Boxster
 

I've been out of the Porsche loop for a few years. Before I consider jumping back in, I need some info.

I'm looking at Boxsters. What year did they get rid of the problematic engine.....the M91?

Are the fixes to that old engine effective?
What should I be looking for in a repaired engine? IMS replacement? Whole engine replacement.....kinda iffy ground here considering Porsche's solution.....

How's the newer motor doing? Any major issues?

Didn't generate much intrest with this post on the Boxster/Cayman section.

TIA
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JPIII
Early Boxster

I think 2009 they finally fixed IMS issue
You might look at the Cayman too

If you're really that worried about it, get an 'engine go boom' insurance policy. I purchased 2 cars through the CPO program from Porsche and was very happy. They'll sell you an extended warranty along with the car. That way you can drive it without worry.

I had a standard 2002 Boxster. Loved that car. Enough power to feel spirited, great chassis, top down in the summer....loved it. If you can swing it, I would go with a 987. Its step up from the 986 in performance and looks. The convertible top is much better (quieter and warmer in the cold).

btw, I don't have an engine warranty on my 997. I have the impression that the internet tends to highlight the cases when there is a failure, leaving the vast majority who have not had issues in the shadows. No one goes on the internet, and posts, "Another day, and my car is running great!" But when the schiat hits the fan......

whats a policy like that cost ? (boom )

A rough guide to Boxster variants:
97-2000 double row IMS with less than 1% failure rate.
2001-2004 single row with 8-10% IMS failure
2005-2008 more robust IMS with less than 1% failure
2009-current Design change with IMS bearing eliminated

If I were shopping I would look first at 2009-current for the highest reliability. In older cars I would find a mid-mileage car with a history of frequent oil changes. Oil contamination from long service intervals is a strong suspect in IMS bearing failure. A 1% failure rate for IMS is not zero so there is always a chance you get bit but your odds are better than Vegas. I had mine upgraded at 96k and the stock bearing was still very sound. My 98 has 115k miles and 100+ track days. She has been very reliable through thick and thin.

Another day, and my car is running great!

Try the 986 forum for other opinions if you want more info.Especially the section "thinking of buying a Boxster". The 2009 or newer has less issues as mentioned above. My 2001 Boxster base had the camshaft deviation code come on. I had lots of green little bits in the oil filter. Possibly was the wearing down of the chain guides. One quote was around $5000+ to fix that plus install new ims, rms while in there.

So that was too much $$$$ for me to spend on a car that would still only be worth $12000 and then there would be water pump , aos etc etc to replace as preventive.

I think a 911 is a tad more $$$$ to run but not by much. Get the newest Boxster you can afford. Read the fine print on the warranties you can purchase. Many Boxster owners say put away $2k a year for repairs rather than get a warranty. I agree with them.
That said it is the most fun sports car I have had but the most expensive to run.
Likely my next sporty car will be an NC Miata.

Guy

Thanks for posting. Were did you get these figures from?

I've been Boxster shopping too...looks like 2005 was also a crossover year where early models have the serviceable bearing with the higher failure rate, the later models have the 06-08 bearing, which requires a teardown to replace.

My source is Problem: IMS Failure. Solution: IMS Retrofit, lots of good data there.

Don't let the paperwork jade your opinion or decision. Any car over 60K should be safe, that is a general rule so don't bother flaming me for the comment. I daily a 97 with 180K on the clock and I show it zero mercy. I lost a chain tentioner a few years ago but that is all. They are very very fun cars, but if I had to do it again I would buy a Cayman, I am not a fan of drop tops, I got the car through a long line of bad luck and took it from my wife.
Just make sure to get a solid PPI and take the plunge.
It is hard to beat the sound on the 2.5 when she is in the 7k range, IMO one of the best sounding engines they ever made

Cajundaddy nailed it. The 986 models have the M96 engine, the 987.1 have the M97, and the 987.2 have the 9A1 that does not have an IMS. All fantastic cars. Use some common sense regarding the IMS, while it does fail (highest in the single row cars) it is still a very small number. M97 IMS failure is VERY rare.

Btw, the IMS retrofit website is from the guys that sell products based on your fear. Take it with a large grain of salt.

My 03 996 just turned 140k miles. Sees redline every drive. Original RMS and IMS.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Where in the heck did you hear that? The majority of them fail north of @80k.

I don't think sufficient data exists to really make either claim.

This is a combination of known failures and discovery during a class action suit a few years ago that affected single row IMS owners. Porsche will never give us exact #s (and they probably don't even know) but this is a useful rough guide that has stood the test of time.

Just been my experience, I have been known to swing a wrench or two on these, SmileWavy

It's really pretty simple. M96 means you have a small chance of failure, the fix is about $750 + labor. M97 means nearly no risk of failure. 9A1 means no risk of failure.