Buying a 981, red flags?

[paulguitar]

I viewed a Boxster 981 recently. Stunning car, a bit of a unicorn being Aqua blue with tan extended leather, plus PSE.


I looked at the paperwork in detail. At the last service, 18 months ago at an OPC, they had flagged up the following, all of which the owner declined:

1. Replace tyres. (But none at less than 4.5mm)
2. Rear brake discs 'close to limit'. (No more details)
3. Exhaust leak from flanges and exhaust valves.
4. Slight oil leak from cam cover bank two.

Are these genuine red flags, or is it more likely to be an overzealous OPC out for a bit of light extortion?

[the-norseman]

paulguitar said:

or is it more likely to be an overzealous OPC out for a bit of light extortion?

I would say this.

[MitchT]

Notwithstanding the fact that I'm currently looking for a BMW 440i, this lovely Cayman caught my eye...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...

I'm not much of a Porsche expert so I don't know if these are affected by the bore scoring and IMS bearing issues that I've heard mentioned. Nor do I know how reliable the PDK and PASM systems are. At least this one doesn't appear to have PADM, which I'd consider a blessing!

I'll watch the thread with interest as I may yet be swayed by a nice 981!

[Armitage.Shanks]

MitchT said:

Notwithstanding the fact that I'm currently looking for a BMW 440i, this lovely Cayman caught my eye...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...

I'm not much of a Porsche expert so I don't know if these are affected by the bore scoring and IMS bearing issues that I've heard mentioned. Nor do I know how reliable the PDK and PASM systems are. At least this one doesn't appear to have PADM, which I'd consider a blessing!

I'll watch the thread with interest as I may yet be swayed by a nice 981!

Some nice options on that for a 2.7.

Bore score and IMS not an issue. When you think of the failure of expensive components the internet is not a good barometer. You only hear about the ones that have gone wrong, the many thousands that are faultless don't feature. If it concerns you buy a warranty and tie yourself in to Porsche servicing on what is now an 11yr old car.

[elan362]

What do going on with the mileage, the ad says 46700 miles, but the photo with the cluster visible shows 8729m

And the inspection video in the ad shows 27900miles on the odometer.

Edited by elan362 on Tuesday 12th March 17:45

[paulguitar]

the-norseman said:

paulguitar said:

or is it more likely to be an overzealous OPC out for a bit of light extortion?

I would say this.

I was thinking the same.

Also, an amazing story from the owner. Within a few weeks of getting the service referred to at that OPC, a heavy rainstorm resulted in the dreaded water ingress under the passenger seat. They'd specifically listed having cleared the drain channels on the service bill but then charged the owner over £3,000 to dry out the car and replace the modules.

[DRH986]

MitchT said:

Notwithstanding the fact that I'm currently looking for a BMW 440i, this lovely Cayman caught my eye...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...

At least this one doesn't appear to have PADM, which I'd consider a blessing!

This one will have PADM, it's part of the Sport Chrono package.

Slightly odd spec car - lots of options especially for a 2.7 but standard headlights which would be a deal breaker for me.

[Armitage.Shanks]

paulguitar said:

Also, an amazing story from the owner. Within a few weeks of getting the service referred to at that OPC, a heavy rainstorm resulted in the dreaded water ingress under the passenger seat. They'd specifically listed having cleared the drain channels on the service bill but then charged the owner over £3,000 to dry out the car and replace the modules.

Blowing air down the two drain holes from the top is not ideal as you're effectively pushing the crud to the one way valves behind the side intake panels. Some will use a 'trombone cleaner' but even this will not get past the valve without the risk of inverting the rubber causing further blockage risk. The best solution is to take off the side skirt (20mins of a job) and remove the valves. Either give them a good cleaning along with prodding the drain pipes and either put them back or leave them off to get the best discharge of water. You can then clean out all the crap like small stones that have entered the side intakes

[paulguitar]

Armitage.Shanks said:

paulguitar said:

Also, an amazing story from the owner. Within a few weeks of getting the service referred to at that OPC, a heavy rainstorm resulted in the dreaded water ingress under the passenger seat. They'd specifically listed having cleared the drain channels on the service bill but then charged the owner over £3,000 to dry out the car and replace the modules.

Blowing air down the two drain holes from the top is not ideal as you're effectively pushing the crud to the one way valves behind the side intake panels. Some will use a 'trombone cleaner' but even this will not get past the valve without the risk of inverting the rubber causing further blockage risk. The best solution is to take off the side skirt (20mins of a job) and remove the valves. Either give them a good cleaning along with prodding the drain pipes and either put them back or leave them off to get the best discharge of water. You can then clean out all the crap like small stones that have entered the side intakes

Thanks for the info.

I fully intend to get that sorted as a matter of urgency, whichever 981 I end up buying. I already took care of it on my (current) 987.

[ATM]

paulguitar said:

I viewed a Boxster 981 recently. Stunning car, a bit of a unicorn being Aqua blue with tan extended leather, plus PSE.


I looked at the paperwork in detail. At the last service, 18 months ago at an OPC, they had flagged up the following, all of which the owner declined:

1. Replace tyres. (But none at less than 4.5mm)
2. Rear brake discs 'close to limit'. (No more details)
3. Exhaust leak from flanges and exhaust valves.
4. Slight oil leak from cam cover bank two.

Are these genuine red flags, or is it more likely to be an overzealous OPC out for a bit of light extortion?

