I recently bought a lower mileage 2001 turbo and when I first got it, I freaked out because of the noises that the car was making. Figured I just bought myself a money pit (well I guess modifying a car is always a money pit right? we do it for the love). Anyways had a local Porsche shop check it out and like you say "normal marbles in a can" is pretty much what the mechanic told me. He actually told me the car was mechanical solid with the exception of a few worn suspension parts. Now that the car has a new exhaust, OMG... LOVE THE SOUND.

 

as the summer heat approaches a reminder that the best remedy for eliminating or at least minimizing the usual rattles at start and idle are using M1 5/50 or Castrol Edge 5/50.

changing mine next week. 6 k miles since last time. still very and remarkably quiet for a hopped up 185k mile mezger