987.2 2.9 or 3.4?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've owned my mk2 Focus ST for 6 years now, and will do for another year at least. I've really enjoyed this car, it's been a real pleasure to own, but I'm really starting to get the itch to own a proper 'drivers' car. With that in mind, I think I've made up my mind when it comes to choosing my next car, the 987.2 Boxter/Cayman in manual.
So, this leads me to my main question. 2.9 or 3.4? Which engine and why? More power is always welcome however it's not the be all and end all if dynamics are compromised.
As for common issues/preventative maintenance, I'll do my own research but feel free to share any experiences!
Cheers!
Xenoous
I've owned my mk2 Focus ST for 6 years now, and will do for another year at least. I've really enjoyed this car, it's been a real pleasure to own, but I'm really starting to get the itch to own a proper 'drivers' car. With that in mind, I think I've made up my mind when it comes to choosing my next car, the 987.2 Boxter/Cayman in manual.
So, this leads me to my main question. 2.9 or 3.4? Which engine and why? More power is always welcome however it's not the be all and end all if dynamics are compromised.
As for common issues/preventative maintenance, I'll do my own research but feel free to share any experiences!
Cheers!
Xenoous
I haven't had a 2.9 987.2 but I've had 3.2, 2.7 986s, and 2 x 987.2 3.4s.
The dfi 3.4 in the 987.2 is technically a great, solid, torquey, economical and flexible engine. In isolation it is a brilliant flat 6.
In comparison to the others though, it is a little characterless. It's hard to describe, but it is quite linear in its power delivery. The older engines are somewhat more fragile but they do change (to a somewhat greater extent) in timbre and power delivery depending on where you are in the revs. Revving them out was more of an event.
Of those I've owned, the 2.7 was the sweetest, so I wouldn't rule out the 2.9 because it is slower.
Good luck.
The dfi 3.4 in the 987.2 is technically a great, solid, torquey, economical and flexible engine. In isolation it is a brilliant flat 6.
In comparison to the others though, it is a little characterless. It's hard to describe, but it is quite linear in its power delivery. The older engines are somewhat more fragile but they do change (to a somewhat greater extent) in timbre and power delivery depending on where you are in the revs. Revving them out was more of an event.
Of those I've owned, the 2.7 was the sweetest, so I wouldn't rule out the 2.9 because it is slower.
Good luck.
I also agree 3.4S simply because they really arent that quick so needs all the help it can get. The gen 2 vs gen1 is a bit quiet and more difficult to get the sounds because of the secondary cat location vs gen 1 but it can be done. I have done the rear box carnewal style plus misfitting the airbox cover helps as well. Much better but it would benefit from 200 cell cats to finish things off.
Handling no different in any engine capacity.
Handling no different in any engine capacity.
Thank you all for your responses! It's really appreciated.
If the driving dynamics aren't compromised with the 3.4 then that'll be the one I go for. My ST is running around 300 bhp, so I'd like to keep around that power mark which does point towards the S variant. I should be able to get a decent one with low(ish) mileage for 22-25k so I guess I best start saving & researching these cars now!
If the driving dynamics aren't compromised with the 3.4 then that'll be the one I go for. My ST is running around 300 bhp, so I'd like to keep around that power mark which does point towards the S variant. I should be able to get a decent one with low(ish) mileage for 22-25k so I guess I best start saving & researching these cars now!
I had a little 'tangle' with a mk3 ST on some B roads in my 987.2 S. Up above 4-5k rpm I was marginally quicker in a straight line, but (assuming the other driver had similar talent and bravery to me) I was massively faster through bends. The limitations of fwd/front engined vs rwd/mid engined were very apparent.
KPB1973 said:
I had a little 'tangle' with a mk3 ST on some B roads in my 987.2 S. Up above 4-5k rpm I was marginally quicker in a straight line, but (assuming the other driver had similar talent and bravery to me) I was massively faster through bends. The limitations of fwd/front engined vs rwd/mid engined were very apparent.
That was definitely the driver not the car.I’d have thought it’s more down to the Boxster having lower mass, lower centre of gravity, more mechanical grip (tyre contact area), better brakes - am talking about standard cars although accept the ST could have BBK, non standard tyre size etc.
I’ve got a Golf R and 987 3.4S and the Golf is easier to drive quickly and get on the throttle early etc but round some bends / roundabouts the Boxster even on ancient tyres would leave the R eating dust as it rolls less (even on 13 yo suspension) and is much more stable under braking plus fantastic steering feedback.
I’ve got a Golf R and 987 3.4S and the Golf is easier to drive quickly and get on the throttle early etc but round some bends / roundabouts the Boxster even on ancient tyres would leave the R eating dust as it rolls less (even on 13 yo suspension) and is much more stable under braking plus fantastic steering feedback.
