987.2 Road Trip: Europe run and a new coil pack
- Thread starter AndrewT
- Start date
Promise not to mention anything about speed cameras!
I think most like an account of a road trip, so here goes.
3790 Km long, the trip covered 2 full weeks heading to Austria (west side) and via France, Germany Austria and France again before the run up the UK to the West Mids.
My 987.2 2.9 was running great and at 76K miles I had it booked in for it's 80K service when back at Zuffenhous.
Loaded up with the usual 2 pull-along bags up front, camera too plus the usual shoes etc in the warm boot along with a spare coil pack which I was advised 4 years ago to have, just in case I got a problem...
Most of the boot seemed to be full of maps, my Head of Directions never uses a Sat Nav, always maps.
The Sunday run to Dover was the usual slog and the M25/M20 was awkward as ever, but arrived an hour too early. I have run the car on E10 for 2 years now but bearing in mind a lot of hours were ahead at 130 decided to fill the car with E5/ 98 octane for the whole of the trip, it seems almost cheap now (in the UK).
Chunnel was as easy as ever and an hour later we were up to speed cutting through France, Reims being the first stop.
I wont bore you all with a holiday account, the car ran great and kept out of the way of the few drivers who were not doing 130, but the driving manners were great, the toll road was smooth as silk and pot holes were never mentioned at all for 2 weeks.
Good start to the run, but motorways are boring and we tired quickly despite the superb AIRE services that show how to do it imho.
My wife spends hours researching hotels and this yet again paid off and all were good to say the least but prices have risen, so has the food and the 98 octane was around 2.1 Euro / litre.
The long steady cruises returned 35 mpg and the car ran great.
Getting round Munich was a nightmare, in fact German motorways were all hard work.
Never have we seem so many trucks, just everywhere and having to go slowly due to acute congestion and road works.
After a long day on these roads, we found some clear motorway and went along happily at 120 then the engine dropped onto 5 cylinders..
We managed to get off and park up to allow a cool down of the engine (temp gauge was normal, oil level too and the orange engine light came on and the message 'get to a service garage' appeared. Restarted and it ran perfectly! For 20 Km and did it all again. We limped to the hotel we were staying at for 4 nights, Peter's Hotel Wolfgang on the lake. about 4.00 pm.
We had as usual taken out RAC European cover so a call was made.
Delightful lady in Lyon answerd in precise English, understood our predicament, and said a technician will be there soon.
Not too convinced, but indeed he did! within the hour he was there, good English and a computer in hand.
Yep, #5 coil pack has packed up. He could not or didn't want to try to fix it on the hotel car park but was astonished when I said I had a spare new one.
Following morning I drove the perfectly running car to the ABRO depot about 10 mins away.
He almost boasted he could change the coil inside of 20 mins, so we sat in the shade and waited. 18 mins later he reversed the car out of the depot with a smile.
I tipped him 20 Euro, what a star.
Found out the local OPC had 3 coils in stock so arranged to pic it up when we got to Salzburg a few days later, and that worked too!
11/10 to the RAC who pulled together the repair and to Salzburg OPC.
The rest of the tour was great, very hot and no rain and a few good surprises on the way.
A visit to the Red Bull Museum was a must, and a chance meeting with a white 991 on the run back to Reims brightened the day, a fellow PCGB member.
We met them again at the remnants of the Reims paddock buildings which are going through a serious restoration right now.
The run back to the Chunnel was smooth, the passage was too, but the run from Dover to home was the usual 'Coming down to earth' feeling of crowded and aggressive driving and horrendous motorway services strewn with litter and screaming people. always spoils it.
Anyway, enough words, I hope these few pictures will tell the story better!
A set of 6 new coils will soon be on order so the engine will have all new coils and i won't ever need that Salzburg part in the future.
This will be our last all driving road trip to Europe, just too much driving, getting too old! Will probably sell the car and move on. Our GT days are over.
I think most like an account of a road trip, so here goes.
3790 Km long, the trip covered 2 full weeks heading to Austria (west side) and via France, Germany Austria and France again before the run up the UK to the West Mids.
