I bought the highest mileage Porsche 987.2 I could find
Discussion
So last weekend I decided to buy the highest mileage Gen 2 987 in the country and run it as a daily.
Here it is, my 2009 987.2 Porsche Boxster S, registering 126500 miles on the clock!
I do 125 miles on my daily commute. That means this car will be doing just short of 30.000 miles this year!
....will it?
My previous car was a E86 Z4M which I have taken from 89.000 to 131.000mls (with no rod bearing replacement).
Watch this space!
Here it is, my 2009 987.2 Porsche Boxster S, registering 126500 miles on the clock!
I do 125 miles on my daily commute. That means this car will be doing just short of 30.000 miles this year!
....will it?
My previous car was a E86 Z4M which I have taken from 89.000 to 131.000mls (with no rod bearing replacement).
Watch this space!
mcbook said:
Did you set out trying to find the highest mileage one, or did it turn out like that? Does it have a reasonable history and service record?
I wasn't actively looking for a 987 when I came across the ad for this car, but as it was only 1h from me I decided to go and have a look.When comparing with others I realised it was the leggiest Gen 2 for sale in the UK.
It pretty much has a full service history with Porsche stamps up to 107k, then Porscheworkx.
New Brakes all around in 2021.
Last full service in 2022. (@121k miles)
New Pirelli N2 rated tyres in May 2023.
Ceramic coated 2 years ago.
It needs a front cooling pipe (40 quid new OEM) as its weeping slightly, and new Tie Rods in the front as highlighted in the last MOT. (These were free-issued to me by the Previous Owner.)
It took the mileage remarkably well! Hopefully stays like that!
e46m3c said:
I would be interested to hear how you compare the boxster to the z4m. Just sold my z4m and considering a 987 box s.
I actually test drove a 987.1 Cayman S before buying the Z4M. It may have been a bad one because I wasn’t impressed with the brakes at all, or the car in general but I did like the sound in the cabin.Then I test drove a Z4M and found the brakes were much better. The extra power and (imo) better looks sold me then.
I prefer the “cocoon” feeling you get when sitting in a Z4M.
I think the driving position/ergonomics is perfect, I miss a bit of that “wrapped around” feeling in the 987.
The Z4M really needs top notch rubber to be enjoyed (I found Pilot Supersports to be the perfect tyre for them) any lesser tyre (or for that matter, low-ish tyre thread) and you are missing out massively on ability to handle and put the power down, can be “dangerous” in the wrong hands then.
Im terms of handling & feel, the 987.x feels much more planted, safer.
The speed sensation in the 987.x is higher tho! I don't actually think my 987.2 is much/any faster than my z4m was, but it FEELS much faster for some reason. Might have to do with the engine noise in the cabin, coming from behind. Or by the feeling that you sit “on it” rather than “in it”.
The Z4M weak point was, in my opinion, the lack of refinement in the drivetrain & suspension. The diff is and sounds clunky (the known “M clunk”). The suspension is not great, really needs some eibach lowering springs at least, but even then not very good. The traction control is super intrusive, must be the most intrusive ever fitted to a car!
But then, for a spirited drive you turn the traction control OFF, Sport mode ON (sharpens throttle response) and it’s an event. Lairy. The extremely quick steering rack is imense, and needed. I would say steering feel is superior to the 987.x.
The 987.x architecture will never allow the same levels of lairyness, but then it feels like it is a better product, better put together, the gearbox is so much better to use, the engine is for sure torquier and it’s hard to beat in the sound department, both in and out of the car.
I ended up fitting BC Racing coilovers to the Z4M which ruined the car. My commute then included lots of B roads, the strut towers cracked due to stress induced by the solid top mounts and that was the end for me. That car cost me an absolute fortune in upkeep but never let me down. Loved it.
A 987.1 will probably make you feel better, overall it might be the better package, albeit a tad slower and less wild.
My advice is to go straight to a 987.2 and, from the height of my 3-day ownership, I assure you you won’t look back!
IroningMan said:
Gustavo7 said:
33mi of Motorway (M20/M25 inc Dartford crossing)
15mi of A13
7 miles of Town/City driving
Each way.