On the public road, the vast majority of drivers will be as quick if not quicker in a FWD hot hatch than a Boxster. Hatches are easier to drive fast and more forgiving at the limit than RWD mid-engine.
A very capable driver will ultimately go quicker in a Boxster but very few individuals have the ability to extract that level of performance on a track, let alone the road.
I've done an awful lot of fast-road driving in convoys with a wide variety of cars and drivers, so do have some empirical basis to my claim.
And tbh while a Boxster might feel quicker from behind the wheel, 95% of drivers will be faster in a Golf R in 95% of situations. The Golf is so insulated that it's easy to under-estimate how quick you are actually going.
Apologies for the thread derail!
A very capable driver will ultimately go quicker in a Boxster but very few individuals have the ability to extract that level of performance on a track, let alone the road.
I've done an awful lot of fast-road driving in convoys with a wide variety of cars and drivers, so do have some empirical basis to my claim.
And tbh while a Boxster might feel quicker from behind the wheel, 95% of drivers will be faster in a Golf R in 95% of situations. The Golf is so insulated that it's easy to under-estimate how quick you are actually going.
Apologies for the thread derail!
Me too. Low speed corners hot hatch all the way, faster more sweeping bends Boxster no contest. Done 50k miles in 2 golf Rs and feels quicker a lot of the time. Nearly put my R off the road a couple on bends the Boxster wouldn’t bat an eyelid at under same conditions. Similarly nearly outbraked myself in the R a few times but never happened in the Boxster. I’m no driving god btw.
Late to the party but Mar '19 I was facing the same choice.
Depending on budget and financials etc go with the one you can afford.
That being said if you have the wedge for either my two pennies as follows:
The 987.2 CS 3.4 is an utter gem of a car. It simply does everything well. Comfortable on a long journey? Took it 2k miles down to Switzerland, via Reims, B500, Autobahn, Susten/Grimsel and Furka passes. No aches, no pains, refined, relaxed, plenty of luggage for me and +1. Cruised at 140mph on the Autobahn and it was steady, calm and assured.
Got it to the B500 road and it comes alive, manual box, fudging most heel and toe shifts, but nailing a couple, power on earlier and earlier through successive corners, leaning on the natural mechanical grip, feeling the car rotate around you. Brakes strong and with great feel, start to develop TRUST in the car. Then down for an entire day blasting along the passes and it just sings, small, lithe, agile, felt so at home I barely noticed I had spent six hours driving.
The engine is just awesome, pull in most gears but really angry and zingy in the lower ratio's and above 4000rpm begs to have its neck wrung and to be driven hard, responds and matches you. Sounds great.
Downsides? Nav is a bit guff, although got me across Europe OK, albeit with a few inputs from GMaps. No Bluetooth for your iPhone/tunes but old fashioned Aux cable never hurt anyone. Consumable and services can be a little stiff but not crazy Aston/Italian Marquee levels.
Suffice to say I am a biased critic as I absolutely love this car. My first Pork and my first love. Just take it places for fun. Also fairly subtle and not ostentatious but can mix it on the twisties with the period M3's/quicker metal. Even now, I try and start it up with the door open as it just makes me grin.
Drive a few and you won't be disappointed.
Depending on budget and financials etc go with the one you can afford.
That being said if you have the wedge for either my two pennies as follows:
The 987.2 CS 3.4 is an utter gem of a car. It simply does everything well. Comfortable on a long journey? Took it 2k miles down to Switzerland, via Reims, B500, Autobahn, Susten/Grimsel and Furka passes. No aches, no pains, refined, relaxed, plenty of luggage for me and +1. Cruised at 140mph on the Autobahn and it was steady, calm and assured.
Got it to the B500 road and it comes alive, manual box, fudging most heel and toe shifts, but nailing a couple, power on earlier and earlier through successive corners, leaning on the natural mechanical grip, feeling the car rotate around you. Brakes strong and with great feel, start to develop TRUST in the car. Then down for an entire day blasting along the passes and it just sings, small, lithe, agile, felt so at home I barely noticed I had spent six hours driving.
The engine is just awesome, pull in most gears but really angry and zingy in the lower ratio's and above 4000rpm begs to have its neck wrung and to be driven hard, responds and matches you. Sounds great.
Downsides? Nav is a bit guff, although got me across Europe OK, albeit with a few inputs from GMaps. No Bluetooth for your iPhone/tunes but old fashioned Aux cable never hurt anyone. Consumable and services can be a little stiff but not crazy Aston/Italian Marquee levels.
Suffice to say I am a biased critic as I absolutely love this car. My first Pork and my first love. Just take it places for fun. Also fairly subtle and not ostentatious but can mix it on the twisties with the period M3's/quicker metal. Even now, I try and start it up with the door open as it just makes me grin.
Drive a few and you won't be disappointed.
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