My 987.2 2.9 was running great and at 76K miles I had it booked in for it's 80K service when back at Zuffenhous.
Loaded up with the usual 2 pull-along bags up front, camera too plus the usual shoes etc in the warm boot along with a spare coil pack which I was advised 4 years ago to have, just in case I got a problem...
Most of the boot seemed to be full of maps, my Head of Directions never uses a Sat Nav, always maps.
The Sunday run to Dover was the usual slog and the M25/M20 was awkward as ever, but arrived an hour too early. I have run the car on E10 for 2 years now but bearing in mind a lot of hours were ahead at 130 decided to fill the car with E5/ 98 octane for the whole of the trip, it seems almost cheap now (in the UK).
Chunnel was as easy as ever and an hour later we were up to speed cutting through France, Reims being the first stop.
I wont bore you all with a holiday account, the car ran great and kept out of the way of the few drivers who were not doing 130, but the driving manners were great, the toll road was smooth as silk and pot holes were never mentioned at all for 2 weeks.
Good start to the run, but motorways are boring and we tired quickly despite the superb AIRE services that show how to do it imho.
My wife spends hours researching hotels and this yet again paid off and all were good to say the least but prices have risen, so has the food and the 98 octane was around 2.1 Euro / litre.
The long steady cruises returned 35 mpg and the car ran great.
Getting round Munich was a nightmare, in fact German motorways were all hard work.
Never have we seem so many trucks, just everywhere and having to go slowly due to acute congestion and road works.
After a long day on these roads, we found some clear motorway and went along happily at 120 then the engine dropped onto 5 cylinders..
We managed to get off and park up to allow a cool down of the engine (temp gauge was normal, oil level too and the orange engine light came on and the message 'get to a service garage' appeared. Restarted and it ran perfectly! For 20 Km and did it all again. We limped to the hotel we were staying at for 4 nights, Peter's Hotel Wolfgang on the lake. about 4.00 pm.
We had as usual taken out RAC European cover so a call was made.
Delightful lady in Lyon answerd in precise English, understood our predicament, and said a technician will be there soon.
Not too convinced, but indeed he did! within the hour he was there, good English and a computer in hand.
Yep, #5 coil pack has packed up. He could not or didn't want to try to fix it on the hotel car park but was astonished when I said I had a spare new one.
Following morning I drove the perfectly running car to the ABRO depot about 10 mins away.
He almost boasted he could change the coil inside of 20 mins, so we sat in the shade and waited. 18 mins later he reversed the car out of the depot with a smile.
I tipped him 20 Euro, what a star.
Found out the local OPC had 3 coils in stock so arranged to pic it up when we got to Salzburg a few days later, and that worked too!
11/10 to the RAC who pulled together the repair and to Salzburg OPC.
The rest of the tour was great, very hot and no rain and a few good surprises on the way.
A visit to the Red Bull Museum was a must, and a chance meeting with a white 991 on the run back to Reims brightened the day, a fellow PCGB member.
We met them again at the remnants of the Reims paddock buildings which are going through a serious restoration right now.
The run back to the Chunnel was smooth, the passage was too, but the run from Dover to home was the usual 'Coming down to earth' feeling of crowded and aggressive driving and horrendous motorway services strewn with litter and screaming people. always spoils it.
Anyway, enough words, I hope these few pictures will tell the story better!
A set of 6 new coils will soon be on order so the engine will have all new coils and i won't ever need that Salzburg part in the future.
This will be our last all driving road trip to Europe, just too much driving, getting too old! Will probably sell the car and move on. Our GT days are over.
Lovely story and thank you for sharing.
Nice story, Thanks. I am planning a euro road trip next year so your experiences are very helpful. Never thought about spare coil packs so something to remember. [
]
]
Saved my holiday probably.
The OPC was only 1 hour away but the weekend was looming, and I had visions of a bus to fetch the parts (3 hours one way) or a Taxi (!).
Cost from Design911 is about £40 so against the holiday cost, really nothing, so invest in one for the boot and hope it is still unopened when you sell it!
Now one has gone down I feel it is a bit of Russian Roulette before the next one does, so fitting a whole set of 6 very soon, just to settle the (my) mind.
