I'm thinking of adding a Boxster to the family. I currently drive an E90 M3 but have always wanted a P Car. This will be a weekend/HPDE car which probably only see 5,000 miles or less per year. I've been searching and learning about the Various IMS/RMS issues on these models. Is there a certain year to avoid? I know the 987's have nice upgrades over the 986's but did not want to spend that kind of money.

From what I understand these are pretty reliable cars and I'm not afraid of high mileage. Is the "S" worth the premium over the standard? Just looking to have some fun in a mid-engine car. Others have recommended that I pick up a 944 for track duty but I'll only be tracking 6-8 times per year.

Boxster owner please chime in.

Thanks!

Dwayne

 

I've owned both a 986 and 987. I would get an '05 S since they are pretty reasonable in price now. All the improvements from the 986 are worth the little more it would be.

Just my $.02

 

Keep in mind that you will also have to deal with the Power Steering issues as well if you plan to track the car.

http://986forum.com/forums/performan...-problems.html

Also possible oil starvation issues if you track that require engine mods.

Most cars seem to require some work related to the RMS at one point or another during their ownership.

IMS is like rolling dice, if It fails it is catastrophic, having an engine go and dump oil/coolant during a HPDE could prove to be fatal for you or the people following you. If it happens in your garage it is more of an inconvenience and pretty much a total loss of the value of the car due to the cost of replacing the engine.

As a responsible HPDE participant you would have to do all the necessary upgrades to maintain reliability/safety of the vehicle (oil pan with baffles and or accusump, LN Engineering IMS retrofit, power steering cooler, underdrive pulley). IMHO Not a wise investment unless you plan to convert the car into a Boxster Spec Racer in the future.

Having driven both the 986 and owned a 06 987S, the 987S is lightyears ahead to the 986 in regards to fit and finish as well as in the handling. I would not buy either one to be an occasional HPDE car.

 

Some of the '05 engines have the same IMS as an '04, so it can be replaced without tearing down the engine. So if you plan on upgrading the IMS, it could be very costly.

 

Hi Dwayne, I don't like any of the changes to the 987 so I don't mind answering your question. Yes you want to buy the S unless you see yourself wanting to build a Spec Boxster someday. As long as you stay with everyday street tires you shouldn't have any oiling or powersteering problems. 1997-2008 Boxsters have IMS bearings & any of them can fail. Search this & other forums for IMS bearing info as it is impossible to repeat it all here. As for year 2000S-2004S there's not much difference I would just try to find one with the M030 suspension & without PSM Porsche Stability Management.

 

Thanks Byprodriver,

It seemed a bit odd that the Boxster could not handle 6-8 track days a year. I do plan on taking care of the IMS bearing as soon as I get the car.
Forgive my ignorance buy what is the M030 suspension package & why would I not want PSM, especially if I could disable it? Will the stock brakes hold up to track use assuming I upgrade the pads & lines? My M3 is my daily driver and I'm on the fence about investing more money into it for track duties, or start a Boxster project as a weekend/occasional HPDE car.

Thanks!

 

Honestly if you are out for kicks and grins in 6-8 HPDE/yr any Boxster will do and you will have a ball. IMS failure only affects about 1% of cars built so your odds are better than a Vegas casino that it won't happen. A good set of tires, high temp brake pads, high temp brake fluid, and a roll bar extension and you are good to go. M030 suspension is a nice add on if low miles and PSM is pretty intrusive at the limit so it does get annoying in a track car.

Ultimately a car is just a tool. Pick out one that has been well cared for and join the fun.

 

The M030 is the oem Hi-perf pkg & the only 1 you can run in stock class. The S brakes are great for track use. You can turn off PSM but if you touch the brakes it reactivates. I rented a M3 to test drive & autocross before I bought my 2000S, and as fun as the M3 is to drive it didn't compare to a Box S!

 

986 Boxster S 2004.

 

Nailed it!!! Perfect I feel the same

 

If it were a track only car, I would get a base model 2.5L so you have the option of making it a Boxster Spec racer.

If it's a fun weekend car with occasional DE, I would get the S so it's a bit faster for everyday driving.

The issues of tracking them are really not bad at all. Same you run into with ANY non GT Porsche on the track these days. An upgraded oil pan would be the first thing to do, IMS if you have the trans out, and you should be fine, especially if you are running a street tire.

I've been running my '98 on the track for two years, it's a dedicated Boxster Spec car and I've had ZERO issues with engine reliability. Started tracking it with 133k miles and it's had 4k miles on the track ONLY. I upgraded the pan before I went, and then did the IMS when I was replacing the clutch a bit later, and upgraded to the 3rd radiator system when it got hot out. Been through a hard two seasons, a couple 90 minute enduros, and had over 40 track days last year.

I just helped a friend purchase a car for $6k, we put in new recaros, harnesses, roll bar extension, new brakes, new oil pan, new fluids, major service, PSS9's, and tires and kept it under $15k for a great little track car that can see double duty on the street.

 

I have a '99 Boxster that underwent a 3.4L 996 engine conversion, plus many other mods to support the added power. It's been a fantastic, reliable and safe vehicle that betters the lap times of much more expensive cars. The car is for sale on various sites including the two below. If you're not going racing (it's not a spec car), you won't do better for the money.

http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-...track-car.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...%3AMESELX%3AIT

 

If you are currently driving an E90 M3, and looking for a 960, I'd be surprised if you would be satisfied with anything less than an "S". Even the original 987 base had almost as much power as the 986S, so an early 987 might also be a possibility. I still think the power differential from your E90 would leave you looking for more, even from a 987 base. (I'm biased, since I own a 986S, but I've also extensively driven E36 and E46 M3's as well as 986, 986S, 987 and 987S's, so I have some experience with the different models). Your E90 is a beast, but it's also a very, very nice GT car. The Boxster is going to feel like a slot car in comparison!
Whomever suggested a 944 was playing a cruel joke. The base 944 is not very fast and the 944 Turbo is a money pit. IMHO of course

As others have said, PSM (Porsche Stability Management) re-enables itself once you hit the brakes. However, it disables itself as soon as you release the brakes again. I have it on my car and can't say I even notice it at the track - assuming I remember to turn it off
Unless you plan to compete in so called "stock" classes, and not just enjoy HPDE events, I'd recommend PSS9's over the M030 suspension. The car responds well to the lowered ride height available through the PSS9's.
Stock brakes on the "S" are awesome. Stock pads are crap. Before I new any better, I tore through a brand new set of stock pads in one short weekend.
Drop some nice Pagid Orange or Yellows on there and you're laughing.

As with any P-car purchase, buy the newest/lowest miles copy that fits your budget, then drive the cr@p out of it

 

Thanks for the well thought out advice Highlander. Your comments are spot on. I may just track my E90 but the consumables are more expensive and it's my DD and I wanted to keep it that way. My dilemma is the will I miss the HP from the M3 or will the handling and sounds (engine, intake) overcome the lack of HP. I keep looking at the Boxsters because brakes & tires are cheaper and this car seems easy to work on. I've also looked at E36 M3's and that could be another option but I wanted a Toy Car and I keep looking at the 986's. Speaking with a few shop owners, I keep getting pushed to a 911 for the track/weekend car. Downside I would have to spend more $ and the convertible issue for track use although roll bar extensions are available.