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RobR

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Posts posted by RobR

  1. I've finally received my replacement soft top with a glass window, and opted to perform the installation myself.

    Is there anyone out there that's done this before, and if so, do you have any suggestions, tips or tricks I might make use of to make sure this goes smoothly? The manufacturer indicated that if I follow the instructions, it should take me about 9 hours from start to finish. I'm hoping it doesn't take much longer than that.

    Anyone? Thanks!

  2. Just passed 100k miles on my 2000 Boxster S on Feb 5, and still love the car to pieces. It's got that classic rattle on startup, but the engine runs pretty smooth. Replaced the entire power steering system last year, done the brakes twice since I bought it in Oct 2010, and replaced the tires twice, as well. Water pump blew not too long after I got it, so had to replace that. Probably need to replace the AOS and rings soon, and there's apparently a slight oil leak on top of the engine, as well as needing to replace one of the A/C compressors. Shifts wonderfully, but could probably benefit from a gear box oil change. Would probably also benefit from replaced coil packs. Just ordered a new top with a glass window, should be here this week. Installing that myself on Saturday!

  3. I recently had my 2000 Boxster S in for rear brakes, exhaust and power steering service (none of which i was comfortable doing at the time, thought that has changed now). On the invoice, the technician noted that the nearside (driver's side, which is on the right for my car) catalytic converter "rattles." I know exactly what he's talking about; I hear this weird vibration when the car is at low speeds and idle, and it bothers me.

    Is there a shield of some sort that might be rattling? If not, do I need to replace the catalytic converter to stop this weird vibration/rattling noise? I'm really hoping I can avoid replacing it...they're not cheap.

    Thanks.

  4. Oh, it works alright. I discovered the code under the mat under the front hood. It was in there with the number for Porsche Assistance on a lovely plastic card.

    That particular unit might not have been in the car when it was made, but it most definitely works. Now that I've unlocked it, it works beautifully! :)

  5. Hi, Loren, I've got a locked radio in my 2000 S (if you read my last post, you know why already!).

    CDR-32

    Type: 4667

    S/N: Y5022262

    Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

    EDIT: Nevermind. I'm an idiot and didn't read the "READ ME FIRST" on the 986 main forum page. My model isn't unlockable by serial number, according to the FAQ. My apologies.

  6. The maintainer worked great after I let the car run for 2 hours. Took it from 2 bars to 8 (on the maintainer). The car started right up, all the lights were bright, there was no hesitation in the starter or the engine catching, so all is right with the world. :)

    Good idea about the load testing. It's going to the dealer on Thursday for some service; I'll mention it to them. I'm hoping I don't need a new battery; those things are ridiculously over-priced.

  7. As I'm sure most of you know, when you leave a Boxster sitting for an extended period of time, the alarm system tends to do two things.

    First, after 7 days of idle-hood, the security system "forgets" about the key fobs that came with the car. That wasn't fun the first two times it happened at 6:30AM, waking up my neighbors when I set off the alarm.

    Second, the alarm system drains the battery. As in COMPLETELY. No stopping it, either, try as you might. The fun comes in when the battery isn't strong enough to pop the hood, but the alarm still goes off. MAN, is that loud in a closed garage!

    Anyway, here's what I tried to get things to work. I didn't succeed until today, but this has been going on for the better part of 2 weeks now.

    As my first attempt at getting the car charged up, I searched out the old Harley battery maintainer I had from years ago. Found it no problem. Following the instructions on the inside of the fuse panel (thanks to Renntech for that little tidbit), I hooked up the positive lead to the little red jumper from the fuse panel, and the ground to the door catch. Hoping it would charge the battery a little bit and not cost me a dime, I left it sitting like that overnight. Came back out in the morning, and nothing had changed. On to the next idea.

    A week later, I finally managed to make it over to the auto parts store about a half mile from my house. The main reason I didn't get over there earlier? There's no parking nearby, and they like to close just after I finally make it home from work, so there's no time to walk there. I cut out a little early one day after working a little extra the day before, and I get a battery maintainer designed for regular car batteries. I even bought the really nice one that comes with leads you can leave on the battery. I tried the same setup as before, but this one at least had indicators on it. It kept telling me there was no battery attached. I thought maybe there was no ground, so I pushed myself under the side of the car, and found some bare chassis. No go. Not quite giving up, the following day, I called the auto parts store again and requested one of the cigarette lighter adapters for the particular maintainer I purchased the day before. They didn't have one in stock, but could get it for me the next day. I roll in there the day after, pick that up, and try the whole process again. Porsche: 3, Rob: 0.

    Finally, after re-reading the advice on here AGAIN, I concluded that all I needed to spend the money on was a decent set of jumper cables, so off I went back to the auto parts store. I picked up the jumper cables with my dog in tow, and when I got home, hooked them up the way the diagram on the pamphlet in the fuse panel said to, started the other car, turned the key and voila! The button for the hood suddenly worked.

