advice buying a 987 Boxster S
- Thread starter poobarr
- Start date
PSM and PASM are separate things.
PSM is Porsche Stability Management (traction control). PASM is Porsche Active Suspension Management (does what it says). I wouldn't say its a 'must have' but I have it and it does help with the cornering, also means the car is 10mm lower than the standard car. If its there, great, but I wouldn't turn down an otherwise nice car.
Gearboxes failing - that's a new one to me. RSM and IMS - types of engine seals, are the main weakness (but before you worry, this is a very small percentage of cars).
Do a search on here, or boxa.net, that should give you a good idea of common faults.
edit: forgot to mention, PSM and PASM are not either/or. You get PSM or PSM and PASM.
PSM is Porsche Stability Management (traction control). PASM is Porsche Active Suspension Management (does what it says). I wouldn't say its a 'must have' but I have it and it does help with the cornering, also means the car is 10mm lower than the standard car. If its there, great, but I wouldn't turn down an otherwise nice car.
Gearboxes failing - that's a new one to me. RSM and IMS - types of engine seals, are the main weakness (but before you worry, this is a very small percentage of cars).
Do a search on here, or boxa.net, that should give you a good idea of common faults.
edit: forgot to mention, PSM and PASM are not either/or. You get PSM or PSM and PASM.
Where do these rumours come from ? [
]I don't think you are likely to have any gearbox issues.
PASM and PSM are two different things
PASM is the active suspension
PSM is Stability Management - helps if you get out of shape (but can't change the laws of physics!)
Whoops - Jamie beat me to it []
Just a note that PSM acts on all 4 wheels - and can brake them individually to try and correct an out of control car, in addition to the traction control ability
]Just a note that PSM acts on all 4 wheels - and can brake them individually to try and correct an out of control car, in addition to the traction control ability
Cheers for the prompt replies guys.
RE the gearbox a chap who has one for sale has had his replaced and tells me that it is a known (common?) fault and asking around at work a guy with 986 s has had his replaced.
RE PASM yes i was aware they are different (obviously I didnt word the question well) I just wondered if it was worth hunting out a car with it, I am a keen driver and will probably do trackdays a few times a year.
Thanks again
RE the gearbox a chap who has one for sale has had his replaced and tells me that it is a known (common?) fault and asking around at work a guy with 986 s has had his replaced.
RE PASM yes i was aware they are different (obviously I didnt word the question well) I just wondered if it was worth hunting out a car with it, I am a keen driver and will probably do trackdays a few times a year.
Thanks again
Common faults seem to be.
Rads & A/C rads rot out, check that there is no leaves or debris in there.
RMS get it checked out some may mist which is ok as long as it does not drip.
Front suspension can creak a bit with age or mileage.
Air mass can sometimes need repalcing as coil packs.
Pretty standard stuff.
Best advice is to get any car your thinking of get it checked out.
Had a few Boxsters with very little problems to date.
Great cars, wife has used all her Boxsters everyday
seems to keep them healthy if you ask me never a RMS.prob.
Hope this helps Cliff.
Rads & A/C rads rot out, check that there is no leaves or debris in there.
RMS get it checked out some may mist which is ok as long as it does not drip.
Front suspension can creak a bit with age or mileage.
Air mass can sometimes need repalcing as coil packs.
Pretty standard stuff.
Best advice is to get any car your thinking of get it checked out.
Had a few Boxsters with very little problems to date.
Great cars, wife has used all her Boxsters everyday
seems to keep them healthy if you ask me never a RMS.prob.
Hope this helps Cliff.
berty987
New member
The 987 is slightly different from the 986 and had a number of mechanical improvements , one of which was that PSM or Porsche Stability Management was fitted as standard to all 987 models , whereas it had been an option on the 986. The rear screen is also glass and heated as well the hood being triple skinned and operable with the car moving up to 30 mph.
