[happycow6171]

just wondered if anybody owns one or has owned one.
whats best manual or auto
looking for weekend toy
cheers happy

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by happycow6171

just wondered if anybody owns one or has owned one.
whats best manual or auto
looking for weekend toy
cheers happy

Not sure I would want the worry of the 'auto' at that age, I would stick with the manual.

[Wills2]

An auto (tip) Porsche sports car is a no no...

[Steve_M_Sport]

The 987 model is a better car than the 986 which I think a 2003 car would be. Check the RMS for oil leaks as this is an engine out job for a £10 seal. Definitely go manual rather than auto.

[Postcab]

Would recommend saving up a little more and getting a 987 Gen 2 car (2009 onwards). That's what I decided to do when I was looking for a Cayman. 986's are now getting pretty old.

The 987 Gen 1 cars have fragile cylinder linings and the only way to be sure if the one you're looking at is any good is to have an inspection of the bores for scoring. Many people dump their Gen 1's as soon as their oil consumption increases so you need to be really careful. Its a 10k rebuild if you want to fix it properly...

However, the DFI engines in the Gen 2's seem to be pretty bomb proof. And you can have PDK in the Gen 2 which is a much better auto box. In saying that, I'm a real man, so I went manual

[ewanmac]

I have an early 987 (55 plate). After doing a lot of research, decided it was better to pay a bit more for the 987. Agree the gen 2 is better but there is a significant jump in price. Do your homework and thoroughly inspect the gen 1 987 and you should be fine.

My car passed its MOT first time last month with one small advisor - not bad for an 11 year old car!

[ewanmac]

Also check out http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk

They have some really good advice on the things to look out for.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Postcab

However, the DFI engines in the Gen 2's seem to be pretty bomb proof. And you can have PDK in the Gen 2 which is a much better auto box. In saying that, I'm a real man, so I went manual

A point on the gen2 engines the 2.9 isn't DFI, the 3.4 is.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Originally Posted by ewanmac

Also check out http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk

They have some really good advice on the things to look out for.

These guys are literally just down the road from me and really know their stuff. They also have a few cars for sale that might be of interest. If not, ask Russell (owner) if he knows of one for sale. I know a lot of my mates who own Porsche's, use Reveloution to look after their cars. Highly recommend.

[happycow6171]

Is the boxster s the one to go for?

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by Wills2

A point on the gen2 engines the 2.9 isn't DFI, the 3.4 is.

But the OP was talking about the S?

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by happycow6171

Is the boxster s the one to go for?

Some people love the smaller engine, but most prefer the larger one. I haven't driven a 986, but I thought that in the 987 the smaller engine seemed to need the knackers rev'd off it.

I'd say try both and see what you think.

[Colmsport]

I've owned a 2003 Boxster S (986 model) & now have a 2005 Boxster S (987 model).

If you go for a 986, make sure you go for the 52 plate onwards which should be a facelift model with clear front lights, revised bumpers, higher engine outputs, glass rear screen in the hood & updates inside such as a glovebox. Facelift S models have 260bhp, whereas the earlier ones were 248bhp. Non S facelift will be the 2.7 engine with 228bhp, pre facelift 2.7 was 220bhp / 2.5 just over 200bhp.

987 a bit more modern inside & out although to be honest I prefer the interior of the 986 to the 987 - a bit more Porsche like. Some say the quality improved massively in the 987 but I'm not so sure after owning both.

987 engines more powerful, early S versions had a 3.2 (280 bhp) which then became 3.4 (295bhp) in about 2006 I think. Non S versions started with a 2.7 (240bhp)& went to a 2.9.

Rear main seal (RMS) leaks are quite common, as above the seal is about £12 but you have to drop the gearbox to do it. Most put up with the slight oil leak until clutch change time. However some people think they have a RMS leak when in actual fact its an IMS (intermediate shaft) seal leaking. The only way to tell the difference is by dropping the gearbox as with the RMS.

