newbie Porsche owner

[jw2015]

Just bit the bullet after 4 years of procrastinating and I'm about to become the nervous owner of a 2.7 03 manual Boxster, pristine with 4500miles on the clock (18" carrera alloys). It'll have almost 18months warranty on it but considering the money I'm about to pay, for what will essentially be a big boy's toy, I'm more nervous than elated at the moment (although I'm sure that'll change once I introduce it to the local Scottish roads).
Is there anything I should be looking out for, or asking the dealer to do before he hands it over to me? What sort of things should I be aware of once I've taken delivery. The first question that springs to mind - is it really ok to run it on normal unleaded? The dealer says yes. For cruising I wouldn't mind a drop in performance for the sake of economy or lower running costs. It would be great if I could leave Shell Optimax for spirited runs on quiet roads.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Welcome!

You'll love it - don't worry.

The car will run happily on unleadedc, but the car is optimised for 98 octane. Those that have compared seem to claim that the 98 is the more economical anyway...

Things you can get the dealer to do? Not much - he can programme the door locks to lock automatically at 5mph (if security might be a concern to you - e.g. if driving through towns/at the traffic lights).
Just read the handbook (sorry!) and enjoy it!

 

[jw2015]

Thanks Mark, that's much more comforting than a list of things to look out for.

I've just thought of another question, the dealer did briefly mention something about servicing while I was trying to concentrate on a smooth gear change on the test drive. I think he was saying that the model I'll have (registered Jul 03), has now got a 2 year service interval (if doing low mileage, which I probably will). Without starting the usual debate about frequent oil changes, is this the case? I know the first owner serviced it at the one year mark (for a mere £123), should that be it then for me until Jul 2006?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

For £123 it looks like it did not have an oil change (fair enough - at only 4500 miles it shouldn't need one!) so that would have been an "Annual check".

I'm not sure of the latest model service intervals, mine is a 2001 model and requires an annual check (if under 9000 miles) or 12000 mile service (if more than 9000 miles in the year).
One of the other register assistants (Nic) has a 2003 model, so hopefully he can confirm (or we have a lot of members who might chime in...)

Just thought - you say dealer - do you mean OPC (Official Porsche Center)? Shouldn't make a much difference, but just to be clear...

 

[Helen Goff]

ORIGINAL: jw

Thanks Mark, that's much more comforting than a list of things to look out for.

I've just thought of another question, the dealer did briefly mention something about servicing while I was trying to concentrate on a smooth gear change on the test drive. I think he was saying that the model I'll have (registered Jul 03), has now got a 2 year service interval (if doing low mileage, which I probably will). Without starting the usual debate about frequent oil changes, is this the case? I know the first owner serviced it at the one year mark (for a mere £123), should that be it then for me until Jul 2006?

it should tell you in your service book and also your hand book.

 

[Ivor]

I would keep to using Optimax or maybe BP Ultimate. Not only is the performance better but it should keep your engine in better shape. I have June 03 build Boxster and the service interval is 12K miles.

Happy Boxstering!

 

[GreigM]

Welcome jw, you'll love the boxster!

Where abouts are you - you should come and meet some of the scottish members - a few of us will be at the Glenvarigill (sorry, Sytner) track day at Knockhill on Saturday,
then the following weekend it's the Callander Classics show (don't let "classics put you off" - it's just an excuse for a drive around) - info here:
clicky linky

the following weekend there's a big meet in Portpatrick, organised here:
link

And the attached picture was from this week's meet in Edinburgh - more details here:
clicky herey

In september we will be having a track night or two at knockhill and the Regional Concourse (yet again another exuse for a blether/drive/pint) is on the 12th (I think, our imperious leader "kitchens" will probably be along soon to correct me!).

If you can make any of these it'd be great to see you....there are a lot of really friendly boxster owners in scotland.

 

[GreigM]

or we have a lot of members who might chime in...

Just to do my chiming [] an '03 model is still a 12K/1 year service interval - the 2 year didn't start until '04 model.....it should be at the front of your manual if unsure.

 

[Matt]

ORIGINAL: jw
The first question that springs to mind - is it really ok to run it on normal unleaded? The dealer says yes. For cruising I wouldn't mind a drop in performance for the sake of economy or lower running costs. It would be great if I could leave Shell Optimax for spirited runs on quiet roads.

jw
you've just bought yourself a piece of over engineered german sports car excellence, not a Daewoo....if you are really concerned about the few pence difference per litre when feeding your car you may have bought the wrong thing?

to paraphrase Swiss Tony - "its like making love to a beautiful women, the more quality you put in the more quality you get out" []

go for the 98RON pump every time mate and enjoy the performance.

