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Search for a decent 981 Boxster with PASM Help!


in_dellible

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My maiden quest to join the ranks of Porsche ownership is not going well, I'm 3 months in and have test driven just 2 cars with the spec I want. 

I should have bought the first one I drove; a lovely 2013 2.7 PDK with PASM , 20" Carrera classics and full leather with red stitching. I held off to test a drive a S the following Monday and I learned that whilst the S was incredible, my day to day use for the additional car is limited so i'd happily settle for a 2.7 with lower miles and in better condition. Frustratingly by the time i'd made up my mind the 2.7 had sold.

When I went back for a second drive and dug into the S in question, a 2012 with excellent spec, it turned up a few gremlins; first serviced at 24k and then again 2 years 9 months later at 38k by a generic supercar specialist, it now sits on 40k. In mitigation It drove beautifully, in all likelihood was covering motorway miles at low RPM, I kept telling myself it could be absolutely fine. It also has a few stone chips, most noticeably on the lights. And the frunk has a panel gap on one side (research says this is common and can be adjusted). The front tyres were at about 3m and Discs and pads would need doing within the next 5k. The dealer in question is a Landrover indy with 5 star reviews across the board, they took it in PX, we discussed their 12 month warranty in detail and essentially they would be happy for a Porka Indy to carry out any warranty repairs. The car was up at £34950 and I stuck at £32500, the dealer went down to £33000. I drove away despite this being well within budget. 

Car in question is http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706146454002 I'd be interested to hear to thoughts and opinions, was I wise or foolish to walk away at that price? I'm a total newbie any advice greatly appreciated.

The stumbling block for my quest is undoubtedly PASM, I drove several without and the terrible roads and speedbumps around here made it truly uncomfortable (not helped that i think the 20 inch alloys make the look of the car). PASM really does make a tangible difference. It's just so rarely specified, there are just 3 cars in my price range on Autotrader with it. 

So If you are looking to sell your 981 and it has PDK, PASM, Carrera S or Carrera Classic alloys, audio options that amount to at least CDR+ with bluetooth, and full history please drop me a message, i'm a cash buyer. 

Thanks for reading

 

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I am not in the 981 market is must be said, but that price of £33000 seems fair. Given that you want a particular spec. you limit your choice. If you like the car and it all works and the dealer has a good reputation then take the plunge. Agreed the service history is not so good, express this to the dealer and see what they say perhaps get some extra cover thrown in rather than a price drop. You can nerver be sure how a car will pan out, even a new one. Bear in mind if the service history was spot on you might not get it for £33000. Others will have a different opinion I am sure, but its you that have to be happy with what you get and what you have paid.

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1 minute ago, Sheppie_hill said:

Cheers for the input Sheppie_hill. I've no issues with imports especially one's that look like that, but I'm aware of this car and had been trying to call the seller for the best part of 2 weeks when it was up on autotrader, but could never get through, the car was initially advertised by a trade seller - Phantom Motors in Park Royal west London, no such company exists. 

When the add went up on ebay the number changed and I got through and spoke to the seller last Friday and arranged to see the car on Saturday. From speaking to the seller Car is a Singapore import. The seller couldn't account for it originally being advertised under Phantom Motors, he just said "we sometimes sell cars for them" when asked what company he worked for he said "logistic solutions" again no company found, in park royal. I was a bit blinded by the price and look of the car and still agreed to meet. The seller kept saying he'd email me details of the service history from Singapore and the original order, this never arrived nor did the text confirming the address for the viewing. Eventually I prompted him on the Saturday morning , the address I was given was "next to the car wash NW10 7PF" then half way through my journey up there I got a text changing the meet to a car park in Perivale North London at that point (after far too many prompts) I wised up and cancelled. 

Still looks like an incredible prospect at that price, but its so easy to hide accident damage these days, I hope i'm right walking away. 

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Absolutely sounds like one to run away from. Keep the faith and take your time. Place a wanted in the WTD section and see if any members are selling soon. I'll also keep an eye out. I know it can be awful but try Gumtree which is where I got lucky.

 

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I think the sticking point on that original car is just the service history, I think that will mean you cannot take it into the Porsche Warranty at any point (even if you wanted to). I also have PASM and think the ride is amazing, but some prefer the standard suspension.  Stone chips are a fact of life unfortunately, but a white car usually hides them quite well.

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The Autotrader one looks great - the eBay one I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

I was really impressed with PASM on the 981S I tested ages ago - couldn't believe how acceptable the ride was on 20" wheels on the back roads around Silverstone.

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that ebay one just sends of alarm bells "too good to be true" especially after the vague comms you have had and changes in locations etc.  I'd be thinking it needs to be the price of a Cat C to take that sort of risk....and that's after double checking sellers passport id etc.

Did you really walk away from a car for £500 difference ?

Could you not have negotiated a service or something thrown in like new brakes/ tyres or a trip to their friendly paint shop for a blow over ?