Big issue on the earlier cars is the IMS bearing which has been known to fail suddenly & will take an engine out. Tell tale signs are metal fragments in the oil but it can happen without warning so you might not pick up on this. Rebuild of an engine is minimum of £5k & can be as much as 5 figures if you eliminate / future proof some of the weak points in the M96 engine. IMS failures apparently in region of 5-8% according to internet statistics. There is a law suit in America going on against Porsche about this.

IMS bearing was strengthened / enlarged for 2006 model year & reported failures less. No IMS bearing on the Gen 2 cars from 2009 if I remember correctly.

The 3.4 in the later Boxsters were prone to bore scoring, this apparently is more common than IMS failures.

Tiptronic box not favoured, manual all the way.

Tax changed from late 2005 to nearly £500, thankfully mine falls into the lower tax band - something else to think of especially if its a weekend car.

If you go for one, always buy on condition & ensure service history. Regular oil changes are a must on these cars, many say that it reduces chances of IMS failure.

Might sound like I'm putting you off but I'm not - they are awesome bits of kit, go well, handle exceptionally. I love mine to bits!

Hope this helps, PM me if you have any specific questions & I'll help if I can.

Cheers,
Col

[Colmsport]

Just noticed your in Wales, me too.

Happy to help with a search if you go ahead.

[Steve_M_Sport]

Originally Posted by Colmsport

I've owned a 2003 Boxster S (986 model) & now have a 2005 Boxster S (987 model).

If you go for a 986, make sure you go for the 52 plate onwards which should be a facelift model with clear front lights, revised bumpers, higher engine outputs, glass rear screen in the hood & updates inside such as a glovebox. Facelift S models have 260bhp, whereas the earlier ones were 248bhp. Non S facelift will be the 2.7 engine with 228bhp, pre facelift 2.7 was 220bhp / 2.5 just over 200bhp.

987 a bit more modern inside & out although to be honest I prefer the interior of the 986 to the 987 - a bit more Porsche like. Some say the quality improved massively in the 987 but I'm not so sure after owning both.

987 engines more powerful, early S versions had a 3.2 (280 bhp) which then became 3.4 (295bhp) in about 2006 I think. Non S versions started with a 2.7 (240bhp)& went to a 2.9.

Rear main seal (RMS) leaks are quite common, as above the seal is about £12 but you have to drop the gearbox to do it. Most put up with the slight oil leak until clutch change time. However some people think they have a RMS leak when in actual fact its an IMS (intermediate shaft) seal leaking. The only way to tell the difference is by dropping the gearbox as with the RMS.

Big issue on the earlier cars is the IMS bearing which has been known to fail suddenly & will take an engine out. Tell tale signs are metal fragments in the oil but it can happen without warning so you might not pick up on this. Rebuild of an engine is minimum of £5k & can be as much as 5 figures if you eliminate / future proof some of the weak points in the M96 engine. IMS failures apparently in region of 5-8% according to internet statistics. There is a law suit in America going on against Porsche about this.

IMS bearing was strengthened / enlarged for 2006 model year & reported failures less. No IMS bearing on the Gen 2 cars from 2009 if I remember correctly.

The 3.4 in the later Boxsters were prone to bore scoring, this apparently is more common than IMS failures.

Tiptronic box not favoured, manual all the way.

Tax changed from late 2005 to nearly £500, thankfully mine falls into the lower tax band - something else to think of especially if its a weekend car.

If you go for one, always buy on condition & ensure service history. Regular oil changes are a must on these cars, many say that it reduces chances of IMS failure.

Might sound like I'm putting you off but I'm not - they are awesome bits of kit, go well, handle exceptionally. I love mine to bits!

Hope this helps, PM me if you have any specific questions & I'll help if I can.

Cheers,
Col

Great advice & insight into buying a used Boxster . I had a 2005 987 2.7 and loved it. The sound of the flat 6 engine at full chat was superb.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Postcab

But the OP was talking about the S?

Sure, but your post didn't directly relate to the S you said the "The DFI engines in the gen2's" (plural and possessive) not "the DFI engine in the gen2 S"

So it was worth pointing it out.