 

[Helen Goff]

you will find that optimax gives you more miles out of each gallon so when you do the sums and join the shell customer scheme your find you haven't saved anything my going to tescos..

yes a Boxster will run quite happily on normal unleaded and you won't really notice the diffrence unless you do a track day or you want to show the Nova lads up at the lights.

 

[jw2015]

I had heard that the good stuff like Optimax was more economical anyway, so I'll probably use it 99% of the time, as you all say it makes sense to use the good stuff, just wanted to be sure it isn't a big issue if it I had to put 95 in the tank on occasion.

GreigM, I'm in Edinburgh, I won't be making any trackdays soon (wee bairns keep me too busy at the moment). I'll keep an eye on the Scottish part of the site to see what events ye're running though.

 

[tim court]

Is there anything I should be looking out for, or asking the dealer to do before he hands it over to me? What sort of things should I be aware of once I've taken delivery.

Just the nagging doubt that you should have gone for a 911. It starts after about a year of 'other model' Porsche ownership. No matter how much people blather on how good their particular model is and is superior in every respect the truth is they secretly lust after those soooooper curves, that pedigree, that sound.... pant, pant..... Gosh - I got a bit carried away there.....

Following this realisation your life will change - You will start secretly saving for the beauty, whilst still ranting on how good your current car is in comparison.

Some people go mad at this point - ordering the latest incarnation then suffering a huge wave of guilt causing them to cancel their order, selling all their half decent models and buying a huge ugly steel tank (There is no cure for these people).

The only method of combatting this condition (there is no known cure) is to stay indoors, avoiding all contact with society.

The first question that springs to mind - is it really ok to run it on normal unleaded? The dealer says yes. For cruising I wouldn't mind a drop in performance for the sake of economy or lower running costs.

Gasp! (shock, horror) Economy??? Lower running costs!!! Are you really sure you bought your ideal car??? You've just bought a Porsche!!! - This famous name does not exactly conjure up a picture of 'the world's most economic little runabout'.

Oh and congrats.... enjoy your car[]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

How long have you worked for Porsche's Marketing dept Tim?
Or have you just swallowed thier line? (Hook and sinker!)[]

 

[Kevin Cooke]

Is there anything I should be looking out for

Sure is, I'd suggest someone who deals in slave labour to take the kids off your hands, a pimp for the wife and a buyer for the house. As Tim says once the Porker bug bites, especially if you venture onto track days you are now on a very slippery slope.

My sad storey was Boxster S, 996 C4S (with £6k power upgrade), GT3 MK2 arriving in October, that's not to mention thousands spent on trackday wheels and tyres, trips to Spa, brake pads evry 6 months and discs once a year.

My advice get a very large piggy bank and start stuffing it full of dosh.

Regards

 

[jw2015]

[] funnily enough Tim, it seems to me that the runnings costs should be reasonable, the service costs seem even cheaper than for my Saab 9-5 3 litre oilburner and the 2.7 is relatively economical (on paper) when driving within the limits, which I obviously always will do. I just thought I should save a few pence where I can to put towards my 'RMS failure' fund that my dealer has told me I'll have a 1 in 5 chance of needing after 4 years of ownership. So much for that fuzzy warm feeling I expected to have after buying the ultimate in german automotive engineering.

 

[tim court]

save a few pence where I can to put towards my 'RMS failure' fund that my dealer has told me I'll have a 1 in 5 chance of needing after 4 years of ownership

No! No! No!

The RMS failure is a DESIGN DEFECT. Do not accept that you have to pay. Don't let them fob you off! Take them to Court...

You can be our test case.....

 

[Mark_Bennett]

1 in 5 eh?

Is that a Stat - from Porsche?[]

 

[jw2015]

ORIGINAL: tim court

No! No! No!

The RMS failure is a DESIGN DEFECT. Do not accept that you have to pay. Don't let them fob you off! Take them to Court...

You can be our test case.....

Hopefully you'll have a test case long before I have to worry about it, that's what I'm counting on. There seems to be enough info out there for anyone suffering RMS failure to make a good solid threat of legal action, especially when your OPC freely admits a 1 in 5 failure rate on 4+year old cars - obviously not a scientific statistic but worrying all the same. He did also say they have had no repeated failures on any cars.

So I'm taking the optimistic approach that by the time it becomes an issue for me (never hopefully), Porsche UK will be dealing with it in a satisfactory manner.

 

[Buddy]

Welcome, I hope you enjoy the Boxster you'll probably become the one point contact for everyone with key problems.[]

 

[jdpef356]

Welcome and enjoy the Club and your car - If a Fred becomes locked we know who to call[]