Boxster S Anniversary Questions

[TimEwins]

Hi All, this is my first post on the Boxster Forum

I have been looking to buy a Boxster S now for about 2 months, but have not found anything that meets my requirements (spec, mileage, price, etc).

The car that seems to meet what I want in terms of spec is the 2004 Anniversary Edition, and there are quite a few around at the moment at varying prices and mileages.

But what I have found looking at the cars available is that some are not quite right. Being a purist, I want my Anniversary car to be true to the original published spec, but some it seems are not.

Some cars have fitted standard silver 18" Carrera Wheels, but the Anniversary car should have two-tone silver/seal-grey 118" Carrera wheels.

Why would anyone fit different (wrong) wheels for the Anniversary Edition?

Another thing I have noted is that a lot of the cars have deleted the centre console. This seems to be less common on the standard S's.

As the console is not there, the build number plate of the Anniversary is stuck to the carpet instead, which looks a bit naff I think.

How easy, and how expensive would it be to retro fit a console? Has anyone tried this ? Will it match, and as you need to remove the build plate from the carpet, and fix it to the new console would this look naff too ?

I have a friend who works in the Porsche business (Sales/Service), and he just says to wait until the correct car comes along, and not bother with things like fitting consoles, wheels, etc

Is he right? Or perhaps I am being too fussy?

I never thought it would be so difficult to spend so much money :0)

Thanks Tim

 

[kitchens]

Tim
I have owned one ,and as far as I am aware the only exrta that was available over the standard car was Bose and Sat nav ,as to the wheels any I have seen had the seal grey wheels ,they where available in Coca interior and hood ,but black was imo nicer and mine had Tip whch was an extra £1200 as to value they seem to vary quite a bit so do not want to undervalue anyones car on here but I would thing around the £28 k mark for one under 20k miles ,never seen on e with the plate stuck on the carpet i hav eto say ,look on PH there are a few on there .Greig in our Region just sold one so he might be able to answer any question you have .I have just bought a 987 2.7 and have to say despite the engine differance the new car seems a better drive but it is what feels right for you.

Good luck with the search that is part off the fun

Brian

987 2.7 Tip Bose RPS Leather DHL yellow

 

[GreigM]

The two-colour wheels were a no-cost option so many annicersary models were delivered without them - and while they look good if you are thinking about keeping the car long single-colour is a better bet as you basically can't get the two-tone ones refurbished and would have to either buy new or get all 4 refurbed into a single colour. As for the center console it is fairly simple to re-fit, but not cheap and I think you're right about ripping the plaque off the carpet - I'd either live with it or find a different car. On the other hand, the lack of center console makes the interior feel a lot bigger and is more comfortable for taller/bigger drivers.

Prices just now are strong - I sold mine for the asking price within 24 hours of the advert going up....expect to pay around 27k for <20K miles

 

[TimEwins]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I really want a car with the console fitted, as I just think it looks better that way. Obviously if I can find a car with the SatNav, then it will have the console, as thats where the air-con goes. As for removing the plate, and refitting it, its probably not worth it then ? I assume the console in coloured leather from Porshe wouldn't be cheap ?

I hadn't thought about refurbing the wheels, surely someone could do it if it had to be done ? Why would it be difficult ?

Does anyone know how much a new set of 18" wheels from Porsche cost (dare I ask).

The Anniversary also has 10mm wheel spacers and a short shift gear stick, plus the stainless exhaust.

One of my wants for my car is the Litronic Headlights .... and this is standard on the Anniversary, but more difficult to find on standard S's.

I was thinking of spending up to £28K. I found an Anniversary car at a garage in Harrow (London) which was originally on for £32K which was way to high, this dropped to £30K. It seemed I was the only interested customer, and they dropped to £29K, but my offer of £28K didn't budge. Not heard from them for two weeks, and its starting its 3rd month on the Trader :0( (at £30K).

My mate in the trade is keeping me sane about what I should be paying, and I know even £29K is too much for that car (no sat nav, or PCM).

My other option is to hold out to the winter, when prices have dropped a bit. I am told that I might even find a 987 3.2S for under £30K then?

