The Boxster is really making me look stupid. It may go...

Zeke · 03-06-2006, 06:16 PM

I waited until the last moment to get a smog test. Since I have been running around with the CEL light on for a couple months, I needed to have the dealer do the test so they could get the light out before putting it on the dyno and hooking the data up to the DMV.

Well, the dealer calls and says the code is the MAF and it will need to be replaced. I have read that these do in fact go bad occasionally. I have not installed any aftermarket air filters or induction tubes. The thing is bone stock.

But what sends the kiss of death for this car is the fact that I am under the gun to get this done and the dealer quoted over 500 for the MAF and 275 to put it on. I read tonight on Renntech that the MAF is 250 at Sunset. So, basically, I've been raped.

I could have done this easliy myself, but I have all kinds of irons in thr fire right now. Nevertheless, I work too damn hard for well over a week to earn a grand to throw at a ****ing car.

I have had lots of cars. Some since all this electronic stuff came out. None have had things go wrong like the Boxster. And none would have been as expensive to fix if they did, AFAIK.

So, I'm pissed and very well may dump this pig. It comes off the lease next month. I'll probably drop it off with the keys and walk.

Last Porsche, that's for damn sure.

Honda, here we come.

Tool Pants · 03-06-2006, 08:58 PM

Next time just send in the registration money on time. Arnold wants your money and does not care if the smog is done at the same time.

My smog was finally done 9 months after it was due. Then I got the registration and sticker in the mail.

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

From my experience Porsche dealerships in the LA area in general, including Orange Co. and Inland Empire are poor. I hope I never have to use one again. If I do, there are still a couple I have not tried/have not heard bad things about.

I tend to keep cars a long time, so I bought an extended warranty for the 986 and TRE put in a new coolant bottle a year ago. Warranty Direct covered w/o problems.

I don't know what to say Milt, I agree the dealers are high, but so are any marques dealerships. I have issue with Porsche and their dealerships and lack of attention to known recurring problems. RMS issues, towing lights (Cayenne), CD/DVD Navigation and so on.

I was seriously considering a Cayenne as a tow vehicle, but with the towing trailer lights indicator issue and other things AND the poor dealers in the area, there will not be any new or newer Porsche's for me in the near future.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Sorry to hear about this Zeke.

Honda, what's that?

cubby911T · cubby911T's Garage

Zeke,

FWIW, you got off better that I did. I ended up paying about $970 for the same damn repair and I was pretty bitter about it for a couple of weeks. My wrench did a bunch of testing (including a smoke test to the intake manifold I think) to rule out other parts as the cause of the error code.

The only justification I got manufacture for myself was that I paid a couple of hundred extra dollars to get a very thoughout exam on the car along and an otherwise clean bill of health. The resentment dissipated after a while - hopefully, yours will too

.

AFJuvat · 03-07-2006, 01:51 PM

$275 to install a MAF?????!!!!!!!

1. Put top to service position
2. Remove carpet and engine hatch
3. Disconnect MAF wiring (1 plug)
3. Use tamper resistant torx bit (T-20) to unfasten two MAF screws

Installation is the reverse of removal..... 10 minutes if you are having a bad day, 5 minutes otherwise...

Being in the Porsche repair business, clearly, I am either too honest for my own good, or need to charge a lot more..... I charge 0.5 hr to install one..... $42.00

AFJ

Zeke · 03-07-2006, 06:28 PM

AFJ, enough said. Ray, you and I are done, I can see that.

"Honda, what's that?" A car that has been consistantly in the top ten of customer satisfaction surveys. A position Porsche has never had.

Seriously, I won't have a Honda around here. If I'm not gonna be happy with a Boxster, I'll just buy old American clunkers that I understand.

My Chev PU: 193,000 miles and I've never touched the valve cover bolts or the TB base bolts. Never had a drop of oil hit the ground until a month ago. Now there's 8 small drops where I park. What's the world coming to?

Apparently everone should own at least one early 90's Chevy truck. I think I'll look for a couple more.

Doug&Julie · 03-08-2006, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke
"Honda, what's that?" A car that has been consistantly in the top ten of customer satisfaction surveys. A position Porsche has never had.

Not to fuel your anger here Zeke, but Porsche was ranked second in customer satisfaction last year behind Lexus. No, really...

But I feel for you brother...I so want to get back into a Boxster, but I'm afraid to until I can afford to get one under warranty.

Good luck with whatever you do.

HiFiGuy66 · 03-08-2006, 04:03 AM

Zeke,

I feel your pain. It's not the car, it's the dealer. Find a good independent shop that you trust. (other perople on this board may be able to point you in the right direction.)

As an example, I have owned an older BMW for the past 5 years. I am the second owner. The car came with full service records. It was delivered to the original owner at the factory and driven in Germany for a year before coming Stateside. If I have a problem that I can't handle (or don't have the time) I take it to my "guy." He fixes it quickly, correctly, and for a fair price.

My sister, knowing I was happy with my BMW, bought a newer used one. I told her to "get a guy." She didn't and when the 75,000 mile service came due, brought it to the dealer. It was $4,000 to get it out. Not kidding. The work they did would have cost $1000 at my shop. She called me upset, and I reminded her that I told her to "get a guy." She has a guy now, and loves the car again. She says it's cheaper to run than any of her previous Toyotas.

Zeke, you don't need a new car, you need a guy!

Ferrara_racing · 03-08-2006, 12:39 PM

Zeke, Any car is only as good as the mechanic that services it.

Zeke · 03-08-2006, 01:50 PM

I guess some are missing the point. When one has to get a smog cert, it really doesn't work too well to go out and fail, go to a shop, get it fixed and go back for a retest. The dealer is the ONLY place I know that can do both under one roof.

At that, it took 2 days. I don't have the time, guys. In fact, the whole damn Porsche thing has gotten me so down, I'm selling the 911. I need a break.

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

Might be for under one roof. I have had a couple of independent mechanics take the vehicle to be smoged -test only- and if there was a problem, they sorted it out and took to be retested. I have had a relationship with both, as has been said here. The entire smog thing is a pain (time & money). I try to allow for time in case something unexpected comes up.

Take a breath Milt, don't react to the moment and then be sorry later. Seems to me you have put a lot of time and effort into your 911. Be sure this is what you really want to do

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Long hoods are going for a good price right now, selling before the bubble burst? Worse things you could do.

You really need a few day off, a little vacation and all will look different.

trj911 · trj911's Garage

Zeke, can you say Smart Car!

Fud · 03-11-2006, 12:03 PM

I had my CEL come on several times, with codes for the MAF. The code was 1148 and 1149, I think. I went to NAPA and bought a can of electrical contact cleaner and cleaned the MAF. After resiting the code they have not come back on. That was last spring. The car runs great, and I saved a ton of money. It was a 30 min. job at the most!!!