Boxster 3.2S vs 3.4

[robsartain]

Im looking at buying a Boxster in the next couple of months and wanted to know opinons on whether it is worth pushing myself (financially) to get the later 3.4 engine.

I have driven an old 3.2S and thought it was one the best cars I have ever driven. Im now looking at getting a facelift post 2002 model, but wanted to hear from people who have driven both models and whether the 3.4 is the better engine, and makes the car even better still.

The car will get driven in anger around track days and tours of europe, etc... It won`t be a car that gets polished every weekend :-)

[AndrewKillington]

I found that the new DI engine was a step change forward in terms of performance over the old 3.2 and the gen 1 3.4

[SFO]

the only way to tell is to drive them back to back ...

of course, you can never have too much power

[Geneve]

Boxsters, like the 911s, are a product of continuous evolution and improvement. So, usually, the newer the model the better.

The differences between the 3.2 and 3.4 are fairly marginal, but certainly a bit more mid-range torque is evident. A lot depends on the overall spec. I've driven 3.2s that feel nicer than the 3.4 and vice versa.

[robsartain]

Like you say, I will have to take the two out for a spin and decide.

I assume the 3.2 is the same lump as in the early models, and there are no performance gains on the later 3.2's ????

[mayes911]

have owned a 2003(260bhp) boxster s and now have cayman 3.4(295bhp)(same engine as boxster3.4).not only is the engine a step forward but the gearbox is much sweeter and the interior is a better place to be. i would recomend at least go for the 987 3.2(280bhp) which was introduced in 2005 all depends on what you want to spend

Edited by mayes911 on Friday 13th November 20:35

[spikeyhead]

robsartain said:

Like you say, I will have to take the two out for a spin and decide.

I assume the 3.2 is the same lump as in the early models, and there are no performance gains on the later 3.2's ????

IIRC, they went from 252 to 260bhp.

Whether that extra 8 horses makes any real difference I've no idea. Mine was a 252 and was quick enough on the road to be a lot of fun.

[julian987R]

A rather special Boxster for sale in liquid metal silver metallic

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14532402

[jimmy p]

Until you find out how much they want for it, likely to be 25k ish!!!!

[SRT Hellcat]

Are there bore scoring issues on either the 3.2 or 3.4 litre engine that I need to worry about ?

[Magnum 475]

SRT Hellcat said:

Are there bore scoring issues on either the 3.2 or 3.4 litre engine that I need to worry about ?

3.2 - No bore scoring problems as it still has ferrous coated pistons, but most (not all) have the early type 'small' IMS bearing that's prone to failure

3.4 - Bore scoring is a problem, as this uses plastic coated pistons, where the coating will break down and damage the bores. But, has the larger IMS that's much less prone to failure.


I bought the 3.2, then had the IMS bearing replaced using the LN ceramic bearing upgrade. Best of both worlds now.

[SRT Hellcat]

Magnum 475 said:

SRT Hellcat said:

Are there bore scoring issues on either the 3.2 or 3.4 litre engine that I need to worry about ?

3.2 - No bore scoring problems as it still has ferrous coated pistons, but most (not all) have the early type 'small' IMS bearing that's prone to failure

3.4 - Bore scoring is a problem, as this uses plastic coated pistons, where the coating will break down and damage the bores. But, has the larger IMS that's much less prone to failure.


I bought the 3.2, then had the IMS bearing replaced using the LN ceramic bearing upgrade. Best of both worlds now.

Much appreciated. So a late 3.2S should have the larger IMS bearing and might be the way forward