slightlt OT boxster advice from 911 owners

[56 nomad]

hello,
first of all let me thank you for your advice/comments i have owned air cooled porsches for over 30 years but have no firsthand experience with boxsters. i have posted on the boxster forum but want to ask 911 owner for any insights they may have.
i contemplating purchasing a boxster for my daughter (first car) and looking at models from 2003 back..triptonic transmission. can some of you provide some advice as to what to look/be aware of when purchasing this car ? what would you consider o.k. mileage regarding life of motor triptonic before a rebuild?
many of the cars i have been looking at have between 70 to 110 miles on the clock and range from 9- to 12000 dollars. what can i expect from this car service wise, on my 911 i do most maintenance.
thanks for your help, ben

[vulcan300]

Hi Ben,

A solid PPI is the best thing you can do with a Boxster. If all the usual checks for worn out suspension, steering linkages, clutch feel, brake fluid condition, coolant and oil level, compression and leak down numbers etc. turn out good you will then need to concern yourself with the condition of the IMS bearing and/or rear main seal. The IMS bearing and RMS and two notorious failure points in these cars, and the cost of fixing them if you you have someone else do it can be pricey. If your see a significant accumulation of oil residue at the point where the engine and case come together it can indicate an issue with one or both of these things. A less scrupulous seller may have the engine steam cleaned to hide evidence of problems though so a visual inspection isn't enough. Make sure the PPI includes a check of the Camshaft deviation which is done through a hookup to a diagnostic system (Porsche PIWIS or Durametric). Significant Camshaft deviation can indicate an IMS bearing that is in the process of failing. Finding metal particles when inspecting of the oil filter element can also reveal problems.

If everything checks out you should be good to go with the purchase. I would recommend installing an IMS Gaurdian though. It is an early warning system based on airplane engine technology. If the IMS bearing or other engine component starts to degrade the metal particulates will be attracted to two magnetic electrodes in a modified engine oil plug. If the gap between the electrodes is closed by the particulates an alarm will sound in the cabin. This early warning would allow you to have the IMS bearing replaced before the engine destroys itself.

Hope this helps!

[pharlap71]

The BIG thing with them as I understand is the Intermediate shaft bearing, it is a sealed bearing inside the engine, there are some aftermarket fixes (L&N Engineering). It can be very costly, google it you will find plenty. Some say it is overblown but not the ones who have had a failure out of warranty.

[drl911]

I bought a '01 Boxster S last year to complement my '86 Carrera and love it. It was a high mileage car, but came with a thick folder full of service history so I was comfortable that everything was well maintained.

If you are comfortable with doing your own maintenance, get a copy of Wayne's 101 projects for the Boxster. I had the smoke at start up problem a couple of months ago and changed the air/oil seperator myself following the steps in the book. I have also changed the cv boots myself. My is a 6 speed manual so I am looking forward to changing the clutch one day and probably upgrading the IMS bearing at the same time, but certainly not losing sleep over IMS failure like so many others....

Regarding mid engine access, it literally only takes about 2 minutes to remove the covers and get to the top of the engine. However, once there everything is quite tight and uncomfortable reaching in there with wrenches, etc.

Good luck,
Dan

[Tony V]

If possible, go for a 2003 or later. First year for the glass rear window and a real glove box.
Bose sound system is incompatible with iPod integration (without spending a small fortune)
Tony
2003 Boxster S

[56 nomad]

thanks to all for the response...have a good one. ben

[Bob Kontak]

Inside of engine is different than the 911/930. Crank is held in a carrier - like a box - that carrier is bolted between the case halves. Some special know how and tools are required to re-attach three of the six pistons. If it is done incorrectly and the wrist pins are not attached properly you find out the hard way after it is back in the car.

I think this was a Boxster S engine but guessing the regular Boxster has the same convention.

[TRE Cup]

sent you a pm
dave

[dad911]

Originally Posted by 56 nomad

......
i contemplating purchasing a boxster for my daughter (first car) and ......
thanks for your help, ben

Hmmmm. As a long time porsche owner, everything from a 71 911 through various 911 & 964s, cup cars, gt3, and boxters....... my daughter has a Jetta.

The Best Cars for Teen Drivers - WSJ.com

Cars For Teen Drivers

[Justin@Athens]

Originally Posted by dad911

Hmmmm. As a long time porsche owner, everything from a 71 911 through various 911 & 964s, cup cars, gt3, and boxters....... my daughter has a Jetta.

The Best Cars for Teen Drivers - WSJ.com

Cars For Teen Drivers

I agree. I owned a boxster for a short while, fantastic car...that has its issues Ask me how I know... But more to the point, I know she may be the most responsible kid you've ever known and makes good grades and is about to solve global warming, but I am kinda thinking that any kid's FIRST car should probably cost less than 10k, have a roof, and not go over 80mph. But that is just my 2 cents. The boxster is a fine automobile though, especially the new 981!

[wwest]

I think I would look for a late model 968 convertibe were it me. Meager rear seat space and the seats recline...really.

[56 nomad]

thanks for taking your time over the long week-end to provide me info and concerns/advice...it is much appreciated.
regards to all have a good one......still have my first car a used 1958 fuel injected corvette.
responsible , ben