2005 Porsche Boxster 987 2.7

[CJM36]

Escy said:

Is it definitely 987 and not 986?

If you're asking about my car, the one I started this thread for then yep, definitely a 987. The 986 was produced from 1996 - 2004. This car is a 2005. Further, the 986 has headlights the same shape as the 996 911, whereas the 997 and 987 have headlights following a more circular shape.In 986's you could get a 2.5, 2.7, and 3.2, and in 987's you could get a 2.7 (this engine), a 3.2 or latterly a 3.4

If you are asking about the comment above yours, I'm not too sure

Edited by CJM36 on Tuesday 23 February 15:36

Edited by CJM36 on Tuesday 23 February 15:37

[CJM36]

Escy said:

I'm asking about his hardtop, the 986 is very similar but it's not the same. Can't remember the difference but it could explain his fitment issue.

Yeah, I have no experience with living with a 986 but as you said the difference could explain his fitment issue.

Hang on, you did the 986 Turbo build, didn't you? Very cool!

[CJM36]

^ As romeodelta says

[CJM36]

This past Sunday, the weather here in NE Scotland was fantastic, temperature up in double digits, too, and having prior had rain, you know what that means - salt free roads!


The car got it's first proper outing of the year. To get this car back out again for a decent drive was fantastic, I forget just how good these are. It was sitting on winter tires and wheels for the drive, so it wasn't as grippy as on summers, but they are Pirelli SottoZero's so they still took a good beating. On the way back from a C-19 permitted walk, I was hit with a stone, which chipped the windscreen - not a disaster, I can have this fixed preventatively for a relatively low cost, could have had to do a whole windscreen so I'm not complaining.

Later that day I actually changed the wheels back over to summers, and cleaned inside all the arches with some APC - Ideally I would have spent an entire day doing this but I prioritised driving it, and it got dark very quickly, hence no pictures of the summer wheels back on.

Off the back of Boris' announcement on Monday, which inevitably told us here in Scotland almost exactly what Nicola would do, too, I realised the car really won't see much driving until I can return to on-site work; when hospitality reopens a good chunk of time away.
This has me thinking that whilst I am going nowhere, saving money, now is the right time to get the car exactly where I want it for summer '21. Over the next few days when I have a minute I'll put a list together of exactly what this entails.

I am also thinking that since my daily will ironically see less action than the Boxster in this period, I should really change it for something else or sell it now and replace it in a few months time... what do you think would go alongside the Boxster to make a good 2 car garage? Anything from £1,000-£10,000. Intrigued to hear suggestions.

[CJM36]

Harfi88 said:

Ahh yeah now I see. It’s because the cayman bumper cut goes the other way i think that was throwing me off, Sorry as you were

Would be a very easy mistake to make unless seeing them side-by-side, to be fair

[CJM36]

soxboy said:

Mine is a June 05 2.7 Tip, arctic silver with black leather. The VIN check shows the extras are 18" Boxster S wheels with coloured crest, electronic air con (not working now), Bose, CD multichanger, park assist, sports seats with crest, extended leather.

It would be nice if it had heated seats, I wasn't sure whether to replace the radio for a double DIN unit but I've come to like the fact that it's my only car where I can still play my CDs.

I bought it from a trader mate with a view to flipping it, however I soon got quite attached to it and still have it 4 years later.

Looks good!

Doesn't surprise me you've decided to hold onto it for that long!

[CJM36]

ronmac7 said:

Enjoying reading of your boxter ownership, but am surprised that as these cars are mainly 05 2.7 model years that there has been no mention of ims bearing fears. As I understand at that age they will still have the older type bearing fitted and the the more robust bearing was not fitted until late 06 /07 that could be identified by the engine number.
I know that the 2.7 was not as prone to failure as the 3.2 but it would be interested to hear your thoughts on this, more so as I would like to own one in the future.

Thanks!
I'll be honest, I too am surprised that the letters IMS have not been uttered here yet. I did a lot of research into this and found that as you said, the bearing was upgraded, my understanding was late 2005 early 2006, and I know it is after a certain engine number. Regardless, mines will have the less desired bearing.
Further from my research I determined that if the car has made it this far without on, it is highly unlikely it will fail now. Further, if you are part of any of the other Porsche Forums/Facebook groups, you will be hard pushed to find a 2.7 987 of any year that has suffered IMS failure. The last time the oil was changed prior to purchase, I had them inspect the oil and they sent over pictures of the filter and oil itself, which showed no metal particles. I contacted the Specialist who had serviced it with the last owner, who confirmed oil changes were frequent and nothing suspect was ever found.

