Reply With QuoteIf worried about it buy a gen2 987.
The non-S especially doesn't suffer from those issues and even the S is negligible
There's good info on it in the BOXANET forum.
Hi all,
I know there are some Porsche enthusiasts on here and hoping you might be able to help me out.
I’m thinking of scratching an itch on either the Boxster or Cayman (987) but I’m a tad worried about the ‘bore scoring’ issues.
Can anyone offer some guidance on engines to avoid or any other helpful information?
If it’s too much of a mine field I might just leave it as I don’t want to buy an (expensive) problem. But also I’m aware sometimes these model issues can be engine specific or a bit overblown, etc.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Have a great weekend,
Chris
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If worried about it buy a gen2 987.
The non-S especially doesn't suffer from those issues and even the S is negligible
There's good info on it in the BOXANET forum.
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/region...7-buyers-guide
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As above gen 2 2.7 or 981.
I've had a couple. I had a boxster 986.1 S for 2 years no issues, then a 986.2 S for a year which grenaded 6 months after I traded it in (no issues while I had it), and a 987.2 Cayman which had a solid engine but that generation went full electrical cpu module crazy and the electrical glitches in the car were nuts. It cost under warranty £3k to fix the horn!!!
My local OPC joked they made them way too complicated with the 987/997.
If I were buying again, in all honesty for what I'd use over, I would get an inspected 2.5/2.7 986.1 for £7k or less and not worry about how much cash I had tied up in it.
If it breaks, convert it to electric :)
The Boxanet forum is good. Like all bad news stories, the reality is not as bad as they make out on the internet. Find a local Indy, I used Unique Porsche. You can factor in the various fixes and buy a Gen1 987 or go later. Budget is the decider. I was 987S Gen1 for a few years without incident. The non S was too tame for me.
Originally Posted by Stuno1
It was actually 2.9 for the 987.2, then 2.7 for the 981. 2.9 987.2 is considered one of the most bullet proof Porsche engines.
Thanks for all the info so far guys, much appreciated.
Am I right in saying that the 987.2 doesn’t suffer the bore scoring then?
Annoying a good example I’ve seen locally seems to be an 06 so I believe a 987.1. Which may also denote why it’s hung around a little longer to sell.
I don’t mind parking the money in it, then any proper maintenance and a buffer for ‘unforeseen’. Just don’t want to buy into a world of 1,000’s of pounds potentially for a bit of weekend fun gone wrong.
Would 56 plate onwards (the 987.2) be the route then to avoid the known issues in IMS and scoring?
Also any experience on manual v auto? I know the manual is a good experience but the appeal of a nice auto box also has a bit of a charm to me now. Had an EV company car recently and it’s a bit addictive to have the go kart feel at times/relaxed ride.
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The 987.2 direct injection dfi cars are from 2009 on. You can easily identify them as the spot lights on the front are further apart than the .1
Only had manuals so can't comment on the tiptronic.
If you want the PDK it's only on gen2 cars
2009 -2012
^^^The only answer you need.
Only buy a Gen 2 987 (2009-2012) or above as the problem was resolved. Also the great PDK gearbox was introduced as an option with the 987 Gen 2 model which was a million times better than the Tiptronic auto box before it. In fact, I would most likely go for manual over a tiptronic! You could also look for a Gen 1 that has the work completed but the Gen 2s are rock solid. There are not two many around as only produced for a couple of years before Porsche the 981 which is bigger and more solidly built but I would say the 987 is more raw drive. I have had both!
The 987 are starting to appreciate as well it seems. For a base model in great condition with respectable mileage you will need a budget of around 17k
They are great fun and if it doesn’t put a smile on your face then I don’t know what will!
Last edited by paw3001; 27th January 2024 at 18:58.
Hartech wrote a comprehensive document about their findings regarding bore scoring. There are many differing theories, but in a nutshell the Lokasil cylinder linings seem to be to blame, and the switch to Alusil for Gen 2 (in fact for the whole block, not just the bores as with Lokasil) generally seems to have greatly reduced, if not entirely eliminated the issues. Hartech do a rebuild with Nikasil liners (the plating used on the aircooled and Mezger engines), but it starts at about £9k, so makes a lot of the cheaper cars uneconomical.
As others have said the 987.2 cars have new engine designs - first launched in Spring 2009 (so beware there are 2009 registered 987.1 models). Only the 3.4 S had the dfi.
The 2.9 seems to have a solid reputation, but it does have a disconcerting tendency to spew out plumes of white smoke on startup. This can be due to overfilling the oil and supposedly isn’t anything to worry about - they all do that sir.
My advice would be don’t just focus on the engine. These cars are getting on for 15 years old, so the usual Porsche checks for suspension components (springs, dampers, top mounts, bump stops, drop links) and rusty hard brake lines (sub frame drop to replace) should be done (ideally find evidence that work has already been done).
This stuff can be expensive to fix - ask me how I know!
PDK and manual are both good. For a fun weekend car I would still choose a manual, but if you’re new to Porsche give both a test drive and see what you think.
My 997.1 C2 bore scored. My friend's boxster of some description bore scored
I'd not buy one again
It is a ridiculous place to be. Like if your Rolex just stopped working and needed 5k worth of rebuild to get it going again.
No idea why people accept this and take the risk
As others have said go for the 987.2. I very nearly bought one but I preferred the cabin of the 981 so ended up with one of those.
