What goes wrong with Boxsters?
Discussion
The RMS issue is probably the main one and has, as you rightly point out, been done to death. Use the forum search. There is the odd perennial comment about general build quality i.e fixtures and fittings, being not quite up to the old-school standard but hey, every porsche since the 993 has been a compromise hasnt it? 
also search the forum for issues with the rear screen, especially earlier models.
In terms of internet chatter the boxster club seem to complain far less about their steeds than the rear-engined crowd
also search the forum for issues with the rear screen, especially earlier models.
In terms of internet chatter the boxster club seem to complain far less about their steeds than the rear-engined crowd
Tazza said:
I'm sure this has been done to death, but what tends to go wrong with Boxsters? I'm thinking of a used one , but keep hearing rumours that they are not as bombproof as Porsche would like me to believe. What goes wrong and what should I look for?
Thanks
Sometimes the lipstick holder can fall offThanks
had my 2.7 for three years and 75000 miles.
it was bullet proof. had two rms replaced. one set of brakes and a clutch during the second rms replacement just at the end of its contract term (company car)
i never once had a problem with build quality, everything worked fine, and the engine was as strong the day it left as the day it was built.
Ignore the hairdresser and gay comments. the boxster is a fecking fantastic car and it beautifully balanced.
Just dont go for a 2.7 tip as they are very sluggish in comparison to the manual and dont be persuaded by anyone telling you the tip is needed for city centre commuting. the clutch is light and will not cause problems.
oh and in the manual you can get the 2.7 to 117mph in third so thats got to be a USP on its own
it was bullet proof. had two rms replaced. one set of brakes and a clutch during the second rms replacement just at the end of its contract term (company car)
i never once had a problem with build quality, everything worked fine, and the engine was as strong the day it left as the day it was built.
Ignore the hairdresser and gay comments. the boxster is a fecking fantastic car and it beautifully balanced.
Just dont go for a 2.7 tip as they are very sluggish in comparison to the manual and dont be persuaded by anyone telling you the tip is needed for city centre commuting. the clutch is light and will not cause problems.
oh and in the manual you can get the 2.7 to 117mph in third so thats got to be a USP on its own
Is there anywhere to plug the hairdryer in to?
Can you see all of your face in the mirror when applying lipstick?
Is there somewhere you can learn to drive like a girl?
do they do bodykits for it so I can stop it looking like a Boxster?
Is a REAL Porsche much more money?
Will I mind being blown away by Elises and VX turbos?
clownfish said:
Is there anywhere to plug the hairdryer in to?
Can you see all of your face in the mirror when applying lipstick?
Is there somewhere you can learn to drive like a girl?
do they do bodykits for it so I can stop it looking like a Boxster?
Is a REAL Porsche much more money?
Will I mind being blown away by Elises and VX turbos?
What a load of b-lls
I have just changed my Griff 500 for a Boxster S. IMHO its the best roadster on the market. If you get a Boxster S then make sure you get a qualified porsche mechanic check the gearbox! Then get a porsche Warranty.
I've had mine for 5 months and the gearbox turns out to be F**ked. Check that it never pops out of second gear while driving very slowly, like in town traffic. If so walk away immediately, it's a new gearbox or a rebuild costing between £1500 and £5K
Gearbox has been out for repair twice in a month and is currently in again for the third time. Porsche GB know about the problem but the OPC will always deny it.
Apparently it's a "known" problem that affects "some" cars.
If the gearbox feels notchy into second it's not right.
Also Check front Disks for corrosion, they are made from very soft steel and rust very easily, much faster than "normal" cars.
Check theres no rattling from exhaust area, they are known to rust internally and blow the baffles.
Obviously you should know that it will probably need a Rear Main Seal at some point. Mines had 2 and it's only done 28k! (2003 Box S) Make sure it's had this done or you're looking at £5-600
Check clutch for juddering, if it is see above.
Pre 2003 cars had a plastic rear screen that splits.
Check for any suspension rattles.
some people have talked about engine failiures, and I know of one thats had to have an engine swap.
Apart from that they're great!
Oh and if you do get one, prepare to be ribbed by "proper" Porsche drivers, you know the ones with the engines in the wrong place!
