Water pump 987.1 S, coolant change

[Chuckie66]

Looking for some advice... My Boxster 987.1S is coming up to 12years old and 60k miles, from what i can tell, there has been no coolant change or water pump in its service history. Despite coolant change not being a service item, it seems best practice to replace pump and coolant every 4 years - i guess I’m way over due although no water loss in the 9 months of ownership? Or should I fix on fail?
Does the original pump have metal, plastic or composite impeller? Looking at ECP pumps both come with metal impellors which the forums slate, any recommendations on impellor type and brand would be helpful. Also whether to change thermostat at same time and whether to go for a low temp one? Or is that more for hotter climates than the UK?

Do you need to remove undertray(s) to reach the pump? I had a brief peek under but seemed tray was in the way.

 

[Boxstercol]

Original pump is Pierberg or Laso, both use a composite impeller. General consensus is to avoid a metal impeller as if the bearings were to fail then the impeller damages the block.

I’m going to swap mine out at some point as a preventative measure, often thought about fitting the low temp thermostat at the same time. I think this is more of the done thing on the 997 though as some feel it could have an impact on reducing / preventing potential bore scoring.

 

[Boxxster]

Mine went a couple of years ago at 11 years old and 48k mile, no warning, apart from the warnign buzzer and message on the dash as it failed , but luckily no damage as I stopped the car almost immediately. New pump and belt fitted, the specialist I used said they are a regular item to fail, although from what I can tell this is the first this car has had and I have all bills from new.

 

[Chuckie66]

Looking around, there are various water pump brands available, none I've seen with plastic impellers ( which I think is a red herring), with ECP and these guys: https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/porsche/boxster-987/22542/10191/water-pump all seem to have Brass or metal impellers. Will Brass cause less issues than metal if the shaft were to fail? I'm thinking go with metal and replace every 4-5 years.

BTW ECPs OEM brand was GEBA and has a metal impeller - with discount and gasket circa 200 quid. I guess go with GEBA unless anyone has something better to suggest?

 

[JMR]

Genuine water pump supplied and fitted by Porsche around £670.
Specialists are around the £420 - £450 mark.

I need to find out if the specialists in my area supply genuine pumps or aftermarket ones.
Also I will be looking at plastic impellers instead of brass/metal.

As far as I have read, the genuine pumps do have plastic impellers.