Regarding common faults or a buyers guide of things to look for :
1. Front radiators are exposed to stone damage , check for leaks or signs of corrosion , use a torch to look through the front air intakes and get underneath if possible
2. The gear linkage cables can break on earlier cars , check the gears engage properly and without any resistance
3. Gearbox problems have been known (though rare) on the earlier Getrag gearboxes fitted to both 986 and 987 models , the later 987 cars had Asin gearboxes.
4. The Rear Main Oil Seal or RMS can weep, this isn't a significant problem and should be rectified with a new seal when the clutch is replaced.
5. Suspension was improved on the 987 over the 986 with uprated parts , the common wearing parts are still the ball joints on the suspension arms and the steering
rack.Check for any rattles, squeaks or clunks when driving at low speed over uneven surfaces such as cats eyes etc.
6. The roof on the 987 can get out of alignment and the tension bows (elastic straps ) can stretch causing an annoying squeak behing the drivers head. Simple to fix
yourself but a point to negotiate on.
7. The earlier 987 had the oil filler and water filler in the rear boot . Condensation in this area can point to one of two problems. Either the radiator cap needs replacing or
the overpressure vent seal is starting to weep. Neither are costly to repair and can be done yourself.
8. Clutch and flywheel - typically last 40-60 k signs of wear or impending failure are usually a heavy pedal, high biting point or squeak during operation. The dual mass
flywheels can deteriorate and lose their spring tension, this results in a rattle or clunk when taking up load or off throttle at lower speeds.
9. Water leaks - check under the drivers seat and passenger seat for signs of damp. This usually indicates the drainage holes under the rear clamshell that houses the soft
top are blocked or in the case of damp footwells that the drainage holes next to the battery in the front boot are blocked. The door inner skin is sealed with a
weatherproof glue which can also deteriorate . This allows water to run into the car next to the driver or passenger seat when heavy rain occurs and the car is standing.
Water inside the car can and often does damage the electrical control units that are mounted under the driver and passenger seats so do not take this check lightly.
10. Electrical system - check the horn , its a dual tone unit but often one or both horns fail thanks to being mounted under the car in a location prone to water ingress.
Check the alarm operates and that when the car locks there is no beep from the horn. This indicates that one of the microswitches (front boot, rear boot, convertible
top, doors, or interior glove box) isn't made or may be faulty.
12. Options - The 987 S comes as standard with Air conditioning and front and rear fog lights, white dial faces, 6 speed gearbox, 18" wheels , electric mirrors and a dual
outlet exhaust trim.
Additional options are : Xenon Headlights - these will have washer jets in the front bumper if original porsche fit, otherwise its an upgrade using an aftermarket kit.
Full leather - If the dashboard doesnt have a V in the center on the top face next to the center speaker its probably leather, seats will be leather
faced and side bolsters
Parking Aid - usual button like units on rear bumper
Audio Upgrades - Sound packet plus - look for an amplifier in the front boot behind the trim that houses the tyre glue and toolkit
Bose - BOSE silver decal on door speakers and a subwoofer in place of the rear storage box between driver and passenger
seat
PCM - Satellite Navigation - A colour display screen and navigation system. Check you get the map DVD , as without it the
system wil not work.Press MAP button to see if a map is installed.
CD Changer - a six disc Cd changer mounted in front boot under the access cover for the brake reservoir etc.
Telephone - Sim card (handsfree) or full handset option only available for PCM units. Press Tel button on PCM to see if its
installed.
Multi function wheel (only for PCM)- includes thumbwheels to adjust volume and select menus from PCM screen
Sport Chrono/ chrono plus (with pcm) - A button marked sport on the lower set of buttons central to hte dashboard next to the spoiler and PSM
button
PASM - A button with a shock absorber symbol on it next to the spoiler and PSM buttons. Car sits lower by 10mm
Seat Heating - Buttons in the ventillation control panel , these have two settings press sequentially to select.
19" wheels - Various designs available
PCCB - porsche ceramic brakes denoted by yelow calipers and brake discs that look dark carbon rather than shiny steel on
the wear surfaces.
