How reliable is Boxster S?
Discussion
Thinking of buying a Boxster S. Not sure what age yet but am considering both 986 and 987 models (low mileage 2001 or even 2006). A friend was telling me that Boxster engines can blow up. Is there a particular era of car that is prone to this? If there was a problem with 986 was it cured with intro of 987? Thanks in advance.
They all blow up. Terrible cars. Don't buy one. You'll regret it if you do. 
Now we have that out of the way...
Yes some Porsche engines blow up. Some BMW and Jaguar ones have as well. Oh...and I needen't mention the TVR Speed Six debacle on this site, now need I. Do *lots* of cars feature problems - no.
Buy one. They are brilliant. I'm on my second. If you buy new you may have teething troubles - mine did its fair share of low loader visits to the OPC but once it was sorted - it was sorted. Bullet-proof ever since. If you are buying an older car you want a full service history. Its easier to say Full Porsche Service History but, personally, if the independents used were known to me and the good folk of PH as good ones that would be fine with me - possibly better depending on who they were.
If you are genuinely worried about something catastrophic going wrong the easy way to get peace of mind is to get it inspected at an OPC (£250) and buy the official Porsche Warranty. A tad shy of £900 this insures you against the worst. If you buy from an OPC you get the warranty thrown in for a year anyway.
Enjoy.
Now we have that out of the way...
Yes some Porsche engines blow up. Some BMW and Jaguar ones have as well. Oh...and I needen't mention the TVR Speed Six debacle on this site, now need I. Do *lots* of cars feature problems - no.
Buy one. They are brilliant. I'm on my second. If you buy new you may have teething troubles - mine did its fair share of low loader visits to the OPC but once it was sorted - it was sorted. Bullet-proof ever since. If you are buying an older car you want a full service history. Its easier to say Full Porsche Service History but, personally, if the independents used were known to me and the good folk of PH as good ones that would be fine with me - possibly better depending on who they were.
If you are genuinely worried about something catastrophic going wrong the easy way to get peace of mind is to get it inspected at an OPC (£250) and buy the official Porsche Warranty. A tad shy of £900 this insures you against the worst. If you buy from an OPC you get the warranty thrown in for a year anyway.
Enjoy.
elex said:
Thinking of buying a Boxster S. Not sure what age yet but am considering both 986 and 987 models (low mileage 2001 or even 2006). A friend was telling me that Boxster engines can blow up. Is there a particular era of car that is prone to this? If there was a problem with 986 was it cured with intro of 987? Thanks in advance.
Did your friend also tell you that BMW, mercedes, Honda, Ford and Audi engines blow up too, cos they do you know.
My 986 Boxster S is being PXed on Monday but i have had it for 18 months and 20,000 miles without it ever braking down. Few little niggles like poor stereo, roof lining coming away on the inside and the interior was not to the standard that you should expect. Fantastic to drive though.
I had one too after a standard Boxster. Did thousands of miles commuting and throughout Europe and it never missed a beat. The only time ever had an issue was a loose anti roll bar after a Castle Combe track day and after calling my OPC (Reading) on the M4 they sorted it (and valeted) for free in about 30 mins.
Superb cars, great fun, great ownership proposition!
Superb cars, great fun, great ownership proposition!
elex said:
Thinking of buying a Boxster S. Not sure what age yet but am considering both 986 and 987 models (low mileage 2001 or even 2006). A friend was telling me that Boxster engines can blow up. Is there a particular era of car that is prone to this? If there was a problem with 986 was it cured with intro of 987? Thanks in advance.
Your friend is on about the RMS. While it can fail it should be replaced when the clutch is done as a service item.
Fantastic cars.
Had two, both secondhand.
One a facelift 260.
The Facelift was the better car by quite a margin --- but you wouldn't believe the adjustability when taken by the scruff and driven as Porsche would expect.
If Porsche had made a hot hatch it would have been the clio Trophy. If they had purpose built a cab --- it would have been, the Boxster.
Soon to have direct injection engines which will make them as fast as a 997.
As much fun as a GT3, --- but at slightly lower speeds --- and great for shopping and sun-tanning !
RMS ? Take out the warranty --- you know it makes sense !
Had two, both secondhand.
One a facelift 260.
The Facelift was the better car by quite a margin --- but you wouldn't believe the adjustability when taken by the scruff and driven as Porsche would expect.
If Porsche had made a hot hatch it would have been the clio Trophy. If they had purpose built a cab --- it would have been, the Boxster.
Soon to have direct injection engines which will make them as fast as a 997.
As much fun as a GT3, --- but at slightly lower speeds --- and great for shopping and sun-tanning !
RMS ? Take out the warranty --- you know it makes sense !
Globulator said:
Careful if you try a 987S, as you will buy it if not physically restrained.
Seriously.
I'm goin to need chaining down for the 2008 model
Seriously.
I'm goin to need chaining down for the 2008 model
I remember that! Went to test drive one (a 986S back then). Totally underwhelmed at first. Then by the end of the test drive I was thinking...nice car...maybe its real competition for that Tuscan I was thinking of...then by the time I got back to the OPC, fiddled with switches, and raised and lowered the roof I was just completely blown away by the jewel like build quality, the handling and the soul.
Anyone who thinks modern Porsches are soulless just doesn't "get" them. That's OK. But I did/do.
Interestingly the 987S I test drove was utterly brilliant. But I didn't feel I simply had to shake the piggy bank upside down that second. But that was because I was getting straight back into the car I have already.
Buying again from scratch?
I'd get one again... No regrets.
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