Boxster S 987 3.2 vs 3.4
Boxster S 987 3.2 vs 3.4
Author
Discussion

dasherdiablo1

Original Poster:

4,435 posts

250 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
Morning all,

I've done a bit of a search but haven't been able to find a comparison between the two - both would be 987.1 cars. The thing I am interested in is what changes occurred or is it purely the engine? I'm interested in handling characteristics/level of kit/ 0-60 times?

I know there is a difference when going to a gen2 car but there is a massive jump in price that I can't justify considering the 981 will push down the prices a bit quicker on the 987.2 than the 987.1

Thanks in advance

kingston12

5,841 posts

186 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
dasherdiablo1 said:
Morning all,

I've done a bit of a search but haven't been able to find a comparison between the two - both would be 987.1 cars. The thing I am interested in is what changes occurred or is it purely the engine? I'm interested in handling characteristics/level of kit/ 0-60 times?

I know there is a difference when going to a gen2 car but there is a massive jump in price that I can't justify considering the 981 will push down the prices a bit quicker on the 987.2 than the 987.1

Thanks in advance
I wasn't aware of any other changes apart from the engine. The 3.4 will be a little quicker, but if you get a 2005 3.2, you will save a useful £200 or so in tax that will pay for a couple of tanks of fuel.

Lox

641 posts

310 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
There's not a lot in it if you focus on 0-whatever stats, but the extra 0.2 litres definitely make themselves felt in normal driving. The 3.2 can feel a little gutless in comparison. Still a great car though - nice dilemma to have!

SFO

5,186 posts

212 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
3.4 has the stronger IMS .. far fewer IMS failures of the 3.4 engine reported

dasherdiablo1

Original Poster:

4,435 posts

250 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
SFO said:
3.4 has the stronger IMS .. far fewer IMS failures of the 3.4 engine reported
But are there more bore scoring issues with the 3.4?

itsybitsy

5,985 posts

214 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
do you really want the extra 15hp from the 3.4 as imho theres not much in it.ims had upgrade march 2006.the 3.4 is more prone to bore scoring but ims can still fail.buy the best you can afford 3.2 or 3.4 and have the warranty for peace of mind.or buy the 3.2 and get the ims upgrade and at the same time do the clutch if the car has mileage and on original clutch to save costs.

Hellers

146 posts

202 months

Monday 23rd September 2013
quotequote all
Only had the 3.2 and researched both at the time. And at the time (2010t) the price gap was not worth the extra according to others. The big difference on paper was a second quicker for the 0-100 if I remember rightly. I'm not sure you'd really notice in the real world most of the time...

Lox

641 posts

310 months

Tuesday 24th September 2013
quotequote all
Hellers said:
Only had the 3.2 and researched both at the time. And at the time (2010t) the price gap was not worth the extra according to others. The big difference on paper was a second quicker for the 0-100 if I remember rightly. I'm not sure you'd really notice in the real world most of the time...
Actually, it's sort of the opposite - you won't notice a second quicker 0-100, but you will notice the difference in the real world, where the increased spread of torque is very noticeable.