Project 2000 Porsche Boxster - SOLD and GONE! 😥

[cort16]

I think your going to have the same issue I had with the z4. Once I got it was so much fun I had zero interest in driving the cortina. In your case mgb.

[SiC]

Took the wheels off tonight as I don't trust tyre garages to not fuck up stuff and especially not to over tighten with an impact wrench.

 

 

Bit a pain in the arse as the wheel was stuck on. Quite a lot of tapping on the back of the tyre with a mallet eventually freed it. Glad I took them off - I imagine a tyre garage that run thin margins wouldn't be as gentle or considerate.

 

Hub teeth that the wheel sits on had a good bit of corrosion on. Cleaned this off with some wire wool.

 

Pads look like they are getting end of life soon. Also discs have a good lip on them. I'm a light braker so probably last at least till end of season.

 

PAS rack wasn't leaking.

 

However check this out:

 

There is no residue but I'm guessing it's leaking from there.

 

Googling around it appears to be a common problem. I might do this true Autoshite fix for now:

http://www.boxa.net/forum/topic/75095-power-steering-pipe-replacement/

 

Looks proper bodge but a guy on there reckons he's had it on there for 5 years! So can't be all that bad a trick. Apparently TADIS, so even if you replace the pipe, it'll happen again. Will get some fuel pipe clips along with some more PAS fluid tomorrow when I get the tyres done.

[SiC]

Ok it appears that pipe is mostly rigid and goes right from the engine in the middle, along the passenger side, turns across the wheel arch and to the middle of the car. Then it converts into a short flex pipe and finally to a rigid pipe to fit into the rack union.

 

Thus it's quite a big job and a pig to do. Then will likely break again. Porsche dealers quote around £1k to do.

 

So it'll probably be a clamp certainly for now!

[Mally]

Get it clamped man!

It's not as though it's an MGB.

[Noel Tidybeard]

Congrats mate on getting a dream car.

 

Don't stress over this one and just enjoy the driving the MGB. 

 

Finish the Austin.

 

Winning at life 100%

 

 

FIFY

[SiC]

 

 

Very much the same boat as a classic Roller really. They're pretty well put together, but you have to go in eyes open with regards to the price of bits if something does go awry.

 

Yes but luckily you can still get new parts for a lot less, that are the same as OEM but with the name ground off. A large proportion of the parts and most of the suspension parts are shared with the 996 911.

 

 

Glad to hear you're not just throwing in the towel with the MG, though should you decide to shift it even though I really shouldn't, I'm definitely on the list of folks who would be interested.

 

...As it is, it's a moot point for me as I've already got one car too many. I've been trying to find somewhere to store the Lada for a while, but so far the only place who have said they have room want a three figure per month rental cost...That's not happening!

 

Have you tried your local social housing authority? I'm renting off the private entity around here, they don't list about it online but an email to them is all it took to sign up.

 

Very much with you on knowing how much difference where you are can make to how stressful or not driving an unproven car is. MK where I live is similarly an aggressively unfriendly place to break down unless you're lucky enough to be in an entirely residential area - every road outside the housing estates pretty much is 60/70mph road with nowhere to pull off. This has been significantly slowing down the testing of the Invacar.

 

Funnily enough I was watching your Invacar video and I was envying the wide roads you have that pushing a car up to the side if things go wrong! Roads around here are very narrow and stopping at the wrong point will cause gridlock.

 

Biggest thing is the lack of room to work at home if things break.

 

One thing I don't really remember about the Boxster (partly because my back wasn't stuffed back then) was what's the ride like? I know a lot of German cars especially recently are downright uncomfortable as the ride is so harsh (2016 Golf R Estate has the record so far), but I don't picture this as being too bad.

I waited on this one until I got new tyres on. The old tyres made the right way harder than it should have been. With the new tyres the ride is a lot more compliant. It's not a soft ride but then you need a certain amount of hardness otherwise you won't get the feel through the wheel.

