utkinpol

if you have warranty - amp is covered, so it will be free. speakers are not the problem, an amp is.

if you do not have warranty - look on ebay, those amps usually show up from time to time and they cost $150 or so. cheap.

hpowders

I have a CPO warranty, which is an extension of the 4 year warranty. When I described the problem over the phone to my SA, he said it probably would be covered. I will make sure he knows it's the amp. Thanks!

hpowders

Well the problem appears to be more widespread than I thought-not only do I get a booming, vibrational noise from the left door main speaker when I turn the engine on, but after I turn the radio on, there is vibration coming from the right door speakers too and the sound is distorted badly.

We'll see what Porsche tells me on Tuesday.

Skibum

The suspense is killing us...
Why not just unplug the amp and see if the noise goes bye bye?

hpowders

I'll wait for Tuesday. I don't want them telling me I screwed something up and they won't pay for it.
I'll let you folks know what happened.

hpowders

Update: SA agreed that the amplifier was at fault so he ordered one and gave me a Boxster loaner for a couple of days.

Skibum

a loaner for a bad amp?... priceless..

hpowders

Yes-A loaner because the SA didn't have the right amp in stock and had to order one. The amp won't cost me anything since I have a CPO warranty. So I get to tear *** in the Boxster for a couple of days. My 911 was bought out of state, yet my adopted SA treats me as if I bought the car from his dealership-this is my 3rd free Porsche loaner-2 Boxsters and a Cayman S.

So you folks who guessed "amplifier" were right!!

PS: I hate the Boxster's PDK transmission.

hpowders

Drove the Boxster loaner around town today. It has the base 17" wheels which makes a huge difference compared to my 911's 19" wheels. The ride while not pillow soft, was refreshingly very good over my usual bumps and the handling was like on rails. For street use, it's a wonderful car.

So now I have to seriously consider whether to change out my 911's 19" wheels for 18"'ers. I don't have PASM and the ride can be extremely jolting. I don't track my car and I definitely place comfort above looks.

Skibum

The Boxster is a fantastic car for slinging around. Hard to make a mistake with a mid engine chassis.
How old are your tires? What brand?

hpowders

I Have the Pirelli P Zeros. Front tires were changed 5 months ago. Rear tires were fine when I bought the car last March.

As a side note, my only criticism of the Boxster is it's too low to the ground-I can't see over small trucks or SUVs. Not a problem with the 911.

hpowders

Final summary:

I picked up my 911 from the SA today after prancing around in a wonderful 2011 Boxster for the past 2 days. Porsche replaced my amplifier, free of charge thanks to the CPO warranty. It would have cost around $800, otherwise, to have that done at my Porsche service department.

So, all's well that ends well. I did hate to give that beautiful black Boxster back-best car I ever drove-magnificent steering, balance and brakes. Absolute automotive heaven! Lots of stares too! They can keep the PDK, though-with its fast shifts and improved mpg-hated it!!

So, anyway, you folks who told me "amplifier" was the problem were absolutely correct, for which I thank you!

Skibum

Glad it "tuned" out well.

hpowders

Yes. The CPO "no charge" put me and my SA on the same wavelength. I will kind of miss the booming thunder effect when I start the car, but I guess I will get used to the quiet.

hpowders

You were absolutely correct. My CPO warranty covered the new amplifier. My SA said it would have cost me around $800 otherwise. OUCH!!