Some Questions for Boxster Owners

[Sunroof]

I have been a long time Pelicanhead, but come from the 911 side of the family. After 23 years of owning my 1973.5 911T classic longhood I have decided to sell and move on to a 2013-2016 Boxster Base with PDK. Yep, going from classic air cooled to classic water pumper! To explain better, I am about to turn 75, retired and find myself desiring to get into a convertible and give my left foot (clutch) a big break!! I have been a Porsche owner now going on 50 years and its time to kinda settle down......

Regarding the Boxster, what concerns me is that access to the engine looks like its ramps, jacks or a lift. All I want to do is to be able to change the oil and filters (oil, air and possibly fuel).

So my questions are simple: Is the Boxster an easy car to jack up and secure with floor jacks or risky business?

Once underneath, is the oil drain plug(s) easily accessible as too the oil and air filters?

I am not sure if Wayne's 101 Boxster Projects would be useable for the 2013 on models. Anyone?

Thanks for any input on what the home mechanic can perform for preventative maintenance regarding the newly designed Boxsters (2013-).

Bob
1973.5 911T
1974 911
1985.5 944
1967 Triumph TR-4A
1959 Austin Healy Bug Eyed Sprite
1972 Fiat 850

[JFP in PA]

1. Yes
2.Yes
3. No

[Marine Blue]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

1. Yes
2.Yes
3. No

Agreed, basic maintenance is fairly easy on these cars. If you have the means I would suggest a scissor lift, that would make oil changes much easier with far more clearance underneath.

Good luck with the transition to water cooled.

[husker boxster]

Buy a pair of Jack Point jack stands. A bit spendy ($300) but you only need 2. Then use them on the rear jack points. Keep lifting after you get the JP base positioned, as you will be able to lift the front wheel off the ground from the rear jack point. You can get it high enough off the ground to get a jack stand under the front jack point. Done and done.

Or you can spend ~ $1500 for a set of Quick Jacks that will quickly lift your car mechanically. Pelican has them on sale w/ free shipping right now.

The filters take a bit of work to get to from the trunk, but are easier than a 986 or 987 Box. You don't have to get the top into service mode to do them. Unless you're going to do something major, there's no need to get into the engine compartment. Electric power steering, so no adding fluid like in prev hydraulic models. Much simpler on a 981, other than you have to remove several items to get to the filters. Honestly, Porsche doesn't want the old shade tree mechanic in the engine compartment anyway. They make it harder and harder to do maint w/o their PIWIS.

Good luck with your upgrade.

[Sunroof]

Thank you for the responses. Working on a 911T 2.4 air cooled totally exposed engine has been a delight, but you are correct in saying that Porsche wants to keep the home mechanic away from these new cars.

Has anything been available for newer Boxster models past Waynes 101 Projects for the earlier Boxsters

Bob

[Cajundaddy]

Honestly, after doing most of my own wrenching all of my life, both the 987.2 and 981 are really pretty bulletproof cars. Only annual maintenance needed in most cases for oil and filters. I had a lift at my last place but now I simply take my car to a trusted wrench like JFP once a year and let them change the oil. I still do brakes and troubleshooting when needed but oil changes are low on my personal satisfaction list these days. Enjoy the new ride!

[BR-549]

Sunroof, I appreciate your concerns. I too owned a 73.5 911, then an 87 Carrera, and about two years ago bought a 2013 Boxster. I love how the Boxster is tight, responsive, fun, reliable and has A/C that actually cools the car. I am not an accomplished mechanic but did an oil change on the it recently and it's only a little more of a hassle than an old 911. On Planet 9 and Rennlist there are discussions on how to jack up the car -- lots of ways to get it done you just need to find something that works for you. Hope you enjoy the 981!

Ken

[Sunroof]

Thanks again for the input. There are many videos on youtube that go over this model (2013-2016) from test drives to all the bells and whistles in the cabin and all have been positive. When I add up what I am getting here it appears Porsche hit the mark on this generation of Boxster. I see nothing but positive results.

Back in the air cooled world I used to tease my fellow 911 owners with a quote from Enzio Ferrari,
"playboys drive convertibles but drivers drive coupes". Interesting when you think about it, but a ragtop for me and my wife would be just lovely.

Bob

[mikefocke]

I used to take my 986 to a Jiffy lube place and supply oil, filter and crush ring. I'd monitor the torque they used and never had an issue. Earlier, I had a steeply sloped driveway that with ramps and a crawler, I could easily get the tail end airborne, the pan level and change the oil myself.

Yes I changed the MAF and the air filter too. Easy. And took it to a muffler shop with an O2 sensor to let them use their special tools and the rack. Could have done it myself but the tool would cost more than they charged.

In fact lots of things with a Boxster can be done by anyone, and I'm proof of that. Never worked on any car myself in the 30 years before owning 2 Boxsters.