However, I will still likely replace the IMS bearing when I do the clutch and flywheel which is still a small while away. It will add additional cost, but it is amongst the cheapest models to replace IMS bearings on. Plus, if I ever sell the car "IMS done" will attract a lot of attention because there is so much paranoia surrounding them.

What you have to remember at the end of the day is that a tiny % of cars failed, but the vast majority of cases are generated from 986 and 996 cars. Personally, I wouldn't base an entire search based off of an IMS bearing, especially because people see green when they advertise a car which has had the work done, and add a massive premium. If you find a car with good history, spec, and condition, at the right price, I'd go with that.

[CJM36]

is200 said:

I've got a Dec 2005 2.7 with the M96.25 engine. I did some research before buying and one bit of info I came across was on the porscheclubgb.com site:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=9615...

"M96/25 engine. Up to engine number 61.504715 had the smaller IMS bearing, which although obsolete can be changed/upgraded by removing the transmission only. From engine number 61.504716 a larger IMS bearing was fitted, and cannot be removed without stripping the engine."

The upgraded bearing was fitted from around April 2005 from what I've read but also failure does not seem that frequent on the 2.7.

Just to add, not sure if this is 100% accurate, just what I read on another forum, my engine starts 61.6xxxxx so I'm happy!!

Edited by is200 on Wednesday 24th February 16:20

Awesome! Probably is April 2005, I think with all the different and sometimes contradictory info out there it is near on impossible for anyone to be 100% accurate, but you've put it well.

Read you have a YouTube channel, whats the name? Thanks!

[CJM36]

shalmaneser said:

The M96 engines which have tended to be the most troublesome are the 996.2 and 986.2 motors, the 3.4 from the 987.1 and apparently most of the 997.1 lumps. But even then it's far from a dead cert something will go wrong.

The rest seem to be pretty solid all things considered. And of these motors I've listed I'd be more concerned about bore score than IMS bearings. People used to get hung up on rear main seals (RMS) but at the end of the day that's just an annoying bit of oil weepage, really not the end of the world.

Very useful, thank you!
My Boxster has a tiny weep from the RMS but it is tiny, and although I spare no expense on the car and fix everything that goes wrong, I'm rational and I won't be away to pull a 'box just to replace it until it gets worse or needs a clutch.

[CJM36]

is200 said:

I'm Rav, yep I have a Youtube channel where I've done a few minor bits on the Boxster and on my other cars as well as some random stuff. Something to do during the lockdowns.

Link is below if you want to have a look, forgive some of the video quality, new to all that, working on improving!!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVZQK4xhRFAlr9dG4...

Not sure if you are on it but boxa.net is a really good forum.

Cheers,
Rav

Perfect, thank you! Hope everyone else checks your channel out too.

[CJM36]

So, as promised, whilst I have a minute, here is a quick list of things I plan to/would like to do in time - hopefully a good few before travel is allowed again. I have also probably missed a few things, but regardless:

Exterior Cosmetics:
- Have the little imperfections seen to by a PDR specialist
- Polish fog lights
- Paint brake callipers (I know its sacrilege but I LOVE the yellow of PCCB's, would suit the car so may go that colour)
- 'sport edition' front splitters
- A different set of wheels (Carrera Sports)
- New rear mud guards (beginning to look tatty and discoloured)

Interior Cosmetics:
- All black plastics (like centre console) refurbed
- Restore drivers bolster (one of the previous owners must have put a bit of weight on it getting in and out)
- AC button resto - stickers as temp solution most likely
- Sports plus seats if I can find
- Steering wheel refurb

Suspension:
- New top mounts
- Lowering springs of some sort

Other stuff:
- Alignment
- Exhaust upgrade of some sort (be that carnewal using the existing one, or a new one all together)
- New discs and pads all round
- GT3 brake ducts

I know for a fact I will have missed stuff, so I'll chuck more on if I think of them.