That sounds like absolute purgatory to me, especially with a manual15mi of A13
7 miles of Town/City driving
Each way.
embarassing
e46m3c said:
Thanks. Why straight to the .2? Engine failures?
Yes, for added peace of mind… but let’s not forget the looks, the .2 is a stunner!A few photos taken this week:
I have now placed an order with Design911 for:
- drivers side coolant hoses (2 off) with new retaining clips
- spark plug set
- 8L of Mobil 1 0w40
- mahle oil filter, new sump plug and washer
- air filter and pollen filter
It came down to £287 with free delivery and using code PCGB005 for an added 5% discount. Not too bad!
I think I may be lucky and get away with replacing only the hose that is leaking, this is the coolant supply hose to the drivers side radiador, this connects to a hard plastic pipe and is less troublesome to replace than the return hose I think, because the latter connects to the aluminium crossover pipe and the joint between the two corrodes making it difficult to replace the hose without damaging the crossover pipe as the retaining clip siezes in place … which would require the subframe to be lowered to replace. This said, I’ve ordered both hoses on this side so will try my luck. I have ordered new retaining clips too.
Parts ordered, now just need new coolant… wait a minute, these hold 27 litres of it?? Mindblown
Edited by Gustavo7 on Sunday 29th October 06:54
I have done 700 miles this week and it did not miss a beat!
First day was quite annoying as I didn’t realise you had to press the rear window demist button to get the door mirrors to heat up and clear in the morning. I’m used to bmws and you don’t even have to think about this.
Not having the automatic aircon was also frustrating and I must have adjusted both the temperature and fans digital sliders a good 12 times during the commute. Too hot, now too cold, now too hot, too much fan… you get the idea.
But the next day I had it all figured out and it was great!
6th gear is quite short (25mph / 1000rpm) but it still delivers 29mpg!
Comfort is fine, I’ve daily driven a z4m for 5 years and this is no worse! The Pioneer headunit with carplay & large touchscreen makes it feel very up-to-date.
Now, I do have a f30 320d on the driveaway which admittedly is probably the best car to pile these miles on, but having done that for a few years I’ve grown extremely bored of it. Couldn’t get to gripes with having to leave the house at 5:30am to get in a boring car, the Boxster will be acting as morning motivation and automotive cleanser for 12 months!!
First day was quite annoying as I didn’t realise you had to press the rear window demist button to get the door mirrors to heat up and clear in the morning. I’m used to bmws and you don’t even have to think about this.
Not having the automatic aircon was also frustrating and I must have adjusted both the temperature and fans digital sliders a good 12 times during the commute. Too hot, now too cold, now too hot, too much fan… you get the idea.
But the next day I had it all figured out and it was great!
6th gear is quite short (25mph / 1000rpm) but it still delivers 29mpg!
Comfort is fine, I’ve daily driven a z4m for 5 years and this is no worse! The Pioneer headunit with carplay & large touchscreen makes it feel very up-to-date.
Now, I do have a f30 320d on the driveaway which admittedly is probably the best car to pile these miles on, but having done that for a few years I’ve grown extremely bored of it. Couldn’t get to gripes with having to leave the house at 5:30am to get in a boring car, the Boxster will be acting as morning motivation and automotive cleanser for 12 months!!
FIRST NIGGLE!
So, I suspect I may have the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) starting to fail!
The car has always taken around 3 seconds of cranking to start from cold which I put down to maybe old plugs, always started on first attempt.
HOWEVER, today when leaving work I had to crank it 3 times, each cranking attempt around 4-5 seconds long, then it fired up and drove perfectly, all power is there.
So, HPFP (a known weak point), LPFP or fuel filter…. My guess is the HPFP, besides the cost of the item, how difficult is it to change? I’m quite handy with tools.
So, I suspect I may have the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) starting to fail!
The car has always taken around 3 seconds of cranking to start from cold which I put down to maybe old plugs, always started on first attempt.
