Discussion
After the recent demise of my Westfield (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=2016641&p=1) I'd started to shop around for a replacement. Had to be convertible, manual and 'interesting'. My first choice was an Elise s3 however after trying one I realised I'm too tall and too fat 
, I also couldn't really afford one. I haven't fully given up on the idea yet, just need to lose some weight and gain some ££.
So as it's a year of firsts, 1st v8, 1st Merc, 1st written off car, thought it was time for a first Porsche.
So here it is a 2009 gen2 987s. 55k on the clock and a decent service history. My Porsche beard is thin and patchy but I think it's a fairly basic spec but does have my 2 first choice items, a manual box and bum warmers.
It does need a bit of work to bring it up to standard. Last mot showed advisories for a coolant leak at the front so it's going to need coolant pipes and some scabby brake lines need replacing and a slight bobble from the front suspension arms. The passenger side window reg had also failed.
The fact that it needed work was a plus point for me as I like a project and the car was cheap enough to absorb the costs and still be ok the other side.
As it came, it's quite grubby in places and needs a full scrub.
So whilst the Scottish monsoon weather abated for a day I cracked on with the window regulator.
Was pretty mangled.
I normally dread doing regs but this one was very straightforward. I went for an OEM one as Porsche Glasgow had one on the shelf.
Gave it a quick scrub and looks better already.
First impressions of the car are pretty good. I enjoyed the test drive way more than I expected and the 100 miles home were decent too despite the heavy rain all the way.
So on the immediate list to do
Coolant pipes.
Brake lines.
Front Suspension arms (coffin arms?)
Full service.
Check all the drains are clear.
Once they are done I have a list of bits and pieces to improve things. The headlights are yellowing a bit and the bulbs are hopeless need to work out what I have and how they can be improved. I'd like to swap to a double din head unit to get android auto and give it a full proper detail.
, I also couldn't really afford one. I haven't fully given up on the idea yet, just need to lose some weight and gain some ££.So as it's a year of firsts, 1st v8, 1st Merc, 1st written off car, thought it was time for a first Porsche.
So here it is a 2009 gen2 987s. 55k on the clock and a decent service history. My Porsche beard is thin and patchy but I think it's a fairly basic spec but does have my 2 first choice items, a manual box and bum warmers.
It does need a bit of work to bring it up to standard. Last mot showed advisories for a coolant leak at the front so it's going to need coolant pipes and some scabby brake lines need replacing and a slight bobble from the front suspension arms. The passenger side window reg had also failed.
The fact that it needed work was a plus point for me as I like a project and the car was cheap enough to absorb the costs and still be ok the other side.
As it came, it's quite grubby in places and needs a full scrub.
So whilst the Scottish monsoon weather abated for a day I cracked on with the window regulator.
Was pretty mangled.
I normally dread doing regs but this one was very straightforward. I went for an OEM one as Porsche Glasgow had one on the shelf.
Gave it a quick scrub and looks better already.
First impressions of the car are pretty good. I enjoyed the test drive way more than I expected and the 100 miles home were decent too despite the heavy rain all the way.
So on the immediate list to do
Coolant pipes.
Brake lines.
Front Suspension arms (coffin arms?)
Full service.
Check all the drains are clear.
Once they are done I have a list of bits and pieces to improve things. The headlights are yellowing a bit and the bulbs are hopeless need to work out what I have and how they can be improved. I'd like to swap to a double din head unit to get android auto and give it a full proper detail.
Very nice. Well done on finding one in colour -mostly they seem to just come in black-and-white…
If the PCM (satnav/ICE) is working correctly then I would suggest getting an add-on for CarPlay/Android Auto: I have been running a Mr12Volt unit for a couple of months and it’s very good.
Upgrading the lights to factory HIDs is theoretically possible, but unfeasibly expensive; plenty seem to manage to get LED bulbs through the MOT, although it’s not strictly legit.
Heaps of useful info for Boxsters on Boxa.net if you’re not already on there.
If the PCM (satnav/ICE) is working correctly then I would suggest getting an add-on for CarPlay/Android Auto: I have been running a Mr12Volt unit for a couple of months and it’s very good.
Upgrading the lights to factory HIDs is theoretically possible, but unfeasibly expensive; plenty seem to manage to get LED bulbs through the MOT, although it’s not strictly legit.
Heaps of useful info for Boxsters on Boxa.net if you’re not already on there.
