987 Boxster S Buying Advice

[markBXTR]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I checked the documentation of the job when I got in from work that I got from them when I collected the car. In the documentation they gave me, it states that the flange was removed and the bearing inspected. On inspection it is the newer larger type bearing.

The guys that look after the car are Porsche Engineers with 20+ years experience and I trust them explicitly. They have looked after the car for three years and I have no reason to doubt them whatsoever.

Maybe mines just unique

[nigelj77]

I thought I'd moved away for unique cars with the tvr, you never knew then what part you needed until you took it off the car...

Seems you have to move quickly in this game, the 3.2 I was planning to look at tomorrow has sold, looked lovely too, still going to look at the 3.4 that isn't far away from the 3.2!!

Hopefully the 3.4 fits the bill.....

[GC1976]

I spent the thick end of 2 years looking for the right Boxster S, to the verge of being paranoid about the pitfalls of ownership.

When I did took the plunge, I opted for an early 2006 3.2 - a thick history file from Porsche main dealer and reputable indies gave me the piece of mind I was looking for. Possibly a gamble to some, but I think your own gut feel counts for a great deal when looking for a car that has been genuinely cared for by all previous owners.

[nigelj77]

So the car I looked at on Friday wasn't all I was hoping for....

It was a low miles 3.4 07 plate.

No smoke on start up was a positive, damaged front bumper was less attractive, they said they would have it repaired but I'd need to leave a deposit first. I checked the oil filler cap as I always would and found a small amount of emulsified oil in the top of the filler neck, the garage have said they would have a compression test done, I don't think this would highlight a leak between the water and oil jackets. Is it reasonable to see any emulsified oil and water in the filler neck if the car has stood around a bit?

The water filler cap also seemed to be under pressure even though the car had been running for less than 2 minutes.

I could also hear what sounded like a fan running on and off in the passenger side maybe from the footwell, any ideas?

[JNW1]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm assuming that eventually Porsche got to grips with both the IMS and bore-scoring issues so how new do you need to come to get a Boxster S or Cayman S that won't suffer either problem?

[JNW1]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks, so anything (say) 2010 or newer and you should be safe?

[SiT]

Any update from OP on your search?? I am considering a Boxster S but the minefield that seems to be in my way is very off putting!?! I was originally looking at a TTS roadster when someone suggested I should have a look at a 987, when I looked there were some lovely looking cars in my price range but I don't know if it would be like driving round on egg shells waiting for IMS/bore score etc.

Si

[brickwall]

The issues really shouldn't be a worry, so long as you avoid the high-risk engine (early 3.4). I also believe that the 987.2 3.4s also had a much stronger IMS bearing, so that is also much less of an issue.

[brickwall]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[SiT]

Unfortunately my budget doesn't take me into 987.2 territory that's what I am concerned about, looking at some very nice 987 3.2's which are at risk from most these issues it would seem?

Perhaps I need to return to Team Audi......

Si

[Quickmoose]

SiT said:

Unfortunately my budget doesn't take me into 987.2 territory that's what I am concerned about, looking at some very nice 987 3.2's which are at risk from most these issues it would seem?

Perhaps I need to return to Team Audi......

Si

Don't discount an S2000
I test drove Z4s, TTSs and Boxster and Boxster S
I missed out on the Boxster S I wanted, test drove an S2000, and ended up with one.
I'm glad the Porsche passed me by tbh.
VERY few issues to be concerned about and it engages in a way the VAG stuff cannot.
Admittedly there is a layer of 'polish' which the Germans do SO well, but to a large extent it's superficial stuff, like chrome trim, piano black bits, higher quality plastics and hinge damping...

That said I keep a close eye on 3.2 Boxster Ss in case another one with the spec I was after shows itself...
Both Honda and Porsche of the 2006 era are financially safe bets a well as being full of character.

[griffter]

Years ago I drove an Elsie 111R and a S2000 back to back. I preferred the S2000 (which arguably tells you more about me than the cars).
You probably won't go far wrong with a 987 3.2S. The only reason I didn't buy one was spec snobbery. I broadened the search to 996 and bought one of those instead.

[markoc]

My 32k 987 3.2S silver/black is going up for sale in a week or so. PM for info if interested.

