981 common reliability issues?

[agnick]

Hi all - what are the common/known issues for 981 Boxsters?

Mine is a 21k miles Boxster S with PDK, Sports Chrono but no active suspension and no sports/valved exhaust. It has a full OPC history.

I don’t intend to get a Porsche warranty and will look to service at a specialist. I therefore will keep a pot to one side, just in case.

I only bought in December. Never had a Porsche before. Not done more than 200 miles due to lockdown and weather. It’s stored in a car port, so stays dry.

On two occasions it’s been stood for 3 weeks. Each time, the blower didn’t work from start-up. After a quick search, this seems to be common and is easily fixed by taking air filter box lid off and manually spinning the blades (ignition key out!). Not exactly what I expected, but I’m sure warmer weather and more regular use will help.

What’s the consensus on electric, drivetrain, suspension, roof mechanism, etc.? What sort of repair costs beyond regular servicing have occurred?

Thanks!

 

[SurferDoc]

Personally I'd recommend sticking with the OPC Network so long as that is the cars history to date and where you bought. If bought outside I'd want to know it has had their seal of approval/115 point check at least. I've got a 987.1 3.2S which I've had from new, its now 125k miles and I'm glad I've kept it OE and OPC.
Not my first Porsche, for 3 others I used a combination of OPC and 3rd Party, and would do the same as I do every time.
You've got a nice car that is worth looking after, re the blower I wouldn't be happy and would get it sorted under warranty, not acceptable I would say. Hope all goes well and you enjoy the Porsche experience as much as I and other do.

 

[Motorhead]

Nick,

The PDK transmission has proved to be very reliable but just be aware that other than software updates and other minor mechanical rectifications, if you have a problem with it the Centres aren’t allowed to repair the unit which has to be replaced in total. I think you’d be looking at costs of £12k+ so it may be worthwhile considering the Extended Warranty unless you’re risk averse.

The Club’s 981 Buyer’s Guide should outline potential weak points.

Jeff

 

[Kaiser981]

Few roof issues seem to be croping up on the 981, including my own, seems to relate to sensors and switches that control the mechanism but there are quite a few components to the roof. I use a local specialist to me for all my work and the car is not under warranty with Porsche or 3rd party. I can see the advantages to an extended warranty but after reading some of the issues that people have when something is deemed as not standard, like a zunnsport grill or a hardwired dash cams. when dealing with claims, it may not be as straight forward as I once thought.

I wouldn't fancy trying to cope with a 12K hit to the bank balance for a new PDK gear box though !

 

[Cookrc]

I have a 8 year old 981S with 34k on the clock. Had the fan stick once and did the aforementioned and it's been fine ever since even during extended layups due to lockdown.

Otherwise the aircon condensors tend to go after about 6 years or so, both mine needed replacing as the pipes were corroded and leaking. The passenger door lock malfunctioned and could only be opened from the inside and the memory function for the seats stopped working. The seats were fixed by some reprogramming under warranty and the door lock needed replacement. Always had the work done at OPC as it comes with a 2 year warranty. Hope this helps.

 

[agnick]

Thanks all for the great feedback.

Must admit, I joined the PCGB after buying the car. I did refer to several other buyers guides. I didn't see many mentioned too many recurring issues and this club's own buying guide is very light on specific ones. Mind, these things tend to only become really clear after 5+ years of cars being on the market in volume and perhaps that buying guide was created a few years ago?

Some aspects of what's mentioned do make me wonder whether I should get it back under warranty. I was hoping to fit an aftermarket CarPlay system which would be incompatible with an OPC warranty. And I was hoping to use independents for servicing. In many ways, it's not all about costs, but rather freedom of ownership (if that makes sense?).

I think I just need to stop worrying about it and drive the damn thing when it's possible again!

 

[Kaiser981]

I can't wait to get my car back out again. I left it with my specialist on the 4th of January with 7 or 8 items I wanted sorted on the car. Mains issues were the roof function and a few other things like new brake pads and discs, new exhaust gasket and a new cooling fan on the drivers side.

When it gets home it is going to be in great order, the weather just needs to sort itself out but at least I know for the rest of the year that the car will be in good shape for when I can properly get out and enjoy it.

 

[AlistairF]

My Boxster S was OPC supplied and I renewed the warranty in August. The only problem I have had in 3 years (12k miles) was lost aircon gas and (like others) was diagnosed as a failed condenser which was replaced under warranty. Even small issues can be very expensive via the OPC network, but my intention is to stay with it. The cost of buying a new Boxster is considerable and I would only look at the GTS 4.0 (ignoring the 4 cylinder cars) so my thoughts are to keep it a few more years rather than spend £35k+ additional tax etc etc more on a newer one. That makes a £1200 (plus £200 check) for a 2 year warranty seem like a reasonable deal.

 

[Chappelle]

How do 981 OPC service prices compare with Indys? If there is a significant difference an indy would be my choice. As an alternative to a Porsche warranty or a piggy bank you could use a third-party company.

If you stay with Porsche then you'll have to keep the car standard (or remove any accessories whenever Porsche sees the car).

I had my Boxster inspected by an OPC courtesy of the Club and they pointed out non-standard parts - battery, bulbs, wiper blades even exhaust clamps

 

[Kaiser981]

For my independent of choice here in Northern Ireland it's about 30% less expensive across the board. Plus the personal touches like getting a lift home when you drop your car off and being able to dander into the work shop to check progress and have things explained without an appointment is just great.

I enjoy dealing with the parts department at my OPC, great team and good prices but for the foreseeable future my independent will get my business, especially for servicing.

