haha, cool.

I was having problems with my top and had to take it in several tiems. I'd wait until the car was dirty to take it in... they'd give it a free bath and it came back looking new.

this article has some info... if you don't find it there, search for "homelink".

Don't know about the spare tire. I believe the lug patterns are the same, but not all rims will fit other porsches. I don't think the 986 spare will fit in the trunk of the 987, either ... not without mods.

I installed the KOS-A200 in my 2006 boxster (no bose). I actually have some pictures somewhere. Removing the head CDR-24 (I think that's the number) was actually pretty easy, as long as you do it knowing exactly how it's done. The local radio guy had no idea how to remove it, but I found this thread which gave me enough info. It's basically take off the side panels by pulling them straight out towards the rear of the vehicle, then turn all the head unit catches simultaneously. Just take your time, nothing needs to be forced.

You need some euro antennae clips to the american antenna version. I tapped power off the passenger footwell, and switched power from the fusebox, hooked into the head unit, then ran all the leads from the head unit underneath the center console (they just slid underneath from the side) to the KOS-A200 which I put behind the driver seat. The on/off switch is stuck to the dash. Putting the A200 behind the glovebox would be easy enough, too.

Set the A200 radio frequency to an existing station, so that when you turn off the car, it doesn't blare static at you.

Edit: lastly, I ran a mini phono and USB extension cable up the side, planning to mount it inside the center console storage. Never got around to it, but I do have the mounts. You could run these right into the glove box since you'll be right there.

I would give one word of warning -- don't charge electronics in the vehicle when you're not there to watch them (like in your glove box). I've seen phones catch on fire when being charged during the day, and burn cars.

I had body work done and paint matching, and they told me to wait at least a month before waxing. Washing is fine.

But it probably depends on what they had to do. I would definitely wait a month for any paint to cure completely, though.

Speaking of which, I should go wax it :)

I think the hard-top looks great, although removal and fitting is definitely not something you can do single handed. Who needs a Cayman??

I like the zeintop, although the cheapest I've seen it is around $3500. You can expect $4500 in general.

edit: ah wait, looks like they lowered their retail price to $3500 + shipping!

wow, $8k in parts. Actually, the engine is probably fine or can be rebuilt easily.

Made me sad just to look at, esp since I also considered buying a mini :D

Also I has used a quart of oil since I received delivery. Usually when I start it I get clouds of smoke. The dealership explained that the motor does this to prevent the build up of carbon. I have made two 700 mi trips and a 300 mi trip and have noticed that it doesn't seem to smoke on start after those trips but does do it after short trips, say, to a grocery store--which indicates that the dealer is, perhaps, correct.

A third problem is that I can't get the gas tank to fill to more than 3/4. I have used several gas stations and brands by now. To fill it I have very carefully hold the nozzle and add the last 1/4 very carefully. Is this a characteristic of Boxsters?

I have to manually hold the nozzle on my 987-1 ... I've never been able to fill it using just the nozzle lock. I found it's much easier if I lift the nozzle up a bit. I don't know if it's the same on the 987-2 though.

I would have the dealer test drive the vehicle, with you as a the passenger. If it's hitching or jerking, that's not acceptable. Even sounds kind of dangerous.

When I test drove a pdk, I wasn't able to test the launch control... it was a new enough engine, the dealer didn't want to take it over about 4.5krpm.

You should have the service dept folks test drive it with you in the car to explain what the problem is.

I enjoy these... I just have no idea what they mean :)

Does high Fe mean excessive wear on the engine?

Small followup... A rod popped out and made a scary crunching sound. So, I took it in again. After raising hell at the dealer about the time I'm losing having the vehicle top fixed, the warranty guy said "okay, this is silly, we're going to replace the top."

Apparently, the fabric had frayed and lost a strap positioner, and it was causing the straps to rub and stretch and break.

It seems to be working fine now after the rod and top replacement, although I admit I haven't been using it very much lately.

A separate question:

The passenger side window doesn't seal quite right at the top where the channel should meet it, and makes noise at speed.

Is there an easy adjustment? Weatherstripping? :)

So Secuuda...you just used speakers that were designed for the 986, and they fit into your 987? Where did you get them from?

Hmm....I really like your idea....I'm wondering if I should do this. Is the sound still good....and everything works perfectly so far?

Mike.

From what I understand from all the reading is that you can put it on the CDR 24, but you won't have any front-rear fade. You can probably adjust it from the amp you install.

I initially had trouble with this, too.

The manual states to press the button two or three times. What it doesn't tell you is that you have to hold it down for about a second on each push.

Try that.

I had to go testdrive the PDK. I wanted to try a cayman S, but there were none in stock. Instead, I drove a carrera.

The PDK really is worth the hype it's getting ... it shifts REALLY fast, especially when accelerating. The shifts are nearly seamless and instant, in automatic or "manual" mode. In automatic mode and accelerating onto the freeway, I felt two distinct shifts from 1st. I looked down and it was in 7th.

To be honest, I like a real manual shift. But this is not only the best automatic I've driven, it even outperforms manual.

One of the biggest things I notice, and miss, is the Bose system. I drive/borrow/steal an older boxster when I visit an in-law which has the upgraded Bose, and the difference is phenomenal between the premium sound package. It's a very small cabin, so just minor movement really can change the sound. The Bose system helps it fill the cabin much better.

I've been looking at the rear speaker kits and a subwoofer. Will still need a good amp, though.

Also see:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=23232

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=21767

I was going to ask what some of the differences were, but decided to go find them myself.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/ has a couple interactive Flash pages that are a blast (Black and White, and Inner Fire). I hadn't been by the porsche website for a while, but they discuss the new tech, and talk about the changes. After watching that, I have to go for a drive. :D

I can't find the pictures I was looking for... but iirc, there's a self-contained chip in the top that simply slides out. Look at your broken key, and it's wedged into a slot on the side.

If you threw out your old key, you might be SOL without going to a dealer to program the car to accept the new key.

I like the idea of the Mothers products and the invisible bra.

You have no idea how many times I've thought exactly the same thing. Even before I had a car.

I could see using this for more than just theft recovery, e.g. lending your car, parking garages, etc.

man im gonna feel so stupid asking this, what is the firewall ? :x

It helps prevent your car from being hax0red. :D

The cdr24 doesn't have a radio code... that's a 986 thing. I believe the radio is enabled through the computer via MOST.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on that last part.