Porsche Boxster S (986) | PH Fleet
It didn't seem too bad on first inspection - time for a professional opinion. And some new tyres
We all have grand plans when it comes to any kind of project car, be it our own one or - in the case of the Boxster - one you’re temporarily guardian of for a while. It’s all too easy to be tempted by this shiny upgrade or that noisy exhaust or some other trinket to show off. Because we like people admiring the cars we’re in, and lustrous paint or snazzy wheels are very good for doing that.
Those are to come for the Porsche, I hope. And knowing the potential that’s in 986s, from driving a racer to a mint Porsche Classic example, I’m as keen as anyone to throw thousands of pounds of suspension and GT3 bits at it. On the other hand, I have to be realistic: this isn’t my car, and this isn’t automotive fantasy YouTube. The aim isn’t to make the fastest or loudest or silliest open-top Porsche out there. It’s to bring a much-loved old Boxster back to something like its best. And maybe improve a few bits along the way.
With that in mind, I’ve just returned from Wrightune in Wallingford. They’re a well-regarded Porsche specialist that covers everything from the air-cooled stuff to Macans, aren’t too far from me, and liked the idea of a 986 enjoying some time in the spotlight. While they’ve picked up from their absolute lowest in terms of value a few years back, it still feels like they’re not quite held in the highest regard against even 996s of the same era.
A feast of 911s outside Wrightune HQ was encouraging, as was the comment that RU51 POR wasn’t the worst 986 they’d seen. So that’s something. Bossman Chris reckons that, as happened with the transaxle cars not so long ago, when certain Porsches get cheap to buy, they’re run on a shoestring - and that’s where the problems start. Porsches always cost Porsche money to run, if not to buy. Sadly, it’s often only when they start being worth something that expert help is consulted.
Chris and Joe at Wrightune have been through the car, and while it’s not terrible, there are a good few things to sort. Some of it is to be expected from a 25-year-old car that’s lived its life outside: crusty suspension, an exhaust that’s in bad shape, an oil leak that needs tending to. Other stuff was a little weirder, including some brake lines that weren’t quite right, missing undertrays and bolts, plus an air-con condenser that needs replacing. And which might need the engine dropping to replace. Erk. But good to know if you’re looking at a 986 with air con that’s not perfect - it might be a bit more than a regas.
Elsewhere, and encouragingly, it seems like it might just be low voltage causing the electrics to misbehave, and that’s certainly a simpler fix than feared. There’s very little rust, too, which was a concern. And, perhaps most importantly, nothing that the Wrightune guys hadn’t seen before on 986s. The one thing we didn’t want to be doing was chasing mysterious gremlins and wasting valuable driving time.
Because it’s still a lovely old sports car, even if it does feel predictably tired. When the sun is shining and the manky old roof is down, it’s great fun to have a manual, flat-six Porsche to fizz around in. The first modification was some fresh rubber; good tyres are so important (I once spent £400 on tyres for a Civic worth £800, like a proper fruitcake), and with our Michelin discount code still running it seemed daft not to. There were Pilot Sport 4s available for the front axle, though oddly only PS2s in the correct size for the rear 255/40 R17s; presumably that’s an odd size now, quite broad but not very big, and not in much demand.
Whatever, they’ve worked wonders as new tyres always do, the Boxster now keener, quieter, and comfier. Imagine how much better it’ll feel once some other bits are resolved. The initial quote should be landing soon - then we can think about the fun, shiny bits.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2001 Porsche Boxster S (986)
Run by: Matt Bird
On fleet since: April 2025
Mileage: 59,066
Last month at a glance: Seems alright on the road; what about on the ramp?
Previous reports:
Is a bargain Boxster sports car bliss?
Enjoying following this.
Forgot to sell it on return and done loads to it including suspension, belts, clutch etc but by far the biggest improvement was just replacing the 12+ year old mismatch chinesium tyres for some mid range Kumhos. Night and day in ride, noise and grip. For only £250.
Matt - love running restos of unloved near classics as before you know it, they’re all gone. Keep up the good work.
Tyre choices are limited in 17" fitment. 18" wheels adds many more options such as Conti SC7s.
Best to buy one that has been maintained to a high standard and enjoy.
Unfortunately, we have all have 'worst POS car I've ever bought' in our history but it doesn't make every identical model the same. Mine was a Ford Fiesta.
As for the owner and car in question. Do not try and make a 25 year old car 'drive like new again' unless the cost/value stacks up. Specialists love to get you set up for some rip off staged/rolling refresh programme.
Unfortunately, we have all have 'worst POS car I've ever bought' in our history but it doesn't make every identical model the same. Mine was a Ford Fiesta.