Edited by IroningMan on Monday 9th October 21:53
IroningMan said:
Very nice. Well done on finding one in colour -mostly they seem to just come in black-and-white…
If the PCM (satnav/ICE) is working correctly then I would suggest getting an add-on for CarPlay/Android Auto: I have been running a Mr12Volt unit for a couple of months and it’s very good.
Upgrading the lights to factory HIDs is theoretically possible, but unfeasibly expensive; plenty seem to manage to get LED bulbs through the MOT, although it’s not strictly legit.
Heaps of useful info for Boxsters on Boxa.net if you’re not already on there.
Cheers for the info. My stereo is more basic than the one in your pic doesn't have nav etc. Will do some reading up to see if that units compatible.If the PCM (satnav/ICE) is working correctly then I would suggest getting an add-on for CarPlay/Android Auto: I have been running a Mr12Volt unit for a couple of months and it’s very good.
Upgrading the lights to factory HIDs is theoretically possible, but unfeasibly expensive; plenty seem to manage to get LED bulbs through the MOT, although it’s not strictly legit.
Heaps of useful info for Boxsters on Boxa.net if you’re not already on there.
Edited by IroningMan on Monday 9th October 21:53
So before starting on the important mechanicals I was seduced by a 15% eBay voucher. So this will satisfy the audio requirements and it does wireless android auto etc.
Then a set of all important floor mats. Couldn't stomach the OEM price so ordered a set from carmats4u. Pretty decent quality and fit to be fair.
So then on to the de-panelling to see what I'm starting with.
As expected coolant pipes are looking a bit crusty
Although the central ones look good.
Brake pipes are bad underneath.
And the caliper pipes are shot aswell.
The rear ARB is rotten through aswell.
The brake pipes from the manifold to the flexies don't look too bad but I can see me just replacing the lot to be honest. I'll just make up replacements with kunifer and fit a new set of flexies.
There is a bit of play in one of the front coffin arms. Having thought about it I'm just going to do a full suspension refresh front and back whilst I'm at it. Just debating whether to keep OEM springs (which are in good condition) or go for a set of eibachs or H+R springs but reviews seem mixed.
Am away on holiday for a week now but I suspect I'll be shopping whilst away ready to attack it when I get home.
Then a set of all important floor mats. Couldn't stomach the OEM price so ordered a set from carmats4u. Pretty decent quality and fit to be fair.
So then on to the de-panelling to see what I'm starting with.
As expected coolant pipes are looking a bit crusty
Although the central ones look good.
Brake pipes are bad underneath.
And the caliper pipes are shot aswell.
The rear ARB is rotten through aswell.
The brake pipes from the manifold to the flexies don't look too bad but I can see me just replacing the lot to be honest. I'll just make up replacements with kunifer and fit a new set of flexies.
There is a bit of play in one of the front coffin arms. Having thought about it I'm just going to do a full suspension refresh front and back whilst I'm at it. Just debating whether to keep OEM springs (which are in good condition) or go for a set of eibachs or H+R springs but reviews seem mixed.
Am away on holiday for a week now but I suspect I'll be shopping whilst away ready to attack it when I get home.
mattman said:
Blimey, did the previous owner park it in the sea?
Great value for money cars
Lovely colour you have there,if you've not found it already, get yourself over to Boxa.net - really great forum with loads of knowledge, help and no attitude.
Not quite, but on the same page colour wise. The blue is lovely on these. If it was cheap, sounds like a car worth the effort.Great value for money cars
Lovely colour you have there,if you've not found it already, get yourself over to Boxa.net - really great forum with loads of knowledge, help and no attitude.
Very nice looking Boxster.
That is very crusty underneath, wonder how it got through the last mot especially with the brake pipes?
All fixable though and once sorted should be a good car.
Do I have the wrong impression as it appears to me that 987’s are worse for this type of rust than 986’s especially as they are newer?
That is very crusty underneath, wonder how it got through the last mot especially with the brake pipes?
All fixable though and once sorted should be a good car.
Do I have the wrong impression as it appears to me that 987’s are worse for this type of rust than 986’s especially as they are newer?
Good cars the Boxster and aqua blue is one of the best colours. Surprised at some of the rust but they are getting on a bit. Also, good work doing that on the drive, especially if you are going to take on the suspension refresh out there?
What brand of suspension parts are you going for?
What brand of suspension parts are you going for?
Good thread OP so thanks for starting it. I've been considering a Cayman 987.2 but am worried about the cost incurred to sort problems. Unlike the OP I don't have the expertise to fix things like coolant and brake pipes myself - plus I'm too old and inflexible to be crawling around under a car!