Cruise Control - Extra stalk on the stering column
Embossed head rests
Coloured wheel centres - standard ones are monochrome black and silver
Wheel spacers - if original they should be accompanied with longer bolts with GT stamped on them.
Sports seats - these have wings on the shoulder region
Electric seats - these have a control button switch panel on the drivers door card, selecting the passenger door mirror it should
dip when reverse is selected. Sports seats are called adaptive seats when electrically adjustable
Sport steering wheel - A round rather than triangular airbag, slightly thicker padding and thumbrests at 10 and 2 positions.
PSE - Sports exhaust. Not officially available until the 3.4 boxster arrived in 2007 but can be retro fitted. Controlled either by
Sport button or by its own switch next to spolier and PSM buttons.
Auto dimming rear view mirror and rain sensing wipers - Look for a larger rear view mirror that has a small pin hole in the
bottom part to detect light from the rear of the car. Rain sensor sits
against the windscreen on the rear of the mirror back.
Short Shift - Difficult to detect unless you can compare against another car , but usually its a noticeable click when you select
reverse. If you can lift the gear lever gaiter the plastic pivot of the short shift is green rather than white
Tequipment and special order options - interior trim in wood , leather stiching in alternate colours, carbon fibre trim, aluminium
or leather covers to drivers door pockets. Special colours.
13. It is only fair to also mention the notorious IMS bearing . This sits in the engine and isn't visible without taking the gearbox and flywheel off. There have been a number of cases where this has failed , usually resulting in catastrophic engine failure. Unfortunately there is no way to predict or any maintenance that can assure it doesnt fail so there are three options.
1. Get a warranty with the car (ideally from porsche themselves) or failing that a reputable company like warranty direct or Hartech that will cover the IMS bearing and
engine repairs up to the value of the car (a new engine is about 10 k)
2. Reduce your budget and factor in an IMS bearing upgrade replacement for about 1500 pounds. Ideally go for one of the uprated designs offered from LN
engineering that can be fitted by a good independent such as Autofarm. Other options exist from equally reputable companies such as Hartech.
3. Put some money aside for such an eventuality , use a higher vis oil such as 5W40 and reduce the service interval for oil changes to between 5 and 10k. Try not to
drive the car constantly at low rpms but use the revs as they were intended. This isnt a sure fire guarantee of reducing the IMS risk but seems to be a consensus of
good practice based on the suggested mechanisms of how the bearing fails.
Bear in mind the number of failures due to IMS is statistically low but thats no guarantee you wont be one of those statistics. Its something to be aware of but not necessarily worried about.
And finally . There is no spare wheel, dont look for one they are not supplied as standard. The car is supplied with tyre glue and an emergency compressor along with a simple tool kit . Some owners opt to purchase the spare from the earlier 986 soxster S (17" 105 90 tyre) and use this instead but you also need a jack and wheel brace plus some provision to carry the removed roadwheel as it won't fit in either boot.
Regarding common faults or a buyers guide of things to look for :
1. Front radiators are exposed to stone damage , check for leaks or signs of corrosion , use a torch to look through the front air intakes and get underneath if possible
2. The gear linkage cables can break on earlier cars , check the gears engage properly and without any resistance
3. Gearbox problems have been known (though rare) on the earlier Getrag gearboxes fitted to both 986 and 987 models , the later 987 cars had Asin gearboxes.
4. The Rear Main Oil Seal or RMS can weep, this isn't a significant problem and should be rectified with a new seal when the clutch is replaced.
5. Suspension was improved on the 987 over the 986 with uprated parts , the common wearing parts are still the ball joints on the suspension arms and the steering
rack.Check for any rattles, squeaks or clunks when driving at low speed over uneven surfaces such as cats eyes etc.
6. The roof on the 987 can get out of alignment and the tension bows (elastic straps ) can stretch causing an annoying squeak behing the drivers head. Simple to fix
yourself but a point to negotiate on.
