987 Boxster S Options
Discussion
What are good options to look out for on a 987 3.4S? Did they come with the PSE as an option?
Are there any "must haves"?
I'm looking specifically at the 3.4's around the 2007 <£20k mark and would like one with xenons and PSM. I've noticed some have PASM too, is that worth having? I had EDC in my M3 and found it made a big difference to the handling characteristics.
Thanks
Are there any "must haves"?
I'm looking specifically at the 3.4's around the 2007 <£20k mark and would like one with xenons and PSM. I've noticed some have PASM too, is that worth having? I had EDC in my M3 and found it made a big difference to the handling characteristics.
Thanks
Threads like this seem to generate hugely varying views as to what is needed. My second Boxster is high spec, coming with virtually everything. My previous one was medium-low spec. My experience is that it is the underyling car that gives me 95% of the enjoyment, not the options. Some general princples I'd apply:
1. Go for the options you want as nothing is really essential.
2. That said, I would avoid total poverty spec as may prove harder to sell on.
Happy hunting
1. Go for the options you want as nothing is really essential.
2. That said, I would avoid total poverty spec as may prove harder to sell on.
Happy hunting
Panthro said:
How do you tell if a car has sports seats?
Im pretty sure I want
PCM2
Sports Chrono
Wind Deflector
PASM
If possible PSE, but I havent one yet in my price range.
There should be an option code sticker that will tell you - but if you look at photos on OPC websites of cars with and without sports seats you'll see a subtle difference (from memory it looks almost like an extra set of bolsters on the side of the seat - you have to look to understand really).Im pretty sure I want
PCM2
Sports Chrono
Wind Deflector
PASM
If possible PSE, but I havent one yet in my price range.
PASM, as has been said, good on 19" rims, less important elsewhere - though personally I think it improves the ride somewhat, though you'll only ever put it into 'sport' on track. Wind deflector was part of Bose - which, if it has PCM, it'll probably have as I THINK you had to upgrade to sound package plus or Bose when spec'ing PCM. It's not very good (Bose, I mean), but it's seen as desirable and most cars will have it in my experience. PSE is very very rare, but expensive to have fitted.
[quote=Panthro]How do you tell if a car has sports seats?
quote]
Easy when you see them side-by-side, less clear when it is a photo taken from 3/4 view looking at the dash (as most normally are). The sports seat has a retaining loop for feeding the seatbelt which the non-sport doesn't which is often the easiest way to tell them apart in a photo. Other ways to tell - the sports seat has defined shoulders and stitching down the centre of the cushion. They do look nice (and leather is softer) but by no means essential. Note that they are not the full on bucket that comes standard in something like the Spyder or Cayman R and are no less practical than the regular seat.
quote]
Easy when you see them side-by-side, less clear when it is a photo taken from 3/4 view looking at the dash (as most normally are). The sports seat has a retaining loop for feeding the seatbelt which the non-sport doesn't which is often the easiest way to tell them apart in a photo. Other ways to tell - the sports seat has defined shoulders and stitching down the centre of the cushion. They do look nice (and leather is softer) but by no means essential. Note that they are not the full on bucket that comes standard in something like the Spyder or Cayman R and are no less practical than the regular seat.
Panthro said:
How do you tell if a car has sports seats?
Im pretty sure I want
PCM2
Sports Chrono
Wind Deflector
PASM
If possible PSE, but I havent one yet in my price range.
Should add that my 987.2S has all these options (and more! was an ex-demonstrator). Per my previous quote nothing should be considered essential where options are concerned but my personal view on this lot.Im pretty sure I want
PCM2
Sports Chrono
Wind Deflector
PASM
If possible PSE, but I havent one yet in my price range.
PCM - Yes, I would always have this. Many think it's a waste but I prefer a tidy/integrated dash v sat nav cables all over the place.
Sports Chrono - Looks nice but I don't really use it. Least important to me of this lot.
Wind deflector - Never driven one without it but I would think pretty essential (contradicting what I said earlier, it is perhaps the one essential option. Most cars have it and it is an easy retrofit otherwise)
PASM - Really grew on me this one. Remember it always works in the background even if in normal mode. It is not essential but makes an impressive riding/handling car work even better.
PSE - The best gimmick! Don't fret if you can't get this although it does sound great. For some reason, the take up on this option seemed to rise more in recent years and I know many people buying a 981 were tempted to wait until it became available. But, again, not essential.
The other thing I would look for is at least the sound plus stereo package.
