Is it normal? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

For the Boxster to get so dirty by the intake vents and wheel arches? It's bloody filthy after less than 200 dry miles.

Oh the humanity... Yes, it is normal for a car to get a bit dirty (maybe a lot dirty depending) when driven. In 200 miles under some conditions I've encountered so many bugs that the bumper cover looked fuzzy with all the insects stuck to it. I'd lovingly wash the car rinse 'er down and then dry the car and afterwards hit some areas with waterless cleaner until the car just glistened. Then it would be time to take the car out for another drive. Edited by Rockster on Tuesday 8th July 19:35

Rockster said: Oh the humanity... Yes, it is normal for a car to get a bit dirty (maybe a lot dirty depending) when driven. In 200 miles under some conditions I've encountered so many bugs that the bumper cover looked fuzzy with all the insects stuck to it. I'd lovingly wash the car rinse 'er down and then dry the car and afterwards hit some areas with waterless cleaner until the car just glistened. Then it would be time to take the car out for another drive. Edited by Rockster on Tuesday 8th July 19:35 I do realise cars get dirty, I have owned one or two in the 25+ years I have been driving - I was wondering why this one has got so dirty, so quickly, particularly around the I take vents - I was wondering if that indicated an issue somewhere?

Not sure which series Boxster you have. I don't remember our old 986s getting particularly dirty in the area you mention. HOWEVER our current 997 Carrera S has a rear bumper (especially just behind the wheels) which is made of a magical road-filth attracting material that covers itself in a blanket of sh!t after a few hundred yards... or maybe a bit further. Seriously, after a 'clean' dry drive it's always that area which is grubbiest.

Your level of Porsche paranoia is surely unsurpassed! What could possibly be wrong with the car that it gets dirty? You must be driving on non N-rated tyres and non-approved Porsche roads for this to happen.

hueandcry71 said: For the Boxster to get so dirty by the intake vents and wheel arches? It's bloody filthy after less than 200 dry miles. My 981 cs gets very dirty fast around the rear arches and intakes. I think this will be to do with aero dynamics channeling air towards this area for cooling and therefore carrying dirt there also

hueandcry71 said: I do realise cars get dirty, I have owned one or two in the 25+ years I have been driving - I was wondering why this one has got so dirty, so quickly, particularly around the I take vents - I was wondering if that indicated an issue somewhere? The (engine) air intake vents are designed to cause air to have to make a sharp turn to enter. This is to keep dirt and water out. These intakes are located at a particularly dirty location so this is important. As a result of this the openings will get/collect dirt. This is normal and nothing to worry about. It is a sign the intakes are working as intended otherwise the openings would be clean, all the dirt going into the intake openings to foul the filter and dirty the engine and engine compartment.

The downside is this area attracts a lot of stone chips - I have touched up about 5 already in only 3k miles. They should extend the plastic shroud around the opening and do away with the painted lip, IMHO?

Hi guys I'm new ... so don't want to rock the boat ... but if this is a 981 ... it's a fair observation. I've only had mine a week and a half ... and even before taking it home it was evident the doors and the intakes are significantly more affected by stone chips than the 987 (which my Dad has). If you look at the profile of the doors, the increased 'sticky out ness' of the bigger intakes (.. yes .. I know that isn't really a proper phrase) and the associated airflow mentioned by one of the other responders ... it's kind of inevitable. My car was spotless except one stone chip on the bonnet ... aside from the doors and the leading edge of the painted bit around the intakes. So .. to the person that started the thread ... Yes ... good observation. Expect markedly more stone chip damage to the doors and the intake lips and also more soiling ... even if you drive really slowly in moderate conditions. Paul.

Rockster said: The (engine) air intake vents are designed to cause air to have to make a sharp turn to enter. This is to keep dirt and water out. These intakes are located at a particularly dirty location so this is important. As a result of this the openings will get/collect dirt. This is normal and nothing to worry about. It is a sign the intakes are working as intended otherwise the openings wou ld be clean, all the dirt going into the intake openings to foul the filter and dirty the engine and engine compartment. Thanks.

pgamble said: Hi guys I'm new ... so don't want to rock the boat ... but if this is a 981 ... it's a fair observation. I've only had mine a week and a half ... and even before taking it home it was evident the doors and the intakes are significantly more affected by stone chips than the 987 (which my Dad has). If you look at the profile of the doors, the increased 'sticky out ness' of the bigger intakes (.. yes .. I know that isn't really a proper phrase) and the associated airflow mentioned by one of the other responders ... it's kind of inevitable. My car was spotless except one stone chip on the bonnet ... aside from the doors and the leading edge of the painted bit around the intakes. So .. to the person that started the thread ... Yes ... good observation. Expect markedly more stone chip damage to the doors and the intake lips and also more soiling ... even if you drive really slowly in moderate conditions. Paul. I normally only get soiling when I am driving too fast round a bend!!