boxster buyer
Author
Discussion

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Sunday 14th November 2004
quotequote all
hello im thinking of buying a boxster for my mrs but have been told about a few with blown engines and faulty shafts/bearings also that the 2.5 is not very reliable does anyone have any advice thanks

Jay-Aim

598 posts

267 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
see other thread


The main issue with the Boxster is the RMS

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
ive been told quite a few different things about them early 2.5 and 2.7 are crap engines and later 2.7 and 3.2 are ok the early ones have problems with the head and balancer shaft i dont know what to do know as being a porsche they should be top notch with very few problems

Glenn McMenamin

2,305 posts

264 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
Tommy,

If you get one of the full inspections prior to buying, then it should pull up whether or not the rear main seal is weeping (RMS). If dry, then it could and should run for ever. However, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when or if they can go.
Some cars have been reported to go after just being delivered, others have had no probs, so pot luck i think.

I certainly don't think that is as wide spread is you may think

Go for the 2.7, as it has a lot more grunt.

G.

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
ive driven all of them and none seem that fast im buying it for my mrs as a christmas present and getting rid off her very fast Z3M i cant honestly say she should swap i think the bm is far better to drive and the performance makes boxsters look like there going backwards

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
ive driven all of them and none seem that fast im buying it for my mrs as a christmas present and getting rid off her very fast Z3M i cant honestly say she should swap i think the bm is far better to drive and the performance makes boxsters look like there going backwards

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
ive driven all of them and none seem that fast im buying it for my mrs as a christmas present and getting rid off her very fast Z3M i cant honestly say she should swap i think the bm is far better to drive and the performance makes boxsters look like there going backwards

Don

28,378 posts

310 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
[trite answer]
But did it go around corners?
[/trite answer]

I've driven a range of Z3s but never the 'M'. The ones I tried were soggy things - OK but not a sports car. People who've had the 'M' have been very complimentary about it, though.

So if she shouldn't change why is she?

BTW: Boxster prices are funny around the 20K mark. Get the latest car you can for the money. Personally I'd find a little more cash and have the 'S'. 260bhp. After the 320(ish) of the Z3M it may be a bit more acceptable...

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Monday 15th November 2004
quotequote all
im thinking about the 3.2 ive heard there ok engine wise at least

Don

28,378 posts

310 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
tommywalsh said:
im thinking about the 3.2 ive heard there ok engine wise at least


Its the one to go for IMHO (having had two). Its a nice engine - very smooth. In fact the car has the best managed engine/drivetrain combination I've ever driven thinking about it. Its easy to be very, very smooth in it.

Which makes it nice for chauffeur style and track style driving!

Hope you/she likes the car!

GreigM

6,740 posts

275 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
The reliability question is a bit of a myth and old wives tales.

Some early 2.5s had problems with slipped liners - most have been discovered or failed already, and it was few in the first place. This was fixed within about 6 months of build, so unless its a very early car then its not a problem.

A 2.7 and 3.2 of the same year is exactly the same engine with only a difference in capacity. The 3.2 is not inherently more (or less) reliable than a 2.7 of the same year.

There have been blown engines, extremely uncommon and no more so than any other manufacturer. However if the engine does go it can be very expensive 12-14K for a boxster, so you might want to invest in a warranty - Porsche themselves will warrant the car for up to 10yrs old, and relieve you of around £600-700 for the pleasure.

RMS is the only issue - technically its not a big deal and you could potentially drive for years with it leaking and never know - see pcgb thread here for more information:
www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=83304

the issue with the RMS is really Porsche's attitude towards customers more than the technical issue.

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Tuesday 16th November 2004
quotequote all
ive been told that the later engined cars are ok now but the earlier stuff are no good 2.7 and 3.2 are good im led to beleive its just the 2.5 so now im unsure this is from a porsche mate of mine with two flat front 911 turbos

BliarOut

72,863 posts

265 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
if the Boxster 2.5 is so slow, why did the Z3M on the way to BTaP struggle to keep up

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
how can you say that honestly look at the power difference you loony the z3m could beat one with a missfire on 2 cylinders

Don

28,378 posts

310 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
tommywalsh said:
how can you say that honestly look at the power difference you loony the z3m could beat one with a missfire on 2 cylinders



"Power is nothing without control."

The Z3M is, without doubt, a stunningly potent car. However - it does not have the reputation for handling that the Boxster does. Its quite possible that on track the Boxster would be the quicker car.

I'd be hugely surprised if it was point to point on road though. On road power is largely king as one has to corner based on the limit of visibility not the limit of grip - and once you have the sightline acceleration to cruising speed really counts.

I suspect a Boxster S would give a Z3M a fair run for its money, though. About the same weight and only 50bhp down or so...IIRC.

Z3M: 300bhp - 320bhp (ish). BoxS: 260bhp.

>> Edited by Don on Wednesday 17th November 17:54

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Wednesday 17th November 2004
quotequote all
i understand what youre saying but 61bhp is 61bhp and that counts for everything were more into the proper porsche figures not half figures of boxsters

BliarOut

72,863 posts

265 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
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If you have a Z3M and you want to play, I'm game

In a straight line, the Z3M would beat the Boxster, but that's not driving, that's drag racing

I'm afraid it's true, the Boxster will outrun many supposedly quicker cars as soon as the road is twisty.

Not only does it track inch perfect with loads of feedback, but it is extremely easy to drive on the limit with the tyres sliding.

I'll take the Z3M challenge anyday

Oh and yes, I drove one before I bought the Boxster.

>> Edited by BliarOut on Thursday 18th November 09:56

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE THEN i would love to give you a good pasting in your underpowered pretend porsche

tommywalsh

Original Poster:

35 posts

259 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
bye the way do you expect your engine to last as long as your repayments

Don

28,378 posts

310 months

Thursday 18th November 2004
quotequote all
tommywalsh said:
TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE THEN i would love to give you a good pasting in your underpowered pretend porsche


So you're not going to be buying her one then.