[nigelj77]

Update as requested by SiT.

I bought a nice 07 3.4S, higher miles than I wanted but only 2 owners, good history and bills for everything it's ever had, at 70K its not had a clutch and the rear tyres have been on some 20-25K miles so I suspect it's been driven fairly gently by it's second owner!!

Its, basalt black, black leather sports seat, bose, 19" lobster claws etc etc and was sensibly priced so I went for it, yes it's at risk of bore scoring but shows no signs of it so I went for it.

Loving it so far :-)

[SiT]

Quickmoose said:

Don't discount an S2000
I test drove Z4s, TTSs and Boxster and Boxster S
I missed out on the Boxster S I wanted, test drove an S2000, and ended up with one.
I'm glad the Porsche passed me by tbh.
VERY few issues to be concerned about and it engages in a way the VAG stuff cannot.
Admittedly there is a layer of 'polish' which the Germans do SO well, but to a large extent it's superficial stuff, like chrome trim, piano black bits, higher quality plastics and hinge damping...

That said I keep a close eye on 3.2 Boxster Ss in case another one with the spec I was after shows itself...
Both Honda and Porsche of the 2006 era are financially safe bets a well as being full of character.

Indeed I owned a 2004 GT spec S2000 which was a great car, never missed a beat and took me to The Ring and back with no issues at all. As with any VTEC, to really enjoy it you had to wring its neck, ok on track but not so much on the roads. It replaced a VX220 and in terms of usability it was like stepping into a Bentley!!!

Having recently sold an E46 M3 can I am working on the basis that the Boxster S will be like a combination of the VX's driving ability, the S2000 use ability and the M3's grunt?

I may be wrong !

Si

[SiT]

nigelj77 said:

Update as requested by SiT.

I bought a nice 07 3.4S, higher miles than I wanted but only 2 owners, good history and bills for everything it's ever had, at 70K its not had a clutch and the rear tyres have been on some 20-25K miles so I suspect it's been driven fairly gently by it's second owner!!

Its, basalt black, black leather sports seat, bose, 19" lobster claws etc etc and was sensibly priced so I went for it, yes it's at risk of bore scoring but shows no signs of it so I went for it.

Loving it so far :-)

Ah I am glad you found one, it sounds lovely!!! Are you thinking you will do the clutch or wait and see how it goes? Read a post on here yesterday of a chap who was well into 100,000 miles on oringial which seems promising!!!

Did you buy from a dealer and interested to know if you decided to have a pre-purchase inspection??

Si

[SiT]

Ok that's really helpful, I need a more 'middle of the road' car as there will be occasions when I am at work on a weekend and perhaps my wife wants to take it out with our daughter to visit her parents - she can do that in comfort with the Boxster. As much as I would love another VX it simply wouldn't be used by her as well which is sort of the plan.

M3 was a great allrounder but starting to feel it's age a bit now and there was money to be made so I moved it on.

Here is find myself, most recent car was a Liquid Yellow Clio 200 which I had for a few months after the M3 was sold and now I am tootling round in a Citroen C1 which I have owned for years and owes me nothing, costs me very little and takes care of all the tip runs, vet runs, supermarket shopping etc.

I hope very much the Boxster will be an 'occasion' car or weekend car that I can look forward to getting into after 6 hellish shifts at work.

Am I right in thinking a 987 with chrono pack also includes sports exhaust?? If so is this a 'switchable' sports exhaust or not?

Si

[Trev450]

SiT said:

Am I right in thinking a 987 with chrono pack also includes sports exhaust?? If so is this a 'switchable' sports exhaust or not?
Si

No the Sports Chrono consisits of the clock on top of the dash and a few ECU changes to the throttle map and PSM. Sports exhaust (PSE) is a seperate option again and yes, is switchable.

[SiT]

Thank you Trev that's helpful, the tweaks to ECU do they only come into effect when 'Sport' button is activated or are they always live??

Si

[Trev450]

SiT said:

Thank you Trev that's helpful, the tweaks to ECU do they only come into effect when 'Sport' button is activated or are they always live??

Si

As cmoose says, sport button off = normal throttle mapping and psm intervention. Sport button on = shortened throttle travel and a reduction by about 15 percent of psm intervention.