986 S questions

[jmsgld]

Been looking for a cheap 986 S for a little while, there's a very local one that I hadn't bothered looking at as it was overpriced. However it has just been reduced and now looks appealing.

Looking at the previous MOT history it failed in August last year for excessive corrosion of all brake pipes + other things and then passed 3 miles and 6 days later. I am hoping that this was as a result of the work being done but concerned it may be an unscrupulous dealer / tame MOT tester.

Presumably I can just look at where the pipes come into the calipers and they should be all nice and new looking? Or do they corrode somewhere less accessible?

I has also had an engine management light on in 2008 and 12, should that ring alarm bells? Reg LF51 OMW

£4750 at 111k with factory hardtop in my preferred lapis blue with correct wheels and fried eggs...

Thanks, James

[edc]

Brake pipe corrosion at the caliper end is an easy and visible fix. The hard lines pass under covers that will hide any corrosion. The MOT tester typically doesn't remove these to inspect but these areas are where the real trouble will lie.

[battered]

The mot tester isn't allowed to remove covers. He can only inspect what he can see. A favourite bodge with brake pipes is to give them a quick clean with a wire brush then slather them with grease. The tester isn't allowed to clean this off so if he can't see what's under there then he can't fail it. Watch out for this. Having said that if I could get a boxster for under 5k and that was the only fault, I'd be on it like a shot. New brake pipes are easy enough, and inexpensive.

[jmsgld]

Thanks for the info.
I can't imagine that that will be the only fault and fully expect to spend some money getting any £5k Boxster up to scratch, but doesn't sound like the end of the world either way...
Interesting... hopefully will have a new toy by this time tomorrow.

[jmsgld]

"Brake pipe excessively corroded frount to rear (3.6.B.2c)"

Does this imply that the covers were not in place and it's the tricky ones that need replacing?

(nearside rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
offside rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Brake pipe excessively corroded frount to rear (3.6.B.2c)
nearside front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
offside front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c))

[edc]

There is a pipe that runs front to rear along the sill. Some of it is visible. I would t be surprised if at that price and mileage that you will have a fair list or things to do. Some you won't be able to put off and some you may live with for a while.

[Darranu]

There's brake pipes that also run over the engine and are a bit of a tt to replace.
Not the end of the world but more expensive that just doing the small at caliper ones.

I've previously owned an 03 Boxster,currently had my 03 996tt for the last 7 years. Both have needed doing.

[jmsgld]

I am fully expecting to have a list of things to get done. It's a question of value, my budget was £6-8K, it will be a daily driver once I'm happy with it. The more I spend on the car then the less is left in the pot for getting it sorted. TBH I would expect to need to spend money on refreshing the suspension and brakes on the majority of cars in the price range.

I like the spec of the car and the hardtop is a nice bonus and from the photos at least it looks very presentable. The pre-facelift 986 S is my preferred choice in the budget.

[jmsgld]

So I went to see it, seems to drive pretty well for the age / miles.
A decent wadge of history but missing a few years. The history is a bit budget, both offside coil springs broken at different points and both replaced individually rather than pairs. Receipts for engine lights - MAF sensor and something else... regular oil etc.

The 2nd MOT was carried out at the same test center which suggests that the work has been done though no receipt, apparently they squashed the AC pipes whilst jacking so those too have been replaced along with condensers... The pipes didn't look new, but did look clean so suspect 2nd hand parts used.

Wanted to get my mechanic to have it up on the ramp and have a look but the seller won't agree to that which is a little concerning.

It is cheap though, £4200 without the hard top, £4750 with it... but by the time it's sorted I think I am going to wish I had got a lower miles car sorted...

Think I'll keep looking.

[scotty_917]

jmsgld said:

So I went to see it, seems to drive pretty well for the age / miles.
A decent wadge of history but missing a few years. The history is a bit budget, both offside coil springs broken at different points and both replaced individually rather than pairs. Receipts for engine lights - MAF sensor and something else... regular oil etc.

The 2nd MOT was carried out at the same test center which suggests that the work has been done though no receipt, apparently they squashed the AC pipes whilst jacking so those too have been replaced along with condensers... The pipes didn't look new, but did look clean so suspect 2nd hand parts used.

Wanted to get my mechanic to have it up on the ramp and have a look but the seller won't agree to that which is a little concerning.

It is cheap though, £4200 without the hard top, £4750 with it... but by the time it's sorted I think I am going to wish I had got a lower miles car sorted...

Think I'll keep looking.

I think gut feel is the most important here. I like you wanted an original pre-facelift car (mine's one of the first S's in the country). It's now got over 130k on the clock and all the issue's you mention are easily & relatively cheaply rectified. Go on YouTube and look for Road & Race ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lv4V232Bx8 ) and all the tutorials in what to look for on a 986. They'll be very helpful. Don't write this car off just yet!

[Escy]

You might be expecting a bit much considering you're looking at a car at the bottom of the market. If it's just been to a garage and they've managed to damage the A/C pipes lifting it up, I can see why he's not keen to let some randoms have a crack at it.

[jmsgld]

Yeah, fair enough, I hadn't thought about it like that. I know my mechanic is very good and maintains his own porsche, but to the vendor he could be any muppet.

He seemed like a decent bloke.

Here's a link to the ad, I think it is probably quite good value for anyone after some seriously budget pork.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-BOXSTER-S-3-2-NO...