Cheers

Tim

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: TimEwins

My other option is to hold out to the winter, when prices have dropped a bit. I am told that I might even find a 987 3.2S for under £30K then?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=5&hassearched=Y&make=PORSCHE&min_pr=25000&source=0&model=BOXSTER&max_pr=30000&miles=1500&agerange=5&mileage=4&postcode=e9+5lw&bodyid=0&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&start=2&distance=104&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200725290041233

Cheers

Tim

Why wait when there are plenty of 987's on Autotrader today at below £30K for 2.7's and "S"'s [8D] www.autotrader.co.uk
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=5&hassearched=Y&make=PORSCHE&min_pr=25000&source=0&model=BOXSTER&max_pr=30000&miles=1500&agerange=5&mileage=4&postcode=e9+5lw&bodyid=0&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&start=10&distance=93&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200725290003108

 

[TimEwins]

I'll take a look, although £30 is a bit over my budget

Is the 3.2S 987 a better car than the 3.2S 986 ... in the opinion of those that answer ?

 

[Dapster]

ORIGINAL: TimEwins

Is the 3.2S 987 a better car than the 3.2S 986 ... in the opinion of those that answer ?

Absolutely and in every respect. I'd even stick my neck out and say that a 987 2.7 is a better car than the 986 3.2.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: TimEwins

I'll take a look, although £30 is a bit over my budget

Is the 3.2S 987 a better car than the 3.2S 986 ... in the opinion of those that answer ?

On my 5th Boxster since 1997 and have to say as great as the original and facelift cars are still, the 987 is in a totally different league in every respect. I would also strongly suggest you drive a 987 2.7 which can be bought for well below £30K all day long.

If I was in your position I would definitely go for the 2.7 987 in preference to a 3.2 986 but it's your hard earned so it's your call []

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: Dapster

ORIGINAL: TimEwins

Is the 3.2S 987 a better car than the 3.2S 986 ... in the opinion of those that answer ?

Absolutely and in every respect. I'd even stick my neck out and say that a 987 2.7 is a better car than the 986 3.2.

Sorry, I disagree with MHO: I have a MY2003 3.2S 986 and have test driven every S (987S) since then and had a MY05 987S for a weekend; MY06 straight 987 as courtesy car and performance wise they are very marginally better hardly noticeable on public roads and the straight MY06 987 NOT close to my car what-so-ever even with the vario-cam plus, etc. This is based on public roads and haven't tracked any of the test drives or courtesy cars.

Up until the new 3.4S 987 which has marked improvement in mid-range torque and noticable better response, everything else (road handling, etc) is a minor evolution and nothing revolutionary. This is Porsche's marketing too i.e. evolutionary not revolutionary. Yes, all the interior in the 987s are modern but nothing to write home about... There is more room in the 987 but I'm not over 6ft to appreciate it...

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Got to agree with Kish here.
Having had a selection of 3.2 and 3.4 loan 987's when mine has been serviced, it is always a pleasure to get back in to my own 2001 986S.
I didn't think it woud be the deciding factor, but I much prefer my car with the M030 sport suspension than the 987's on the standard suspension. FOR ME it makes a heck of a difference*. I haven't enough experience of PASM equiped cars to be able to comment. I'm not a fan of the straightedge interior of the 987 - but others like it so that is just personal taste. Having said that there is 10 years of development in the 987, and it should be better. But look at the 964 people, they believe their car is the best 911, (so do the 993's, 3.2's, even 912 owners []). It's all down to your own perception.

*If you drive in towns a lot (London!) then you may well disagree - sports suspension may not suit on poor roads[&:] (Tim, you won't have a problem!)

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

<snip> I'm not a fan of the straightedge interior of the 987 - but others like it so that is just personal taste. <snip>

Is that a euphemism for it is too hairdresser? lol... Mark said it not me...

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: THX911

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

<snip> I'm not a fan of the straightedge interior of the 987 - but others like it so that is just personal taste. <snip>

Is that a euphemism for it is too hairdresser? lol... Mark said it not me...