 

[agnick]

Must admit all this talk is getting me thinking about "investing" £1,400 in getting it inspected and onto a warranty. How much do I want CarPlay?

I've decided I probably won't do any other mods to the car apart from fitting PS4P when these p Zeros are worn a little more. It rides very well. It's a very quiet car - the previous was a V8 Vantage with an official secondary de-cat - and I the motor is sewing-machine smooth with more than enough power for UK roads.

Hmmmm...

 

[Kaiser981]

I hope to make some additions to my car through my porsche OPC and my Indy. I'm aiming to fit the X73 suspension package by the end of 2021. I don't have any warranty to worry about [8D]

 

[JMR]

OPC prices have gone ridiculous just recently

My 987 Boxster needs a minor service.
£750 from OPC - PLUS £89 for brake fluid change.

Last time it had a minor service it was on the fixed price servicing plan
Prices were as follows:
Minor - £399 + brake fluid
Major - £499 + brake fluid

The girl at Porsche says its 2.5hr of labour to do the service. I don't believe it.
My car has 12 years of Full OPC Service History

I'll be taking it to Cavendish Porsche at Nottingham in the coming months, I think I worked it out at £310 for a minor service with brake fluid.

 

[Kaiser981]

Those specialist prices are very similar to my own JMR and so are the OPC prices you mentioned.

 

[mr pg]

You can get extended warranty with PS4S's fitted.

 

[philnotts99]

OPC prices have gone ridiculous just recently

My 987 Boxster needs a minor service.
£750 from OPC - PLUS £89 for brake fluid change.

Last time it had a minor service it was on the fixed price servicing plan
Prices were as follows:
Minor - £399 + brake fluid
Major - £499 + brake fluid

The girl at Porsche says its 2.5hr of labour to do the service. I don't believe it.
My car has 12 years of Full OPC Service History

I'll be taking it to Cavendish Porsche at Nottingham in the coming months, I think I worked it out at £310 for a minor service with brake fluid.

Not sure which OPC you take your car to, but OPC Nottingham will match or try and get very close to the Indy's prices.

My 996 C4S has had a lot of work done at Cavendish and i can recommend them 100%. The only reason i still use OPC Nottingham is for my 981 Spyder which is still in warranty.

 

[JMR]

OPC prices have gone ridiculous just recently

My 987 Boxster needs a minor service.
£750 from OPC - PLUS £89 for brake fluid change.

Last time it had a minor service it was on the fixed price servicing plan
Prices were as follows:
Minor - £399 + brake fluid
Major - £499 + brake fluid

The girl at Porsche says its 2.5hr of labour to do the service. I don't believe it.
My car has 12 years of Full OPC Service History

I'll be taking it to Cavendish Porsche at Nottingham in the coming months, I think I worked it out at £310 for a minor service with brake fluid.

Not sure which OPC you take your car to, but OPC Nottingham will match or try and get very close to the Indy's prices.

My 996 C4S has had a lot of work done at Cavendish and i can recommend them 100%. The only reason i still use OPC Nottingham is for my 981 Spyder which is still in warranty.

Hi Phil
Funnily enough it was OPC Nottingham
She did call me back and say the service manager said if I had it done before the end of the month they'd do it for £640 which I still though was a lot.
Tried Leicester OPC and they too were £750.

Been to Cavendish for gearbox oil change as OPC Nottm wanted £280 to replace it!!!!! (And the car was already in at the time up on the ramps having a full service, water pump, spray plugs etc etc etc.)
Cavendish also did a health check for me. Seem genuinely nice guys.

 

[philnotts99]

OPC prices have gone ridiculous just recently

My 987 Boxster needs a minor service.
£750 from OPC - PLUS £89 for brake fluid change.

Last time it had a minor service it was on the fixed price servicing plan
Prices were as follows:
Minor - £399 + brake fluid
Major - £499 + brake fluid

The girl at Porsche says its 2.5hr of labour to do the service. I don't believe it.
My car has 12 years of Full OPC Service History

I'll be taking it to Cavendish Porsche at Nottingham in the coming months, I think I worked it out at £310 for a minor service with brake fluid.

Not sure which OPC you take your car to, but OPC Nottingham will match or try and get very close to the Indy's prices.

My 996 C4S has had a lot of work done at Cavendish and i can recommend them 100%. The only reason i still use OPC Nottingham is for my 981 Spyder which is still in warranty.

Hi Phil
Funnily enough it was OPC Nottingham
She did call me back and say the service manager said if I had it done before the end of the month they'd do it for £640 which I still though was a lot.
Tried Leicester OPC and they too were £750.

Been to Cavendish for gearbox oil change as OPC Nottm wanted £280 to replace it!!!!! (And the car was already in at the time up on the ramps having a full service, water pump, spray plugs etc etc etc.)
Cavendish also did a health check for me. Seem genuinely nice guys.

Yes, you won't go wrong with going to Cavendish. They also have a fixed price menu on there website, which i guess you have spotted too.

 

[Testdrivescotland]

Here is a video I made, detailing some suggestions that you can do as preventative.

https://youtu.be/2jFXBv7CG98

Hope it is useful.

 

[agnick]

Thanks for the link, Daryl! I've seen a couple of your other vids, but hadn't come across that one.

Very good content. One thing I'd like to ask about; you mentioned at the end about keeping the battery in good condition. Makes sense. But then you say a battery replacement would require encoding by an OPC. What's that in relation to?

Here is a video I made, detailing some suggestions that you can do as preventative.

https://youtu.be/2jFXBv7CG98

Hope it is useful.