Newbie 987 hunter
Discussion
Hi,
New to the forum and after much consideration I am on the hunt for a Boxster.
I have landed on the 987 and probably looking at a Boxster S 2005 and have around £16 to 17k to spend.
I have load of questions (which will appear here over the next few months I am sure) but the most pressing ones (considering I am going to look at my first today) are:
1. I am considering the 3.2 S -- should I hold out for a higher mileage 3.4? I have found a 2005, 38k, 3.2 S with massive spec for £17.5 (going to see it today)
2. Where can I find a reliable Porsche mechanic in Oxfordshire/Bucks to look after my new baby?
3. Is it worth getting a full mechanical check prior to purchase and if so where from?
4. Finally -- I have done loads of research but always better to ask those that know -- anything I need to look out for? What are the bear traps (e.g. how do I tell if it has been clocked)?
Sorry for all the questions (especially if they have all been asked before by enthusiastic newbies) thanks for your help and I look forward to becomming an active member of this group both before and after ownership.
Can't wait.
M
New to the forum and after much consideration I am on the hunt for a Boxster.
I have landed on the 987 and probably looking at a Boxster S 2005 and have around £16 to 17k to spend.
I have load of questions (which will appear here over the next few months I am sure) but the most pressing ones (considering I am going to look at my first today) are:
1. I am considering the 3.2 S -- should I hold out for a higher mileage 3.4? I have found a 2005, 38k, 3.2 S with massive spec for £17.5 (going to see it today)
2. Where can I find a reliable Porsche mechanic in Oxfordshire/Bucks to look after my new baby?
3. Is it worth getting a full mechanical check prior to purchase and if so where from?
4. Finally -- I have done loads of research but always better to ask those that know -- anything I need to look out for? What are the bear traps (e.g. how do I tell if it has been clocked)?
Sorry for all the questions (especially if they have all been asked before by enthusiastic newbies) thanks for your help and I look forward to becomming an active member of this group both before and after ownership.
Can't wait.
M
Welcome!
Hold out for a 3.4 - much better engine with 295 horses.
Unless its under warranty I'd get a full inspection done, either from someone like Peter Morgan who is recommended on here, or a good Indy or OPC (I can highly recommend Mid Sussex).
When you are looking at prices take into account the 2 year service intervals and what needs replacing soon - the common things are tyres, discs and pads. Make sure the tyres are all the same brand and N rated - if not the owner may have tried maintain it on the cheap. Make sure it has full service history and was done on time, otherwise this can affect ability to add or claim on extended warranty in the future.
Also take into account OPC cars will come with 2 year warranty - so I'd keep an eye on Approved cars and compare accordingly with private / Indy prices.
Fortunately I've never had anything other than a few minor issues - so I think these cars are reliable.
Good luck and be patient - the right car will come!
Hold out for a 3.4 - much better engine with 295 horses.
Unless its under warranty I'd get a full inspection done, either from someone like Peter Morgan who is recommended on here, or a good Indy or OPC (I can highly recommend Mid Sussex).
When you are looking at prices take into account the 2 year service intervals and what needs replacing soon - the common things are tyres, discs and pads. Make sure the tyres are all the same brand and N rated - if not the owner may have tried maintain it on the cheap. Make sure it has full service history and was done on time, otherwise this can affect ability to add or claim on extended warranty in the future.
Also take into account OPC cars will come with 2 year warranty - so I'd keep an eye on Approved cars and compare accordingly with private / Indy prices.
Fortunately I've never had anything other than a few minor issues - so I think these cars are reliable.
Good luck and be patient - the right car will come!
Look at the Hartech website for 3.4 engine issues, much better off with a 3.2, tiny performance difference, just lean on the chassis a bit more, those cars are designed for corners anyway.
An inspection might not spot IMS issues or scored bores, which are the main things you want to know about.
Go and speak to Tony at www.wrightune.com
An inspection might not spot IMS issues or scored bores, which are the main things you want to know about.
Go and speak to Tony at www.wrightune.com
One of my previously owned cars is currently for sale in the classifieds, I bought it when it had just 20000 miles on the clock and it was in excellent condition with full Porsche history, I put the Porsche warranty on it and the current owner has carried this on so you could buy with piece of mind, PM if you want more details of the car, its currently up at £14995, I believe he has had it for sale for a while so a deal could possibly be done!!!
Hmmm.
Some quite scary reading about the 3.4. I might start another topic to discuss...
Quote from Hartech:
http://www.hartech.org/docs/buyers%20guide%20web%2...
