Coming to 986 I think

[Coolie]

Planning to move from a current model MX5 to a Boxster (had a cayman before)  We had been looking at 987, but the 986 has been more attractive as feeling more solid and little more classic.  All said, we seem to like the 986 more.

We’ve looked at a few now, and know what good looks like and what a decent 1 drives like too.  Well looked after ones feel great quality and look great, other ones feel worn / old / unloved.  So on the hunt for well spec’d and top condition.

Today we looked at 2003 3.2 tip, 40,000miles.  Had a service every year, had an ims bearing done £1200 Invoice.  Options heated seats, litronic, memory seats - liked the base tilt comfort, PCM, Bose.

 

impressed with the Tiptronic I have to say

 

few questions please

are Tiptronic gearboxes fairly trouble free?
do memory seats pose a problem - breaking down?
litronic - do these need new bulbs at this point?

are PCM CDs still Ava to update the Nav?  Don’t really want to remove the OE

 

anything else I need to worry about on 986 3.2 Tiptronic?

 

[Coolie]

This is the spec sticker

[Nobbie]

Tiptronic boxes seem very reliable and have been in service a long time. Most common fault is if the contacts in the selector on the side of the box corrode. About a £300 fix from memory. They are due a fluid/filter change at 90k.

[Menoporsche]

That's a lot of options!

Richard Hamilton answered about the nav for someone else recently, I don't think you can even get 2015 for that model.

[Boxsum]

Why not buy another cayman? 

[iborguk]

I think PCM 2.0 with software version 3.0 (not to be confused with PCM 3.0!) can go to 2015 maps.

If you press the Main + Trip keys on the PCM it will indicate it's software version.

 

 

[Coolie]

1 hour ago, Boxsum said:

Why not buy another cayman? 

I’d have another cayman - where as the good lady will only go topless 🤣🤣

[Coolie]

1 hour ago, iborguk said:

I think PCM 2.0 with software version 3.0 (not to be confused with PCM 3.0!) can go to 2015 maps.

If you press the Main + Trip keys on the PCM it will indicate it's software version.

 

 

Thanks, that’s helpful.  Assume 2015 map discs can be obtained and the PCM software upgrade to ver 3 somehow?

[the baron]

You've already stated that the 986 is a solid well built car, and it has attained classic car status and is also a looker.

Tips have proved reliable, wheeler dealers did a program on the Boxster which had a problem with the Tip, picked it up for pocket change and all it needed to solve the issue was an oil change I think, try and watch it on Youtube you might pick up some pointers when on the hunt

[iborguk]

8 hours ago, Coolie said:

Thanks, that’s helpful.  Assume 2015 map discs can be obtained and the PCM software upgrade to ver 3 somehow?

Yes, a search of the forum, a call to an OPC or a quick google will reveal some options 🙃

[½cwt]

12 hours ago, Coolie said:

This is the spec sticker

In case you don't know you can decode this lot ^^^ here:

https://www.stuttcars.com/technical/option-codes/ 

I have Litronics on my 2000 car and they are OK, that said a pair of Osram D2S bulbs is only about £70-80, so not catastrophic.

It may be low miles but all the suspension rubber and engine mounts will still be old so be prepared to spend on those.

[Menoporsche]

For the map updates, see what you can get out of here (not knowing what your system is):

http://www.BoXa.net/forum/topic/88760-pcm-10-upgrade-disks/?tab=comments#comment-1198054

http://www.BoXa.net/forum/topic/88000-cd-changer/?tab=comments#comment-1183351

http://www.BoXa.net/forum/topic/86109-pcm-navigation-discs/?tab=comments#comment-1146233

 

[Darren Sapsford]

2 hours ago, the baron said:

You've already stated that the 986 is a solid well built car, and it has attained classic car status and is also a looker.

Tips have proved reliable, wheeler dealers did a program on the Boxster which had a problem with the Tip, picked it up for pocket change and all it needed to solve the issue was an oil change I think, try and watch it on Youtube you might pick up some pointers when on the hunt

Not true, it needed a whole new gearbox if you dig a bit on the internet

[the baron]

10 minutes ago, Darren Sapsford said:

Not true, it needed a whole new gearbox if you dig a bit on the internet

Well that's a bit naughty of Mr Brewer

[map]

This is an interesting resource 👇 hadn't seen it before 👍

2 hours ago, ½cwt said:

In case you don't know you can decode this lot ^^^ here:

https://www.stuttcars.com/technical/option-codes/ 

I have Litronics on my 2000 car and they are OK, that said a pair of Osram D2S bulbs is only about £70-80, so not catastrophic.

