Next update and job, changing the well worn front bump stops. Technically these need to be changed when the strut is out of the car, but I don't have the patience for that, and doing it that way would require a re-alignment. After some research I found a way of doing this in situ. This involves cutting the new stops so that they can then be slipped over the strut, then glued together. Not ideal I know, but definitely worth a go given that the stops are only £13 for a set. Stops ready cut, velcro straps to secure the stops when the glue is drying, and the super glue: Taking the old one out was easy enough, it pretty much fell out! Hooked the last part from inside the rubber boot then fitted the new one (needed to prop the boot up out of the way first). Velcro straps on to keep the stop in position while the glue dries. As you can see, the old one was very much past it's sell by date...... Then the boot needs to be pulled over the top of the stop, hardest part was getting it to seat on the lip. Used a heat gun to make the rubber slightly more pliable, then pulled it over the lip. All seated and ready to roll: Lowered the car and checked all was as it should be, then did the NS. I checked the rears and they actually looked ok, given that it had started hailing at this point I decided to leave this for another day....! Happy with this little job.
This'll handle like a new car when your done ✔ I had a 100% refresh underneath on mine, night and day better. I went from 18s to 17s and raised the car by 15mm as it was to crashey over the bumps, again, a different car.
New Bosch wiper blades on the car now, the none named flat blades were rubbish. Hopefully I’ve repaired an issue where water was leaking into the rear of the drivers side carpet. Common issue where the “drain pan” under the roof gets damaged/worn over the years resulting in water draining off the roof and then seeping into the cabin. Long story short, I’ve done a Heath Robinson drain “bridge” between the normal drain path and the plastic pipe that goes to the chassis. Some 9mm hose, a cut up funnel and some clear silicone! Tested this morning by pouring 600ml of water in, catching the water from the chassis drain and checking that 600ml came out…..which it did.
Gave the car another decent clean on Sunday, did the M340i and the Honda as well. Knackered afterwards! Once the Boxster was clean and dry I went over it with a stone chip pen, quite a few on the bonnet as expected for a 19 year old car with 115k on the clock. Was considering a respray, but that would take away from the “patina” and genuine nature of the car. I’d only end up getting annoyed at new stone chips etc. Came out nice and clean, very happy. Gave the roof a second coat of AG treatment to ensure it is covered properly. Jobs to do: - check the air/oil separator - change the gearbox oil, no record of a change and Porsche recommend at 90k (from memory) - collect the 18” wheels I have a deposit on, will ceramic coat them before fitting - drive it!
These are the wheels I have waiting for collection: Boxster S wheels with Michelin PS2 N4 rated tyres. Although PS2 tyres sound old, these are a continued model due to the Porsche specific rating, the fronts on these wheels are from 2020 and the rears are 2023.
They look good, I think that style are classed as 'lobster claw' The N rated tyres are definitely worth sticking with IMHO
Did a bit of investigative work this afternoon. The passenger side door speaker has been buzzing away since I bought the car, suspected a knackered old speaker, but wanted to check in case it was just a random piece or trim that needed securing. Taking the door card off was a doddle, really well put together, made as though the designers had actually thought someone may want/need to do some maintenance at some point. All the trim and screws came out, all accounted for and no broken tabs: The speaker itself is very much past its sell by date, looks to have shaken itself to pieces over the years: I shall get round to fitting some upgrades in the next month or so, the buzzing isn't a nice noise, although with the roof down and the engine above 4K revs, it doesn't matter!
Happy to report my roof drain “fix” has worked well. The carpet behind the drivers door is now bone dry, and we’ve sure had some rain to test it. Glad I gave the roof a second coating of AG sealer, has done a great job in refreshing the look (was rather dull and grey before) as well as massively improving the water resistance.
A small update on the Boxster. I didn't end up getting the wheels, work has been particularly hideous recently, some uncertainty there, so decided to step away from the wheels for the time being. The chap who I was going to buy them off was incredibly understating, even gave me my £100 deposit back. Nice to see there are some good people out there still. I've got a few jobs saved up on the car, desperately needs new speakers, the front pads/discs will need doing before the end of the summer, and there are a few creaks/knocks from the suspension so some further investigation work there. Suspect I will end up changing the shocks/top mounts/bearings and some bushes over the autumn/winter. Otherwise still absolutely loving the car, never fails to put a great big grin on my face.
I think the comment on work is something repeated across the country. And a sensible call, the current wheels are nice and 18s will be more probe to tramlining, more expensive tyres and easier to kerb... Continue to enjoy the journey with the boxster. Work is overrated, I now just contract and if I dont like the culture or the work I can walk away!
Apart from driving and enjoying the car, all is good in Boxster world at the moment. I've ordered new dip beam bulbs (Osram 220% Nightbreakers) as the current ones are pretty much like candles in jam jars, and a new set of LED sight light bulbs. Apparently these are CANBUS error free. The rattling door speaker has finally got to me, so I've ordered these: https://scrdistribution.co.uk/product/porsche-987-4-speaker-upgrade/ Should be plug and play and come with sound deadening, looking forward to the instal. The gearbox oil doesn't seem to have been changed ever, certainly no record of this in the paperwork I have got, so I've spoken to these folk: https://www.zhporsche.co.uk/about-us They get great reviews from folk on forums, really helpful to talk to, very knowledgeable. £149 inclusive for the change, I've also asked them to do a full overview of the car to point out all the good/bad and ugly points for future reference. Will book this in when the diary allows. The aircon has been limp at best, totally understandable given the age of the car, also no records of a service or recharge. When faffing in my garage I found the remnant of a recharge can and the hose/valve to go with this, plugged it in and found the car had some gas, but was in the red so very low. Bought a new can of leak/oil/gas and plugged it in last week. So far, fingers crossed, the system is holding pressure and the air is cold! Happy days.
New dip beam bulbs fitted, will check to see if there is much of a difference this evening, not that I'm planning on doing a lot of night driving, but always good to know that the beam is as good as it can be. Interesting design of the headlight unit, rather than having to access a flap/panel to reach into, the whole unit comes out. In the tool kit there is a thin hex key, fits into a cam-lock mechanism from inside the bonnet space, turn and the whole unit lifts out. Easy to access, take the rear cover off and fit the new bulb. Couldn't help but have a bit of a clean of course.... Fitting the side lights bulbs was not as easy. Needed to access two screws under the lens, so needed to take the new mesh screens off first. Of the four screws three were rusted solid, I'd even sprayed WD on them last night thinking that might help, nope, stuck solid. Out came the drill, replaced with new fixings to hopefully make the process a wee bit easier if I need to access them again. New LED side lights have certainly smartened the front end up. The pitted lenses might get replaced sometime soon, they really do show the miles and age of the car.