Broached the subject of selling the car with the wife this morning while strolling around a National Trust venue.
She thinks it premature to sell and we should not discount runs in to France, and this year a big Scottish trip.
That was a surprise.
We bought the car in March 2016 and have put a good 5K miles on it every year doing long tours which was the point of having it.
Perfect touring sports car, but all Boxster owners know that already.
Thanks for the kind words about the little resume of our trip everyone.
The OPC was only 1 hour away but the weekend was looming, and I had visions of a bus to fetch the parts (3 hours one way) or a Taxi (!).
Cost from Design911 is about £40 so against the holiday cost, really nothing, so invest in one for the boot and hope it is still unopened when you sell it!
Now one has gone down I feel it is a bit of Russian Roulette before the next one does, so fitting a whole set of 6 very soon, just to settle the (my) mind.
Broached the subject of selling the car with the wife this morning while strolling around a National Trust venue.
She thinks it premature to sell and we should not discount runs in to France, and this year a big Scottish trip.
That was a surprise.
We bought the car in March 2016 and have put a good 5K miles on it every year doing long tours which was the point of having it.
Perfect touring sports car, but all Boxster owners know that already.
Thanks for the kind words about the little resume of our trip everyone.
Graham, what a lovely write-up, I’ve really enjoyed reading all about your trip experience ! From the cameras to the RAC and your impeccable preparations, it’s been fascinating and an education to us all ! I concur with everyone else - don’t be too hasty to sell!
I’m coincidentally about to embark on a similar trip with the family in August - from Birmingham to Munich and Salzburg over 3 weeks to include the Black Forest etc en-route. Your warnings about the cameras and the European assist are noted ! Our itinerary is not rigid so I would welcome any recommendations for hotels and places to visit?
Sadly we’ll be in our family bus rather than our boxster, as there is a bit more room for four…!
thanks
robert
I’m coincidentally about to embark on a similar trip with the family in August - from Birmingham to Munich and Salzburg over 3 weeks to include the Black Forest etc en-route. Your warnings about the cameras and the European assist are noted ! Our itinerary is not rigid so I would welcome any recommendations for hotels and places to visit?
Sadly we’ll be in our family bus rather than our boxster, as there is a bit more room for four…!
thanks
robert
I enjoyed your story and note that carrying a spare coil pack could be a real life saver on a long trip. I too have a 987.2 Boxster but really like your wheels, I think they look great on your car. Can you tell me what style and size they are and we’re they supplied with the car?
Many thanks
Paul
Many thanks
Paul
They are aftermarket wheels, 19" dia.
Ill find the maker etc over the next few days as they are coming off this week for jet washing the wheels and the car's arches.
They fill the arches a treat and I feel really suit the cars look.
Drives well too!
will post the details soon.
they were on the car when I bought it in 2016 from PCT in Coventry.
Lots of history came with the car, but no mention of the wheel swop.
Ive not seen any like them on other Porsche's, but the style is very similar to GT3.
Ill find the maker etc over the next few days as they are coming off this week for jet washing the wheels and the car's arches.
They fill the arches a treat and I feel really suit the cars look.
Drives well too!
will post the details soon.
they were on the car when I bought it in 2016 from PCT in Coventry.
Lots of history came with the car, but no mention of the wheel swop.
Ive not seen any like them on other Porsche's, but the style is very similar to GT3.
Wheel details.
front
WSP made in Italy in 2008. Design is Corsair GT3
flow formed, not die cast and 19 x 8.5
tyres are Bridgestone 235x35
rears
same make
19x10 with Bridgstone 265x35
they are heavy! The rears especially so.
Made in 2008 so they just might have gone on the car from new?
https://www.performanceal...-gt3rs-fl-f-silver.jpg
front
WSP made in Italy in 2008. Design is Corsair GT3
flow formed, not die cast and 19 x 8.5
tyres are Bridgestone 235x35
rears
same make
19x10 with Bridgstone 265x35
they are heavy! The rears especially so.
