At last - My Boxster S

[jimso]

Hi everyone
I finally have a real reason to belong to the club. A late 52 reg Boxster S. Had it just over a week and it's all that I would have expected. And so much more. Can't resist posting a pic here "" I think it looks superb. And after all, I'm playing to a sympathetic audience"¦
I'm planning to use the car as much as possible during the winter. Avoiding only the worst of the wet and snowy stuff.
As there will inevitably be periods of several days when the car isn't used, I'm wondering if it might be worth investing in one of those trickle battery chargers - the sort that plug into the cars cigar lighter?
A useless gadget or a worthwhile spend?
Am I right in thinking that there is a Porsche approved device? I think I've seen one on the net somewhere but it was around £30. Is there a suitable alternative at possibly half the price?
I'm wondering also how long I can expect the original battery to last. Its 4 years old and the car has done 28k miles. If I need a replacement, can I just pop into Quik Fit? Or are there issues associated with radio codes and security system etc?

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: jimso

Congratulations 1st class choice [8D] Porsche battery conditioner is a very worth while extra for cars that are laid up for weeks on end. I am sure there are cheaper alternatives out there but any conditioner is worth investing in for sure.

Battery life hard to say how long they last but as they only come with a 2 year warranty I guess anything over this is the bonus zone [] My current 987 had a battery change under warranty at just over 15 month mark due to springing a leak!

Kwik-Fit Halfords etc may offer cheaper alternatives to an OPC but not that much of a saving over a factory spec original IMO

Happy motoring and with our mild dry winters plenty of topless motoring is still on offer before the next long hot summer comes back around []

 

[Rob Edwards]

Congratulations on your car - it's certainly a good choice of colour and I am personally pleased that you are going to use it in all weathers - that's what Porsches are for, and what sets them aside from of the more 'fragile' and tempermental marques (Italians mainly). I use mine all year, all weather and personally I get a great deal of satisfaction having driven through torrential rain etc knowing that the car can easily cope and the situation is well within its limits.
I would agree with Daro on the battery front, although the Porsche battery is exactly the same as a Bosch unit (If I have been informed correctly) - of course the 'Porsche' one is a bit more expensive, so you can save on the Bosch unit if needed. However, only fly in the ointment is if you were to sell the car back to an OPC they would replace the battery with a Porsche one and pass that cost on to you, as they will not sell Porsches through an OPC with any non OE components.
However, if you're not likely to sell within 3 yrs or so, then a Bosch unit would probably do the job fine.[]
As Daro rightly says, a conditioner is a good idea if the car is being laid up for a week or so.
Enjoy your Porsche![8D]
Rob

 

[David W.]

Or are there issues associated with radio codes and security system etc?
Any reputable company should conect your battery leads to a "code saver" (12v supply) while they change your battery to prevent any problems.
DW

 

[channella]

Is there a radio code for the standard Becker unit though? I don't recall ever being advised of one. Since it resets all the sound settings itself every now and then, I'm not sure that disconnecting the battery would be adverse. My own car has covered 40k+ miles in 3 years, and gets laid up a couple of times a year for maximum of about 2 1/2 weeks, whilst the other car is pressed into family plus gear transport duties. Never had any problems. Oh, I wish I hadn't said that now...

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: boxster27

Is there a radio code for the standard Becker unit though?

Yes there is. You should have a credit-card sized "card" with the code on.

 

[jimso]

ORIGINAL: Rob Edwards

if you were to sell the car back to an OPC they would replace the battery with a Porsche one and pass that cost on to you

Guys, thank you for your appreciative comments and your helpful response's.
Rob, would an OPC really be that tricky? I shall keep it in mind for sure.

Regarding using it as often as possible, I've taken it into work a few times already. It's certainly attracted a lot of attention and there have been a good few expressions of envy! And they only get to look"¦ I get to enjoy the whole experience! []

 

[Guest]

lovely colour!

 

[channella]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

ORIGINAL: boxster27

Is there a radio code for the standard Becker unit though?

Yes there is. You should have a credit-card sized "card" with the code on.

Oooh-er, I don't recal ever having one of them. Had the car since new, so need to have a quick check then on to supplying dealer!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: boxster27

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

ORIGINAL: boxster27

Is there a radio code for the standard Becker unit though?

Yes there is. You should have a credit-card sized "card" with the code on.

Oooh-er, I don't recal ever having one of them. Had the car since new, so need to have a quick check then on to supplying dealer!

Actually, as yours is a 2004 car, I'm not so sure now... (Sorry, I thought it was a little older[])

 

[Black80XSA]

facelift cars have trhe radio coded to the central diagnostics, so unless you put the radio in the wroing car it will be recognised after a power failure without requiring any user involvement - progress for you

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Black80XSA

facelift cars have trhe radio coded to the central diagnostics, so unless you put the radio in the wroing car it will be recognised after a power failure without requiring any user involvement - progress for you

Thanks David []

 

[JCB..]

I still have the original battery in my car but it is used on a regular basis - that's just about 6 and half years. []

 

[jimso]

Funny you should say that Steve. I was thinking much the same about your car. []

ORIGINAL: scotia_steve74

lovely colour!

 

[channella]

Mark Bennett

Actually, as yours is a 2004 car, I'm not so sure now... (Sorry, I thought it was a little older[])

Yes it is. Sooo, you've been consulting a database, eh?[]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Well I am the RS...[]

Thanks for providing Club Office with the info - makes my job a lot easier []

 

[BoxsterBox]

ORIGINAL: JCB..

I still have the original battery in my car but it is used on a regular basis - that's just about 6 and half years. []

The original battery lasted 8 years in my car and it wasn't used on a regular basis but always on a trickle charger. This must be some sort of record!

Simon '98 AS/MB/MB

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Simon Boxall

ORIGINAL: JCB..

I still have the original battery in my car but it is used on a regular basis - that's just about 6 and half years. []

The original battery lasted 8 years in my car and it wasn't used on a regular basis but always on a trickle charger. This must be some sort of record!

Simon '98 AS/MB/MB

Original on my current 987 lasted just over 12 months before springing a leak so now on battery number two. This must be some sort of record!![]