Bonnet (front lid) on 997

[simonm]

I have a 997 S in Atlas Grey which I particularly like, except for reflections off the bonnet. After owning for a few months I have noticed that there are marks in the metal work which show through the paintwork in the corners (towards the front) just above the bumper.

When viewed from the front, on the LHS there is a shallow depression which runs around the corner and is about an inch away from the edge. On the RHS there is a similar depression however this has the appearance of more than a manufacturing 'fold' in the aluminium and there is a definite hollow over an area obout two inches across. Since both depressions are dissimilar I associate this with the panels getting damaged especially on the RHS.

Last night I watched top gear "" Jeremy Clarkson discussing the 997 Turbo where he was impressed by the 40-60 times (just a second). As a 997 owner I could pick up on the exact same issue in their car. As the car swept around the bends the reflections off the RHS corner (when viewed from the front) were exactly as mine.

 

[Guest]

Is it photographable? Sounds like it might be a rather subtle imperfection to pick up easily on an ordinary photograph however.
I have an atlas grey 997 c2 which I bought new in August 06 - when I read your post I had a quick and anxious look but I can't say there is anything obvious to my eyes except perhaps a marginal degree of what might be called "lipping" of the paint at the bottom corner edges of the bonnet.
regards

 

[Black80XSA]

I think what you are describing are tooling marks from the press tool dies - these will have been deemed acceptable quality by the factory - as press tools age these will wear and the marks get worse, until such time as the dies are dressed and rechromed. They might also be areas where the panel has been reworked prior to painting, as a result of imperfections. Annoying if you are fussy about the car, even worse if you use high gloss finishes like Zymol which highlight the imperfections further.

In comparison look at a dark painted 986/996 series door skin and you'll never think about your bonnet in the same way agin !!

 

[Julio Geordio]

Apologies for going slightly off topic, and potentially being pereived as lazy, but I went to see The Killers at the NEC last night and so missed Top Gear. I know it's repeated (I have Sky) but not sure when. Anybody know?

Good drive back down the M40 at midnight last night though after the concert........the missus was asleep and the road was empty......bliss []

 

[Monty2]

Hi Simon,
I had exactly the same on my 987 Boxster S plus the bonnet leading edge seemed to have been set 5mm lower than the front bumper panel, this had the effect of hiding the marks (explained to me as bonnet pressings and not damage repair which I believe) unless you opened the front bonnet and looked down it. No one else could see it when I asked them. I did a walk around survey of all the Boxster 987s parked up at last years TIPEC summer gathering and I would say 50% had the leading edge of the bonnet set slightly low to the front bumper. My 06 997S doesn't have these marks and the boot/bonnet leading edge it matched to the bumper line. I have no explanation but go along with tooling marks and quality guys set the leading edge lower so that it doesn't show up against the bumper line.

 

[garyw]

Julio, its repeated tomorrow night at 7pm

I'm watching it again as I must of missed it on the track []
I only saw it on the road test, lets hope it returns later in the series for the Stig to have a go...

garyw

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I understand bonnets are set slightly lower than the bumper as it reduces wind noise. I recall posts from members who have adjusted the bonnet "level" with the bumper and they have found a pronounced wind noise increase.

 

[Chris5150]

Garyw I dont know what Simonm is on about as regards top gear..the 997 TT was NOT taken around the track, or rather if they did it was not televised in the show. The only car they tracked was the Brabus Merc, unbelievable to me in fact that they have what is regarded as the fastest point to point everyday car there and yet they chose to give more time to a souped up merc that lumbered around the track...utter madness!
Back on track I havent noticed the ridges that are mentioned here, but I will look closer next time Im washing the car. Talking of the bonnet though, I did notice something I found a bit poor for such an expensive car, when I sit in it & look out, if you look under the right hand side edge of the bonnet ( maybe only the taller amongst us will spot this ) you can see where the bonnet edge has been folded back, and I have to say when you see it from looking out of the drivers seat it is a bit of a scruffy joint..still I shall live with it, anyone else notice this?

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: Chris5150
Garyw I dont know what Simonm is on about as regards top gear..the 997 TT was NOT taken around the track,

Glad you and I were watching the same show.... and that was the reason I put a [] at the end of my post..[]

garyw

 

[simonm]

ORIGINAL: Chris5150

the 997 TT was NOT taken around the track

My fault - I meant to say 'swept around the bends'.

 

[simonm]

At the OPC this morning and had a chance to look over some other 997 bonnets especially the front corners. After looking over the closest ones to where I parked I concluded that the effect I see is present in almost all cases.

 

[simonm]

ORIGINAL: yossarian

Is it photographable? Sounds like it might be a rather subtle imperfection to pick up easily on an ordinary photograph however.

I don't have a photograph of my car however it is easy to find examples on the www - here's one I 'cropped' earlier...

(The 'tennis ball' effect on the RHS - when viewed from front isn't on the LHS).

Last Saturday I visited my OPC (Bournemouth) and had a chat about the bonnet with their valet chap. The conversation went from 'we can get this fixed' to 'they are all like it'.

As well as looking at my own bonnet, I had the opportunity to observe the same effect on new cars - a new 997 Cabriolet also in Atlas Grey in the showroom, and a line of 997's amongst the vehicles for sale outside. We couldn't find a single 997 which didn't have the 'tennis ball' effect on the RHS. All the examples also had a visible edge around the LHS corner but the effect is less pronounced.

With cars in Arctic Silver the affected area is less obvious, but on a darker colour like mine e.g. Atlas Grey the contours of the bonnet are more easily seen.

 

[marlin]

You all have to much time on your hands []

 

[Guest]

Simon you are not going mad - far from it - I am pleased that I am not either. I spotted the same 'problem' with my car which is in basalt black. The bottom, left (when viewed from the front) part of my front bonnet and the part of the front bumper moulding that is right next to that part of the bonnet, both have a slight dip in them.

I first noticed this after it had rained and the car had water beaded over it. You also notice it stood a few feet from the front of the car and looking at the reflections around that part of the bodywork.

A friend of mine has just taken delivery of a GT3 in a dark grey and his car has it too.

 

[nsm3]

ORIGINAL: marlin

You all have to much time on your hands []
[/quote

LOL - I have too many stonechips in mine to worry about panel imperfections []