    After a couple of minutes of searching, I discovered where the battery lived, pulled off the cover, and hooked up my trusty jumper cables properly (positive on the battery, ground on the chassis). It started right up! I let it run for 2 hours in the garage (I left the door open), and I was working around the house while it charged. Then I shut it off, hooked up the battery maintainer, and everything is everything. :)

    When all is said and done, the moral of the story is this: when the advice is to use jumper cables, just go out and get a set of jumper cables. It works. =)

  8. Got an email a couple weeks ago from my local dealer with some info on a stereo headunit they're calling the "Porsche Classic radio navigation system." Thought you guys might like to see what they're offering here, so here's the email (the pics might not show up - sorry!). I'm considering it, as an audio/nav upgrade is something I've been meaning to have done to my 2000 Boxster S anyway.

    Porsche Classic radio navigation system

    The new Porsche Classic radio navigation system allows you to combine the best of past and present. With its state-of-the-art communication technology and vintage design references, this navigation system will complement the interior of any classic Porsche*.

    The black design takes you back a few decades, starting with the two control buttons. The left button is used to control the volume and the right button is a disguised rocker switch. However, the device's key feature is the 3.5-inch touchscreen. In addition to the navigation itself, you can also find points of interest (POIs) such as attractions and restaurants. Furthermore, the device displays both your driving speed and the permissible speed limit. At the push of a button, the whole cover flips forward to provide access to other high-tech features including SD card slots, a Bluetooth® handsfree kit and a combined DVD/CD player. A USB point also means you can playback other media sources.

    The new Porsche Classic radio navigation system also comes complete with a comprehensive two-year warranty.

    Further details can be found below. To discuss the possible fitment of the radio navigation system for your vehicle or for more information, please contact Jenna Davies on 01223 872872 or via email jenna.davies@porschecambridge.co.uk

    Yours sincerely

    Gary Sorrell

    Aftersales Manager

    *Available for Porsche vehicles, including Boxster (Type 986) and 911 (Type 996) models built up to July 2002, with single DIN aperture, except 356 models

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Classic radio (excluding TMC)

    Navigation system excludes TMC (Traffic Message Channel)

    £590 (inc. VAT but excluding fitment)

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Classic radio (with TMC)

    Navigation system with TMC including Porsche logo

    £650 (inc. VAT but excluding fitment)

    Excluding Porsche logo

    £650 (inc. VAT but excluding fitment)

  9. To date, here's the list:

    Major Service w/o plugs - £539.98

    O/S Air Condenser £568.52

    One Horn £113.04

    Cat to Manifold Gaskets, nuts and bolts £138.74

    Small clamps for exhaust £28.20

    Various oil leaks around the engine - [unknown currently]

    Power-Assisted Steering service - £925.29

    Rear discs/pads - £684.00

    Replacement filler cap - £9.64

    Replacement plastic rear window - £264.00

    Sorry, the grand total was £3271.41. Add an MOT (~£40) and a year's road tax (£205), and you've got £3516.41 within the first 6 months of owning the car. I'm not exactly rich, but then, who is once you own a 10-year-old-or-more Porsche! :P

  10. I just took a look at my dash (the Porsche has been sitting in the garage for the past 6 weeks, since I can't drive it with bad brakes and no power-assisted steering - getting sorted in 2 weeks!), and came to realize I was thinking of the wrong car's climate controls. My other car (I'm ashamed to say what brand/model) has climate controls exactly like yours. The Porsche has the digital controls for the A/C. The significant size difference (1cm is a lot when you think of the space in there!) could be attributed to the fact that your car is 4 years older.

    Your best bet is to contact Eurospeed, to see if they offer a kit that will work for your car. They can offer far more info than I have that will more likely work for your Porsche.

    Congrats on getting the car - I love mine, despite the unexpected expenses (£2700 and counting, so far!). That's the price you pay for a luxury sports car. :)

  11. I haven't done the install myself yet, jrtbloke - I simply removed the climate control fascia to test the fit before I decided I was going to get a Double-DIN stereo/nav kit to install myself. I haven't ordered the Eurospeed installation kit. According to one of the users who's already done it (see this link: ), it fits with a minimum of fuss. He's the one who gave me the email address I posted previously for Eurospeed. From what I understand, it was his install that prompted him to design the kit, so he should be able to answer your questions far better than I can, since I haven't done the install. His AVIC is similar to yours in size; the models are very different. The images on that link will show you what the finished install looks like, as well.

    I will be doing my install some time next month; since I haven't got the unit yet, or the kit from Eurospeed, I can't do it this weekend and show you the finished product. If you're wanting to wait to do it until you see someone else's finished product, that'll be the best time to wait until. =)

  12. The climate controls (those 3 rotary controls you spoke of) can and *do* fit in that lower section. Just to test it, I took the face of the climate controls off of the dash in my 2000 Boxster S, taking care when unplugging the modules from the back. I also removed the CD storage bin and the little cubby from the lower half of the dash. The size difference between the climate control and the lower dash is virtually non-existent. It should fit with no problem.

