BrianJ

Well worth checking the drains from the battery tray area in the front are clear, and also those under the clamshell in the rear. If blocked, any (or all) of those can result in water in the car. Just Google "986 Boxster roof drains" or similar - lots of help and videos.   

I had a 1300-mile PDK 718 2.5 loaner the other day, a Cayman S, whilst my 981S was having its 8-year service. Didn't have a chance to really give it the beans but it pulls very hard from very low engine revs compared to the 981.  Noticed a tiny hesitation a couple of times when the indecisive driver (me) changed his mind at a couple of roundabouts and decided there was time for me to make it.  Mostly I was pottering in normal mode in traffic - starting from rest, the noise for the first second or two isn't pleasant (a sort of loud hammering, probably exacerbated by the Cayman body shell) but it isn't particularly unpleasant either. If you had never driven a 6-cylinder Porsche I think you'd just be impressed by the grunt, to be honest, and wouldn't even think about the noise.  

When I traded an Audi at a BMW dealership they actually didn’t want any service invoices etc with the car.

For my upcoming 8-year service, the most expensive quote from an OPC was 48% more than the least expensive OPC (2-month wait list!), so worth shopping around. And in the past, a recommended indie was more expensive than the relatively adjacent (to them) OPC. Unfortunately no experienced indies near my home and as I still have Porsche Approved warranty, I'm headed for the OPC.  Those Zuffenhaus prices for major service look good, depending on what they include (eg brake fluid, spark plugs, drive belt etc).

Great write-up and additional comments. Thanks all.

I guess whatever the answer to the OP question, they still measure wheels in inches!!

I had a quote from them for my 981S last week. Biggest surprise was that they weren't linked up to DVLA so just like filling in a paper proposal form about 50 years ago except over the telephone. After all that they were significantly above other quotes too. Shame, I like supporting long term site sponsors. 

981 (2016 car) - rear control arm replaced late 2023. OPC initially refused under extended warranty but rapidly changed their mind after I sent them the "exhaustive list" (contract words) of items not covered due to wear and tear and asked them to explain in writing why they were refusing. Well worth reading that list - if it ain't in the list, it's covered.  

Fancy telling you they would get better in time if they knew full well that they hadn't done the job properly and that they had broken the bleed nipples. What a shower!

No it didn't. You can buy them at Porsche Centres, typically cheaper than another well known specialist supplier.  The genuine Porsche ones are a light alloy. Some of the ebay items are rather crude and made from steel.  I agree that 2 makes the job much easier.

Even if you claim off the other insurer your own insurer is likely to increase your premium because you obviously park in a dangerous place (!). Well known feature of how insurers work. Agree that getting guilty party to foot bill directly is likely to be lowest cost solution for everyone, unless either party has already notified their insurer in which case they will regard it as a claim even if you sort it privately. Good luck.

On 1/14/2024 at 7:11 PM, Jon61 said:

That is the Indicator connector (I think it used to be called the Comfort Indicator), which was an optional extra and shows, with coloured lights, the standard of charge of the battery when it's not connected to the battery maintainer. However, the actual physical connection is the same as the standard CTEK connector without the indicator lights, so any current/recent model should physically connect to it.

As to the specific model - check your battery to see if it's an AGM type (which is likely on a 981) - if so you should ideally get a CTEK that has an AGM-specific mode on it - so for example I think the MXS5.0 has it but the 3.8 doesn't; the latter still says in the spec that it's suitable for AGM batteries, but it doesn't have a setting to (presumably) charge them the optimum way.

I have two MXS5.0. The older one doesn’t have an AGM setting, the newer one does. CTEK told me I could charge AGM batteries with the older one using the Winter setting. I’ve never had a problem maintaining AGM batteries with either of them.

