Major Issues on 2007 Boxster?

[rickster99]

I currently lease my 2007 boxster. the lease is up this may and I plan to buy it. I have enjoyed the car and only have 26K miles on it. Only major issues have been a water pump replacement and convertible top replacement. I have serviced it at the dealership with oil changes every 5000 miles or 12 months. I am concerned with the warranty running out whether or not this model has had any major engine, trans or other issues that others have seen. I could spring for $2K extra along with dealer headaches to add a Porsche CPO warranty to the car, but for only two years extension, I just don't know if it is worth it. Does anyone have any advice on major issues experienced with this model or the extended warranty?

[kx9862002]

2000 for 2 years?
sounds like good deal for a porsche

[clickman]

Four years old and only 26k miles and you've already had to replace the water pump and the top?? The water pump maybe ...

Anyhow, one potentially major issue with the '07 is that you can't do the IMS retrofit without completely disassembling the engine.

And with any warranty you have to wonder if it's REALLY going to be there when you need it.

[Wayne 962]

It does sound like a good deal for Porsche.

As for replacing the top - it was probably a minor issue, but Porsche and the dealers tend to just replace stuff in bulk sometimes.

-Wayne

[rickster99]

The top was a very minor issue which I could have fixed myself, but Porsche insisted on replacing the entire top over a $1 elastic strap.
I understood the issues with the IMS were resolved prior to the 2007 model year.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by rickster99

I understood the issues with the IMS were resolved prior to the 2007 model year.

Unfortunately not.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by rickster99

The top was a very minor issue which I could have fixed myself, but Porsche insisted on replacing the entire top over a $1 elastic strap.
I understood the issues with the IMS were resolved prior to the 2007 model year.

Let me correct that for you - the "DEALER" insisted on replacing the entire top. Big job, lots of hours, expensive parts (markup) - all paid for by the factory and revenue put into the dealer's pocket. One of the reasons I hear that Porsche does not like it's dealer network, and is trying to buy them all up (long term plan).

-Wayne

[rickster99]

Good point on the top.

Regarding the IMS issue, I understood this component was redesigned prior to the 2006 model year. Is the 2007 standard engine experiencing the same issue as early model Boxsters? Has the occurence rate significantly dropped?

[mikefocke]

Major engine problems don't really surface in force on the forums until the owner is asked to pay for them. Thus there is more chatter about the earlier model years because they are all out of warranty. There was a redesign (Rev 3) for the later 987s and the aftermarket folks have found that there is a market for a replacement even of the Rev 3 IMS. The Rev 3 does cost a lot more in labor and down time than the Rev 1 and 2 as the IMS (shaft itself) must be removed from the engine and shipped to be retrofitted with the new bearing. Which means dropping the engine, splitting the case, etc.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by rickster99

Regarding the IMS issue, I understood this component was redesigned prior to the 2006 model year. Is the 2007 standard engine experiencing the same issue as early model Boxsters? Has the occurence rate significantly dropped?

Yes, the final revision IMS is still subject of the same type of failures as the earlier versions, which is probably why Porsche designed the IMS shaft out of the later 9A1 engine design.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by clickman

And with any warranty you have to wonder if it's REALLY going to be there when you need it.

If it's a Porsche CPO, it will be. Just make sure it is exactly that, and not an aftermarket warranty. But if you bought the car new and maintained it through the dealer, they'll easily give it a CPO from Porsche.

I agree with others, $2k for a Porsche CPO warranty is pretty cheap insurance. See if you can work it into the purchase deal?

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

I agree with others, $2k for a Porsche CPO warranty is pretty cheap insurance. See if you can work it into the purchase deal?

I actually think everyone was hinting that it wasn't a terribly good deal for the buyer, but a good deal for Porsche who was selling the policy. You're basically betting that you'll have more than $2000 in warranty repairs in two years. Not too likely I would think?

-Wayne

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

...You're basically betting that you'll have more than $2000 in warranty repairs in two years. Not too likely I would think?

In my heart I want to agree with you, however 2 of the 3 Boxsters I've owned required new motors. The second one was under warranty, the first one wasn't. (Just outside CPO warranty...still on my dime.) I'd pay up for the warranty. Maybe I'm a sucker....but I sure as hell don't want to pay for a new motor again.

[BerneseMtnDog]

For me the short span of years between when you cannot easily retrofit a new IMS bearing and when they did away with the IMS shaft entirely are the years I wouldn't want to own long term. As nice as that 07 sounds I'd rather not buy it but would save for an 09 instead. I keep cars long term though.

Steve

[clickman]

Originally Posted by BerneseMtnDog

As nice as that 07 sounds I'd rather not buy it but would save for an 09 instead.

Every engine has its issues, some worse than others. Let's see what the new generation has trouble with.

For me, the best bet would be a pristine '04 and get the IMS done.

[thstone]

Most CPO's are break-even; meaning that at dealer list price for repairs, you are likely to run up $2,000 over two years. With dealer repairs starting around $500ea and running up to $900 for some pretty standard repairs (like a window regulator or alternator), it doesn't take much to reach $2K fairly easily.

More importantly, the CPO coverage is excellent (and cheap) insurance against worst case scenarios (engine, trans, etc).

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by thstone

Most CPO's are break-even; meaning that at dealer list price for repairs, you are likely to run up $2,000 over two years. With dealer repairs starting around $500ea and running up to $900 for some pretty standard repairs (like a window regulator or alternator), it doesn't take much to reach $2K fairly easily.

More importantly, the CPO coverage is excellent (and cheap) insurance against worst case scenarios (engine, trans, etc).

Hmm, break even on the first sheet of paper. Don't forget that you paid them $2,000 for the warranty. If they did $2,000 worth of work, there's tremendous profit in the parts and labor on that $2,000 worth of work. So, when they sell a warranty, you're basically buying an "expiring gift certificate" good for $2K worth of profitable work from the dealer, with the small insurance that it might go beyond that.

I believe these programs are super-profitable for the dealerships.

-Wayne

[BerneseMtnDog]

I agree that getting the last of the serviceable IMS bearing cars would be a great way to go. These are getting "too old" for a lot of folks though especially if they don't do their own maintenance. I do my own and plan to keep my 2000 for as long as possible.

Steve