Buying a 987 3.2S - a couple of questions

[29wkaj]

Hello,

I'm looking at buying a fairly well spec'd 987 3.2S, was wondering if anyone could give me any insight on the following...

-Does the chrono pack change the exhaust note as it does on the 3.4, or does it just change the throttle map?

-Is the BOSE sound system much better than the factory, enough to warrant really holding out for one?

-Any other tips/things to look out for on the 3.2?

Thanks!

[mrdemon]

what model year ?

chrono pack has never changed the exhaust note, that's the PSE but on some model pressing the sports button also did the exhaust.

I guess it's an older car being the 3.2 hence why asking model and year

Edited by mrdemon on Tuesday 3rd June 09:58

[29wkaj]

2005/6

I was under the impression that on the 1st gen 987 3.4 the sports exhaust/chrono came as one package, and thought that it may be the same on the 987 3.2?

[mrdemon]

05/06 were 3.4 I thought (I had a 05 3.4)

also you can tune the 3.4 to 350bhp quite easy if that's your bag, I did it and it's loads better as there is quite a big dead spot in the oem map.

ALso watch your tax band in those years it can jump from £250/280 or what ever it is to £480

[29wkaj]

56 (2007) is when the 3.4 came in on the boxsters I believe.

2005 should have only been 3.2

Anyone have any other input on the chrono/BOSE/other issues?

[alcatraz236]

BOSE is not really that good in my opinion, 3.4 came in for MY2007

[kingston12]

I have got a 2005S, but without the Sports Chrono so can't comment on that one.

My car has got the Bose system and for me it is a worthwhile upgrade, but I'd only pass up a good car that didn't have it if I was going to use it a lot.

The Bose gets very bad press on here, and there is no doubt it was massively over-priced for what it is. These days it doesn't seem to add much to used values so makes more sense.

It isn't a great audiophile system by any stretch of the imagination, but it is possible to achieve a reasonable balance of sound and it doesn't sound strained if you want to listen to something at speed with the roof off. For me, a big upgrade over the other options, but not really as good as it should have been for the price.

I have found the car good value overall with the 2 year service interval, cheap insurance and tax. It is worth noting that if you buy are car registered before 23/3/2006 the road tax comes down from £485 to £285 a year which is a useful saving if you are planning to keep the car a while!

[Huskyman]

Hi,
Personally I would look for some sort of warranty with the car, or put aside a slush fund just in-case something goes norks-up. Also check that the car has the correct N-rated tyres as this can cause problems with the insurance with some companies.

Get a good inspection done so the ECU can be interrogated to check the number of ignitions in the different rev-ranges, as this is a very good indicator as to how the car has been driven.
In the main try to ignore all the scare stories on the internet, buy wisely and enjoy it

[ianwayne]

mrdemon said:

05/06 were 3.4 I thought (I had a 05 3.4)

also you can tune the 3.4 to 350bhp quite easy if that's your bag, I did it and it's loads better as there is quite a big dead spot in the oem map.

ALso watch your tax band in those years it can jump from £250/280 or what ever it is to £480

£285 to £485 after March 2006! http://www.nextgreencar.com/car-tax/bands.php

If I were to change my Boxster I'd aim for an early 987S for that reason. On a £10k car, the difference may not seem to matter much but as they get older, it will.

However, there seems to be quite a premium for going from a facelift 986S (mine is late 2003) to a 987S. Not sure the extra 20 bhp and nicer headlamps is worth £3k to £4k plus.

[VladD]

ianwayne said:

£285 to £485 after March 2006! http://www.nextgreencar.com/car-tax/bands.php

If I were to change my Boxster I'd aim for an early 987S for that reason. On a £10k car, the difference may not seem to matter much but as they get older, it will.

However, there seems to be quite a premium for going from a facelift 986S (mine is late 2003) to a 987S. Not sure the extra 20 bhp and nicer headlamps is worth £3k to £4k plus.

I've got a 55 plate Boxster S 3.2 with Bose but no Sports Chrono. Tax is £285 per year. The Bose is OK, but the sounds quality isn't fantastic. I think that may be because of the tyre and engine noise being quite loud though. I've never heard a non-Bose car though, so can't tell you if the Bose system is a decent step up or not.

[Trev450]

Sport chrono changes the throttle map, relaxes the PSM and gives you the clock on top of the dash. PSE is what changes the exhaust note, but on cars that are specced with both, the chrono button activates all of the above.

[29wkaj]

Anything to look out for (when test driving) regarding recurring problems with this 3.2 engine?

[VladD]

29wkaj said:

Anything to look out for (when test driving) regarding recurring problems with this 3.2 engine?

I think the main two problems are bore score and IMS bearing. You could get a bore scope test done for peace of mind and you could check under the car for oil leaks for the IMS bearing, but when I bought mine I was told that the IMS issue was pretty random and could happen at any time.

[tr7v8]

Huskyman said:

Hi,
Also check that the car has the correct N-rated tyres as this can cause problems with the insurance with some companies.

In the main try to ignore all the scare stories on the internet, buy wisely and enjoy it

Oh the irony
The second sentence reflects the former!

[Trev450]

tr7v8 said:

Huskyman said:

Hi,
Also check that the car has the correct N-rated tyres as this can cause problems with the insurance with some companies.

In the main try to ignore all the scare stories on the internet, buy wisely and enjoy it

Oh the irony
The second sentence reflects the former!

The first sentence is also incorrect. So long as the correct size and speed rating are fitted, that will satisfy insurance companies. The only time you need to ensure N rated tyres are fitted is if you have or intend to go for a Porsche warranty.

[gl20]

OP. Just to confirm that the sure way to know whether your potential purchase has the switchable exhaust is the button at the bottom of the dash with the exhaust pipes figure on it. If you just have the sport button (which, on a 087, always comes with the chrono clock thing) then this means it doesn't have the sports exhaust I'm afraid. Given the choice I'd have pse over sports chrono but I don't see either as critical.

[VladD]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Fair enough, you know better then me. My car, a 3.2, was bore scoped before I bought it, but maybe that was just belt and braces by Parr. As a 55 plate, hopefully I've got the better IMS bearing too. Fingers crossed.