Billzeebub

The plastic rear screen on my 2000 986 Boxster was well past its best. It was impossible to see out of and had started to leak at the stitching. Furthermore doing the ‘Boxster Chop’ had lost its appeal! 
Hence, I booked in with Carhood Warehouse for a replacement mohair roof with glass heated rear screen. 
I dropped the car to them at opening time and had a wander into Sevenoaks town centre for breakfast. I collected  the car 3hrs later with a new roof fitter. The difference is stark. I can actually see objects behind now and the screen clears so quickly with the heating element. Being able to lower the roof without exiting the car to smooth out the window is also a revelation. No more musty dampness either. 

Anyone with an early Boxster should go and see Carhood Warehouse and get the upgrade.
I was really impressed with the whole process and the updated Hood is really good quality at a very reasonable price.

I have only ever owned 986s. I think they feel more analogue and old Porsche than the 987. I do prefer the 987 headlights and front end look, but most other things I prefer a good 986. The interior of the 986 (although snugger than 987) feels more Porsche to me with the way it is laid out. Also there is the possibility to delete the lower centre console making it even more 'old school porsche' feeling. I have deleted the console on many of my 986s which increases leg room and gives the cool stripped out/weight saving GT3 911 look. I also am edging towards preferring 986.1 to the facelift 986.2. I feel the fried-egg ambers are just looking so right these days as it places the car in classic status. Finding a good original early car for me is the perfect 986 now. There are compromises as a daily driver over the facelift 986, but this is part of the appeal for me. The plastic rear screen just means that engine and mechanical noise is a little more audible and the smaller 17" wheels make the car ride so sweetly. 

changed the frunk struts that had caused the bonnet to keep hitting me on the bonce. A ridiculously easy, but very satisfying, little job.

always hard to see people letting a car get into this state. That was someones pride and joy once. Hopefully someone gets it back on track

nothing technical..vaccumed the interior with the Dyson handheld and then used a small pain-brush (top tip) to clear all vents and difficult to reach places and vaccumed again. Then treated all the leather with Autoglym feed and Autoglym Vinyl/Trim restorer on all plastic areas. Looking factory fresh again. Now cup of tea before doing all the rubber seals and, if it ever stops raining, an exterior wash and wax

the bypass mod is by far and away the best option in my opinion. If you can wait until one of the favoured specialists (Carnewal/Revolution/Eporch/Cotswold) has a decent exhaust available to work on then I would go for that. A previous car I owned came with the DesignTek exhaust, this was also very good. Do not be tempted to go for any of the 'cheap' ebay specials!..drone at most speeds etc

Replaced the 14 year old coolant cap with the new one that arrived today

Removed the hardtop and deposited it in my storage unit. Then went for a drive to the coast along past Beachy Head

Visited my local Porsche specialist for various small items that I have been meaning to address for some time. Screws, poppers, nuts and fixings. Several pieces which all together cost pence. Much satisfaction gained as even though the car looked aesthetically perfect I now know that all is as it should be. 

As we are due snow tomorrow I thought it made perfect sense to clean the cars. Also digging around in the garage found my old 986 Anni floor mats (charcoal/black). Swapped out the rarer Cocoa mats to preserve them. Then polished up the exhaust tips on both cars. 

Polished it after cleaning yesterday. Then cleaned the brake Calipers using Autoglym brake/wheel cleaner and Cotton buds. Got carried away and even cleaned around the wheel bolts. Also treated rubber seals/plastics, polished exhaust tip and checked drain holes.  Then went for a roof down drive to the pub on what felt like a Spring day. 

Finally got round to replacing the dud battery in the spare key

4 hours ago, karlp606 said:

I love these easy jobs when they go according to plan! Last time I changed a bulb in my headlight, I snapped the plastic connection holder that the headlight slides in so had to spend an hour in the dark trying to push the headlight back and my wife holding the connector trying to line it up! Whilst also trying not to trap her hand in there! Annoying to say the least. 

 

I feel your pain chap! Last time I tried to change the sidelight bulb in the headlight I struggled for an hour on a Saturday afternoon to get the headlight back in. As the light faded and darkness descended I snapped the headlight tool! At the end of my tether I gaffer taped the headlight in and dawdled (with hazards on) down to the Paragon where I sheepishly explained my idiocy. Queue the very nice salesman popping it back in around 15 seconds! 

a brake light bulb was out so bought a bulb and went to change it. However, the bulb had just popped out. Refitted it and hey presto working brake light. I now have a spare..Small victories

As it's been drizzle all day here in East Sussex I concentrated on the interior today and cleaned/conditioned leather, then got busy with the cotton buds dusting and cleaning everywhere in cabin. Even cleaned behind wind deflector and gave the carpets a fragrance. Very satisfying couple of hours. 

Wasn't happy with the dull yellow of the original spec sidelight bulbs, so when one failed last week I decided to fit LED sidelights. These match the light of the Litronics so much better. Always struggle with getting the light units back in though....took me nearly 2 hours all in! 

Cleaned the NumberPlate, Windows and lights to drive to see family...proper wash day tomorrow 

Replaced the batteries in both keys

Cleaned the roof with Milton sterilising tablets to get rid of the algae 

Washed, claybar, polish & wax...phew! now doing nothing for the rest of the day! 

On 10 September 2017 at 0:18 PM, John2000 said:

Stayed at the Holiday Inn so swimming drinking sauna then did it all over again

Good call.i was bored out of my wits after 4 hours of walking around the town! But  all worth it for the excellent service the chaps provide

First sunny day in East Sussex for a long time so a general cleaning day. Washed, polished & waxed, cleaned and proofed hood, then lubricated the t/frunk hinges and vac'd the interior. Used a whole pack of interior wipes getting into every crevice and a fair few cotton buds too! Checked all fluids & then, after 3 hours toil went for a drive to pub in the next village. 

Cleared out all drain holes, even under the battery tray. Investigated the methodology for replacing centre console with GT3 carpet...my job for tomorrow