7. The earlier 987 had the oil filler and water filler in the rear boot . Condensation in this area can point to one of two problems. Either the radiator cap needs replacing or
the overpressure vent seal is starting to weep. Neither are costly to repair and can be done yourself.
8. Clutch and flywheel - typically last 40-60 k signs of wear or impending failure are usually a heavy pedal, high biting point or squeak during operation. The dual mass
flywheels can deteriorate and lose their spring tension, this results in a rattle or clunk when taking up load or off throttle at lower speeds.
9. Water leaks - check under the drivers seat and passenger seat for signs of damp. This usually indicates the drainage holes under the rear clamshell that houses the soft
top are blocked or in the case of damp footwells that the drainage holes next to the battery in the front boot are blocked. The door inner skin is sealed with a
weatherproof glue which can also deteriorate . This allows water to run into the car next to the driver or passenger seat when heavy rain occurs and the car is standing.
Water inside the car can and often does damage the electrical control units that are mounted under the driver and passenger seats so do not take this check lightly.
10. Electrical system - check the horn , its a dual tone unit but often one or both horns fail thanks to being mounted under the car in a location prone to water ingress.
Check the alarm operates and that when the car locks there is no beep from the horn. This indicates that one of the microswitches (front boot, rear boot, convertible
top, doors, or interior glove box) isn't made or may be faulty.
12. Options - The 987 S comes as standard with Air conditioning and front and rear fog lights, white dial faces, 6 speed gearbox, 18" wheels , electric mirrors and a dual
outlet exhaust trim.
Additional options are : Xenon Headlights - these will have washer jets in the front bumper if original porsche fit, otherwise its an upgrade using an aftermarket kit.
Full leather - If the dashboard doesnt have a V in the center on the top face next to the center speaker its probably leather, seats will be leather
faced and side bolsters
Parking Aid - usual button like units on rear bumper
Audio Upgrades - Sound packet plus - look for an amplifier in the front boot behind the trim that houses the tyre glue and toolkit
Bose - BOSE silver decal on door speakers and a subwoofer in place of the rear storage box between driver and passenger
seat
PCM - Satellite Navigation - A colour display screen and navigation system. Check you get the map DVD , as without it the
system wil not work.Press MAP button to see if a map is installed.
CD Changer - a six disc Cd changer mounted in front boot under the access cover for the brake reservoir etc.
Telephone - Sim card (handsfree) or full handset option only available for PCM units. Press Tel button on PCM to see if its
installed.
Multi function wheel (only for PCM)- includes thumbwheels to adjust volume and select menus from PCM screen
Sport Chrono/ chrono plus (with pcm) - A button marked sport on the lower set of buttons central to hte dashboard next to the spoiler and PSM
button
PASM - A button with a shock absorber symbol on it next to the spoiler and PSM buttons. Car sits lower by 10mm
Seat Heating - Buttons in the ventillation control panel , these have two settings press sequentially to select.
19" wheels - Various designs available
PCCB - porsche ceramic brakes denoted by yelow calipers and brake discs that look dark carbon rather than shiny steel on
the wear surfaces.
Cruise Control - Extra stalk on the stering column
Embossed head rests
Coloured wheel centres - standard ones are monochrome black and silver
Wheel spacers - if original they should be accompanied with longer bolts with GT stamped on them.
Sports seats - these have wings on the shoulder region
Electric seats - these have a control button switch panel on the drivers door card, selecting the passenger door mirror it should
dip when reverse is selected. Sports seats are called adaptive seats when electrically adjustable
Sport steering wheel - A round rather than triangular airbag, slightly thicker padding and thumbrests at 10 and 2 positions.
PSE - Sports exhaust. Not officially available until the 3.4 boxster arrived in 2007 but can be retro fitted. Controlled either by
Sport button or by its own switch next to spolier and PSM buttons.
Auto dimming rear view mirror and rain sensing wipers - Look for a larger rear view mirror that has a small pin hole in the
bottom part to detect light from the rear of the car. Rain sensor sits
against the windscreen on the rear of the mirror back.
