e21 Keith

First Question

Where can I get a manual for my Boxster?

Theres no such thing as a Haynes but I see there’s a Bently. Is there something I can down load, preferably for free?

Good advice and worth a try, the clutch is pretty bad, short runs only possible

I once did a Power steering on a BMW e30 in 4 inches of snow.

It’s done about 120k, not sure of the service history as don’t have the docs yet. I’d just like to do the job for peace of mind, with the clutch needing doing it seems sensible to do it while im there, no labour charges and would probably add to the resale value of the car.

I think I could empty the ashtray myself without instructions, but I never let anyone smoke in my cars anyway. In fact I never knowingly buy cars that have been smoked in!

Anyway, back to the Boxster. Lots of planning, probably wait for slightly better weather as I am quite old and worn out and I’ll be doing it on the driveway because my garage is full of cars that I never drive!

Thank you all for the warm welcome, I look forward to finding out more!

I'm not a fan of main dealer parts prices, I often research who the original manufacturer was and buy that from an after market supplier.

I've really bought the car to learn about Boxsters and to decide whether I really want one long term. So I'll do all the work on this one to learn how it's put together, then I'll either keep it or buy another.

Currently in my garage

2001 BMW e39 M5 Owned for 16 years

1991 BMW e30 325 Cabriolet

1982 BMW e21 323i Fully rebuilt and restored by me.

Daily drivers: 2012 Passat Alltrack. 2010 Skoda Superb Estate (the only auto we own, for my partner), 2006 BMW 330d Touring Sport.

I've probably owned over 100 cars in my time including over 30 BMW e30s, most have been quiet transient, but when I like something I keep it a long time! 

I've never owned a Porsche, been into BMW. VAG group cars, few Mercedes, lots of German cars but never a Porsche.

I've just bought an '03 Boxster S, Manual as a project car, it was cheap so I have money in the bank to carry out some repairs. I've always worked on my own cars, very rarely pay a garage unless I don't have time to do the work myself. 

Issue number 1 is the second gear synchro, a well documented issue that requires an expensive gearbox rebuild or known good second hand one. While the 'box is out I will do the clutch (flywheel if necessary) and that leaves the IMS bearing and rear oil seal to do. The gearbox and clutch don't worry me that much, I'll take my time and be methodical, the rear oil seal doesn't seem too difficult. That leaves the IMS bearing, which again doesn't look that difficult, but there is scope to make an expensive mistake here!

Has anyone done the IMS bearing themselves? I'm thinking of taking the engine and 'box out in one go to make access easier and also to have a look at everything else that's there. Is it possible to rent/borrow the tool for pulling the bearing out?