Sorry - it's the engineer in me:
Staightedge
Definition of Staightedge:
A straightedge is any stock or material that has a straight edge that can be used for making lines or as a saw guide. Commonly the factory edge of a piece of plywood is a straightedge.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: THX911

Up until the new 3.4S 987 which has marked improvement in mid-range torque and noticable better response, everything else (road handling, etc) is a minor evolution and nothing revolutionary. This is Porsche's marketing too i.e. evolutionary not revolutionary. Yes, all the interior in the 987s are modern but nothing to write home about... There is more room in the 987 but I'm not over 6ft to appreciate it...

Kish I have driven 2 987 3.4's and on both ocassions I have got straight back into my 3.2 and felt my car was no slower what so ever but actually had a slightly louder and therefore IMO better sound track!

Either I have an exceptional 987 3.2, which I don't believe to be the case, or the differences between 3.2 & 3.4 are so minute that without being told one would never ever spot it [&o] 0-62mph in 0.01 secs quicker is a tall order to feel in anyones world

 

[TimEwins]

Hi Guys

I went along to see a Boxster S Anniversary Edition Car on Saturday (it was an Independent Dealer).

It seemed a good car, and the spec was good too including Black Leather, BOSE, SatNav and Phone module.

The only main worrying thing was that the car appeared to be missing its options label under the bonnet. Is this always there? Does this indicate that the bonnet may have been replaced?

We checked the rear boot welds, and the front boot paintwork, and I believe all is as it should be (as far as my experience goes anyway)

Should I be worried about this?

The car was also missing its spare wheel too "¦.

I forgot to ask why :0(

Another thing "¦. Is it possible to repair a small nick in the leather seat ? It looks like someone has caught a ring on the leather. The nick doesn't go all the way through the leather.

Does anyone have any experiences with this sort of repair?

At the moment my mood swings from Good Car to Bad Car ?

Thanks in advance

Tim

 

[kitchens]

To the best of my knowledge this and all 986 have the sticker under the bonnet ,the current 987 does not have it as does 997 ,so if it is mising it could well indicate a forward shunt and as to the spare being missing only confirm's the issue possibly taken out at repair and forgotten to be put back .perhaps someone who has a 550 could check for you .

 

[GreigM]

ORIGINAL: kitchens

To the best of my knowledge this and all 986 have the sticker under the bonnet ,the current 987 does not have it as does 997 ,so if it is mising it could well indicate a forward shunt and as to the spare being missing only confirm's the issue possibly taken out at repair and forgotten to be put back .perhaps someone who has a 550 could check for you .

from some point in 2004 (2yr service intervals) onwards the factory only supplied 1 options sticker which should be in the service booklet - a 550 with no options sticker under the bonnet is nothing to be worried about...mine didn't have one and I researched this with porsche directly. No spare wheel could be that they had a puncture, used it and forgot to put it back.

 

[TimEwins]

Thanks for the replies ..... the no options label under the bonnet on 2004+ cars is interesting, I think I may post another thread to see if any other owners can confirm this as well.

I'll contact the garage as well to see what they have to say

 

[TimEwins]

I have been using Peter Morgans Book "Ultimate Buyers' Guide - 1996 to 2005", as my reference when looking at cars. He says to be wary of a missing VIL (Vehicle Identity Label) , he says ..

"If th VIL label under the bonnet or that by the drivers door is missing, then it suggests there have been accident damage repairs"

Even thought the book is an updated 2005, could he have got this wrong ?

 

[GreigM]

It is wrong - I could verify my car back to the delivery day and it was delivered with no option sticker under-bonnet. I was the 2nd owner, the first owner was Ian Gilmour (RO for Yorkshire) - there was no doubt my car had not been in an accident and it didn't have the options sticker.

 

[TimEwins]

Hi GreigM ..... I believe you :0)

I have also had it confirmed by my Independent Dealer friend that he has had late cars with no VIL Sticker. I think this might have coincided with production of th Boxster moving to Finland. The 550 I am looking at has a 'U' in the chassis number, and not an 'S'. BTW Peter Morgans book is incorrect in that area as well.