Get the engine and gearbox oil nice and warm on a good run before putting it away, and do some hard braking to clean up and dry the discs. Don't leave the handbrake on - like all handbrakes the braking surfaces will corrode together. Put it in gear or P. I always pump up the tyres to about 50PSI and change the position of the car slightly occasionally without starting the engine (or use axle stands to get the wheels off the ground). If it's on your own property pull the wiper arms off the screen to prevent the blades setting in the parked position and then not wiping properly. Ideally fill the fuel tank to limit water condensation. Put a strong solution of winter screenwash in the bottle and activate the washer pump so it is also in the pipework and jets.  Usual stuff for any car really.

3 minutes ago, Tigerstew said:

So in 2012 981s will the socket work??

Good chance. Simple to test.

11 minutes ago, Carmand said:

Yes it is.  There seems to be some difference in the software/ components, particularly - but not exclusively - in later cars.  This point appears in multiple posts on multiple forums whenever battery conditioners are discussed!

Correct. My 2013 981 kept the sockets live if I switched on the CTEK before locking. My replacement 2016 981 doesn’t, and won’t, whatever sequence or socket I try. So I use the CTEK connector between a bolt into the body and a battery terminal which works fine.

Beans obviously don't like being dipped. Never tried it myself.

I had bi-xenon’s on my first 981S and PDLS on the current one. To me, the difference is very significant and one of the reasons for swapping out the first car for the second after 8 years.

Unlike many on ebay at least he describes the spec of the car quite fully in Porsche language. But not sure how he can claim "full Porsche service history" and then in the next sentence indicate an oil change outside the Porsche network. Worth properly checking the service and MOT history (with any advisories) particularly at that mileage. 

My last 981 had multifunction from new (I hated the feel of it) which the OPC swapped to Sports with paddles (+ 4th stalk) as part of my deal when buying the car.  I subsequently sold the multifunction on ebay for what I thought was a sensible price. I can't remember how much but it wasn't insignificant and I was somewhat amazed that anyone would want it! I've never had any problem with missing functions.   

Interesting that there are also 43 new 718s for sale on the Porsche web site currently. I haven't checked this very often but there have definitely been long periods over the last couple of years when there weren't any.

Nobody's mentioned front control arm. My last 981 at about 6 years old/35k miles developed a knocking from somewhere at the front at low speed (<20mph) over sharp ridges etc. Diagnosed by OPC (and me!) as control arm, replaced, blissful quiet ride resulted. 

On the Porsche Approved Warranty there is no mention of anything exhaust-related on the "exhaustive list of items commonly subject to wear and tear" in the section headed "Ageing and wear and tear items". I had to remind my OPC that "exhaustive" means "fully comprehensive and complete". So if it ain't in the list of wear and tear items, it's included in the warranty. I wasn't claiming on the PSE but on a control arm. Sending them a copy of the relevant part of the contract changed their mind. 

Well yesterday actually....collected my car from the OPC with a new rear control arm, 4-wheel alignment done and nicely valeted. And an invoice for £0.00. All done under Porsche Approved Warranty. Surprising how much better it feels without that annoying rattle. Interesting to see the before and after alignment results which showed that the defective control arm put the geo for that wheel out of the green zone into the amber too.  

5 hours ago, thyde91 said:

I've actually never posted in a single forum in my life, but I've recently had an experience which I felt needed to be shared - edven if nothing further comes from it, if it raises a bit of awareness, then that'll be good enough.

I'm just an average bloke, who worked hard and saved, and was extremely proud to walk into Porsche Portsmouth (UK) and buy a Porsche Approved-Used 718 Cayman (Base Spec, 2.0l 4-cyl, manual) in August 2022. I'd done my research, bought a lovely and clean 2019 model, with just over 15,000 miles on the clock for about £45,000.

I thought going down the Approved Used route would mean I would certainly have a few years of trouble free motoring. Porsche tout an extensive multi-point inspection as part of their approved used scheme, which thereafter is still covered by a comprehensive 2 year warranty and assistance programme, and generally only appl;ies to cars which have alwasy had a full Porsche main dealer service history from new.

After around 10 months of ownership, a warning light came up on the dash, saying 'Engine Control Fault. Contact Dealer. Driving Permitted'. I rang my local dealership, who advised the best course of action was to call Porsche Assist, who would come out and diagnose it; if needed, they'd organise transport to a dealership too.
At this point, I wasn't at all worried, as I knew I had my approved-used warranty.