 

But then take that as a pinch of salt as our daily driver is a A4 S-Line with 180k on the suspension. So I'm used to rather rock solid ride!

 

Can we have an engine sound vid? Love the sound of them going past, with a Subaru flat 4 a close second.

I tried taking some videos today but traffic was too heavy to make a decent one.

I'll try again sometime soon.

 

 

I think your going to have the same issue I had with the z4. Once I got it was so much fun I had zero interest in driving the cortina. In your case mgb.

Maybe. But then they're so very different drive, hopefully they'll just be different experiences.

[SiC]

Put a clamp on the pipe earlier when I put the new tyres on. Also coated the rigid pipe and ferrule section with a bit of copper grease just to prevent any more corrosion.

 

As someone on PH said, it's not a bodge as such, as it's doing the same thing that the crimp piece on the end is doing. I topped up the fluid - only took half a paint cap. So I don't think too much had leaked out.

[Zelandeth]

Then roads here are fine *in* the housing estate. Problem is that as soon as I exit the estate you have a 50/50 split between fast single carriageway roads or 70mph dual carriageway - a roundabout each 0.9 mile, and *usually* one turn off somewhere on each stretch between them - but not in every case, and as all the footways are remote, aside from the odd bus stop, there is *nowhere* to go if you do have a break down. If you can't hop over the usually sizeable kerb, you're stuck in the flow of traffic. Bearing in mind that there are no pedestrian crossings or anything to slow traffic down, said traffic is usually going at a rate of knots and the drivers aren't expecting to have to look up from their phones to avoid an obstruction.

 

It's very much a case of all or nothing here!

 

It's an interesting failure you have there...given that the OEM pipe is obviously in some way not up to the job, I have to wonder if it's a case where getting it off (or finding someone with another bust one) and taking it to your handy local hydraulic specialist and seeing if they could produce a beefed up version. I guarantee it would be half the cost or less than what Porsche charge.

 

Remember looking at getting the ATF return line from the oil cooler on the Saab made up. OEM pipe was something ridiculous like £200, guys at the local hydraulics place said "£35 at the absolute max, mate!"

 

It never actually lost any fluid the whole time I had it, the one bit was just always wet...so it never actually got changed.

[Mally]

The clamp the other guy used was a T bolt type, which are much stronger and more likely to work than your jubilee clip.

[SiC]

The clamp the other guy used was a T bolt type, which are much stronger and more likely to work than your jubilee clip.

I bought one of them but it was too small to fit. I plan to get a bigger one and put that on it.

[SiC]

It's an interesting failure you have there...given that the OEM pipe is obviously in some way not up to the job, I have to wonder if it's a case where getting it off (or finding someone with another bust one) and taking it to your handy local hydraulic specialist and seeing if they could produce a beefed up version. I guarantee it would be half the cost or less than what Porsche charge.

 

This pipe is made up of two rigid pieces and one flex piece. It goes half the length of the car. To get it out it requires the front subframe dropping and all that entails. If I was to replace the pipe, I'd just go brand new given the part cost will be a small proportion of the total cost.

 

It would have been nice if Porsche put a fitting that would allow to remove the Flexi part. However remember this is the era where they tried to make sure cars were economical to produce. The era where they needed to make a decent profit to survive.

 

Given the PAS system doesn't hold that much fluid, I think it's unlikely its leaking much at all. Certainly no residue is around the pipe. Might not be leaking at all and it's coming out from elsewhere!

[SiC]

One thing I didn't mention above, replacing that pipe is not something I'll be doing - even if I could do it. I can imagine how much of an utter pig it will be to do - even if I had a lift. Sometimes, some jobs are better off outsourced!

[somewhatfoolish]

I'd get a pipe cutter on the nearest accessible bit of the rigid pipe and then get a union fitting and a generic flexi to fill the gap, but ultimately a pipe clamp will do the job.