Made in 2008 so they just might have gone on the car from new?
https://www.performanceal...-gt3rs-fl-f-silver.jpg
Thank you for a great write up, we are new to the Boxster (have a 987.1 S) but not European road trips and was wondering if there are any other little gems to include in the packing list other than the coil pack? hopefully have a couple of European road trips next year
Best thing to have is a good, detailed simple recovery insurance, in my case the RAC .
The RAC have 2 levels, the best is quite expensive but the cover is really good.
I had their basic cover and it certainly worked.
Second is a spare coil pack!
Third would be a new starter micro switch, it mounts at the top of the clutch pedal. It is a swine to fix , but if you press the clutch down to start the car and the switch is faulty (usually intermittent) then you are stranded.
In my recent experience, the have these 3 'items' is a low cost plan and a good road side mechanic will change the switch easy (it can be by-passed) on the road side, the coil pack is far more involved and hard work.
You know already about the lamp kit, hi-Vis etc.
I would add that ensure your wipers are good, a chattering blade on a long journey is maddening!
The car will impress.
It is imho what the Boxster is all about, the type of trips that are Euro Trips.
I hope this has been of use, have a really good time!
The RAC have 2 levels, the best is quite expensive but the cover is really good.
I had their basic cover and it certainly worked.
Second is a spare coil pack!
Third would be a new starter micro switch, it mounts at the top of the clutch pedal. It is a swine to fix , but if you press the clutch down to start the car and the switch is faulty (usually intermittent) then you are stranded.
In my recent experience, the have these 3 'items' is a low cost plan and a good road side mechanic will change the switch easy (it can be by-passed) on the road side, the coil pack is far more involved and hard work.
You know already about the lamp kit, hi-Vis etc.
I would add that ensure your wipers are good, a chattering blade on a long journey is maddening!
The car will impress.
It is imho what the Boxster is all about, the type of trips that are Euro Trips.
I hope this has been of use, have a really good time!
farleton
PCGB Member
Greatly enjoyed your road trip report. I seem to remember a previous report when you stayed in the Hotel Josse in Antibes which is only about 100 yards from our family’s holiday house. I am afraid that this is likely to be my last post. As my 79th birthday draws near I have had to admit that neither of us can cope with getting in and out of our 2011 Gen 2 2.9 and as a result I have been averaging less than 1500 miles a year over the last 4 years. I have not been able to contemplate the annual drives to Antibes. This was my 5th Boxster over the past 23 years and I shall miss the sound of that flat 6. So I have sold her. My family kept telling me that I needed a more “sensible” car. I could not bring myself to buy an SUV. After much soul searching I finally decided to return to a BMW. I wasn’t too sensible and found a four year old 320i MSport with incredibly low mileage from my local BMW main dealer from whom I have previously purchased a good few cars (in the last Century!!). So my BMW now shares the garage with my lhd 1979 2CV4 with a 435cc engine. At least she has a flat engine. So a fond farewell to the Club. I have really enjoyed my time in the Club, particularly the Cotswold Rallies and Porkers in the Trough. Sorry to have diverted the thread but I wanted to say a suitable farewell.
I am sorry to read you have had to close your story on the Boxster. I am 71, wife closing in on 70 and that will be marked by a good run into Scotland later in the year.
We found this tour hard to cover the dash to Austria, just too many miles to get through, so back to Fly-Drive for us next time (to Italian Lakes).
We sort of roll out of the Boxster, and I have to use a hand on the sill to pivot out in a slightly dignified manner!
I am very lucky to have a fab 1973 911 hot rod with a roll cage, and that is harder still!!
Bottom line is the car does not matter, being active and out and about is the key thing, and an M Sport BM is not such a bad new chapter to open up.
I wish you well for all your new adventures.
We found this tour hard to cover the dash to Austria, just too many miles to get through, so back to Fly-Drive for us next time (to Italian Lakes).
We sort of roll out of the Boxster, and I have to use a hand on the sill to pivot out in a slightly dignified manner!
I am very lucky to have a fab 1973 911 hot rod with a roll cage, and that is harder still!!
Bottom line is the car does not matter, being active and out and about is the key thing, and an M Sport BM is not such a bad new chapter to open up.
I wish you well for all your new adventures.
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