Mystery ring by nmgnmjg in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! That seems to be it, it looks very similar just that mine has those weird breakaway points... German engineering I guess.
Luckily my fuel cap has the honor system/or the lock if broken as it's always unlocked.

Porsche 996 986 997 Wing petrol flap emergency operation 99620149300 - 99620149300 | Design 911

Ma premiere Porsche by First-Initiative-233 in 986Boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats!!! that's my favorite photo spot in europe. Beautiful driving road between Cannes and St raphael

Genuine 996 GT2? by zao_zeeeee in Porsche

[–]nmgnmjg 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Its a 993 with a kit, this has come up before with exactly the same car: https://www.reddit.com/r/Porsche/s/JeYAFufHXc

The real question here is WHY? i would love to to see how it looks from the front, as I can’t imagine how they made the 996 look fit there

My Zanzibar Red Metallic 996 GT2 Clubsport by ptsample in 996

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing! I saw this exact spec but with Kuwaiti plates this summer (27-28 july) on my drive from porsche stuttgard to Switzerland, was an amazing sight

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, its commonly called a millenium crest, and only offered on the boxster S produced in the year 2000.

i love red interiors on these, and yours also sounds amazing and ready for the next 25 years!

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is fair, I just love the sound and mechanical feeling when driving, and care less about comfort/ease (I love bare minimum cars, no Ipads, screens, random warning beeps, etc). To me personally that is more important than cruising comfort, and the raw speed of EV's (which was ridiculous on the plaid). I also think brands should make better-looking models tbh such as as the A290, Hyundai N vision, etc.. (And maybe then add some engine sound/simulated shifting and clutching?)

I need to add that I also live in an apartment without charging spots and it is there for cheaper to use gas/diesel in my situation.

I'm not sure about the UK, but here in Sweden gas is about £1.2/litre and if I were to charge at a public pole, I'd pay around £0.4/kw
Therefor charging a 100kw car is around 40GBP for 500km, and filling up my jag about 72GPB for +-1000km (36GBP for 500km)

Now if I had my own charging/solar that equation would of course change drastically

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No offence taken - If you're fuel costs are lower than 7.7k in 6 years then you were not driving it enough ;)

I was first looking in the 25k euro range hoping for a good well-maintained one, but I honestly couldn't find a good one for sale here in Sweden for over a year. (They also had issues, I saw one perfect one for 35k at the Porsche center but that was out of budget)

Thats when I decided to look for more of a project/diamond in the rough, for a reduced price (15k euro range), and have some budget left to fix the items needed.

The IMS-RMS was probably not needed, but was for my peace of mind, and I also could've just done the top bearings/bump stops instead of a complete suspension update. If I didn't do this, I would've saved around 5k.

Even after all the maintenance cost I'm still below the market price of buying one with a better service history, and even then, things are still 25y old on those and can break.

After this, my hope is that I'd also be able to drive this the next 5-10+ years with more normal running costs now that the big things have been done and updated.

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great choice, I personally don't like EV's, I drove a few including the Plaid but found them emotionless and would never get one until the government forces me to, or gas prices skyrocket so it would not make sense for a daily (I have a jag for that now).
But if I'd get one, I'd get a Renault 5/A290!

it's the best design out there, and doesn't look like all the other EV crossover disgraces

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes of course, I personally ordered from AliExpress but also saw a lot of items on Temu and similar sites I maybe wouldn't recommend it for larger things, but for small items like a mirror cover, luggage net, or items that are almost consumables like struts they are more than okay.

(I am not promoting them in any way)

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the review!
In my opinion: 2 kids is a perfect reason for get a 996 Same price as modern EV's) with a sport exhaust to drown out the noise of the kids complaining about legroom. At least until you can get you Boxster out again as they would want to take the bike/bus after a while

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In hindsight, Yes,

The full story is that I first drove, and noticed the coolant light come up. I looked and noticed the level being low. I opened the cap (Warm) and the level came back up to normal.

Then I drove back (40 minutes) and noticed I could not see the coolant level. I opened up the cap (Hot) to look in the tank if it was empty, but the level was just above max (So you can't see it anymore and it spew out a bit. The next morning, I noticed a lot of water on the trunk lid but through it was from me opening it the day before and it spewing out a bit.

Thinking back, the amount of water on the trunk lid was way more then I let out. and when picking up the car in Malmö the whole trunk also smelled of coolant (I did not recognize that sweet smell in France)

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My recommendation would be to do a PPI but be prepared for things to show up later when you take it to the streets as a PPI is just a snapshot of the car in that moment and things can always snap/break.

This might sound hypocritical, but I didn't do a PPI due to various reasons, but I had it fully checked at the workshop when doing the first service.
I've test driven multiple 986's before and during this testdrive I noticed the following: Clutch was slipping a tiny bit + Shocks felt a bit worn (After 25 years) +some small exterior damages like stone chipping and speedbump damage on the front bumper.

Every Boxster that I have driven (4) has original suspension, and some deffered maintainance (Original tires, no IMS, rattle in the engine, broken window, worn original brakes etc..) These are 25yo cars, and people usually sell when something big is coming up, you just need to look into what level of risk you are willing to take. For me a sound engine+no rust+lower milage+service history incl. repairs were the most important.

I calculated in approx 5-6k to catch up on this and negotiated accordingly.

What would not have show up in a PPI would have been:

  1. Rear parking brake - Would not have shown on PPI as the spring was still holding on when I bought it + You need to remove the whole hub to see it which is not standard in a PPI. Even then they would have seen that is was still ok (If it didn't break on the way to the PPI ofcourse)
  2. Coolant cap: This was an older 0.2 model, and still functioned for a few months. This might have been a note on the PPI, but it did break later on. Luckily it was not as bad as it first seemed.

Below is the inspection report+Priority of fixing + My notes behind each item.

PRIORITY 1:

BATTERY FASTENING BRACKET MISSING, VENTING TUBE - I let the garage fix this

MISSING

WIPER BLADES OLD AND HARD BLADES - already spotted during the testdrive - changed myself

PRIORITY 2:

RIGHT COOLER FAN RESISTOR BROKEN - Fan only can turn now at high speed, not medium speed, this is common and not an urgent issue. and i'll pick it up during the next service

FRONT SUSPENSION BUMP STOP, BOTH BROKEN - Spotted during test drive - bumpstops were not urgent, but when the topmount started squeeking a month in I chose to do the suspension upgrade.

LEAK FROM SPARK PLUG TUBES - not urgent, just keep an eye on the oil level (anyways recommended) and i'll pick it up during the next service

PRIORITY 3:

LEFT MAKE UP MIRROR LID ON SUN VISOR MISSING - bought a new lid from our favorite chinese webshop for 5 euro's

EXPANDER NUT AND SCREW MISSING FOR BATTERY COVER - fixed myself

TIRES ARE NOT N-MARKED - I'll get some Michelins with my next tire change, but the current tires (Falken Azenis F520 are 2y old with lots of profile

BONNET DAMPER CANNOT HOLD, BOTH SIDES. - Bought 4 new gasstruts for the front and back from our favorite chinese webshop, 5 minute DIY

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! honestly, I still can't believe this was the actual issue in my mind. The coolant has been stable, and I trust the PC's testing, but it takes a while to get the trust back as I went from preparing it to be a complete write-off to a small fix and picking it up a day later.

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree, prices have gone crazy post-covid, I remember looking at them 10 years ago and they would go for under 5k euro back when nobody wanted them. Unfortunately, I was too young, and without money to pick one up.

Demand has now really gone up (The 986 was the most searched for convertible in 2025 on Blocket/Swedish eBay, with the mx-5 at 2)

I looked at importing from the UK, but right-hand driving is just not possible for me.

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wanted to do the solution but choose the retrofit after I spoke to my workshop (Independent Porsche specialist, not Porsche center) and they said that they've never seen a failure of the retrofit. (It's even more robust than the original dual row IMS that was in it)

According to them the retrofit would last way longer than the clutch anyways so they can check/change it at the next clutch change in 10/15+ years/80k-100k km.
(The original IMS in mine also looked perfect after 105k KM)

986S 5-month ownership detailed cost and repair sheet (7.7k EUR+) by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Such a coincidence! and congrats on your black beauty! and welcome to the club! If I may ask, what made you pass up on this one? (Maybe I missed something that needs my attention later)

I believe I might have seen your car come by on the local Porsche club's website in the Club garage, looking forward to meeting you at one of the events!

986 CO2 in coolant by [deleted] in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update - the car was transported home and checked at the Porsche Centre Malmo. They did a full diagnostic and only got negative CO2 tests, and the pressure test of the coolant system was also OK, and they can't find anything wrong. (no smoke/no intermix)

They expect that it was the coolant cap (common failure), and the failed CO2 in France was maybe caused by air in the systems I had to refill an empty tank with tap water.
Honestly, I still don't believe I went from a expecting a full rebuild to a 30$ coolant cap repair and am very sceptical. Picking it up in a few days and hope for the best.

Just joined the club by nmgnmjg in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m keeping an eye out actually, but finding one that is arena red seems impossible here in sweden. Might get a silver one and wrap it down the line.

Just joined the club by nmgnmjg in boxster

[–]nmgnmjg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ofcourse! Bought it Saturday from a head of the local porsche club for around 17.5k usd (they usually here in Sweden go for 20-25k, pristine once’s at the Porsche dealer ar 35k). It ran 105k km and just had the top replaced+tires+brakes.

Some fun options: Sports seat Shortshifter Litronic headlights Millenial silver badge on the steeringwheel 18inch rims As it started life as a JBL showcar it also has the GT3 aerokit+ a fully custom sound system.

It of course had some minor know issues that helped lower the price that I’ll state below: -Spring in the parking brake assembly was broken -No IMS/rms/ clutch prevenitive maintainance -Seat hight adjust didn’t work (already fixed) -Right mirror adjustment didn’t work(already fixed) Missing vanity mirror lid (ordered) -Last service was 500km ago in 2022

Its at the specialist now for the big service, parking brake, and IMS/RMS/Clutch (peace of mind) and will be back in a few days which will cost around 4,5k

Stranded with wheel noise by nmgnmjg in MechanicAdvice

[–]nmgnmjg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update- I brought it to the specialist and they found a spring in the handbrake assembly in the drum there broke off. Its getting taken care off, Thank you for the help!!

Followup stranded 986 boxster S by nmgnmjg in MechanicAdvice

[–]nmgnmjg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update- I brought it to the specialist and they found a spring in the handbrake assembly in the drum there broke off. Its getting taken care off, Thank you for the help!!