In my experience
Essential:
PCM
Sports seats
Highly desirable:
Extended leather
BOSE
PSE
Not essential but a nice bonus if it's there:
PASM
Cruise control
Sport chrono (I really wanted this and the egg timer looks looks cool but actually I've used it very little. Also gives you a 'sport' button which relaxes traction control a bit, but I guess I don't push it hard enough to notice the difference)
Essential:
PCM
Sports seats
Highly desirable:
Extended leather
BOSE
PSE
Not essential but a nice bonus if it's there:
PASM
Cruise control
Sport chrono (I really wanted this and the egg timer looks looks cool but actually I've used it very little. Also gives you a 'sport' button which relaxes traction control a bit, but I guess I don't push it hard enough to notice the difference)
Panthro said:
I've just discovered the Boxster S Sports Edition...most examples seem to specced really well and hovering around the 20k mark for a reasonable example.
Good choice!As others have said - the PASM works well with the 19" wheels and the combination adds a load more steering feel and grip, but not at the expense of ride.
My '08 plater had full leather (interior feels more special), was in the right colour of slate grey (special order), full climate control, BOSE, 3 spoke "thicker" sports steering wheel (rare), 19" wheels, 6 CD changer, heated seats (essential) but no Sat Nav (as it made it cheaper to buy and my TomTom was better than the standard Nav.
What I really missed when I drove a courtesy car (and would recommend) are the combination of:
Xenons
PASM
PSE (rare as it was relatively expensive)
19" Wheels
However, you do need to keep an eye on condition as new tyres, brake discs / pads etc are expensive and of course if the engine were to suffer from "D" chunking, bore scoring or RMS - then it becomes eye watering!
MadMark911 said:
Good choice!
As others have said - the PASM works well with the 19" wheels and the combination adds a load more steering feel and grip, but not at the expense of ride.
My '08 plater had full leather (interior feels more special), was in the right colour of slate grey (special order), full climate control, BOSE, 3 spoke "thicker" sports steering wheel (rare), 19" wheels, 6 CD changer, heated seats (essential) but no Sat Nav (as it made it cheaper to buy and my TomTom was better than the standard Nav.
What I really missed when I drove a courtesy car (and would recommend) are the combination of:
Xenons
PASM
PSE (rare as it was relatively expensive)
19" Wheels
However, you do need to keep an eye on condition as new tyres, brake discs / pads etc are expensive and of course if the engine were to suffer from "D" chunking, bore scoring or RMS - then it becomes eye watering!
Sage words there. Had the sports steering wheel in my Box and again in the Cayman - very nice. Full leather, I tend not to see it as being such a nice thing to have - but it's a toy for me, not a daily, so that may be part of it. Xenons (called Litronic) are worth having as standard lights are crap.As others have said - the PASM works well with the 19" wheels and the combination adds a load more steering feel and grip, but not at the expense of ride.
My '08 plater had full leather (interior feels more special), was in the right colour of slate grey (special order), full climate control, BOSE, 3 spoke "thicker" sports steering wheel (rare), 19" wheels, 6 CD changer, heated seats (essential) but no Sat Nav (as it made it cheaper to buy and my TomTom was better than the standard Nav.
What I really missed when I drove a courtesy car (and would recommend) are the combination of:
Xenons
PASM
PSE (rare as it was relatively expensive)
19" Wheels
However, you do need to keep an eye on condition as new tyres, brake discs / pads etc are expensive and of course if the engine were to suffer from "D" chunking, bore scoring or RMS - then it becomes eye watering!
Sat Nav is indeed rubbish, but, come resale, people will try and beat you with a stick for not having it, so be aware of that fact. PCM also looks smarter on the dash.
Climate control is another confusing one - aircon is standard but NOT dual zone climate, which is an option. I had climate in the Box, got normal a/c in the Cayman. In this country I don't miss the climate at all - it's nearly always 'off' when I drive.
There are few essentials, but if I were buying a 987S I'd want lady-park for the wife, short shift kit (improves the shift hugely in my view), PCM, 19" rims (the ones with 10 spokes - GT Sport perhaps?), guards red to be a bit different or maybe cobalt blue and heated sports seats. That'll do you really, but does depend slightly on intended use. For a daily I'd add PASM for the better ride when you're cruising, cruise control, BOSE, Litronics and climate. Loads of choice so do look around and be aware that prices will dip soon as summer becomes another 10 month winter.
