Front Engine Mount replacement

[slotsmd]

I'm experiencing increased vibration, a bit harder shifting, and lurching/roughness during abrupt acceleration and deceleration in my 02 Boxster S (50000 miles). I've had the car the last 11000 miles and it seems to have gradually crept up on me, but is pretty evident now. After a good bit of reading, I am pretty sure it's the front mount in need of replacement. Near as I can tell, this is not uncommon at this mileage, and the only way to determine if the current unit is bad is to remove it. So...

1. I've read DIYs (Pedro's Garage has a very good one) and it looks pretty doable by a competent amateur; I have access to a lift and extended height jack to support the engine while doing the work;

2. As to parts, does anyone have experience with the ones sold by Pedro's? I like the price vs. an OEM mount, and the claims they make ring pretty true, but I would be more comfortable if I had testimony of its goodness from someone who's using one. Or should I just go OEM? The car is my daily driver; I'm going to do a HPDC soon and hopefully DEs after that, but generally I just drive it pretty spiritedly on a lot of nice country two-lanes.

Seems to me if I'm going to inspect it, I ought to go ahead and replace - looking for a little help on what to put in there.

Thanks for any words of advice and I hope I haven't crossed any lines by referring to a specific product here.

John

[pk2]

I don't have one of Pedros but there are no problems I've heard of. I believe they're significantly cheaper . They're made of a more sophisticated rubber like compound than the OEM so they should last longer. However, the rubber compound is significantly more rigid so you get more vibration. He was going to make it more like the OEM one in structure to smooth it out but I don't know if he has.

Regards, PK

[wvicary]

The 986 mount had been updated to a 987 part number. I wouldn't muck around with some home made mount but install the factory unit. The mount is easy to swap out. You can inspect the mount while it is still in the vehicle. Look for cracks, separation of the rubber to housing or for the mount to shift out of the main housing.

[Stefan]

The stock mounts only last for between 40k and 50k miles. I got one of Pedro's mounts and I expect it will last much much longer. It is clearly more sturdy than stock.

[petee c]

I have Pedro's enthusiast mount. The vibration is a bit more than I'd like, but the price was very good. I don't have anything really to compare it to, as this is my 1st Boxster S, and I've only test driven one other Boxster (non-S).

I replaced my OEM mount about 3 weeks into my ownership, as I was having problems shifting. It has helped with that. My boxster is noisier with Pedro's mount, and more vibration is felt, especially in the 3000rpm range.

Peter

2001 Box S

[suburban99]

I replaced mine with the Porsche updated one. Bought from Sunset Porsche in Oregon.

Part Number is 987 375 023 04 and I paid about $147.23 in April 09..

No problems and Sunset is great for parts.