 

It's an interesting failure you have there...given that the OEM pipe is obviously in some way not up to the job, I have to wonder if it's a case where getting it off (or finding someone with another bust one) and taking it to your handy local hydraulic specialist and seeing if they could produce a beefed up version. I guarantee it would be half the cost or less than what Porsche charge.

Remember looking at getting the ATF return line from the oil cooler on the Saab made up. OEM pipe was something ridiculous like £200, guys at the local hydraulics place said "£35 at the absolute max, mate!"

It never actually lost any fluid the whole time I had it, the one bit was just always wet...so it never actually got changed.

+1 A hydraulic fitter will have steel ferrules on the shelf, possibly even stainless steel; these are failing because they're made of glorified bacofoil. 

 

 

[SiC]

Went for a drive out earlier today and enjoyed the nice weather. Driven pretty much 423 miles in this now. Still enjoying it a lot.

 

Filled up too. From a quarter a tank it took £60 of 99RON juice. A rather big tank! Roughly did around 320 miles on that.

 

Need to double check the tyre pressures as I don't imagine the fronts that were replaced were done to anything specific. Feels a bit squirelly when driving enthusiastically. Hopefully it's just pressures and/or needing to still bed in.

 

Also accelerating is a bit on the juddery side and rather binary when on/off the pedal. A quick Google suggests it could be either the coil packs starting to break down or MAF giving trouble. As the MAF isn't original, I suspect it might be the coils. They're quite exposed on the bottom of the car to the elements, so they don't live a terribly long life.

 

By the time I've pulled them off to inspect, I might as well change them anyway. I'll probably replace them as a precaution too as it's looking like we might be going on a couple day road trip later this month.

[purplebargeken]

Fabulous that you are driving this and putting a good few miles on it. 

[LightBulbFun]

Fabulous that you are driving this and putting a good few miles on it. 

 

if only he would do the same with the MG 

[SiC]

Just a small update.

 

Who says Boxsters aren't practical?!

 

Went to Porsche to enquire about new coil packs. You could tell they were highly suspicious of me in my scruffy worn out SuperDry top and knackered jeans. Anyway its £390 for six!? If I get Porsche Owners club membership that drops to £332. Not actually that bad consider Design911.co.uk want £350+shipping for the same. However for Beru's (rather than Porsche original), which I believe are the same thing as original, they want £200. So I'll probably go down that route.

 

Also gave this a clean today. It badly needed it! But that means I've been having plenty of fun.

 

This isn't a directly after shot as we went out for a little drive down to Lacock first. So far since I've had this I have put on over 550 miles.

 

Tomorrow I'm off with a mate to go down to Haynes in it. Weather is looking good! Should be great run! Looking forward to it.

 

I really need to take a photo of it actually at places next...

[ruffgeezer]

The coils are prone to splitting, almost a consumable item on these, along with exhaust flange nuts and heat shields.

[SiC]

The coils are prone to splitting, almost a consumable item on these, along with exhaust flange nuts and heat shields.

Yeah that's why I'm thinking of changing them anyway, even if it's just a precautionary measure. They are on the underside with no real guard and quite exposed to dirt, moisture and temperature differences with little protection. Looking through the history I can't see when they were last changed. But then I can't see any history of the MAF being changed and I know for a fact that isn't original one to the car as it's a later part number. Also the later part number means it would have had an ECU flash update.

[SiC]

As per News 24 Thread, I went to the Haynes Motor Museum with a mate in this yesterday. Decent weather and a nice enough drive down - even if a lot of it was spent stuck behind trucks.

 

Here are a few photos of inside the museum. Not too many this time as I was more focusing on the exhibits than taking photos. I just took them as and when I saw something interesting or to give a rough overview of a hall. However no doubt I'll be back - probably for one of their breakfast meets. So if anyone ever wants a bit more close-up photo, let me know.

 

Firstly the red room.