Short Shift - Difficult to detect unless you can compare against another car , but usually its a noticeable click when you select
reverse. If you can lift the gear lever gaiter the plastic pivot of the short shift is green rather than white
Tequipment and special order options - interior trim in wood , leather stiching in alternate colours, carbon fibre trim, aluminium
or leather covers to drivers door pockets. Special colours.
13. It is only fair to also mention the notorious IMS bearing . This sits in the engine and isn't visible without taking the gearbox and flywheel off. There have been a number of cases where this has failed , usually resulting in catastrophic engine failure. Unfortunately there is no way to predict or any maintenance that can assure it doesnt fail so there are three options.
1. Get a warranty with the car (ideally from porsche themselves) or failing that a reputable company like warranty direct or Hartech that will cover the IMS bearing and
engine repairs up to the value of the car (a new engine is about 10 k)
2. Reduce your budget and factor in an IMS bearing upgrade replacement for about 1500 pounds. Ideally go for one of the uprated designs offered from LN
engineering that can be fitted by a good independent such as Autofarm. Other options exist from equally reputable companies such as Hartech.
3. Put some money aside for such an eventuality , use a higher vis oil such as 5W40 and reduce the service interval for oil changes to between 5 and 10k. Try not to
drive the car constantly at low rpms but use the revs as they were intended. This isnt a sure fire guarantee of reducing the IMS risk but seems to be a consensus of
good practice based on the suggested mechanisms of how the bearing fails.
Bear in mind the number of failures due to IMS is statistically low but thats no guarantee you wont be one of those statistics. Its something to be aware of but not necessarily worried about.
And finally . There is no spare wheel, dont look for one they are not supplied as standard. The car is supplied with tyre glue and an emergency compressor along with a simple tool kit . Some owners opt to purchase the spare from the earlier 986 soxster S (17" 105 90 tyre) and use this instead but you also need a jack and wheel brace plus some provision to carry the removed roadwheel as it won't fit in either boot.
Its a trade in at a range rover dealer, I've just had the 111 point check at a local porsche dealer and it came up with a few issues:
. Battery fault (needs replacing)
. Rear discs and brakes pads need replacing
. Oil leak between engine and gearbox (could be the main seal mentioned on point 4 above?)
. x1 Rear tyre just above legal limit
Obviously Im going back to have a chat about this with the dealer tomorrow.
I assume the Oil leak is the biggest issue?
. Battery fault (needs replacing)
. Rear discs and brakes pads need replacing
. Oil leak between engine and gearbox (could be the main seal mentioned on point 4 above?)
. x1 Rear tyre just above legal limit
Obviously Im going back to have a chat about this with the dealer tomorrow.
I assume the Oil leak is the biggest issue?
the oil leak is a tricky one. some 'weep', some pee oil....and those are the ones that need replacing. i'm on my third set of seals (mainly due to lack of use allegedly) but again its pot luck. its about a grand at a dealership (remember to ask for your PCGB 10%...and then some) but some are more particular than others. in short...get a second opinion if you can, or use it as leverage on the price.
one other point, if you do need the seals done, see when the clutch was last done, might be more cost effective to replace if you have to get the work done. w£lcom£ to porsche ownership (just kidding!)
one other point, if you do need the seals done, see when the clutch was last done, might be more cost effective to replace if you have to get the work done. w£lcom£ to porsche ownership (just kidding!)
The dealer im buying from (not an OPC) took it to the porsche centre and had the car repaired, whilst doing that they found another seal had failed and replaced that as well, plus the battery (£250!). They also checked the clutch and it's fine.
All in all the £180(+ vat), 111 check has saved me about £1500.
The dealer I am buying from told me that they had given the car a check over on trade in and there was little point in paying for a OPC inspection!!
The moral of that story is get a porsche inspection!
All in all the £180(+ vat), 111 check has saved me about £1500.
The dealer I am buying from told me that they had given the car a check over on trade in and there was little point in paying for a OPC inspection!!
The moral of that story is get a porsche inspection!
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