When I made my decision I looked at the following:
Heated seats - everyone said get it. I didn't. Slightly annoying but I just have to put on a jumper.
BOSE - got this - stereo is still too quiet, must be terrible without BOSE. I really wanted this one.
PCM2 - didn't get this - I am really gutted not to have a way to plug my iPod into the stereo and a pricey retrofit IMHO.
For sat nav - use a tomtom.
Sports seats - not vital but I REALLY like them.
Lady-park - not vital (except for the missus obviously).
PSE - VERY rare. If you want more noise you can retrofit for c.£1k but not OEM. If a car has it and not quite the rest of your ideal spec - buy it. I would KILL for PSE.
19in - look great - apparently a worse ride and definitely more expensive rubber. But I only looked at cars with 19in.
A proper set of rubber is £1k so use that to haggle.
Also remember the 20k service interval and how far you are from the next one.
PSM - standard - don't be conned.
Aircon - standard - don't be conned - as above though, CLIMATE is different - has a digital readout of temperature rather than just a bunch of bars reading from hot to cold and fan from off to blowing hard.
Trip computer - standard - don't be conned.
Wind deflector - must have but can retrofit.
No opinion on PASM or Sport Chrono.
Xenons - why? Did the world just get darker in the 2000s or whenever these became popular or do you just like blinding other road users? Total rubbish. In an Elise I understand since the standard lights suck but standard Boxster lights seem fine to me. (And I live RURAL.)
Heated seats - everyone said get it. I didn't. Slightly annoying but I just have to put on a jumper.
BOSE - got this - stereo is still too quiet, must be terrible without BOSE. I really wanted this one.
PCM2 - didn't get this - I am really gutted not to have a way to plug my iPod into the stereo and a pricey retrofit IMHO.
For sat nav - use a tomtom.
Sports seats - not vital but I REALLY like them.
Lady-park - not vital (except for the missus obviously).
PSE - VERY rare. If you want more noise you can retrofit for c.£1k but not OEM. If a car has it and not quite the rest of your ideal spec - buy it. I would KILL for PSE.
19in - look great - apparently a worse ride and definitely more expensive rubber. But I only looked at cars with 19in.
A proper set of rubber is £1k so use that to haggle.
Also remember the 20k service interval and how far you are from the next one.
PSM - standard - don't be conned.
Aircon - standard - don't be conned - as above though, CLIMATE is different - has a digital readout of temperature rather than just a bunch of bars reading from hot to cold and fan from off to blowing hard.
Trip computer - standard - don't be conned.
Wind deflector - must have but can retrofit.
No opinion on PASM or Sport Chrono.
Xenons - why? Did the world just get darker in the 2000s or whenever these became popular or do you just like blinding other road users? Total rubbish. In an Elise I understand since the standard lights suck but standard Boxster lights seem fine to me. (And I live RURAL.)
Agree with all of the above bar the Litronics point - I find the standard lights on the Boxster/Cayman to be woeful.
ETA: Oh, and wind deflector - I had it, but I remember somebody on boxa.net saying it actually did almost sod all and so could be removed. Never tried it though.
Oh and ipod integration is tricky with gen.1 cars, better with gen.2 I think, but a total pain with Gen.1
ETA: Oh, and wind deflector - I had it, but I remember somebody on boxa.net saying it actually did almost sod all and so could be removed. Never tried it though.
Oh and ipod integration is tricky with gen.1 cars, better with gen.2 I think, but a total pain with Gen.1
Edited by Actus Reus on Friday 10th August 15:28
Actus Reus said:
Agree with all of the above bar the Litronics point - I find the standard lights on the Boxster/Cayman to be woeful.
ETA: Oh, and wind deflector - I had it, but I remember somebody on boxa.net saying it actually did almost sod all and so could be removed. Never tried it though.
Oh and ipod integration is tricky with gen.1 cars, better with gen.2 I think, but a total pain with Gen.1
Oh yes - mine had a wind deflector and "lady park" too! Wind deflector does work well, smoothing out the buffeting, especially in the 30-90mph range. Above that and there is so much wind going over the car that it can't do so much, but you would really notice the difference on a cold day .... when it keeps much more heat in the cabin! ETA: Oh, and wind deflector - I had it, but I remember somebody on boxa.net saying it actually did almost sod all and so could be removed. Never tried it though.