Good luck with your search, the 981 is holding strong money this year.

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3 hours ago, Patt said:

Did you really walk away from a car for £500 difference ?

Could you not have negotiated a service or something thrown in like new brakes/ tyres or a trip to their friendly paint shop for a blow over ?

I did :mellow: They were not budging, not even a tank of fuel, this was two weeks ago, the car has been re-advertised at the same price since. I think I walked away on my gut more than anything else... 

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For the auto trader one I can see what you mean about the frunk panel gap from the photos. Be careful it could be that the previous owner had something large in there which caught when it closed causing allimunium panel to distort. If you do decide to go for it make sure you get the garage to fix it/sort the panel gap.

Also quick q why are you so fixed on having pasm? I too was in my search for a 981 however after driving one with and one without I couldn't really tell the difference unless the road was really bumpy where the pasm ride just felt harder and so decided on one without in the end as all other options were ticked.

Also as pasm lowers the ride by 20mm having 20" wheels makes the ride quite hard, although it does look pleasing to the eye!

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2 hours ago, Boxster981S said:

For the auto trader one I can see what you mean about the frunk panel gap from the photos. Be careful it could be that the previous owner had something large in there which caught when it closed causing allimunium panel to distort. If you do decide to go for it make sure you get the garage to fix it/sort the panel gap.

Also quick q why are you so fixed on having pasm? I too was in my search for a 981 however after driving one with and one without I couldn't really tell the difference unless the road was really bumpy where the pasm ride just felt harder and so decided on one without in the end as all other options were ticked.

Also as pasm lowers the ride by 20mm having 20" wheels makes the ride quite hard, although it does look pleasing to the eye!

Good advice re the panel gap.

I'm fixed on PASM because the non PASM examples I've driven with 20" wheels have not dealt with London Roads and bumps without rattling my spine. I just found the ride too hard. I didn't have this problem with 18s but I love the 20s.

Although lower by 10mm, standard PASM (I think you're referring to the sports suspension) just takes everything city roads have to give; pot holes speed bumps, raised drains and the occasional crack pipe. Its comfortable. But the minute you press the button it's sharp and taught and feels track ready. I love it.

 

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9 hours ago, in_dellible said:

Although lower by 10mm, standard PASM (I think you're referring to the sports suspension) just takes everything city roads have to give; pot holes speed bumps, raised drains and the occasional crack pipe. Its comfortable. But the minute you press the button it's sharp and taught and feels track ready. I love it.

 

+1 ⬆️

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I know it can be frustrating "waiting for the one" but hang in there, it will turn up eventually. ^_^

One word of advice when you get your car, what ever you do don't use the driver's side cup holder for take away cups or cans. If it spills, and it will, it goes straight into the control panel underneath. :(

Good luck with the search!?

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21 hours ago, mdunderwood said:

One word of advice when you get your car, what ever you do don't use the driver's side cup holder for take away cups or cans. If it spills, and it will, it goes straight into the control panel underneath.

Sound advice, Thank you 

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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201703293803631

This is one Aberdeen OPC took the pi$$ with mentioned in another thread.... faulty actuators on the PSE, not mentioned in the advert and stated it was approved with 2yr warranty when it wasn't. They have since removed the approved warranty from the advert (now comes with 12 months third party warranty) and have dropped the price 4k to £32500. 

It's a hell of a lot of car for 32.5K 

Having spoken to servicing department at Cridfords (reputable Indy) they can replace both actuators for £700, they say it's a common issue. 

However, there is no UK stock of the part (hasn't been for 6+ months) and none are available to order from Germany. Which may shed some light on why Porsche aren't fixing it themselves. 

I'll get an email stating nothing else is wrong with the car and then I think i'll get the (proverbial) chequebook out...

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I recall a couple of months back someone replaced their own solenoids for about £30 each ( I think from German supplier).  Had a quick search and can't find the thread though.

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Which part is it that doesn't work I wonder?  They don't  have solonoids as far as I can see they have a vacuum operated actuator which looks as though it probably costs more than £30.

 

ps. No issues with cup holders here either.

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maybe I'm confusing Solenoid with actuator.

On my 986 one of the actuators was FUBAR.  Thus I had it welded to open.

I'm sure someone found a cheap source for the actuators.

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6 hours ago, tcornet said:

Not had this problem, do you push the middle part of the cup holder cover back up to secure the cup holders into position?

no you dont need to push the flap back up to make them 'solid' they're fine either way....as for 'not using the drivers cup holder'...when I read that I thought WTF its not like you can use the passenger one from the driving seat....the real solution would simply be to either drive more carefully if you are carrying liquids OR part empty the cup so it doesn't spill :)

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12 hours ago, tcornet said:

Not had this problem, do you push the middle part of the cup holder cover back up to secure the cup holders into position?

Yes. It's also happened on the passenger side, but that was a lot cheaper to clean as it didn't need the centre console taking ?. Mind you I had to use a tooth tree to clean out the speaker grilles.

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