Porsche Boxster Cold Start & Battery Crisis: Help Needed

Hey there, I had almost identical issues with my 2019 Porsche Cayman last winter. Based on your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced, it was a defective starter motor. When my starter began failing, I had those exact same signs: slow cold starts, dimming lights, weak cranking, and that weird grinding noise during start-up. Got it checked at the authorized Porsche service center (didn't want to risk it with independent shops given how serious this could get). They confirmed the starter motor was shot and needed a complete replacement. The whole job took about 6 hours, they had to remove quite a few components to access the starter motor. This isn't something you want to ignore or delay fixing. A failing starter can leave you stranded, and in worse cases, it can damage other electrical components. For Porsche-specific issues like this, I'd strongly recommend going to an authorized dealer, especially since your car is relatively new. The repair sorted out all the starting issues, and the car's been running perfectly since then. No more strange noises or dimming lights.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know it was the starter motor. My symptoms are exactly what you described. I'm thinking I'll take your advice and head to the authorized dealer rather than risk it elsewhere. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other electrical issues pop up? Cheers!

Hey again! Yeah, happy to help! Since I got it fixed at the Porsche dealer, it's been running like a dream, no more electrical gremlins or starting issues at all. The repair totally sorted it out. I actually just checked my old invoice, it came to 565€ for the whole job, including parts and labor. Bit pricey, I know, but it's a Porsche after all! The best part is that annoying grinding noise during start-up is completely gone, and the engine fires up instantly now, even on cold mornings. The dashboard lights are back to normal brightness too, no more dimming. It's such a relief not having to worry about whether the car will start every time I get in! Trust me, getting it done at the authorized dealer was worth every penny. They really know their stuff when it comes to these cars. Let me know how you get on with yours! Cheers!

Thanks so much for all the details! I actually ended up taking your advice and went to the Porsche dealer today. You were spot on, it was the starter motor! They quoted me slightly higher at 620€, but I figured it's better to get it done right the first time. The whole experience was way better than my last mechanic. They were super professional, kept me updated throughout the repair, and even showed me the old starter motor, it was pretty worn out! The car's running perfectly now, starts up right away with no weird noises, and all the electrical issues are gone. Really appreciate your help with this. It's such a relief to have it sorted properly. It's actually kind of funny how similar our issues were! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Best regards!