Very heavy clutch pedal

[Guest]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a 2003/2004 Boxster S.

I have found a nice one : seal grey, nice option combination, FSPH, great condition, 25k miles.

The only thing thay I noticed is that it has a VERY heavy clutch. I was quite suprised when I test drove it for the first time. Then I tried a 2004 15k miles and the clutch felt much much lighter.

The surprising thing is that the owner just had the major service done with the famous RMS job as well.. I'm wondering why the haven't replaced the clutch with it.

Basically the Porsche Centre is telling me that it can either be a sign of the clutch going or more simply the spring being faulty..

If I need to get the clutch replaced, how much am I looking to spend roughly ? So that I can try to knock-it off the asking price.. at least.. and have a brand new clutch.

Thanks for the help,

Richard

 

[daro911]

For the record the Boxster has an extremely light clutch action zero heaviness what so ever so your proposed car definitely isn't typical or correct.

New clutch price no idea but I would guess a four figure some or close too

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Book time for a clutch replacement is 4.3 hours, and a clutch kit (OPC price) is £391 +VAT. You would save a lot by taking it to an independent, where the labour rate can be less than half that of an OPC.

 

[Guest]

So am I looking at a 1000 pounds job at a OPC ???

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Rosino

So am I looking at a 1000 pounds job at a OPC ???

Providing they don't then give "Sir" a list of other recommendations while the car is in pieces of course [] Clutch work much better off using a decent inependent as Richard suggested

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

You'd be looking at £550-600 all-in from an indy.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help. Looked for some specialists in London and so far found :

- Charles Ivey
- Chris Turner
- Camtune

Any of you have any experience with these or other ones in the area ?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I have heard that Charles Ivey are quite expensive, as are Camtune.

Check out the list here for some more recommendations: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=235552

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Rosino

Thanks for the help. Looked for some specialists in London and so far found :

- Charles Ivey
- Chris Turner
- Camtune

Any of you have any experience with these or other ones in the area ?

3 Friends swear BY as opposed to "AT" the following but I personally have no first hand experience but if I was in the market for a clutch swap I would probably get a price from them too.
Porscheworx
2 Lambolle place
Hampstead
London NW3 4PD
Tel: 020 7916 6911

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help guys..

In the mean time I have found another decent Boxster S in a Porsche Dealership.. 2003, 21K miles... a good couple of grands more, less options but the piece of mind of a porsche inspection and warranty... so it will have to compete with the other one + new clutch...

The search continues.. I will keep you posted when I find my true love.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Rosino

Thanks for the help guys..

In the mean time I have found another decent Boxster S in a Porsche Dealership.. 2003, 21K miles... a good couple of grands more

The search continues.. I will keep you posted when I find my true love.

Offer the dealer "what you want to pay" and then walk.... There greed margins are so high don't be surprised if they come back for round 2 with you ...stay firm and that 2003 may become yours []

 

[Guest]

Called Mario at porscheworx... got a quote for 500/600 pounds all in for the clutch replacement.

Called Camtune, very nice chap but they quoted me 990...
Chris Turner's wouldn't even give me a quote as "they don't do a lot of work on boxsters".. and can't say the guy was overly friendly...

 

[Guest]

And Charley Ivey is 850+VAT fitted...

Porscheworx seems very cheap indeed...

Thought I would share the results for futures prospective clutch swappers in London area...

 

[jcorallo]

I'm doing mine shortly - approx £165 for the three piece clutch kit (SACHS, delivered) from Porsch-apart - and my time is free! []

I love saving money!

Jules

 

[bmurphy]

I have used charles Ivey before.......my car came back in two different colours,

wouldn't touch them with a barge pole

 

[GOOFY]

jcorallo,

Hi, I also considered DIY clutch change (having done VW Beetles Air Cooled, and Golf VR6). Are there any specialist tools needed ? I thought I may need an engine in situ hoist (sits in the gutters cost £39) and a gearbox jack. I have heard stories of the exhaust clamps being a pain to remove. Any advice most helpful.
Regs.

 

[Ian Mills]

I recently suffered with a heavy clutch on my '01 3.2 S. Nottingham Porsche Centre said that it was the first sign of needing a new clutch and quoted approx. £1000 to replace it.
I took my car to Zentrum (a Nottingham independant) who charged £540 for replacing the clutch. They explained that the heaviness is caused by the pressure plate "springs" starting to suffer fatique.The replacement cured the problem.

Ian Mills

 

[jimso]

ORIGINAL: daro911

For the record the Boxster has an extremely light clutch action zero heaviness what so ever so your proposed car definitely isn't typical or correct.

Oh dear. Sounds like I'm goin to be looking at having mine replaced at somepoint. Mine certainly falls into the heavy catagory. Has a hint of judder too on occasions when moving off from cold. [8|]

 

[GOOFY]

Any progress in changing your clutch ?

 

[jcorallo]

Hi Goofy,

No not done it yet - I'm just living with the heavy clutch for the time being.

I find that the clutch gets really heavy after a lot of stop go traffic when things heat up - maybe after an hours driving. On my short commute to work however its just about OK for the time being.

I too have done my Golf VR6 (my other car) - had that engine out many times if the truth be known - it was a doddle on that because you just took the front of the car off and swung the engine and box out as one, gearbox off, new clutch, back together and back in it went.

Got to admit though - not looking forward to working under the Boxster on stands....

Jules