Just bought a 987S
Discussion
So I took the plunge and picked up a 987S this weekend from another Pistonheader.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/157981.htm
I've done a few hundred miles in it, really enjoying it so far. I've got a few questions that I'm hoping you more knowledgeable guys will be able to help with.
I filled up the first time with 95-octane fuel. After reading some of the manual, it seems the timing will be adjusted by the knock sensors. What kind of performance/economy loss is there, should I make every fill up from now onwards on super?
On a general driving note, I haven't turned the TC off yet. I think it has activated a few times, I can't see any lights flashing but there car kind of "shudders". Or is this the dreaded drop-top shake I'm feeling?
Someone has recommended I treat the roof with some kind of fluid to keep it supple, and stop it getting creased. Is this a concern, and should I do it?
As a driving car, I'm pretty impressed with it. The visibility when parking is attrocious with between the roof and side windows. The brakes also feel very "odd", at first I was concerned they needed more pressure, but now I think it was just me adjusting from the last car. Subjectively, it feels about as fast as my last car (MR2 Turbo) but I've been pottering around in the wife's diesel Focus for the best part of a year, so I am not sure how right I am with that.
All in all, an enjoyable experience so far.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/157981.htm
I've done a few hundred miles in it, really enjoying it so far. I've got a few questions that I'm hoping you more knowledgeable guys will be able to help with.
I filled up the first time with 95-octane fuel. After reading some of the manual, it seems the timing will be adjusted by the knock sensors. What kind of performance/economy loss is there, should I make every fill up from now onwards on super?
On a general driving note, I haven't turned the TC off yet. I think it has activated a few times, I can't see any lights flashing but there car kind of "shudders". Or is this the dreaded drop-top shake I'm feeling?
Someone has recommended I treat the roof with some kind of fluid to keep it supple, and stop it getting creased. Is this a concern, and should I do it?
As a driving car, I'm pretty impressed with it. The visibility when parking is attrocious with between the roof and side windows. The brakes also feel very "odd", at first I was concerned they needed more pressure, but now I think it was just me adjusting from the last car. Subjectively, it feels about as fast as my last car (MR2 Turbo) but I've been pottering around in the wife's diesel Focus for the best part of a year, so I am not sure how right I am with that.
All in all, an enjoyable experience so far.
[quote=edb49]So I took the plunge and picked up a 987S this weekend from another Pistonheader.
As a driving car, I'm pretty impressed with it. The visibility when parking is attrocious with between the roof and side windows. The brakes also feel very "odd", at first I was concerned they needed more pressure, but now I think it was just me adjusting from the last car. Subjectively, it feels about as fast as my last car (MR2 Turbo) but I've been pottering around in the wife's diesel Focus for the best part of a year, so I am not sure how right I am with that.
1. you get used to the lack of visibility - small price to pay ;-)
2. Believe the brakes have less servo assitance than other cars (all in the name of enhanced 'feel' i believe). Initially after coming out of a s2000 i had a few scary moments on slip roads etc where i couldnt seem to brake as quickly as i would like..... once you realise how much pressure is required they are very good.
As a driving car, I'm pretty impressed with it. The visibility when parking is attrocious with between the roof and side windows. The brakes also feel very "odd", at first I was concerned they needed more pressure, but now I think it was just me adjusting from the last car. Subjectively, it feels about as fast as my last car (MR2 Turbo) but I've been pottering around in the wife's diesel Focus for the best part of a year, so I am not sure how right I am with that.
1. you get used to the lack of visibility - small price to pay ;-)
2. Believe the brakes have less servo assitance than other cars (all in the name of enhanced 'feel' i believe). Initially after coming out of a s2000 i had a few scary moments on slip roads etc where i couldnt seem to brake as quickly as i would like..... once you realise how much pressure is required they are very good.
Looking after the roof is definitely worth it, there are some threads from a couple of weeks ago with peoples recommendations.
My random question of the day is .. on my old E36 BMW convertible I was advised not to have the windows open with the roof up as at high speeds the wind could cause damage to the hood layers. I haven't never heard this as being a problem on a Boxster or 911 - anyone have any thoughts ?
ETA
Congratulations and enjoy it !
My random question of the day is .. on my old E36 BMW convertible I was advised not to have the windows open with the roof up as at high speeds the wind could cause damage to the hood layers. I haven't never heard this as being a problem on a Boxster or 911 - anyone have any thoughts ?
ETA
Congratulations and enjoy it !
Edited by 2something on Monday 30th April 08:20
Well done 
.
You got yourself into a great car, arguably the best value for money in the Porsche range. On two of your points:
* Octane levels should not make a difference on actual performance - at least so Porsche claim when looking at bhp for different markets. However, some independent tests prove significant power increases and you will at least feel engine response and often also sound quality improve with higher octane fuel. I only run my car on 100 octane for that matter
* It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
. You got yourself into a great car, arguably the best value for money in the Porsche range. On two of your points:
* Octane levels should not make a difference on actual performance - at least so Porsche claim when looking at bhp for different markets. However, some independent tests prove significant power increases and you will at least feel engine response and often also sound quality improve with higher octane fuel. I only run my car on 100 octane for that matter
* It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
97/98 ron petrol is definately the way to go.
whilst i could never really tell on my 2.7 boxster that i was running 95 from a performance point of view, the fuel consumption was less - i often got 50 miles less out of a tank of 95 - i guess as the engine burns more fuel to keep the performance up.
as for the roof, defo. i did little to mine in the three years I had it, and by the end you could see some lines in it.