As for the owner and car in question. Do not try and make a 25 year old car 'drive like new again' unless the cost/value stacks up. Specialists love to get you set up for some rip off staged/rolling refresh programme.
Not only that, the drivers side door window doesn't drop with the handle. The dealer said that he'd disconnected the battery so it would be a simple reset. No. It affects the central locking, the alarm and those beeps each time you open and lock the thing. Not a problem, change the door lock. Not quite, What a PITA that is.
Oh, checked the coolant - a bit low, below the minimum, top it up with distilled water. The car wasn't having it and dumped the whole lot on my drive. New expansion tank cap and bleeder valve O rings ordered and fitted and hoping that bleeding the system sorts it out because replacing an expansion tank is a whole world of pain.
Now, lets remove the plenum and throttle body for a clean. For starters the aperture for the engine bay is a right pain especially with a glass window. Not a problem, I managed to prop it up, cleaned the intake, rounded one of the “security” torx screws on the MAF in the process and spent 6 hours trying to get the intake tube back onto the throttle body. Crazy!
Job done, right? The f
king car won't start - it chugs, sputters, shakes. Probably a vacuum leak or the MAF needs to go - we go again. My experience after 30 miles of driving and a whole week working on it: Hassle, quirky, POS, but ill get there. Would it have been easier to reject the car and get my money back? Yes, but I hate giving up - underneath it all there’s a good car, an expensive and quirky car to work on, but a good car, so ill keep on going until I don't.
Unfortunately, we have all have 'worst POS car I've ever bought' in our history but it doesn't make every identical model the same. Mine was a Ford Fiesta.
As for the owner and car in question. Do not try and make a 25 year old car 'drive like new again' unless the cost/value stacks up. Specialists love to get you set up for some rip off staged/rolling refresh programme.
Not only that, the drivers side door window doesn't drop with the handle. The dealer said that he'd disconnected the battery so it would be a simple reset. No. It affects the central locking, the alarm and those beeps each time you open and lock the thing. Not a problem, change the door lock. Not quite, What a PITA that is.
Oh, checked the coolant - a bit low, below the minimum, top it up with distilled water. The car wasn't having it and dumped the whole lot on my drive. New expansion tank cap and bleeder valve O rings ordered and fitted and hoping that bleeding the system sorts it out because replacing an expansion tank is a whole world of pain.
Now, lets remove the plenum and throttle body for a clean. For starters the aperture for the engine bay is a right pain especially with a glass window. Not a problem, I managed to prop it up, cleaned the intake, rounded one of the “security” torx screws on the MAF in the process and spent 6 hours trying to get the intake tube back onto the throttle body. Crazy!
Job done, right? The f
king car won't start - it chugs, sputters, shakes. Probably a vacuum leak or the MAF needs to go - we go again. My experience after 30 miles of driving and a whole week working on it: Hassle, quirky, POS, but ill get there. Would it have been easier to reject the car and get my money back? Yes, but I hate giving up - underneath it all there’s a good car, an expensive and quirky car to work on, but a good car, so ill keep on going until I don't.
There should be no issue getting at the MAF, TB and top of the engine if you put it in service mode. Not getting the TB seated correctly either side will definitely stop the car from starting.
Window not dropping is often the regulator not the door handle switch but I assume in your case it was the latter.
The coolant dumping sounds very strange after no more than a top up.
The car had a Hartech rebuild in its life and recent tyres, service and a new thermostat in 2024. So all things considered, given the age of the car and the lack of dtc's, I thought it was a risk worth taking on. I just wasn't prepared for the niggly stuff, like the a/c condeser kicking in but no cold air (every 996 & 986 that I saw didn't have cold a/c) - the battery draining its charge while the bonnet was closed (my fault, squire)
As for the coolant leak, I've spotted a taped-up repair on one of the hoses from the expansion tank. This could be the source of the leak, but I'll wait until I can bleed the system to be sure.
When all is said and done, I haven't had a great experience so far. The fact that the chap who sold it to me is in his 80s has also put me off giving him a hard time - I'll work through it and probably sell the car once it's sorted and get something else.
The car had a Hartech rebuild in its life and recent tyres, service and a new thermostat in 2024. So all things considered, given the age of the car and the lack of dtc's, I thought it was a risk worth taking on. I just wasn't prepared for the niggly stuff, like the a/c condeser kicking in but no cold air (every 996 & 986 that I saw didn't have cold a/c) - the battery draining its charge while the bonnet was closed (my fault, squire)
As for the coolant leak, I've spotted a taped-up repair on one of the hoses from the expansion tank. This could be the source of the leak, but I'll wait until I can bleed the system to be sure.
When all is said and done, I haven't had a great experience so far. The fact that the chap who sold it to me is in his 80s has also put me off giving him a hard time - I'll work through it and probably sell the car once it's sorted and get something else.
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