Oh and ipod integration is tricky with gen.1 cars, better with gen.2 I think, but a total pain with Gen.1
Edited by Actus Reus on Friday 10th August 15:28
I ordered one of these new in 2005 and most of the options I would say are down to personal taste eg I ordered full leather because it made the interior a much nicer place but it did cost £££. Perhaps the most useful piece of advice I could give in addition to what you have already received is that I drove a car on 18" wheels and standard suspension back to back with a car on 19" and PASM. The latter was in my opinion far better and i never regretted this decision. Great car by the way, I loved it.
Having collected my 981 on Saturday I was very pleased that i'd ordered front and rear parking sensors, visibility is poor to the rear and the front drops away, it wouldnt take too many parking scrapes to pay for these and no hassle too.
other than that, the wind deflector works quite well despite what others have claimed, the PSE is very nice and will no doubt improve as the car runs in. The nav is streets ahead of the old car but isnt cheap and I went for the sports wheel which is a big improvement on the boring black thing fitted as standard.
keith
p.s. the car is outstanding to drive, just thought I'd remind you!
other than that, the wind deflector works quite well despite what others have claimed, the PSE is very nice and will no doubt improve as the car runs in. The nav is streets ahead of the old car but isnt cheap and I went for the sports wheel which is a big improvement on the boring black thing fitted as standard.
keith
p.s. the car is outstanding to drive, just thought I'd remind you!
The 987S is fantastic. Such a shame that so many have bought into the Clarkson image of it being a poor mans porsche. I currently have use of my brother in laws 3.4S. I have spent ££££'s on my 993 but as a driving experience the 987 is superior in every measurable way. I had two Boxsters myself a few years ago and rated them both.
PSE does sound fantastic on these cars. Ive no idea why its such a comparatively rare option.
The PCM gives a better looking dash and its better looking than sticking something aftermarket on the dash as well. Whether its worth the £2k odd option new is another question though it surely made my 987S easier to sell when it was 9 months old in 2005.
BOSE sounds massively superior to the laughable sound pack. You can't get a good aftermarket system supplied and fitted so unobtrusively for the money either. If you like music you want the BOSE.
The full leather looks decisively better than the plastic, especially around the dash top but its very expensive. My car had this, it was close to £2k new. Bro in laws doesn't. Nice, but don't lose sleep over it.
19's look better than 18's. My car didn't have PASM nor would I want it. It seems many talk it up but in Sport mode its FAR too hard for the road. Porsche know how to set cars up and they offer a 19" wheel option. PASM holds no appeal for me, nor does the lame looking clock on the dash.
Heated seats are close to a must as they make the car more usable rood down in the cold.
I like cruise as well though Ive never had it on any Porsche I've owned.
For me the essentials would be PSE, BOSE, heated seats in that order. The sports seats look better than standard but they still aren't the last word in comfort. I can't believe what epic value these cars represent, especially compared to 993's.
PSE does sound fantastic on these cars. Ive no idea why its such a comparatively rare option.
The PCM gives a better looking dash and its better looking than sticking something aftermarket on the dash as well. Whether its worth the £2k odd option new is another question though it surely made my 987S easier to sell when it was 9 months old in 2005.
BOSE sounds massively superior to the laughable sound pack. You can't get a good aftermarket system supplied and fitted so unobtrusively for the money either. If you like music you want the BOSE.
The full leather looks decisively better than the plastic, especially around the dash top but its very expensive. My car had this, it was close to £2k new. Bro in laws doesn't. Nice, but don't lose sleep over it.
19's look better than 18's. My car didn't have PASM nor would I want it. It seems many talk it up but in Sport mode its FAR too hard for the road. Porsche know how to set cars up and they offer a 19" wheel option. PASM holds no appeal for me, nor does the lame looking clock on the dash.
Heated seats are close to a must as they make the car more usable rood down in the cold.
I like cruise as well though Ive never had it on any Porsche I've owned.
For me the essentials would be PSE, BOSE, heated seats in that order. The sports seats look better than standard but they still aren't the last word in comfort. I can't believe what epic value these cars represent, especially compared to 993's.
Hi all, first time poster here. Just purchased a 987.1 3.4 Boxster S. I cannot for the life of me work out what options I have in my car!
I'm trying to work out if I have the sport steering wheel and sports seats... How do I figure this out? Photos online doesn't show enough concrete difference.
Many Thanks,
Hassan
I'm trying to work out if I have the sport steering wheel and sports seats... How do I figure this out? Photos online doesn't show enough concrete difference.
Many Thanks,
Hassan
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