and in any event, when the car is cleaned and it has a nice clean and prep'd roof it will look the nuts......well not quite as good as it does with the roof down.
good luck. the car looks ace and has a great spec. you will be glad you found a car with Bose as all non-bose cars very much feel as if the music is coming from the front which is a little odd to get used to.
happy thrashing
whilst i could never really tell on my 2.7 boxster that i was running 95 from a performance point of view, the fuel consumption was less - i often got 50 miles less out of a tank of 95 - i guess as the engine burns more fuel to keep the performance up.
as for the roof, defo. i did little to mine in the three years I had it, and by the end you could see some lines in it.
and in any event, when the car is cleaned and it has a nice clean and prep'd roof it will look the nuts......well not quite as good as it does with the roof down.
good luck. the car looks ace and has a great spec. you will be glad you found a car with Bose as all non-bose cars very much feel as if the music is coming from the front which is a little odd to get used to.
happy thrashing
Dr S said:
Well done .
* It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
. * It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
Shouldn't be too surprising - the Porsche is 210bhp/tonne, and the MR2 was 200bhp/tonne. The MR2 had the advantage of turbo torque too. The Porsche absolutely annihilates the MR2 in braking performance though.
2something said:
My random question of the day is .. on my old E36 BMW convertible I was advised not to have the windows open with the roof up as at high speeds the wind could cause damage to the hood layers. I haven't never heard this as being a problem on a Boxster or 911 - anyone have any thoughts ?
An old wives tail I reckon - if there was that much of an issue then the manual would have some warnings in it, or the computer would stop you opening the windows more than X% if your speed is greater than Y.
The brakes on Porsches are the best out there. However, they have less servo assistance than other brands of cars. This is a good thing as it makes modulating the throttle pedal easier. My Golf GTI's brakes are over servoed and it can make for jerky applications of the middle pedal. It also makes heel and toeing difficult (although the pedal position isn't great for this either).
In fact, one of the great joys of owning a Porsche is that the brake pedal makes doing heel and toe so easy. Love that.
In fact, one of the great joys of owning a Porsche is that the brake pedal makes doing heel and toe so easy. Love that.
edb49 said:
2something said:
My random question of the day is .. on my old E36 BMW convertible I was advised not to have the windows open with the roof up as at high speeds the wind could cause damage to the hood layers. I haven't never heard this as being a problem on a Boxster or 911 - anyone have any thoughts ?
An old wives tail I reckon - if there was that much of an issue then the manual would have some warnings in it, or the computer would stop you opening the windows more than X% if your speed is greater than Y.
I think I agree, the advice was specific to the E36 BMW, not convertibles in general.
fuel: Stick with 97 for mpg and a smoother sound.
psm: wait for some damp weather and play a little on wet roundabouts. There is a yellow flashing light that flashes on a pre-set pattern when it operates but the actual PSM system is so quick, that very often the intervention is over before the warning light has had a chance to cycle! There is no scuttle shake to speak of so if you feel a shudder, it is almost certainly PSM.
parking: I have never quite go used to the rear visibility after 40,000 miles in mine! For reverse parking, you can dip the side mirrors to help spot the kerb but in my 986, I still can't see the actal rear wheel rim in the mirror as you can in some cars.
hood treatments: Not heard of any need to keep the roof supple. It is worth applying RaggTopp or similar product from time to time to waterproof the outer surface as this gives a very nice beading effect. The hood itself is 100% watertight, it's just the outer layer that needs this treatment for cosmetic reasons.
The other issue with the hood is that you can get wear marks behind the b-pillar caused by friction with the hood rubbing on itself when it is stowed. Not much you can do about this but it is a badge of honor that you have driven the car top down as Porsche intended.
Enjoy!
psm: wait for some damp weather and play a little on wet roundabouts. There is a yellow flashing light that flashes on a pre-set pattern when it operates but the actual PSM system is so quick, that very often the intervention is over before the warning light has had a chance to cycle! There is no scuttle shake to speak of so if you feel a shudder, it is almost certainly PSM.
parking: I have never quite go used to the rear visibility after 40,000 miles in mine! For reverse parking, you can dip the side mirrors to help spot the kerb but in my 986, I still can't see the actal rear wheel rim in the mirror as you can in some cars.
hood treatments: Not heard of any need to keep the roof supple. It is worth applying RaggTopp or similar product from time to time to waterproof the outer surface as this gives a very nice beading effect. The hood itself is 100% watertight, it's just the outer layer that needs this treatment for cosmetic reasons.
The other issue with the hood is that you can get wear marks behind the b-pillar caused by friction with the hood rubbing on itself when it is stowed. Not much you can do about this but it is a badge of honor that you have driven the car top down as Porsche intended.
Enjoy!
Dr S said:
Well done .
You got yourself into a great car, arguably the best value for money in the Porsche range. On two of your points:
* Octane levels should not make a difference on actual performance - at least so Porsche claim when looking at bhp for different markets. However, some independent tests prove significant power increases and you will at least feel engine response and often also sound quality improve with higher octane fuel. I only run my car on 100 octane for that matter
* It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
. You got yourself into a great car, arguably the best value for money in the Porsche range. On two of your points:
* Octane levels should not make a difference on actual performance - at least so Porsche claim when looking at bhp for different markets. However, some independent tests prove significant power increases and you will at least feel engine response and often also sound quality improve with higher octane fuel. I only run my car on 100 octane for that matter
* It surprises me that you feel the car on par with your MR2 Turbo. Maybe checking the speedo reveals that the Boxster is considerably faster
Dr S
Dr S, any specific brand of 100?
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