HOWEVER, today when leaving work I had to crank it 3 times, each cranking attempt around 4-5 seconds long, then it fired up and drove perfectly, all power is there.
So, HPFP (a known weak point), LPFP or fuel filter…. My guess is the HPFP, besides the cost of the item, how difficult is it to change? I’m quite handy with tools.
PaulD86 said:
The N rated Pirellis are hopeless. If you are using all year round and want to stay N rated then go for the Michelins next time, or even the Bridgestones. The Pirellis do not like cold or wet and wet preformance drops off a cliff with wear. Michelins transform this.
ahah yes! I already noticed that they dont like the cold or wet roads. (Thanks Storm Ciaran
)so, I have done 1300 miles in the first two weeks, pretty faultlessly. The slight longer cranking in the morning/end of day doesn't seem to bother me much now as the car never fails to start. I have tried to source a new High Pressure Fuel Pump from Porsche and other outlets but it's pretty much impossible, got told to place an order and join the queue with no estimated delivery date. Parts are on back order as apparently the Ukraine factory got bombed?
Once it arrives I'll get it fitted but the cars runs faultless otherwise. I connected my OBD dongle to check fuel pressures and all seems ok, goes all the way to 120bar as it should. Things might get worse with use as the pump deteriorates to the point where the EML comes on, the car gets reduced power and/or fails to start. With no option than to wait for a new pump, I keep doing 120 miles/day!
A full service kit and the leaky coolant hoses have now arrived so shall be fitted soon!
Well think I found the culprit for the long cranking when cold… it was fitted with the shorter 987.1 spark plugs!!!
Must have been down on compression too, half the lenght of a spark plug is a considerable volume!
I have also replaced a coilpack which was accusing a slight misfire at idle. Seems to be much eager to start now! Let’s see how it behaves on tomorrow morning’s cold start!
Must have been down on compression too, half the lenght of a spark plug is a considerable volume!
I have also replaced a coilpack which was accusing a slight misfire at idle. Seems to be much eager to start now! Let’s see how it behaves on tomorrow morning’s cold start!
MrBen.911 said:
Amazing it was running as well as it was with those plugs in it!
I know! Still embarrassed a Tesla 3 with half the spark plugs 
Stedman said:
I'm bar far an expert on these, but 29mpg on a run didn't seem correct. Now you know!
Even then 29mpg is quite good imo!Anyway, after a few cold starts I can reiterate the starting issue is gone gone, I'm so chuffed!!
DarkVeil said:
How are you finding the long gearing?
Not the most pleasant car to face start/stop traffic, other than that, cannot say I find it too long a gearing. To be honest, I think 6th gear should be taller!When on the move, I quite like the long 1st / 2nd gear, seems to suit my driving style!
Just a quick update: it just crossed the 130.000-mile mark.
(For context: Bought with 126k 5 week ago)
It’s running great and it really injects fun into the daily 124-mile commute!
I find myself driving a bit faster than I should most of the times, let’s hope no speed tickets arrive in the post!
(For context: Bought with 126k 5 week ago)
It’s running great and it really injects fun into the daily 124-mile commute!
I find myself driving a bit faster than I should most of the times, let’s hope no speed tickets arrive in the post!
Well, as I mentioned at the start the car came with very recent Pirelli P Zero tyres. My plan was to wear them out to then swap for Michelin.
But I could not wait. These Pzero tyres are horrendous in the wet, what a useless tyre for the british climate!!
I would go further and say they are dangerous even!
Only really suitable for a nice dry run, nothing else.
I feel almost stupid to have removed all four tyres with 5mm of thread… but they are a liability. Also, losing the rear in a wet dual carriageway in a modest overtake was not fun
A photo I snapped while fitting a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S:
But I could not wait. These Pzero tyres are horrendous in the wet, what a useless tyre for the british climate!!
I would go further and say they are dangerous even!
Only really suitable for a nice dry run, nothing else.
I feel almost stupid to have removed all four tyres with 5mm of thread… but they are a liability. Also, losing the rear in a wet dual carriageway in a modest overtake was not fun
A photo I snapped while fitting a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S:
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