2005 Boxster 2.7 .... Sell or spend?
Discussion
Forgive the waffling post …. Just trying to justify my man maths.
My wife has a 2005 Boxster 2.7 which will shortly be surplus to requirements (8 months pregnant and new Mazda CX5 arriving imminently).
I’ve been considering options on what to do with the Porsche rather than sell as I’m really quite fond of it and chances are if it’s sold now with a baby on the way I won’t get another opportunity to own a 2 seat convertible for a while. I think it could be a keeper for weekend use, it’s on 80k ish and is worth £7k ish,
My question is though …. I’m not chasing any more power but are there any recommended mods which really improve the car? Things that make it a little more special, engaging and rewarding to drive.
Current thoughts:
a) Update PCM to a modern equivalent.
b) Wheel re-trim in Alcantara + new gear-knob.
c) Red-seat belts (any recommendations at a reasonable price?)
d) Interior re-trim, the drivers bolster and alcantara bases are a little tired. I’m thinking black with red stitching.
Has anyone used these? I know they’re for a 911 but I think the seats are the same?
https://www.lseat.com/products/2005-2012-porsche-9...
e) New boots all round (tyres are circa. 5 yrs old), what’s recommended? Should I stick with the standard tyre size? (It’s on 17’s). I think I’ve heard of people reducing the rear tyre width to reduce rear grip levels?
f) Wheel spacers for a wider track. What’s recommended? Do they make any difference?
g) Suspension. What’s recommended for a compliant road car? (Bilstein B4/6/8 or something else?) Should I lower it at all?
h) Geometry / alignment. Anything I need to know or just standard settings.
i) Bushes. What should be replaced as part of a refresh? Any ideas on parts costs involved?
That’s about it. Thoughts?
My wife has a 2005 Boxster 2.7 which will shortly be surplus to requirements (8 months pregnant and new Mazda CX5 arriving imminently).
I’ve been considering options on what to do with the Porsche rather than sell as I’m really quite fond of it and chances are if it’s sold now with a baby on the way I won’t get another opportunity to own a 2 seat convertible for a while. I think it could be a keeper for weekend use, it’s on 80k ish and is worth £7k ish,
My question is though …. I’m not chasing any more power but are there any recommended mods which really improve the car? Things that make it a little more special, engaging and rewarding to drive.
Current thoughts:
a) Update PCM to a modern equivalent.
b) Wheel re-trim in Alcantara + new gear-knob.
c) Red-seat belts (any recommendations at a reasonable price?)
d) Interior re-trim, the drivers bolster and alcantara bases are a little tired. I’m thinking black with red stitching.
Has anyone used these? I know they’re for a 911 but I think the seats are the same?
https://www.lseat.com/products/2005-2012-porsche-9...
e) New boots all round (tyres are circa. 5 yrs old), what’s recommended? Should I stick with the standard tyre size? (It’s on 17’s). I think I’ve heard of people reducing the rear tyre width to reduce rear grip levels?
f) Wheel spacers for a wider track. What’s recommended? Do they make any difference?
g) Suspension. What’s recommended for a compliant road car? (Bilstein B4/6/8 or something else?) Should I lower it at all?
h) Geometry / alignment. Anything I need to know or just standard settings.
i) Bushes. What should be replaced as part of a refresh? Any ideas on parts costs involved?
That’s about it. Thoughts?
If you like it, and can keep it, you should 
There are options to disable the passenger airbags for child seats down the track.
All the interior stuff is personal taste, but replacing PCM with CarPlay or similar makes it feel much more modern.
Suspension depends how tired it feels and whether anything has been refreshed over the years. Can get costly if you do it all properly.
Recommend tyres are Michelin or Eagle F1.
One thing you didn't mention is exhaust. Several options are available, but Carnewal seems to be the go to.
There are options to disable the passenger airbags for child seats down the track.
All the interior stuff is personal taste, but replacing PCM with CarPlay or similar makes it feel much more modern.
Suspension depends how tired it feels and whether anything has been refreshed over the years. Can get costly if you do it all properly.
Recommend tyres are Michelin or Eagle F1.
One thing you didn't mention is exhaust. Several options are available, but Carnewal seems to be the go to.
I've got a 3.2s from the same year, and the only thing that I have done it change the PCM for a Pioneer CarPlay unit (Android equivalent now available).
Even if you don't feel like you use it that much, it just makes the car feel much more modern - full phone integration, voice control, music easy to find/select, Spotify, decent Satnav etc. I normally hate after-market stuff, but I think this even looks nicer as it is all screen rather than the mass of buttons that dominate the PCM.
It could even have been self-financing when I did it as the PCM was worth more on eBay than the cost of the Pioneer. I kept the PCM, but realistically it's never going to go back in.
Even if you don't feel like you use it that much, it just makes the car feel much more modern - full phone integration, voice control, music easy to find/select, Spotify, decent Satnav etc. I normally hate after-market stuff, but I think this even looks nicer as it is all screen rather than the mass of buttons that dominate the PCM.
It could even have been self-financing when I did it as the PCM was worth more on eBay than the cost of the Pioneer. I kept the PCM, but realistically it's never going to go back in.
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