2.7 986 Tiptronic - missing history...what to prioritise

[Zenith_Mike]

Hi Everyone,

Newbie here, just joined. My late father died recently and left me his '99, 2.7 986 Tiptronic. (He had always dreamed of having a Porsche, more specifically a red 911, but couldn't quite ever afford one. When given his terminal cancer diagnosis he settled for what he could get locally and needed to be tiptronic due to health. He only managed to get a few weeks out of the car before he declined and then passed away a few weeks ago now).

The car has covered just over 100k and seems in reasonable condition for its age, other than a loud exhaust which I will change for sure, it needs some cosmetic tidy-up which I have a friend for, but the thing I am most concerned about is making sure that the car is in good mechanical order before I get any cosmetic work done. Of course for sentimental reasons I would like to keep the car as long as possible as an occasional summer cruiser (not daily driver).

So, with a questionable history the past 5 years, what should I prioritise for a major service?

Oil and filter, cabin filer, fuel filter and a check of all components are standard I guess. I am thinking that I should also change the coolant, brake fluid and spark plugs. I also see that ignition coils are common issues so should be replaced? Also, for the tiptronic, do I need to have the trans fluid changed as well as the diff fluid changed? What about the auxiliary belt? Tensioner?

Any comments welcome, I guess I need a sense check that the above is on the right track.

 

Cheers

Mike

 

[Darren Sapsford]

Why don't you find a local specialist who could give it a once over and tell you what it might need straight away and what might need doing later on??

[Zenith_Mike]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the reply. For sure that's a good logical shout, thing is I am in the Aberdeen area and there aren't many/any independent Porsche specialists that I know of, other than the main dealer - where prices are an issue of course. Unless you or other forum members happen to know any recommended local to me?

Would you still suggest I take the hit on the high labour rates and put it to Porsche for an initial 'once over'?

[map]

@Zenith_Mike - a sad reason for becoming your car's keeper but wonderful that you want to be able to use it as much as possible.

In terms of a main dealer I wouldn't bother - the likelihood is that they won't have much if any 986 specific experience and will in all probability give you a very long, daunting and horrifyingly expensive list of items of parts that need changing.

At this time I'd get a big service done and would include and transmission oil change in that.  In reality a decent general workshop should be able to take care of this for you.  The only "oddity" might be the transmission fluid change but that's well covered on YouTube.

With regard to a local specialist there's a BoXa.net map which might be useful - linked below:

Alternatively maybe @daz05 can assist with some suggestions that haven't yet reached the map.

This forum is full of experience and knowledge, keep this thread running and you'll find there's plenty of solid advice headed your way.

[Davey P]

Sorry for your loss mate (My Dad passed away in December, so I feel your pain).  Rest assured, you have definitely come to the right place for help and advice about maintaining your Boxster.  There is a wealth of experience from long standing owners on here, and they are happy to help out with any queries you might have. 

Welcome to the forum 

[CMA]

51 minutes ago, Zenith_Mike said:

I am in the Aberdeen area and there aren't many/any independent Porsche specialists that I know of

From a quick google these pop up in the Aberdeen area. I don't know them so it's not a recommendation but maybe worth looking at to see how they stack up http://bavariaautowerke.co.uk/

Edited July 7, 2021 by CMA

[Zenith_Mike]

2 hours ago, map said:

@Zenith_Mike - a sad reason for becoming your car's keeper but wonderful that you want to be able to use it as much as possible.

In terms of a main dealer I wouldn't bother - the likelihood is that they won't have much if any 986 specific experience and will in all probability give you a very long, daunting and horrifyingly expensive list of items of parts that need changing.

At this time I'd get a big service done and would include and transmission oil change in that.  In reality a decent general workshop should be able to take care of this for you.  The only "oddity" might be the transmission fluid change but that's well covered on YouTube.

With regard to a local specialist there's a BoXa.net map which might be useful - linked below:

Alternatively maybe @daz05 can assist with some suggestions that haven't yet reached the map.

This forum is full of experience and knowledge, keep this thread running and you'll find there's plenty of solid advice headed your way.

Thanks very much @map, appreciate the reply and advice. As from the map, the Aberdeen area isn't blessed with many specialist independents, but I do know some good solid local garages so will start there.

Cheers

[Zenith_Mike]

1 hour ago, Davey P said:

Sorry for your loss mate (My Dad passed away in December, so I feel your pain).  Rest assured, you have definitely come to the right place for help and advice about maintaining your Boxster.  There is a wealth of experience from long standing owners on here, and they are happy to help out with any queries you might have. 

Welcome to the forum 

Thanks @Davey P, sorry to hear of your father passing too, its a tough one, the car is a nice thing to keep.

Thanks also for the welcome 😀

[Zenith_Mike]

1 hour ago, CMA said:

From a quick google these pop up in the Aberdeen area. I don't know them so it's not a recommendation but maybe worth looking at to see how they stack up http://bavariaautowerke.co.uk/

Thanks @CMA, yes Bavaria in the one independent German specialist that I know of, but a chat with a friend recently gave an example of a colleague being ripped off... of course to be clear I have no details, but not too great. I will of course be fair and do a bit more research on them. Cheers for the help.

[Nobbie]

10 minutes ago, Zenith_Mike said:

Thanks very much @map, appreciate the reply and advice. As from the map, the Aberdeen area isn't blessed with many specialist independents, but I do know some good solid local garages so will start there.