 

This room is quite special to me, as many moons ago (15+ years?) I went to the Haynes museum with (the now) Mrs SiC and I saw these cars.

 

Those cars are the ones that made me really want a classic British car. Either a Spitfire, MGB GT (yes I know its an MGC now!) or a Midget. But especially the Spitfire. Unfortantly I was in uni at the time and couldn't afford to buy, let alone have the time to run such a car. Plus my parents were totally against the idea as they are "pile of absolute rust heap junk".

 

Quite funny to see this in the Museum too, especially after driving one there.

[SiC]

Now for the rest of the photos and more of the museums cars. Nothing in particularly any order, just as I walked around I took the odd photo.

 

[SiC]

This thread will probably be a bit different to my other threads where I'm forever having to fix stuff on a car. As it just does car things and is one of my main 'daily'/weekend drivers, it'll probably be mostly full of me going places (i.e. most likely museums). I'll try to remember pictures of the car in places too.

 

Well hopefully if it continues to be reliable!

[Roobarb]

Great buy!

I had one of the very early 2.5 boxsters when they first came out (after a very long wait).

 

Initially I was really underwhelmed by it. A friend had just bought an Impreza Turbo and that really moved.

So I though I would sell it and buy something different. As soon as I decided to sell it, I went for a run with my friend chasing his Impreza over some Welsh country side.

 

For the first time I really opened it up and used it as a sports car, rather than a tourer and changed my mind!

 

Fast sweeping corners and finally the car made sense! Supple but so planted.

 

I kept it another two years after that!

 

These are great cars and like MX5s for so many years, so underrated as great drivers cars.

 

Hope you have as much fun in yours as I had in mine

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

All going well - I have now joined the club...…….. payment sent. Awaiting clearance and I'll go get it. (Thanks for het heads up - the one from the blue forum).

[tooSavvy]

The clamp the other guy used was a T bolt type, which are much stronger and more likely to work than your jubilee clip.

 

Propper jobbies, aye

[SiC]

A month and two days in since bringing this home. I would have posted 2 days ago but we have been on holiday to Tenby and I don't like posting that I am publicly.

 

2 days ago I actually clicked it past 1000 miles since first driving it. Today it has done nearly 400 miles since then. Basically in a month or so, I have done 2/3rds of the annual mileage PeterC did in this. Did I ever say I loved driving this car?!

 

32mpg reported in that 400 miles trip. Not bad considering that consisted a lot of A-road & B-road hooning and (probably) keeping to around* the speed limit on the motorway.

 

I did clean it before we went. Not sure why I bothered as it's absolutely filthy now. Absolutely threw it down yesterday and having fun on Welsh roads means the inevitable dust and grime.

 

Been having great fun in it and throughly glad I bought it. However it's not all plain sailing.

 

The juddery on part throttle has got worse and it now feels like it's holding back when accelerating. Consensus seems to be the coils or MAF that usually cause these symptoms on these. As MAF isn't original, I am hoping that will not need changing. The old trick of disconnecting and seeing any change works on these too. Coils will be the next thing that will be changed. As they're exposed, they're pretty much a consumable item.

 

The other thing is that there is a creak/cracking when turning the steering wheel. Top mounts seem the likely candidate. Again another thing that commonly go on these. The noise definitely is worse when it's warmer or gone for a drive. Now it's cooled off, it's still there but way quieter.

 

Essentially needs a good £400-£500 throwing at it soon now. £200 for coils (if I fit), £100 for top mount parts and another £100 for labour if my local friendly garage will want to touch this car. Possibly another £130 on top for wheel alignment as the suspension will have been pulled to bits.

 

Top mounts probably can wait for a bit but those coils need doing soon. All fair wear and tear items on a car like this. As I've said before, the purchase price on this sort of car is merely the entry fee!

[purplebargeken]

I think that the sudden increase in use is bound to reveal or lead to some issues in any car and is par for the course. I think it is a stunning car and I hope to see it in the metal at some point. I think you have finally found 'the car' for you. Well done mate. 