Page 117
"...If the supporting outer aluminium cylinder casting is thick enough to withstand any movement of the liner then it may be OK. But if it is too thin, the liner may distort with age and/or load and crack. This would be rather like boring out an existing engine for bigger pistons and more power resulting in thinner cylinder walls. (Historically many different manufacturers found out that previously good engines became unreliable when the capacity was increased by over boring too much).
The 2.5 & 2.7 Boxster engines have the same bore. The 3.2 Boxster S has a larger piston an cylinder bore size (and more power) - but the outside diameter of the casting mould has also been increased to compensate, so the cylinder wall thickness is similar. The 3.4 and 3.6 996 engine has a piston 3mm bigger than the 3.2 S but the
outer casting mould is the same size – so the cylinder wall thickness of this more powerful engine is measurably thinner than the preceeding engine sizes – resulting in a similar scenario to the result of boring
[Edit]
The technical explanation for the failures shown above – that follows - may lead to many readers and owners over reacting – because if I am right – that the above failure may eventually affect most 3.4 and 3.6 models that have been manufactured..."
Some quite scary reading about the 3.4. I might start another topic to discuss...
Quote from Hartech:
http://www.hartech.org/docs/buyers%20guide%20web%2...
Page 117
"...If the supporting outer aluminium cylinder casting is thick enough to withstand any movement of the liner then it may be OK. But if it is too thin, the liner may distort with age and/or load and crack. This would be rather like boring out an existing engine for bigger pistons and more power resulting in thinner cylinder walls. (Historically many different manufacturers found out that previously good engines became unreliable when the capacity was increased by over boring too much).
The 2.5 & 2.7 Boxster engines have the same bore. The 3.2 Boxster S has a larger piston an cylinder bore size (and more power) - but the outside diameter of the casting mould has also been increased to compensate, so the cylinder wall thickness is similar. The 3.4 and 3.6 996 engine has a piston 3mm bigger than the 3.2 S but the
outer casting mould is the same size – so the cylinder wall thickness of this more powerful engine is measurably thinner than the preceeding engine sizes – resulting in a similar scenario to the result of boring
[Edit]
The technical explanation for the failures shown above – that follows - may lead to many readers and owners over reacting – because if I am right – that the above failure may eventually affect most 3.4 and 3.6 models that have been manufactured..."
Buy a car with a Porsche warranty, the chances are good that you wont have any issues but why take the risk when an OPC supplied car will be secure. The car you mentioned sounds pricey to me, take a look on the Porsche used car website and see what comes up. I had a 3.2S and changed to a 3.4S DFI last year - big difference in performance but as stated earlier, the 3.2 is pretty quick, just give it some revs!
MezzaDM said:
1. I am considering the 3.2 S -- should I hold out for a higher mileage 3.4? I have found a 2005, 38k, 3.2 S with massive spec for £17.5 (going to see it today)
I bought a 2007 3.4S with 40K for £18.5K (from a specialist dealer) 3 months ago. So with a bit of patience you should be able to find something similar.MezzaDM said:
Boxsey, so you are suggesting the 3.4 is the better car and worth hanging on for. No worries about the cylinder issues?
It's a better car in terms of performance (of course) and there's less chance of IMS failure. I take the view that what will be, will be regarding the rest of the engine. The only thing I can do is maintain it properly and enjoy it. If it develops problems with cylinders (or if they're already there) I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. So, yes there is a concern but no I don't worry about it. BTW it's a great car to drive!Well I have done it.
I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last service. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last service. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
Edited by MezzaDM on Wednesday 6th June 13:35
MezzaDM said:
Well I have done it.
I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last serivce. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
nice job!I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last serivce. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
MezzaDM said:
Well I have done it.
I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last serivce. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
Congrats - sounds great. I loved my 3.4 and my TomTom was so much better than the factory get up that I never regretted buying one without and I enjoyed the simplicity of the centre console.I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last serivce. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
Talk to Chris at Excel Wheels for a really nice wheel refurb!
MezzaDM said:
Well I have done it.
I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last service. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
Well done for having the patience to find one (even though it was pretty quick!). With the warranty you'll have good peace of mind. I am now (in a day or two) the proud owner of a Metalic Grey 3.4S, one owner from new, 41k up, full OPC service history with Porsche warranty, new pads and discs at last service. Genuine condition (although the wheels need a little work) for £17,250. Only thing it doesn't have is sat nav...
I can't wait to get it home....
Edited by MezzaDM on Wednesday 6th June 13:35
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