I've had mine for 5 months and the gearbox turns out to be F**ked. Check that it never pops out of second gear while driving very slowly, like in town traffic. If so walk away immediately, it's a new gearbox or a rebuild costing between £1500 and £5K
Gearbox has been out for repair twice in a month and is currently in again for the third time. Porsche GB know about the problem but the OPC will always deny it.
Apparently it's a "known" problem that affects "some" cars.
If the gearbox feels notchy into second it's not right.
Also Check front Disks for corrosion, they are made from very soft steel and rust very easily, much faster than "normal" cars.
Check theres no rattling from exhaust area, they are known to rust internally and blow the baffles.
Obviously you should know that it will probably need a Rear Main Seal at some point. Mines had 2 and it's only done 28k! (2003 Box S) Make sure it's had this done or you're looking at £5-600
Check clutch for juddering, if it is see above.
Pre 2003 cars had a plastic rear screen that splits.
Check for any suspension rattles.
some people have talked about engine failiures, and I know of one thats had to have an engine swap.
Apart from that they're great!
Oh and if you do get one, prepare to be ribbed by "proper" Porsche drivers, you know the ones with the engines in the wrong place!
clownfish said:
Is there anywhere to plug the hairdryer in to?
Can you see all of your face in the mirror when applying lipstick?
Is there somewhere you can learn to drive like a girl?
do they do bodykits for it so I can stop it looking like a Boxster?
Is a REAL Porsche much more money?
Will I mind being blown away by Elises and VX turbos?
Prat.
vandereydt said:
for what its worth
I had a boxster 2.5 for nine years, bought it new, and covered 360.000 km
Never had any mechanical problems, car never let me down
Just treat her well and she'll never let you down
ronny
I had a boxster 2.5 for nine years, bought it new, and covered 360.000 km
Never had any mechanical problems, car never let me down
Just treat her well and she'll never let you down
ronny
Ah there you are !! I (semi) quoted you yesterday on another thread entitled 'Encouragement needed' .. Hope you don't mind!
Oh I wish i was big boy and I could afford a proper Porsche.
You know, one with the engine hanging out the back. They're brilliant them ones.
Yeah, the Boxster's a sh*t hairdresser's car.
That's why it is has over 40% parts commonality with the 996.
Must rush, got to finish off some highlights.
You know, one with the engine hanging out the back. They're brilliant them ones.
Yeah, the Boxster's a sh*t hairdresser's car.
That's why it is has over 40% parts commonality with the 996.
Must rush, got to finish off some highlights.
Auto Express magazine, issue 935, 8-14 November 2006, page 62 - The ultimate guide to buying a Porsche Boxster. It's not, but any research is useful. Try their website www.autoexpress.co.uk and you might be able to view it for nothing. The magazine is actually not very good and I wouldn't waste money buying it - but my neighbour does and pushes it through my letterbox every week.
Thanks for the advice so far - I was expecting some "ribbing" from the beetle owners 
The out-and-out speed thing is not so much of an issue - I've a Caterham for that. I was after something fun and reliable for every day use and longer journeys. It seems to boil down to a Boxster or an S2000. The more I think about it, the more the 2.7 seems to make sense from a cost point of view.
All advice (and abuse) welcome!!
By the way, are all Porsche dealers as much of a bunch of self-abusers as the ones I have met so far?!!
The out-and-out speed thing is not so much of an issue - I've a Caterham for that. I was after something fun and reliable for every day use and longer journeys. It seems to boil down to a Boxster or an S2000. The more I think about it, the more the 2.7 seems to make sense from a cost point of view.
All advice (and abuse) welcome!!
By the way, are all Porsche dealers as much of a bunch of self-abusers as the ones I have met so far?!!
The 996 is actually a Boxster variant, not the other way round. The design and styling of the Boxster was completed before the 996. So the rear engined car was made to share a lot of components with the cocksta.
Ha Ha, you 996 boys just have a hairdressers car with the engine in the wrong place!
*flame proof overalls ON
Ha Ha, you 996 boys just have a hairdressers car with the engine in the wrong place!
*flame proof overalls ON
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff