Burning rubber smell from 2008 Cayman s series edition 1 - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Had this amazing car for two days and covered 500+ miles. At the end of both 200 mile stints I noticed a strong smell of burning rubber; as if I had just driven down the Stevio pass and used the brakes very heavily (that was a real experience in my TVR Chimaera!). I note comments on t'interweb about riding the clutch but I don't think it is that. It has 24000 miles on the clock so any coating would probably be well gone to the underside. The miles were petty much 98% motorway miles so brakes were rarely used. Any thoughts on the experts forum? By the way, the Cayman is a truly sublime drive. It does everything one asks of it and I love it so far.

Congratulations on your new purchase ! Just like you I became concerned about this smell after purchasing my Cayman in August. I mentioned it to a technician at my local OPC and he said its normal. I've also heard people say its likely to be road grime - tar, bits of rubber etc getting thrown up against the hot exhausts, with them being so close to the rear wheels the smell is more noticeable as you get out of the car. Mike.

I had read that on various sites that raise the same query. I suspect a quick check over at an OPC would be the best course to take. So many opinions out there. As an owner who is new to Porsche it seems weird to hear that a burning rubber smell could be normal in such a highly engineered car. All in my opinion of course! If it's normal then that is fine but I felt the need to find out more so thought I'd jump on here to see what the long term owners thought. Thanks for your comments mike.

I have had 981 Cayman for the weekend and it was very smelly at the back, smelt really hit and similar to what you experienced. The 991 was similar too. I put it down to being new. I have to say I haven't noticed it on friends cars apart from when following on a run or on a dyno. Still worth getting it checked though.

Out of interest what brakes do you have?

have had my 06 cayman for 3 yrs+ now done about 15k miles now... noticed this as well but not necessarily on just long journeys.. haven't had an issue so far

I notice that all my boxsters have had a hot rubbery sort of smell, its the cars and what they are made from I think, I actually like the smell, I would just check that your brakes are not binding and that evereything is as it should be ie levels temperature etc, and not worry. mike

Thanks for all your responses. As to what brakes they are then you are asking the wrong man. Sorry, only had a porsche for three days so haven't worked my way round it yet. Must get the manual out. It is no 17 of the 777 design series edition 1 Caymans. Whatever brakes that was given is what the brakes are. They seem to work fine. I will check if there is any steering pull on braking but i haven't felt any of that so am presuming no. Am glad that it seems to be a common thing!

Yes, my 2006 Cayman S does this after every journey. It's particularly noticeable when I park it in the garage.

It's minute pieces of the rear tyres flicking up onto the exhausts and melting. They all do it.

Confirmed - both my Cayman and my Boxster do it, smeels great 'n' sporty - tis normal!

As someone else said: It's the smell of awesome.

Its normal, just tell anybody who notices it that you have been warming up your tyres for better handling on the corners

mattyboxster said: Its normal, just tell anybody who notices it that you have been warming up your tyres for better handling on the corners Good idea! Just in case they don't think I'm a big enough already.

Maybe a redundant comment now, my Cayman S does it, always smell it when walking to rear of the car, worrying at first.