Looking for my first 981 Boxster

[Z430i]

Hi all,

I've owned multiple Z4s over the past few years with my current being a 2012 30i, but decided it's now time to upgrade to a nice 981 Boxster.

I know BMWs inside and out when it comes to options and features but very little so far about Porsche so turning to the experts for advice before I begin my hunt.

My budget is around £26k so I know my choices will be limited but I have seen a few available within that price. Heated seats a must, and would prefer an auto box but would consider a manual for the right car.

My question now is what options are considered "must have" and what are the common pitfalls and issues I'm likely to uncover at some point?

Thanks in advance!

[Z430i]

Also, I use ISTA for diagnostics etc with an OBD2 kcan cable I got from bcables. What's the Porsche equivalent software I'd want to read up on?

[stevemcs]

For me all i would want is sports exhaust and small wheels although the 20" carreras help resale, I agree on heated seats too, however for your budget you are right at the bottom end of the market if wanting PDK.

[Z430i]

Cheers. I've got 19s on my Z4 currently but would ideally drop down to 18s to improve the ride a little

Edited by Z430i on Tuesday 25th June 19:28

[mr pg]

You'll be looking at a 2.7, and these tend to be less well specced. If going for pdk (I have one) sports chrono (can be retro fitted) is well worth having, along with paddles rather than the button style steering wheel. PASM is very good if you can get it, and a must for me were the sports plus seats. I'd suggest trying the standard seats as well as these to see what you prefer.
Many 981's come on 20's, instead of 19's. Don't think I've seen 18's, which weren't available on the S anyway. I had PSE fitted only back in March nearly 4 years into owership. What a sound! Should have done it earlier.

[GameofCars]

Buy my one - Silver one at Dovehouse. Reckon you could get it for £30K. Sadly only had it for a few months - moved to Yorkshire & work from home meant we only only need the Cayenne.

[Green1man]

The range of options is extensive and everyone will have their own must haves, so without a good time familiarising yourself with all the options I would say just look at some of the cars in your price range and pick the one you are happiest with. Choose on condition and history rather than spec, all options have the engine, handling, and looks, they are the only must haves.

[anonymous-user]

Green1man said:

I would say just look at some of the cars in your price range and pick the one you are happiest with. Choose on condition and history rather than spec, all options have the engine, handling, and looks, they are the only must haves.

+1

[Magnum 475]

rockin said:

Green1man said:

I would say just look at some of the cars in your price range and pick the one you are happiest with. Choose on condition and history rather than spec, all options have the engine, handling, and looks, they are the only must haves.

+1

+2. More, I'd buy a 3.4 with fewer options over a highly optioned 2.7 any time.

[LordGrover]

...and I'd do the opposite.
Very happy with my humble 2.7 black edition which comes with a good spec. Only things I'd choose over and above mine is PASM and extended leather.

Whatever you end up with, you'll be very happy with a 981. I too had a Z4 prior to my first boxster. E89 35i DCT which was good, but not in the same ball park.

[Zagamuffin1]

Hey ,

Another current Z4 owner and just bought my first BoxS after nine months of looking, would recommend you pop into Mike and Tom at Ashgood farm as I was there Friday prior to buying mine and had worked out offers on three cars..they have a huge selection of 981s from 2.7 to 3.4s and every spec imaginable but the best part is they can sway bits about.if your choice doesn’t have paddles,h seats ,cruise,etc they can fit and price the car to your budget.if there was one or two options or three must haves I’d have to have is PDK/PSE/20”

Would recommend the mahogany (Purple flip) 3.4S they have, would have bought it if another super spec car hadn’t popped up......

No connection with them but just well treated and a lovely setting ...

[PowerMalc]

Essential options I went for when speccing a new 2.7
Wind deflector
Parking sensors front and rear
Heated seats
Cruise control

[bcr5784]

I think you will find there are a wide variety of opinions on "must haves".

Personally I'd avoid 20" wheels unless you have PASM (20s do nothing for the handling and spoil the ride - just a cosmetic choice) They are a popular however, so will probably increase the initially price but subsequently make it a tad easier to sell.

PSE is noisier than the standard exhaust even when "off" and drones at motorway speeds so I'd be avoiding that too.

PDK is much more popular than manual - but commands a significantly higher purchase price. Both boxes are very good so it's a personal choice, but again PDK will be easier to sell.

2.7 engine is the nicer engine but does need revs to get decent performance (all 981s are compromised by high gearing - but manuals are worse in that respect) /the 3.4 pulls the gears better and is the more relaxing car to drive as a result. But a 2.7 is significantly cheaper.

The standard car's aircon isn't climate so be aware - probably not such a big deal if you go everywhere with the roof down when possible.

Sat Nav, DAB and even bluetooth connectivity are NOT standard so check - particularly if the price is low. It will be difficult to sell without most of that.

None of the sound systems are that much cop and the car is noisy at motorway speeds, so don't get too excited about, for example Bose - which is very disappointing.

There are a myriad of trim options which you may want - particularly if you have a leather fetish.

The standard Sports seats don't suit anyone in my family - so worth familiarising yourself with options in that area.

