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Confused potential owner

Metz2000

Metz2000

PCGB Member
Member
Hi All,

I'm thinking about getting a Boxster for a bit of top down summer fun, but also has to be used as an infrequent daily driver.

I've spent a couple of days now trawling through posts on here and other websites about the very well taked about IMS problems, but can't seem to find the answers I'm looking for and thought the expert advice may be here.

Basically I was looking at a 2008 very low mileage 2.7, with the possible wrong assumption that these won't suffer from the dreaded IMS failure and massive bills thereafter. I then read some other threads and it seems that they do. Can anyone clarify for me which engines and years do and don't suffer from these potential problems?

Any help will be very gratefully accepted.

Chris
 

Chris,

You need to be looking at the 987 Gen2 models introduced, I think, in 2009 for the UK. Both the 2.9L and 3.4L engines had the IMS deleted along with a number of other updates, including direct fuel injection (DFI) on the 3.4L.

I think that the IMS/RMS problems might well be a little overplayed due to internet overexposure, and later cars certainly benefited from IMS bearing updates, but getting a Gen2 car should allay your fears in this respect.

Hope that's of some help.

Jeff
 
Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your very swift reply, your answer is exactly what I needed. I think I'll start looking at 2009 onwards as you say just to allay my fears, I woudn't want to spend 20k on a car that then has a fear of going pop.

I think you may have just saved me a few hundred mile round trip to view one.

Thanks again.

Chris
 

You're welcome Chris.

Hope you have some success - I'm sure that there are some excellent cars around if you're prepared to look. As always, buy on condition and service history, etc. An inspection by a reputable Porsche specialist would be advisable too.

Of course, getting a Gen2 car doesn't guarantee that you won't experience any problems, but at least it eliminates a major source of potential problems. And of course, the Gen2 engine is now the core engine for the whole flat-6 sportscar range, including the 911 Turbo and GT3.

Jeff
 
I reckon you'd have just as much summer fun with your 930 - don't necessarily need to take you top off to have fun[:D] (matron).
 
Hi Guys,

[:D] Paul you are absolutely right, I can have a lot of fun in the 930 and I still intend too (even with my top on). For me the time is right (i.e. i managed to convince the missus) to get rid of a big family car and have another Porsche. When I bought the 930 the missus wanted it to be convertible but the right one didn't come up (and I prefered the coupe) so this time it's a must, for me as well as the missus. That added to the need for it to be reliable, be able to leave it places without worrying too much and for the missus to be able to drive it back from the pub, made the Boxster the best all round choice for me.

Thanks you all for the advice, I hadn't realised the Gen 2 engine was now the core engine for the range that is very interesting. Is there many known faults for the Gen 2 987, I hadn't came across much when I was searching?

I'll take all precautions that I can, you may have guessed that when it comes to buying cars I am quite risk adverse. Well I'm heading down south today to see family and may also get a chance to view a car or too, fingers crossed the right one is waiting for me...

Thanks again.

Chris
 

Chris,

Not wishing to tempt fate, the Gen2 engine family seems to be reasonably robust but I believe that there have been a very small number of reports of bore scoring (there could have been a report of this on the 997 forum?). Carbon build-up on the inlet valves also appears to be a feature of the DFI engines.

However, I don't think that other manufacturers have been immune to similar problems and I note that VAG have introduced a dual fuel injector system (one injector in the combustion chamber and the other in the inlet manifold) to overcome the carbon build-up problem.

As with any high-tech, complex and powerful engine, there are always potential problems. I think that you just have to believe that the design, development and production engineers have done a thorough job; and the longer the engine has been in production, the greater the chance that niggling faults have been addressed. Bar the recent and well-publicised 991 GT3 engine problem, Porsche seem to have addressed the design faults of the Gen1 engines, so let's hope that the latest design goes on to have a long and reliable life-span.

Good luck with your search.

Jeff
 
This IMS speak is really quite boring. Sorry to say, it's so over-played by everybody I'm surprised anybody ever buys one. The failure rate is so so low and over-hyped by all. I know there have been failures but when you look at the production numbers, it is a tiny percentage.

My advice would be to buy an aftermarket warranty for piece of mind covering the engine and gearbox and enjoy the car. Don't buy a low mileage car that's been stood around and then brought out for a thrashing as that's when these would be an issue potentially. Mine's just had it's clutch/RMS/IMS replaced at 118k miles and the IMS was in quite perfect order along with the RMS.

I payed around £400 for an aftermarket warranty for a year, hopefully it won't need to be used.

Simon
 

Agreed Simon, and hence the comment in my original post about the IMS/RMS problems being overplayed. Unfortunately, it's the small minority who - justifyably perhaps - are quite vocal about the issue on the forums. Once it's on the internet, of course the whole thing gets blown out of proportion (the 991 GT3 debacle being a recent example).

I suppose that if you have experienced a catastrophic IMS bearing failure and are facing a huge bill to repair or replace an engine, you tend to see things from a different perspective.

Good to hear that your 986 is still going strong at 118k+ miles.

Jeff
 
Hi Chris,
Just seen your post.
Like you was concerned about IMS issues but speaking with those close to brand found to be over hyped.
Notice that you are after a 2008 2.7 Boxster I am just about to put mine up for sale as friend selling his 993 and I am keen to purchase.
It's a 2008 2.7 sport with 38,000 miles ,full Porsche or Independent service,last done just over 1000 miles ago.
It's silver with full black leather,6 speed,18 inch perfect alloys ,heated seats,windshield,Pasm and cruise control.Also has twin pipes and Sport Diffuser at rear.,with booster s badging.
Oh and has 6 months tax,8 months mot and a Rac platinum warranty for remaining 8 months .Its a second car so cherished , looking for £15,600 .If interested let me know Alex

5BBE9E57974445B3998D23E8867B3EE4.jpg
 
I would have a good look at the indies and piston heads / auto traders as at a quick glance there are quite a few fairly low mileage examples out there, but at quite different prices [:D]
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice. I know the IMS seems to be over hyped but it would be a nigling thought for ever more and when it comes to warranty I'm fairly tight (yorkshiremans son). I decided to go for the 2.7 originally due to less tax and better mpg which would then be wiped out by paying the warranty cost a year, if I did go for Gen 1 I would probably just bite the bullet and have the bearing done straight away (not sure of cost though) and have peace of mind. So all that said I've decided to look at Gen 2 cars which, for the spec I want, there doesn't appear to be that many about at the price I'm willing to pay, so I think I'm now in a waiting game until the prices drop slightly and the right car comes up. I'm in no rush and love the hunting as much as the owning.

I'm sorry if I've sparked an IMS debate, it wasn't the intention.

Thank you all again, the information from you all is invaluable.

Chris

P.S. Alex, thanks for letting me kow that your car is for sale, she looks like a lovely motor, and I hope you manage to get the 993 and enjoy her as much as your Boxster.
 
I recently sold my 2007MY 50 k miles to an indie for £12k and as its an "S" you should soon get a boxster privately for similar money ,albeit maybe a grand or two more for very low mileage
Happy hunting [:D]
 
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