Just purchased my first Porsche! Beautiful 2003 996 Targa with less than 18K miles. I am in NorCal on the east bay in San Ramon and need advice on who to work with to enhance and maintain my car. Couple questions out of the gate:

1) I do not have any oil showing on my garage floor but the smell of oil after I park is pretty strong. Is this typical of a car with only 18K miles?

2) How important is it to keep the engine compartment clean? What is the best way to clean the engine area?

Thanks forum ... I have enjoyed reading your posts!

 

Enjoy the car. After a spirited run then engine will smell. Could be the clutch, brakes, or other fluids. I does have a weird smell though.
Personal taste on keeping the engine clean. You will also have to keep it clean if you join the PCA and do any of the show & shines.

 

Man, glad others notice this. I seriously thought I had like a dead rat or something in there...smells funky. I know what burning coolant/oil/clutch/brakes smells like...this smell, very different. I seem to notice it more after a car wash, so it might be the stuff they use at the wash that goes into the compartment thru the rear vents, Who knows...

Congrats to the OP.

 

could also be the cosmoline that's still fresh on the underbody; when it warms up after some spirited driving, it really starts to cook....

 

Congrats on the new car!

Yep....smell is normal when it gets hot. If you look at the bottom of the engine, you will see the coating that Porsche sprays all over it to prevent corosion.

And .....where are the PICS??????????

 

Congrats on the car!

I pick up my new (to me) 03 996 Cabriolet next week (I'm so excited!)

 

I have had mine for 2 years now and still have fun everyday I drive to work.

 

It's the car???? WOW... and here I thought it was my shorts!!!!

 

Congrats, and you just might want to peak at the underside for any leaks. If it smells strong after you park it, there could be a couple drops of oil dripping on your headers from worn spark plug tube o-rings since they can deteriorate over time.

 

Is it the red one from Moda sport? That car is nice.

 

congrats on the new car, you are going to love it and may I be the first to say, "let the mods begin!"

 

It never happened without pics. Photos please just a few..