The Porsche Assist technician advised it was something to do with the DPF/GPF. At this point, I hasten to add, I'd only covered 1500 miles since purchasing the car. All my journeys were around 50-75 miles each time, and usually driving a fairly 'spirited'.

It was taken to Porsche Cambridge, who advised the GPF was full of ash, and the complete catalytic converter had to be replaced. I was then told, this was a 'fair wear and tear item', and I had to foot the bill.

A reminder - I purchased the car for £45,000, and had covered 1500 miles. I was now being asked to pay a further £6,538 for a new catalytic converter and fitting.

Needless to say, I was so upset, and completely furious. I knew that I had absolutely not filled up a GPF in 1500 miles of use; and bearing in mind that, I wanted to know why the dealership's 100+ point inspection hadn't flagged it as being nearly full of ash and rectified it prior to me purchasing the car.

I went back to the original dealership and raised my concerns, who agreed this wasn't fair. I was told to raise a case with Porsche UK Customer Interaction Centre (PCIC), to get it escalated.

I did just that, and raised a case. Without boring anyone with unnecessary back and forth; what ensued was 7 weeks of arguments. That required 42 separate telephone calls to get sorted. PCIC returned barely any of them, both dealerships were very good to be fair, but their powers are limited.

Throughout all of this:

• Technicians at my local dealership confirmed it was not my fault, and this should be processed by Porsche as a Warranty claim. That claim was denied by Porsche UK.
• Technicians at the original dealership also confirmed it was not my fault, and should be processed by Porsche as a Warranty claim. That claim was denied by Porsche UK.
• Porsche Care UK also agreed it was likely not my fault, and tried to negotiate with the warranty administrators. That claim was denied by Porsche UK.

The end result was a contribution from both dealers, and a 'goodwill' contribution from Porsche Care. I had to pay the balance.

So my warning to prospective owners is this - the approved used scheme is basically a marketed fabrication - there's a lot of exclusions it seems. I did not expect tyres or brake pads to be covered. I did expect major exhaust components to be covered. This was never communicated to me at the time of purchase. Bearing in mind the cost of the part alone, it should be made crystal clear.

I'm back to enjoying my 718 as I should have been, but I have lost all confidence in the brand, and their service. I have submitted an official complaint to Porsche, and additionally the Financial Conduct Authority and the Motor Ombudsman - they are evidently mis-selling the warranty product, which just isn't fair.
I've never done this with anything I've ever bought in 31 years of being alive, but I was so upset by all of it, and I am not willing to let it slide.

So if you're thinking of buying approved used, get a technician to go through all of that inspection report with you line-by-line; being 'that customer' in the dealership may make you feel a little demanding, but it may just serve to protect you.

I hope none of you ever have the experience I have - and happy and safe driving to all of you.

I have also had reason to question the Porsche Approved Warranty on my 981 with a better outcome - see https://www.BoXa.net/topic/96112-porsche-approved-warranty/. Having read the contract in some detail in preparing for the worst, I was somewhat surprised to find that although in my case the insurer is German, the contract is very specific that English law applies. I think in your circumstances I would be seriously considering a court claim through what used to be called the small claims court. There seem to be quite a few people suffering the same fate as you with the GPF and I have seen talk of a class action. It’s always difficult to denigrate the expensive car you have bought because of the impact on residuals, but if successful can have the reverse effect. What an awful experience you are having.

It’s a good question and something that has kept me mainly with OPCs or an experienced indie (of which there are none within convenient range). Whilst the mechanicals themselves have their Porsche quirks they are mainly pretty straightforward. The tricky bit on a 981 Boxster IMHO is knowing exactly how to access the oily bits without damaging interior trim, the hood, etc because there are some quite small clearances and it isn’t the same as a 987 or 986. I suspect before committing I would want to visit and satisfy myself that the guys doing the work had experience of doing 981 Boxster before, and could maybe put you in touch with a satisfied customer. No harm in asking.