Cheers

These cars are not exotic, so I would go with a solid local garage. If you’re worried about a lack of previous history, I would get an oil test done when the oil is changed. This will give you an indication if there is any undue wear by identifying levels of bearing metals in the oil. I’ve used these before. They send you a little bottle and a prepaid envelope. https://www.millersoils.co.uk/oil-analysis/
 

Post the result up here and we’ll give you a range of opinions on what it means🤣 
 

I have read of varying opinions on the need to change the auto fluid. One train of thought is that if it’s working fine, then leave it. A quick google found this in reference to the Audi fitted with a similar gearbox. Note the post about issues arising from changing fluid after a long time. 
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/s-car-model-line-13/tiptronic-owners-do-you-change-your-transmission-fluid-63478/

[Paul P]

Welcome.  
 

as others shave said re the back story sorry for your loss 

think you have covered the basics. I would add learn where the roof drains are and make sure they are clear.  Bad things happen to boxsters with blocked drains.  Also.  Have a look the tyres.   Good tread is fine but older tyres go hard, Start to crack and don’t grip like they should.  
 

good luck with it. 

[CMA]

2 hours ago, Zenith_Mike said:

Thanks @CMA, yes Bavaria in the one independent German specialist that I know of, but a chat with a friend recently gave an example of a colleague being ripped off... of course to be clear I have no details, but not too great. I will of course be fair and do a bit more research on them. Cheers for the help.

Of course you could still ask their advice on what they would recommend is done to your car, find out what they advise. You may or may not eventually use them but you would have at least another opinion on what might be needed to compare with other garages opinions. You could also take it there for the basic service, get the list of items they advise are changed/fixed. Then take that list elsewhere if you're unsure of their charging/honesty. But as others say, they aren't that specialist that a good solid garage can't look after them for you.

Good luck on your new journey and keep us updated on how you get on 👍

Edited July 7, 2021 by CMA

[Darren Sapsford]

7 hours ago, Zenith_Mike said:

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the reply. For sure that's a good logical shout, thing is I am in the Aberdeen area and there aren't many/any independent Porsche specialists that I know of, other than the main dealer - where prices are an issue of course. Unless you or other forum members happen to know any recommended local to me?

Would you still suggest I take the hit on the high labour rates and put it to Porsche for an initial 'once over'?

P for Porsche get good reviews, not sure how close they are to you???

[myfirstboxster]

If a garage is competent enough to change the oil on an Astra , why not on a Boxster ?  

[Zenith_Mike]

7 hours ago, Nobbie said:

These cars are not exotic, so I would go with a solid local garage. If you’re worried about a lack of previous history, I would get an oil test done when the oil is changed. This will give you an indication if there is any undue wear by identifying levels of bearing metals in the oil. I’ve used these before. They send you a little bottle and a prepaid envelope. https://www.millersoils.co.uk/oil-analysis/
 

Post the result up here and we’ll give you a range of opinions on what it means🤣 
 

I have read of varying opinions on the need to change the auto fluid. One train of thought is that if it’s working fine, then leave it. A quick google found this in reference to the Audi fitted with a similar gearbox. Note the post about issues arising from changing fluid after a long time. 
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/s-car-model-line-13/tiptronic-owners-do-you-change-your-transmission-fluid-63478/

Thanks very much for that @Nobbie, I wasn't aware that you could get analysis done as a normal 'punter', I just thought that was for the trade, thanks I will get that done 👍.

Yeah my daily driver in an A3 sportback S-Tronic and I hear similar things. Officially I believe Audi say my model is a sealed/lifetime system, i.e. no replacement required, but I'm not really sure about the Boxster. Will dig a little deeper.

[Zenith_Mike]

6 hours ago, Paul P said:

Welcome.  
 

as others shave said re the back story sorry for your loss 

think you have covered the basics. I would add learn where the roof drains are and make sure they are clear.  Bad things happen to boxsters with blocked drains.  Also.  Have a look the tyres.   Good tread is fine but older tyres go hard, Start to crack and don’t grip like they should.  
 

good luck with it. 

Thanks @Paul P, I hadn't really considered the roof drains but will be sure to do it now!

 

Tyres are in decent order though, P Zero with good tread and no cracks that I can see 👍 

[Zenith_Mike]

5 hours ago, CMA said:

Of course you could still ask their advice on what they would recommend is done to your car, find out what they advise. You may or may not eventually use them but you would have at least another opinion on what might be needed to compare with other garages opinions. You could also take it there for the basic service, get the list of items they advise are changed/fixed. Then take that list elsewhere if you're unsure of their charging/honesty. But as others say, they aren't that specialist that a good solid garage can't look after them for you.

Good luck on your new journey and keep us updated on how you get on 👍

Thanks @CMA, I will do 👍

[Zenith_Mike]

2 hours ago, Darren Sapsford said:

P for Porsche get good reviews, not sure how close they are to you???

Thanks @Darren Sapsford, they are in Clydebank which is beside Glasgow, a bit of a trek for me. Thanks though, appreciate the help 👍

[Zenith_Mike]

1 hour ago, myfirstboxster said:

If a garage is competent enough to change the oil on an Astra , why not on a Boxster ?  

@myfirstboxster I am not suggesting that a non Porsche specialist garage couldn't change the oil, I was assuming that with particular cars, especially older cars, there are specific troublesome areas where experienced people know what to look out for and/or suggest are good preventative measures etc. Maybe I was putting the Porsche brand on a pedestal more than I should. Cheers 👍