Looked at a Boxster - Couple Questions

patssle · 01-19-2013, 02:12 PM

It's a 2002 Boxster S with about 66k miles.

1. There is a whooo-whooo noise coming from the left rear tire. The car does need new brakes and the brake life light is on. How possible is that it needs a new bearing or CV joints at 66k miles?

2. There seems to be clicking from the engine. Is this natural normal noise? Or are there lifters or something that needs adjustment? Or possibly bad? I recorded some sound but you can only slightly hear it: Boxster Noise - YouTube

3. The owner installed a newer (2003 or 2004) top with the glass window - it does not go down all the way. Is this just probably an adjustment issue - or may be something bigger?

Thanks!

bell · bell's Garage

Before you use the top too much open it halfway and take a very good look for broken or bent arms....there are adjustments you can make, but it is a presice operation to get it just right and not damage anything.

The tick could be a few things......
Wheel bearing are not uncommon, would be best to get it the air for a closer listen....

Find a reputable shop if you need experienced ears or a lift.
They could also check the top.....

jwgn777 · jwgn777's Garage

Does the tapping noise come and go away? Does it reappear very loud when you come off of the highway after driving for lets say 10 minutes? The lifters are not adjustable. Does the motor for the top start to strain as it is come to its resting position and does the the frame strike the limit switch does the top down light go out?

aklava · 01-19-2013, 10:26 PM

I have the same ticking noise. Only hear it at idle and sounds louder on right hand side of vehicle. I think it is related to a belt pulley bearing but havent been worried about it. Could also be a lifter. Ill get my stethoscope into it sometime

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

Have you bought this car or are you still kicking tires? The other members have given suggestions as to establish what is normal and what is not. Are you looking at other Boxsters that might have less issues? If you look at other cars you will eventually see what is normal and what is not. Of course a PPI is mandatory. Don't buy the first one you see. Kind of like marrying your first love. If you catch my drift.

tonythetarga · 01-20-2013, 09:36 AM

with the number of posts you've got, you must have heard this by now...get a PPI from a reputable indy that knows Boxsters or the M96 engines. (Box and 996) It could be the best 250 bucks you'll ever spend, especially if it saves you from buying a car with a load of undiscovered problems that manifest after you part with your cash.

patssle · 01-20-2013, 03:03 PM

Thanks guys. I agree about the PPI - if I were to think about this car I would definitely have it done. I just wanted to get some ideas over the weekend. I can only hear the ticking at idle - but not sure if it goes away or just the noise of the engine overpowers it. The owner also said the water pump went out on it - and I have no idea how much he drove it after that happened (he said he noticed all the lights going on when it happened).

This was my first look at a Boxster so I don't have a baseline of what to expect. I'm hoping to look at a really low milage 2002 S if the guy will decide to sell it.

Phillip Jones · Phillip Jones's Garage

You need to go to the LN engineering website and read about the IMS issue Before you buy!!!

Rot 911 · 01-22-2013, 08:08 AM

I would keep looking. It really is a buyer's market. Plenty of good Boxsters out there at very low prices. I wouldn't get too caught up with finding an older Boxster with low mileage. I would rather have one with moderate mileage and lots of service records.

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

Ticking noise, brake service light on, howling rear tire all sound like deferred maintenance. Deferred maint. is death for these cars. Drive 5 Boxsters and have a PPI done on the best of the bunch. A car that was meticulously maintained with all service records and a glowing PPI might be worth double the price of a neglected one.

chamilun · 01-22-2013, 05:01 PM

depends on what theyre asking for it, but... Wheel bearing, not the worst thing. noise on youtube, can't hear anything terrible. the top just needs to be adjusted.

too many stories of low mileage creampuffs w/ rms issues to suggest the history of the car is terribly important. I drove several and bought one (now two...) that seemed heads and shoulders above the other ones. Once you drive a few, you know what to look for.

not a $12k care for sure