My only personal MUST have would be PASM - it's magic, gives a super ride at toodling speeds (especially with smaller wheels) but adapts very well and is ideal for fast road work on decent roads in Sport. Rear parking sensors (at least) would be on my list for a daily.

Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 26th June 08:37

[anonymous-user]

PowerMalc said:

Essential options I went for when speccing a new 2.7
Wind deflector
Parking sensors front and rear
Heated seats
Cruise control

Those are decent suggestions IMO. My car has very few options but it has all of those items except heated seats. Personally I don't feel the need for them.

People like to moan about the upgraded stereos but the key point is that if you like your music you won't want the base stereo. Bose isn't the be-all and end-all but it's IMO significantly better and not absurdly expensive. On the same subject you'll find some cars specified with USB and some without so if that's important to you, choose carefully. Porsche are able to retro-fit a lot of stuff to a used car but it can be costly.

For my taste sports chrono and noisy exhaust are expensive toys and PASM isn't necessary, particularly if you avoid huge wheels. Different people will have differing views on these.

[DJMC]

Sound System Plus is a decent upgrade in a noisy car, no need for Bose.

Make sure it has mobile phone prep for hands free.

PSE is a pain as has been said. It drones and gave me a headache in courtesy cars. Try it first, on a motorway at 70 for 10 minutes with it switched OFF! Drone...

Sports seats plus can cramp some people's shoulders - try them out and compare to standard sport seats. None are as good as BMW sports seats. Mine has 14 way memory seats with electric column - great, but not common on a 2.7.

PASM (I have it) would be a top priority but not so common on 2.7 which is the engine to go for - 3.4 has you speeding more often - I tried both before choosing the 2.7. Standard suspension with 20s didn't cause me too much worry in the test drives I did before landing a PASM car.

PDK more common than manual. Easier in a daily driver. Manual has a stiff clutch, try one.

Sports Chrono is a waste of time. Sports button is standard and ups the revs sufficiently.

Reject any with push/pull button steering wheel. It can be swapped for paddle Sport Design wheel but at £1500 or so.

Cruise can be retro fitted at about £500 if you shop around OPCs.

Aircon rather than dual climate isn't a deal breaker, neither is auto wipers and auto dimming rear view mirror. Having had the latter in BMWs for years it's refreshing to be in control of otherwise "mad" wipers (a BMW trait) and to be able to see cars at night when alongside, in the door mirrors.

Check the tyre inflator is in its box under the plastic trim at the top rear of the froot.

[Z430i]

Thanks very much to all for the responses.

I usually find asking people's opinions gives you a wide view of everything available.

Regarding the PASM, this is something I'd generally avoid on a BMW due to astronomical repair/replacement costs compared to standard suspension. Same situation?

Sport exhaust was something I'd considered but the drone concerns me. I had a lightly modified OE box on an older Z4 and it was unbearable. My current E89 has a lovely burble without any mod so I may avoid that.

Will probably go for 19" wheels max. I assume the 20s have a ridiculously small sidewall and therefor pretty uncomfortable? I live in Edinburgh so plenty of cobbled streets to content with!

Wind deflector I agree is a must.

DAB and phone prep definitely nice to have, but will be unlikely to use any dates sat nav system. Also rarely use cruise control so not required there

Edited by Z430i on Wednesday 26th June 16:47

[bcr5784]

Z430i said:

Regarding the PASM, this is something I'd generally avoid on a BMW due to astronomical repair/replacement costs compared to standard suspension. Same situation?



DAB and phone prep definitely nice to have, but will be unlikely to use any dates sat nav system. Also rarely use cruise control so not required there

Edited by Z430i on Wednesday 26th June 16:47

Not sure about repair costs , but I've not heard of any failures. Repair costs might be an issue with sport chrono - the dynamic engine mounts don't seem that reliable. PDK repairs are extremely expensive - it's a box swap - but they seem very reliable too.

I'd seriously consider sat nav - you may not use it, but others might consider dangling wires from your phone rather low rent. That said drive a hard bargain on price if it comes without. Subsequent buyers will.

Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 26th June 17:04

[Zagamuffin1]

One of my must haves was 20” rims and according to the majority it helps a lot to have Pasm as its active all the time and has a range in on and off.while off its softer or hard than std as needed which is needed with big wheels on Irish roads and on is normally for smooth motorway /autobahn or track use only.Anything will be more comfortable after my present E85 Z4 as I’ve lowered it 50mm on Sachs shocks and on 19” 30 profile tyres.to be honest it’s more of a looker than a handler atm.

[Koln-RS]

Had a look at the 981 market last year, and lots for sale, but a bewildering no. of permutations to consider - Cayman or Boxster, year (2012-16), engine (2.7 or 3.4), gearbox (man or pdk), mileage (low, high, average), seller (private, trade, OPC), exterior colour, interior colour, warranty, options - heated seats, cruise, climate, pasm, wheels, pse, paddle shift, sport chrono, seats, leather, pdc, pdls, pcm……………..
Trying to get all the holes in the cheese to line up - at the correct price - is quite a task.
If it's any consolation prices will start to ease back in a couple of months.
Good luck

Edited by Koln-RS on Thursday 27th June 08:30

[Z430i]

Thanks all.

Lots of good looking cars for sale at the moment. Particularly like these ones I've seen...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...