So I see a nice 987.2S advertised for, say £25k, but then think: brake pipes, coolant pipes, gearchange cables (if a manual), suspension arms might all need doing. Perhaps discs and pads too. At a Porsche specialist rather than an OPC, but even so I'm looking at £000's on top of the initial purchase price.
Great cars, but they're at least 11 years old; I suppose the trick is finding one that's had most of the necessary work already done.
So I see a nice 987.2S advertised for, say £25k, but then think: brake pipes, coolant pipes, gearchange cables (if a manual), suspension arms might all need doing. Perhaps discs and pads too. At a Porsche specialist rather than an OPC, but even so I'm looking at £000's on top of the initial purchase price.
Great cars, but they're at least 11 years old; I suppose the trick is finding one that's had most of the necessary work already done.
Hants PHer said:
Good thread OP so thanks for starting it. I've been considering a Cayman 987.2 but am worried about the cost incurred to sort problems. Unlike the OP I don't have the expertise to fix things like coolant and brake pipes myself - plus I'm too old and inflexible to be crawling around under a car!
So I see a nice 987.2S advertised for, say £25k, but then think: brake pipes, coolant pipes, gearchange cables (if a manual), suspension arms might all need doing. Perhaps discs and pads too. At a Porsche specialist rather than an OPC, but even so I'm looking at £000's on top of the initial purchase price.
Great cars, but they're at least 11 years old; I suppose the trick is finding one that's had most of the necessary work already done.
25k is big money for a 987.2 these days, I would expect it to be perfect for that price. On the plus side a lot of those jobs will usually have been done, so check the service history carefully and you can grab a very capable carSo I see a nice 987.2S advertised for, say £25k, but then think: brake pipes, coolant pipes, gearchange cables (if a manual), suspension arms might all need doing. Perhaps discs and pads too. At a Porsche specialist rather than an OPC, but even so I'm looking at £000's on top of the initial purchase price.
Great cars, but they're at least 11 years old; I suppose the trick is finding one that's had most of the necessary work already done.
Yes the car is a Scotland car, well it has been for the past 7 years or so. Regarding the MOT I'm surprised the caliper pipes have got through, especially the rears. The MOT was 8 months ago but I can't see the rot getting that much worse in that timeframe. The ones under the floor are the scary ones, these would never be seen on an MOT as they are hidden under panels. Unless a specialist went looking at a service the first you'd know is when they let go 
Prices for these seem a bit all over the shop. I had another saved on AT down south for 20k and it had a recent bill for much of the work I'm going to do, along with a major service and the bill was for 7k! That was at a Porsche specialist using all genuine parts.
After viewing the car and seeing the MOT advisories I knew the car needed work and so did the seller. I was pretty brutal with my offer and made it clear that was my only offer. I gave £15k for it. So even if I put 3k into it, which I realistically think it will probably be by the time Ive done, I think I'm still ok financially with regards to the market values and it will be a well sorted example.
Regarding parts. This has been the only surprise so far. Even aftermarket prices are pretty strong. For example I've just fitted a pair of bilstein b4 dampers to our X1 for £170. The same for the boxster are £200 each.
Ill probably go B4 for the dampers, again not sure whether to give it a slight drop or not, As for the suspension arms I'm not sure, I've joined boxa.net as recommended and am currently reading up on the options. The Spyder performance ones seem decent value although the rear tuning forks seem to be tricky to obtain.
I do have the garage but it's tight to work in. If its stuff that can be done one side at a time it's fine. If I need access to both sides at once I'll prob do outside on the drive.
Thanks for reading so far. I'll try and keep updated along with the associated costs as I progress.
Prices for these seem a bit all over the shop. I had another saved on AT down south for 20k and it had a recent bill for much of the work I'm going to do, along with a major service and the bill was for 7k! That was at a Porsche specialist using all genuine parts.
After viewing the car and seeing the MOT advisories I knew the car needed work and so did the seller. I was pretty brutal with my offer and made it clear that was my only offer. I gave £15k for it. So even if I put 3k into it, which I realistically think it will probably be by the time Ive done, I think I'm still ok financially with regards to the market values and it will be a well sorted example.
Regarding parts. This has been the only surprise so far. Even aftermarket prices are pretty strong. For example I've just fitted a pair of bilstein b4 dampers to our X1 for £170. The same for the boxster are £200 each.