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Im in a similar position but for a 911 for my 60th!, after lots of research I've ruled out a 996 so going for a 997.1 3.6, not after a 3.8 as cant justify the £795 road tax for what is going to be a weekend toy as I already have a 330 M Sport and a Brera prodrive. Bore scoring is a concern but not as much on the 3.6, more an IMS issue so looking for one thats been done or a Hartech rebuilt, Carrera 2 or 4 but finding a good one is proving not easy, still the fun is in the hunt!!!
Post 2007 997.1 had an upgraded IMS. So that won't be an issue if you look at the right year onwards
Road tax is painfully high.
And do not assume 997.1 C2 is immune from bore scoring. That just isn't true.
I think that's correct, all mine did it. First time you see it your heart sinks as the garage fills with a plume.
It's oil sitting in the horizontal cylinders.
Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated.
I’ll maybe just shelve it until I’ve ‘fun money’ to put in a 981 or if the right 987.2 comes up. It would ruin the experience for me feeling like there was a cloud over it and waiting on potential rain at some point.
I much prefer the dimensions of the 981, for me it’s one of the best looking Porsches with the right wheels.
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It's the early 997 that has 395 road tax. My 2007 was 630 I think. Possibly more. I imset it up as monthly direct debit and tried not to think about it
Loving my 987.2 replacement.
A 981S on 19inch Carrara wheels. 20inch may have looked better but the downside is a much harder ride!
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What you need is a 996 turbo, problems solved all round, different block altogether.
Last edited by DavidL; 28th January 2024 at 15:49.
We have a 986 3.2s. No issues at all with bore wear or oil consumption. This is a 2002 model so ancient for most people now.
I think there certainly have been issues with these engines but it seems to be very sporadic.
Regards
Tim
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Fantastic. Love the colour. And I always liked the Sport Techno wheels, I just wish Porsche made them directional for each side (same as with the Twist ones as well).What you need is a 996 turbo, problems solved all round, different block altogether.
Not the bargain it was a little while ago, but still amazing value.
Always thought the same with those alloys, harder for manufacturer, but great for us who over think lol
Glad I’m not the only one who thinks this!
Prefer the sport technos to the turbo twists I have - swap?!
I don't have it now. Very quietly, and just between us, I didn't really like it that much. I always figured I'd end up running a 911 as a daily so when these were £25k I made sure it was not a grey scale car and had non sports seats and I bought one. It also came with a Manthey remap to 500bhp and carbon ceramic brakes. I was absolutely terrified of the brakes, especially when it came to getting new tyres. Should one get chipped discs were several thousand pounds an axle to replace. They made an awful din when wet too.
But it did go quite well but I felt I was driving in full on attack mode all the time. Certainly traffic tended to make you feel that way until you ignored them. It had 4 seats but you had to squeeze anything very carefully into the back seats so as not to mark the front ones. It also had the most annoying alarm that went to sleep after a few days non use and you had to disarm, open the door and get the key in the ignition very promptly or the alarm went off. So in a snug garage it usually did.
I kept it a year and moved it on for what paid for it.
My trusty fettled 944 turbo is just a better and more practical day to day car. So 278k miles and it's still here.
I might have another but it will be a targa so I can use the rear hatch and probably a gen 2 997 c4s.
But for the money they cost I'd look at a rapide, a 456 or even a cerbera for a change.
I think the alarm sleep mode was so annoying on the 996 they changed it for the 997 so you could wake it up by holding the key fob button and pulling on the door handle.
Very interesting about the experience with the 996 Turbo. My 997.1 Turbo is really easy to live with. It's manual, sport chrono, short shift, but entirely standard and with iron discs; I think really well optimised as a road and occasional track car.
Apart from costs, one of the reasons why I went with a Boxster is that I think it looks better as a convertible than a 911 variant and the rear seats in a 911 are pretty useless day to day so only having only 2 seats isn’t really an issue day to day. Plus the boot and frunk means it can carry 2 cabin bags plus extras with no hassle for weekends away.
Of course, the 911 is the better car but as they say the Boxster gives you 80% of the fun for 20% of the cost!
A 987 booster with the PDK gearbox is probably the best value car pounds for pleasure. I was really close to buying one , but opted for a 911 as I have two small children and the rear seats come in handy with them. However, in my opinion the booster looks better with the roof down than any 911. It's quite practical with a boot and frunk . Mid engined . I've driven a few and they are serious fun. Maintenance is reasonable with the sheer number of independents out there. I don't think you would lose much if anything if you bought a decent spec 987 . The PDK is much better than the tip, You live once. Do it!
Avid 987.1 2.7 Boxster owner here of nearly nine years. They are insane value for money at the moment. That being said, there are common maintenance requirements that will be needed seemingly regardless of age or mileage. These include but not limited to:
- suspension component refresh (lots of components = expensive)
- clutch & flywheel
- coolant lines left to right and front to rear
- brake pipes left to right and front to rear
- engine and gearbox mounts (leads to sloppy shifting)
- water ingress related failure (electrical control modules, roof mechanism)
- shifter mechanism wears out
- shift linkages can bind
- air/oil separator
As others have mentioned, there are numerous specialist indy garages but most decent garages can work on these cars for less money. Plenty of owners fora and clubs with an abundance of advice for the home mechanic and problem solver. I would strongly advocate buying via one of these enthusiast clubs or a specialist dealer but in each case absolutely get a pre-purchase inspection for peace of mind. However, these inspections are not infallible but can help with price negotiations or knowing when to walk away.
Brilliant, capable, engaging cars and I recommend them in a heartbeat. I have made some light modifications to mine and ventured on track a few times with more days planned this year and it is a very fun thing indeed.
Happy to give any advice as required!
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