It may be low miles but all the suspension rubber and engine mounts will still be old so be prepared to spend on those.

Agree on the Litronic costs and feedback too - have been doing a bit of a lens refurb/lamp refresh on mine recently.

@Coolie there's also this option for a full breakdown of the codes specific to the car's VIN as built - just needs a £5 donation to the forum running costs - see thread link below:

[Coolie]

Thanks for replies and other posted - really helpful

The deal is done, being delivered to the doorstep tomorrow by the dealer.

Feeling slightly anxious!  What have I done!  Not sold the MX5 yet!  This car wasn’t gonna hang around, so took the plunge.

 

Back in Porsche ownership - better update my info 🙂  prepare for loads of silly questions!!

2003 Boxster S Tiptronic, 38,000mls, decent history, condition and service history tells an story of pampered ownership, loads of spec.  Colour choice is a little pain maybe - Artic Silver, black roof, black leather interior

 

[Coolie]

13 hours ago, ½cwt said:

In case you don't know you can decode this lot ^^^ here:

https://www.stuttcars.com/technical/option-codes/ 

I have Litronics on my 2000 car and they are OK, that said a pair of Osram D2S bulbs is only about £70-80, so not catastrophic.

It may be low miles but all the suspension rubber and engine mounts will still be old so be prepared to spend on those.

Thanks cwt, each I know the rubber stuff and all sorts of other will need a look and some spend I’m sure 🙂.  Mileage and condition i think will make further costs worthwhile 🤞

[½cwt]

1 minute ago, Coolie said:

Thanks cwt, each I know the rubber stuff and all sorts of other will need a look and some spend I’m sure 🙂.  Mileage and condition i think will make further costs worthwhile 🤞

Hope yours is OK for a while, however I'm just going through the financial, and physical pain (I'm a DIY mechanic), of doing the suspension.  Mine's on 98k miles though and I found some damage so about time.

Good luck with yours and welcome back!

[Coolie]

4 minutes ago, ½cwt said:

Hope yours is OK for a while, however I'm just going through the financial, and physical pain (I'm a DIY mechanic), of doing the suspension.  Mine's on 98k miles though and I found some damage so about time.

Good luck with yours and welcome back!

I’ll keep an eye out for your progress posts 😀.  This side of the forum seems really friendly and helpful too ✅ 

[Sazzy]

Congrats !

[Downsey]

I was intrigued when I read your earlier post, so jumped on Auto trader and found what I believe to be your new car - it’s now not listed.

If it is, it looks to be in great condition. Can’t wait to see your ‘new ride’ pics.

I too have a Tiptronic 2003 3.2s and it’s great fun!!

[Coolie]

8 hours ago, Downsey said:

I was intrigued when I read your earlier post, so jumped on Auto trader and found what I believe to be your new car - it’s now not listed.

If it is, it looks to be in great condition. Can’t wait to see your ‘new ride’ pics.

I too have a Tiptronic 2003 3.2s and it’s great fun!!

That’s probably the 1 👍  It’s clearly been looked after, garaged and serviced each year.  Only 39,000mls in the clock.

Delivered to my door this evening too.  The history file is thick, even have tax discs from its early life too.  Had brake fluid changes every 2yrs and stuff.

no history of gearbox oil or coolant change - so I guess those are my investment maintenance items to get done. 
 

recommends for maintenance specialist in Warwickshire?   I was maybe thinking Zuffhenhaus?

[Bferry70]

Hi Coolie, whereabouts in Warwickshire are you? Although I’m in Solihull, I take mine to PCT Select in Honiley (Richard Harrison) who seem very good. They were recommended to me by a couple of Porsche owning friends👍

[Coolie]

13 hours ago, Bferry70 said:

Hi Coolie, whereabouts in Warwickshire are you? Although I’m in Solihull, I take mine to PCT Select in Honiley (Richard Harrison) who seem very good. They were recommended to me by a couple of Porsche owning friends👍

I’m in Rugby, so Honiley is do-able.   Not sure I know about them, is that the fallout of PCT on the A45 closing?
 

i do two school residential sat Honiley Hall when I was kid 🤣🤣

[Bferry70]

7 hours ago, Coolie said:

I’m in Rugby, so Honiley is do-able.   Not sure I know about them, is that the fallout of PCT on the A45 closing?
 

i do two school residential sat Honiley Hall when I was kid 🤣🤣

Yes, that’s them. They were just down from The Windmill Hotel. Richard set up on his own when they closed and took the name with him. Nice bloke and very knowledgeable.