Ill probably go B4 for the dampers, again not sure whether to give it a slight drop or not, As for the suspension arms I'm not sure, I've joined boxa.net as recommended and am currently reading up on the options. The Spyder performance ones seem decent value although the rear tuning forks seem to be tricky to obtain.
I do have the garage but it's tight to work in. If its stuff that can be done one side at a time it's fine. If I need access to both sides at once I'll prob do outside on the drive.
Thanks for reading so far. I'll try and keep updated along with the associated costs as I progress.
Made use of the time spent by the pool on holiday and kept the postman busy!
Also noticed I dodged a bullet on the brake pipes, came home to a puddle under the scabby sections.
So cracked on today and got the coolant pipes done. The crossovers were well rotten, the 2 o/s pipes had been replaced at some point but guess they knew the crossovers were rotten as they'd assembled with blue hylomar.
Also ran in a new crossover brake pipe whilst the subframe was dropped.
If the weather holds tomorrow will hopefully get a chunk of the rest of the brake lines done.
Also noticed I dodged a bullet on the brake pipes, came home to a puddle under the scabby sections.
So cracked on today and got the coolant pipes done. The crossovers were well rotten, the 2 o/s pipes had been replaced at some point but guess they knew the crossovers were rotten as they'd assembled with blue hylomar.
Also ran in a new crossover brake pipe whilst the subframe was dropped.
If the weather holds tomorrow will hopefully get a chunk of the rest of the brake lines done.
Wow that looks quite crusty underneath! I just bought a 126k mile 987.2S and it looks vastly better! I guess mine being a London/Surrey car all its life had something to do with it!
I’ll need to do a front coolant pipe too, and suspension refresh ip front. Look into Design911 for parts I didnt think they were too bad!
Enjoy!
I’ll need to do a front coolant pipe too, and suspension refresh ip front. Look into Design911 for parts I didnt think they were too bad!
Enjoy!
Gustavo7 said:
Wow that looks quite crusty underneath! I just bought a 126k mile 987.2S and it looks vastly better! I guess mine being a London/Surrey car all its life had something to do with it!
I’ll need to do a front coolant pipe too, and suspension refresh ip front. Look into Design911 for parts I didnt think they were too bad!
Enjoy!
Yep, aswell as being in Scotland for the past few years it's also not been used much since 2020. Clearly not done it any favours. I’ll need to do a front coolant pipe too, and suspension refresh ip front. Look into Design911 for parts I didnt think they were too bad!
Enjoy!
I will say though, brake pipes aside, everything came apart easily and the vast majority of corrosion is only light surface. I do have some bilt hamber stuff to spray around the wheel arches once all the oily bits are done and I've given it all a scrub.
A lovely selection of boxes you have there. That will keep you busy over winter!
They do seem to be generally pretty rust resistant, just the well known parts - brake lines, crossover pipes, aircon condensers etc that seem to fair badly. Hope you are on top of things with this lot and you can get out and use it on the freshly salted roads!
They do seem to be generally pretty rust resistant, just the well known parts - brake lines, crossover pipes, aircon condensers etc that seem to fair badly. Hope you are on top of things with this lot and you can get out and use it on the freshly salted roads!
Edited by Om on Monday 30th October 23:57
so have managed to finish off the brake pipe replacements, thought the rear one over the gearbox would be a pig but was actually ok, i think it would be pretty impossible to replace with a factory steel line with engine and box in place.
Thankfully all the mega crusty caliper pipes came out without any problems
And then given an initial fill and bleed with the eazi-bleed, will give them another bleed off the pedal aswell.
Its now also been refilled with coolant, I did it the old fashioned way rather than getting a vacuum filler, ar*e up nose down and massaging all the rubber hoses, disconnecting the bleed hoses in the front wheel arches helped during initial fill. Have done a few heat cycles now and the amount needed to top up each time has gotten smller and smaller. I reckon ive got 22 ish litres back in so its not far off and the temps etc are behaving normally.
Thankfully all the mega crusty caliper pipes came out without any problems
And then given an initial fill and bleed with the eazi-bleed, will give them another bleed off the pedal aswell.
Its now also been refilled with coolant, I did it the old fashioned way rather than getting a vacuum filler, ar*e up nose down and massaging all the rubber hoses, disconnecting the bleed hoses in the front wheel arches helped during initial fill. Have done a few heat cycles now and the amount needed to top up each time has gotten smller and smaller. I reckon ive got 22 ish litres back in so its not far off and the temps etc are behaving normally.
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