[Wack]

A nippy 2 seat convertible is the car for everyone, as you get older it's getting in and out that becomes the problem  

 

I really miss the 200bhp MX5 I had , the guy I sold it to has spent even more money on it , suspension, engine upgrades so I bet it drives even better now

 

Like SiC I just used to drive it nowhere on a sunny evening , just get in and find an empty road, when i'd get to a junction , where does that go

 

I love the Mustang but I don't get the urge to just drive it like I did in the MX5 

[SiC]

I think that the sudden increase in use is bound to reveal or lead to some issues in any car and is par for the course. I think it is a stunning car and I hope to see it in the metal at some point. I think you have finally found 'the car' for you. Well done mate.

Yeah I expected a few issues to appear if I'm doing annual mileage in like a month and half. However as these things go on this sort of car, its pretty minor stuff.

 

I think I'm just getting past the honeymoon period on this though. Don't get me wrong, I still love it, just the initial buzz has worn off. But then I've had over half a month off work and its been driven pretty much daily. The seats in the Boxster fit me perfectly and I can go long distances in them without a hint of pain. Also gets let out more, etc on the roads than the A4. I guess because the A4 is pretty anonymous type of car with so many around just like it, where as the Boxster still is a bit more special and non-threatening looking. I found similar in the the MX5s we've had. Once I start the new job next week, the mileage increase will be substantially slowed.

 

The other weird thing is that driving it has given me the mojo and massive urge to get the B GT back on the road properly again. Sports cars are definitely my favourite genre of cars and the possibility for removing the roof a feature that I like most. My biggest regret with the BGT is not getting one with a Webasto roof.

 

A nippy 2 seat convertible is the car for everyone, as you get older it's getting in and out that becomes the problem  

 

I really miss the 200bhp MX5 I had , the guy I sold it to has spent even more money on it , suspension, engine upgrades so I bet it drives even better now

 

Like SiC I just used to drive it nowhere on a sunny evening , just get in and find an empty road, when i'd get to a junction , where does that go

 

I love the Mustang but I don't get the urge to just drive it like I did in the MX5

I used to exactly the same with both the MX5s too. More so the Mk1 we had, but then the Mk3 was and felt like my wife's car.

 

What puts you off driving the 'stang for the hell of it? Too big, powerful and refined? Too shiny and expensive? Or just the fact its not a soft top? I think I probably would find similar tbh and was one of the factors in me not getting one when the cracking offer was on.

[LightBulbFun]

Yeah I expected a few issues to appear if I'm doing annual mileage in like a month and half. However as these things go on this sort of car, its pretty minor stuff.

 

I think I'm just getting past the honeymoon period on this though. Don't get me wrong, I still love it, just the initial buzz has worn off. But then I've had over half a month off work and its been driven pretty much daily. The seats in the Boxster fit me perfectly and I can go long distances in them without a hint of pain. Also gets let out more, etc on the roads than the A4. I guess because the A4 is pretty anonymous type of car with so many around just like it, where as the Boxster still is a bit more special and non-threatening looking. I found similar in the the MX5s we've had. Once I start the new job next week, the mileage increase will be substantially slowed.

 

The other weird thing is that driving it has given me the mojo and massive urge to get the B GT back on the road properly again. Sports cars are definitely my favourite genre of cars and the possibility for removing the roof a feature that I like most. My biggest regret with the BGT is not getting one with a Webasto roof.

 

 

I used to exactly the same with both the MX5s too. More so the Mk1 we had, but then the Mk3 was and felt like my wife's car.

 

What puts you off driving the 'stang for the hell of it? Too big, powerful and refined? Too shiny and expensive? Or just the fact its not a soft top? I think I probably would find similar tbh and was one of the factors in me not getting one when the cracking offer was on.

 

 

*sound of a few screws being removed*

 

 

 

(it even has head lamp peaks!)