What we don't see is Porsche probably quoted him 5 grand to fix this lot. Or maybe more. And I'd guess that scared him off.

They don't fix PSE valves so they will replace the whole exhaust. Does standard have valves? 2 grand maybe.

Brake discs rear only and pads will be a grand.

Tyres definitely a grand.

Oil leak is engine out and then fixing stuff easily a grand.

So that's how i get to 5.

If you had warranty I don't think you'd be saved from all of that. Maybe the oil leak is warranty but that's it. I've heard different reports from owners about exhaust being a consumable item and so therefore not warranty. Obviously if you do have warranty I don't think you can decline remedial work like this or that may invalidate your warranty going forward.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

paulguitar said:

I viewed a Boxster 981 recently. Stunning car, a bit of a unicorn being Aqua blue with tan extended leather, plus PSE.


I looked at the paperwork in detail. At the last service, 18 months ago at an OPC, they had flagged up the following, all of which the owner declined:

1. Replace tyres. (But none at less than 4.5mm)
2. Rear brake discs 'close to limit'. (No more details)
3. Exhaust leak from flanges and exhaust valves.
4. Slight oil leak from cam cover bank two.

Are these genuine red flags, or is it more likely to be an overzealous OPC out for a bit of light extortion?

What we don't see is Porsche probably quoted him 5 grand to fix this lot. Or maybe more. And I'd guess that scared him off.

They don't fix PSE valves so they will replace the whole exhaust. Does standard have valves? 2 grand maybe.

Brake discs rear only and pads will be a grand.

Tyres definitely a grand.

Oil leak is engine out and then fixing stuff easily a grand.

So that's how i get to 5.

If you had warranty I don't think you'd be saved from all of that. Maybe the oil leak is warranty but that's it. I've heard different reports from owners about exhaust being a consumable item and so therefore not warranty. Obviously if you do have warranty I don't think you can decline remedial work like this or that may invalidate your warranty going forward.

Yes, I suspect you are right. I doubt the tyres and brakes genuinely need doing, and I'd imagine the exhaust and small oil leak would be able to be solved fairly easily at an independent during its next scheduled service, in September this year.


The seller is pretty adamant he's not going to drop below his asking price of £25,000. I genuinely love the car, it's by some margin the most striking I have looked at, but I'd be much happier at £23k to give me some headroom for stuff that might need doing.

Here it is:

[ATM]

paulguitar said:

The seller is pretty adamant he's not going to drop below his asking price of £25,000. I genuinely love the car, it's by some margin the most striking I have looked at, but I'd be much happier at £23k to give me some headroom for stuff that might need doing.

Good for him

I don't like to hear stories of sellers dropping thousands off their asking price but nowadays most buyers seem to assume its fair game. If more sellers stopped doing it then maybe we'd get buyers to understand its not a given they can always rely on.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

paulguitar said:

The seller is pretty adamant he's not going to drop below his asking price of £25,000. I genuinely love the car, it's by some margin the most striking I have looked at, but I'd be much happier at £23k to give me some headroom for stuff that might need doing.

Good for him

I don't like to hear stories of sellers dropping thousands off their asking price but nowadays most buyers seem to assume its fair game. If more sellers stopped doing it then maybe we'd get buyers to understand its not a given they can always rely on.

I'm always reluctant to go much over the Autotrader valuation for a private sale.

That said, a seller sticking to their guns gives me the impression they believe in their car, which is encouraging.

[DJMC]

MitchT said:

Notwithstanding the fact that I'm currently looking for a BMW 440i, this lovely Cayman caught my eye...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...

I'm not much of a Porsche expert so I don't know if these are affected by the bore scoring and IMS bearing issues that I've heard mentioned. Nor do I know how reliable the PDK and PASM systems are. At least this one doesn't appear to have PADM, which I'd consider a blessing!

I'll watch the thread with interest as I may yet be swayed by a nice 981!

As an owner myself, that's a £25k, absolute maximum, car.

[MitchT]

DJMC said:

As an owner myself, that's a £25k, absolute maximum, car.

Interesting to know. At £25k I'd buy it and stick a Porsche warranty on it. Looking at the Porsche website it'd be just under £2k for 36 months' cover.

[Armitage.Shanks]

MitchT said:

DJMC said:

As an owner myself, that's a £25k, absolute maximum, car.

Interesting to know. At £25k I'd buy it and stick a Porsche warranty on it. Looking at the Porsche website it'd be just under £2k for 36 months' cover.

Except you'd have to fix most of the stuff first before you can get the warranty.

[Youforreal.]

MitchT said:

DJMC said:

As an owner myself, that's a £25k, absolute maximum, car.

Interesting to know. At £25k I'd buy it and stick a Porsche warranty on it. Looking at the Porsche website it'd be just under £2k for 36 months' cover.

I’d say at 25k a lot more than you would buy it.

[SV_WDC]

Laughable suggesting tyre replacement with 4.5mm left!

[paulguitar]

SV_WDC said:

Laughable suggesting tyre replacement with 4.5mm left!

Agreed. It rather brings into suspicion the OPC’s other advisories too..:

[trumpton7291]

paulguitar said:

SV_WDC said:

Laughable suggesting tyre replacement with 4.5mm left!

Agreed. It rather brings into suspicion the OPC’s other advisories too..:

Having driven into standing water on the M4 and narrowly saving an aquaplane spin I would def suggest replacing tires early on these. 4.5mm is a bit bold however.