    The eurospeed kit should contain all of what you need to make the climate controls fit beautifully in the lower dash, leaving plenty of room for the AVIC head in the upper dash. I'm about to do the same install myself pretty soon (after I get the power-assisted steering system and the rear brakes sorted out), and spoke to the guys at Eurospeed via email directly. They're quite responsive - they got back to me . sales@euromotorspeed.com

    They should be able to help answer your questions about their kit. They've been working on them for a while. :)

    [Edited for clarity - neglected to mention I did this to my own car!]

  13. I am seeking a friend or two that would be willing to assist me with some DIY work on my 2000 986S. I've got it booked in to Porsche for a couple of things that I'm pretty sure I could do myself if I had the knowledge and the tools (the tools are easier to acquire than the knowledge, it would seem). I would prefer to have someone on hand that has done it before, so they could point me in the right direction.

    Some examples of things I'd like to do on my own include:

    • AOS
    • Brakes w/discs and calipers
    • exhaust mounts/brackets/bolts
    • air/oil filters
    • fuel filter

    This list is not by any means comprehensive, and as my experience increases, I'll be more comfortable tackling larger projects, like replacing the top on my own. The rear window is cracked in 3 places, because I like to put the top down even when it's cold outside, and didn't do proper research before doing so. My bad. £264 GBP (about $435 USD) from a local installer, and I can get a new plastic window installed. Granted, I could probably justify replacing it with one of the "new" glass tops that came available in 2003, but I'm not prepared to pay for shipping from Switzerland.

    Is there anyone nearby in the East Cambridgeshire area interested in a few free pints and a meal in exchange for assistance?

  14. Rob,

    Check the following link:

    The author, trieullionaire, is a board member and also markets installation kits. (I have no affiliation with his business, but have used two of his kits to install two nav systems.)

    I have installed two models of the Pioneer AVIC systems....a -Z3 and a -110BT. Both are great systems even though having more features than an analog man could ever hope to integrate or use. Here, in the U.S., Pioneer offers periodic POI (points of interest),map and software updates all down-loadable from your computer.

    You didn't mention in your post what model year (MY) your car is. But, from the enclosed photograph, to appears to be earlier than a model year 2003 (MY03). MY03 is the beginning of the MOST bus era which makes up-grading audio systems much more difficult. A straight forward Becker head unit for GPS nav system head unit swap is pretty easily done. If you want to get fancy with mega-watt amplifiers, theater quality speakers, etc., things get correspondingly more difficult. As far as relocating the climate control goes, if you move the panel down to the cubby position, it fits without any modifications at all. It's just a little fiddly running the wires down to the new position. If I recall correctly, trieulionaire has as part of his installation kit, a new bezel that fits perfectly around the climate control panel when re-located to the bottom-most position. The four CD holder can be removed and a properly fitting cubby can be purchesed from Porsche to take its place.

    By the way, I love IWM Duxford and try to visit every two years or so.

    Bill

    Bill,

    Many thanks for the link, and the information about trieulionaire's installation kit. I'll have to contact him to see if he's got something for my 2000 Boxter S.

    I've not checked into the Pioneer AVIC systems at all, but will be doing that now. They might meet my requirements; if they offer a European version of the GPS software, all the better. Granted, I'd like it to be updatable, so that when I return to the US in a couple of years, I can use it there. :)

    The climate control will relocate without modification? Will it stay in place and not cause any performance issues? That'll have to happen at the same time as the stereo install, as I don't like the idea of a gaping hole in my dash unless it's "finished" (like the cubby).

    Thanks again; I'll go now to check out that link.

  15. I've been reading all of the various posts on the topic, and haven't found quite what I'm looking for. There are a HUGE number of very knowledgeable individuals on this site (as I've seen from the quality and quantity of the posts on all kinds of topics), and I'm hoping that one or more can help me with my goal here. I'll be glad to post photos and descriptions when I get to doing the install.

    My first question is this: which head unit should I go with? I'm hoping for updateable GPS capabilities, direct iPod/iPhone control, and reasonably close to OEM appearances as possible. I was looking at a Kenwood unit, and a couple of the Alpine ones, as well. Are there any that Porsche owners have found to be more compatible with the Boxter look-and-feel?

    My second question is about how to relocate the climate controls from the upper console to the lower console (currently where my CD storage unit and empty dash cubby are). I've seen a couple different posts regarding that, but I'm concerned about drilling/modifying the interior of the car on my own. Do you (collectively) have any suggestions? I've attached a photo of my console for reference. The device hanging from the vent is a GPS holder that has since been removed.

    I continue to be impressed (though to be fair, I only joined today) by the amount of knowledge and experience the members of this site have to offer, and I look forward to contributing as well, as I learn more about my Boxter S (which I've only had for just over a month now).

    Thanks!

    post-63608-0-19578100-1289826209_thumb.j

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