[CJM36]

Yep, I forgot to add that I will be looking to change the tyres in the next few weeks - likely Michelin PS2's

[CJM36]

shalmaneser said:

Have a look at Goodyear Asymmetric 5. Really good value and getting some great reviews, the PS2 is getting on a bit now. I've got the Asy5's on my 996 and they're lovely.

Thanks for recommendaing them, I'll definitely give them a look as PS2's, as you said, are getting on a bit. Plus I would imagine are more expensive than the Goodyears

[CJM36]

croyde said:

Nice thread. Has given me the hankering for a 987 again.

Had one back in 2005 in Seal Grey.

I have just bought a Duster as my current daily. I'd highly recommend it if you are still looking. Cost me £10.5k brand new.

As to the rubberised paint. I still have the umbrella that came with my 2.7.

It's rubberised handle has become all sticky and it's peeling. 70% alcohol isopropyl is great at getting rid of it. Quite a bit of rubbing with a cloth will sort it but it will take it back to the base plastic if you are not too careful and you'll then lose the texture.

Thanks!

My grandfather got a Duster not too long ago, and having driven it, I would consider one. Although since he didn't want to essentially give away his owned from new, 2008 Berlingo, with very low miles, he gave it away - to me. The garage offered him next to nothing, and he was fond of the van so wanted it to go to a good home. However, it now has me thinking, I can make it swallow bikes and all the crap the Mini would have to, and sell the Mini for a hot hatch. Hmmmm...

[CJM36]

Been a while since I posted, but I have just been busy driving Berlingo's and Mini's, making my brothers Mazda RX8 run for the first time in a year, and various work bits.

Since last time, I fitted the summer wheels and tyres. Cleaned inside the arches at the same time, not as in depth as I would have liked but daylight was against me. I have ordered new clips for the cover in the frunk, as one broke recently - £18 for one online, £5 for one from Porsche Aberdeen. Guess where I bought from. Still a rip off for a clip that size, but that is Porsche Tax.

I have driven the car whenever the opportunity presents itself, but that tends to only be restricted to the weekend and within the bounds of my constituency, as requested by the sausages trying to run Scotland.

Here it is looking shiny on an essentials detour;



I recently booked Goodwood FOS, optimistic, I know! Will be road tripping down with a mate in his MX5, hoping it goes forward.

My efforts outside of work and the likes has been focussed on putting right a Citroen Berlingo - the van needed a new steering rack, brakes all round, top mounts and a new injector. Worth keeping it on the road as it is 1 owner, and utterly immaculate. It is already carpeted fully in the rear, and has had a new set of steelies which cost less than the tires the van is now on.

What will I do with the van? Well, the dog loves it, so whenever I take him out he sits in the back keeping a watchful eye on my driving standards. I also plan to put bikes in the back all summer long, and in winter, I may try and kit it out to make a return to motorsport - karting specifically. I had a great time at it a few years ago, just a dad and lad set up with a transit, but we really challenged at the front in most events, I even managed to get a few awards and championship wins. I tend to be very humble but I am simply too motorsport and car centric to not talk about my karting. I had the opportunity to get into single seaters, but my parents couldn't sacrifice that sort of capital, nor would I have wanted them to - it would have meant my dad selling his beloved, at the time, 987 Cayman S, which is something he worked so damn hard for. I am still trying to find that car, and his first Porsche - a Blue Cayenne S (955).

The Mini; well, now that the Berlingo is there for the using, has been used even less - washed more times than it has been fuelled this year. So, with a diesel van, a less sensible daily is now an option. Golf GTI, Clio RS, Audi S1, etc...

When I have driven the Boxster recently, I have heard the beginnings of what appears to be typical top mount wear. I will likely do all top mounts and new shocks and springs in the next couple of weeks, perhaps upgrade from the standard Bilsteins, price dependant.

Lastly, here is my old mans 718 Cayman T on a really good local road, managed to take it out and give it a decent drive - I love the way he specced it, 918 Buckets, Manual, and very little other options - there is a long story behind this car and the experience he had with getting it - this is a replacement one, not the first one...

And soon it should be replaced by a GT4. I would be ecstatic for him, he reckons that'll be a car he keeps forever. I believe that. He also reckons it is the last car he will ever buy. I know him too well to even entertain this idea.

[CJM36]

Little update.

Friday saw the allowance of local travel here in Scotland, so it would have been rude not to go for a drive. Me and a couple of mates had pre organised a drive for Friday, having all of us had the afternoon off. They had both recently acquired new cars, one a Fiesta ST-2, another an NB MX5. First time seeing the new cars, which was cool.

[CJM36]

Heaveho said:

There's a sticky on Boxanet that would indicate the 3.2 received the larger bearing from a specific chassis number onwards in 2005..........in theory mine falls into the later category. However, there's been years of conjecture about this, and I've never seen anyone post a pic proving the point, so I guess I'll find out for sure about mine when it needs a clutch. Or the bearing fails.............

Boxanet is useful, I should really use it more!

Just ordered stuff to give the car a service before heavy use over summer. Not to replace the stamped ones by specialists, but just for my piece of mind in between services. And I feel it is good practice anyway.

[CJM36]

Agreed, so useful as well!

[CJM36]

Bit of an update.

Car has been running well, did a mini road trip and lots of miles, pretty much faultless. Was actually away to buy a new set of tyres for it today but I had to run out and do something.

On my way home, I had stopped at a pedestrian crossing to let someone cross, and when stationary, was rear ended by a car doing at least 30. Damage looks superficial but I can almost guarantee it’s not. Annoyed, and gutted.

Just have to see what the approved repairer says. In the case it’s a write off, and the buy back is appealing, I’ll probably go down that route and rebuild the car to my desired OEM+ spec.

The main thing is everyone was okay, and I stayed relatively calm, except when I initially got out the car and called the third party every expletive under the sun. By the time I’d shifted the car to a safe place though, I’d calmed sufficiently.

[CJM36]

It's just come upon me, that I have entirely neglected this thread in the past few months.

A new job and not actually having the car for a long time being the main reason.

Last time I updated I was unsure of the severity of the damage - this lasted about 2 weeks with the insurance providers approved repairer taking a while to even get the chance to look at the car. Once they finally got round to looking at the car it was determined they would have to begin to strip it to see the extent of the damage - although they were extremely busy, so this was delayed a while.
Fortunately, I had Goodwood Festival of Speed to distract me from the car. It was amazing and by far the highlight of the year. The display stands weren't quite as extravagant as 2019 but I think that was only to be expected. The weather stayed brilliant for us, and the cars going up the hill climb, both old and new, were incredible. The highlight of the new cars being exhibited, for me, was undoubtedly the new Lotus. I could go on and on about FOS, so I'll save you the pain and continue on the topic at hand.

I had to rush back from Goodwood on Sunday evening to make it home for starting the new job on the Monday, so I stayed distracted with that for a week too whilst I settled in. Finally, I was told that the repairs were going ahead. It would seem as though the crash bar did wonders (as it should) and the tub itself was entirely untouched. I hate to think what the total bill was for the repair, however it included a new exhaust tip, a new bumper, new crash bar, new fittings, + labour + paint - so it can't have been cheap.



Delays in getting parts, and rejecting the initial repair due to poor paint match, meant I didn't see the car again until late July.

Since then, the car has had plenty of miles added, small road trips with friends (see below the Gilbern Invader), attended local car shows, and been used to daily drive.





I then found the exhaust to be leaking at the seem on the drivers side backbox - ordered a TopGear backbox replacement - it is loud, but it sounds fantastic in my opinion! Helps that it was a reasonably priced one too, although not the main reason for purchase.

Then, it was service time. I actually ended up putting the car to my local Porsche Centre, who did it at a great price, and provided an excellent service - 10/10 would recommend Porsche Aberdeen. They gave me a sufficient list confirming things I knew would need future attention (drop links, front discs, RMS, low tone horn, cleaning a few brake lines up etc). All of this will be done over winter, along with some new tyres too.





I'm not usually one to tuck cars away for winter however corrosion really doesn't tickle my pickle, so I think once the salt hits the roads I'll purchase a fun car to use over winter, whilst I tidy up the Boxster ready to munch more miles - but then again, I think I'd miss driving it too much, and what is a car if not for driving. I do fancy a Clio RS, whether a 172, 182, 197, or 200. Or a golf MK5 GTI. Or... well the list goes on. then sell it and continue enjoying the Boxster.

Overall, I'm just glad it's finally back with me - I didn't realise how much I missed driving the car, it is such a fantastic experience, and makes every journey an occasion. I can't wait to get it fully dialled over the next few months.