987 3.4S - Possible Purchase?!?

[Ralph007]

Afternoon,

So am currently shopping for a two seat weekend toy, in the frame is a 987 Boxster S along with an SLK55 and VX220 Turbo (slightly out of place but owned an NA and always wanted a turbo!).

I have seen a 987 2008 ‘08 3.4S manual, it has 64k on the clock and a FSH with services in the right places backed up with invoices.

Am I right in thinking it has newer style IMS, won’t be susceptible to RMS but is still in the danger zone for bore-score?

Lots of info all across the web about these problems and I just need to make sure I possess the right information before viewing.

Its a well species car with Carrera Classic wheels, BOSE, PASM, sports exhaust, sports pack incl splitter, diffuser and duck tail spoiler and heated seats so I think that’s not a bad spec - willing to listen to anyone’s thoughts on that?

Si

[Menoporsche]

23 minutes ago, Ralph007 said:

Am I right in thinking it has newer style IMS, won’t be susceptible to RMS but is still in the danger zone for bore-score? 

All correct.

Classics and a sport pack - very nice.  I have the latter, and the former in my garage

Just check the PASM shocks (I don't know how) but be warned they're pricey to replace.

[chanlon1]

Is it a 987.1 or 987.2?

I'm guessing a 987.1 that is the Sport Edition - given the PASM, splitter/diffuser/duck tail ........ does it also have a 6 speed gearbox?

[toplad]

The 987.1 is a good buy at that price point. 

You'd be very unlucky to have bore scoring on that boxster as it's quite rare in reality and easy to check for prior to purchasing too. 

Are you buying privately or retail? 

[Ralph007]

Ok so perhaps it’s not a Sport Edition by has the Sport Design Pack (splitter, diffuser, ducktail) if this is different to Sport Edition?

It does have a 6 speed box and having checked I don’t think they are Sport Classic wheels, they are Carrera Sport wheels which I really like. 

When you say to check the PASM shocks - for leaks/knocks do they fail in a particular way? What should I look for when I inspect the car?

Si

[Ralph007]

7 minutes ago, toplad said:

The 987.1 is a good buy at that price point. 

You'd be very unlucky to have bore scoring on that boxster as it's quite rare in reality and easy to check for prior to purchasing too. 

Are you buying privately or retail? 

Thanks for the words, I am really keen and it’s been the owners pride and joy kept under a cover in the garage and driven sparingly.

Its a private sale, how can you check for bore score - I thought it needed a boroscope?

Si

[Ralph007]

Also is there a site I can input the VIN into to check full spec/options? Having owned BMW’s before there are a few handy sites that will list the full spec of the car.

Si

[chanlon1]

Try entering the reg into https://www.instantcarcheck.co.uk/

if it’s a Sport Edition it should say so beside the Model entry. 

I am sure there is a sticker somewhere on the car listing the options and you can xref them on some websites. Never come across a VIN checker. 

Another option is to go to your OPC and get them to pull the details. I had that done. 

[Ralph007]

And one other thing, I should fit a low temp thermostat to reduce risk of borescore further? 

Si

[Ralph007]

Nope no ‘Sport Edition’ listed so guessing it was just a ‘Sports Pack’ cosmetic comprising of those individual bits of trim.

Si

[Ralph007]

Found a PDF brochure and it was Sport Package, that explains that; nice touch though to stand out from others with optional trim pieces.

Si

[Ralph007]

Quite a pricey aftermarket add-on -https://www.design911.co.uk/mobile/#part;id=2477

[Lonewolfgjp]

Even if it isn’t a Sport Edition the main difference is the body kit and PASM, which this car has both. As you say the body kit is a very expensive retro fit extra👍

[toplad]

There are a few things to look for. 

Drive the car, engine warmed up. Hold a white piece of paper against the exhaust, if you get splatters of oil on the paper when rev'd, oil is getting past the piston. This is a good indicator of bore scoring or something serious.

Also listen for knocking noise, the noise is  caused by the piston having slight play in bore, (as it not completely round any more)  the piston can extend past its normal range. Don't confuse this with the noise of the injectors, which is more of a fast tick and stops briefly when you lift the throttle after revving the engine as fuel is stopped. 

Performance is also decreased, so a dyno run will tell you a lot too 

There are a few videos on YouTube with more information.

The amount time devoted to bore scoring however completely misrepresentations the number of cases in the Boxster world, you'd be seriously unlucky to buy a car with it, it's rare on the Boxster 3.4 according to the numerous dealers I've spoken to. 

Good luck 

[Pothole]

5 hours ago, Ralph007 said:

Thanks for the words, I am really keen and it’s been the owners pride and joy kept under a cover in the garage and driven sparingly.

Its a private sale, how can you check for bore score - I thought it needed a boroscope?

Si

Yes, if you want to check the bores, it will need to be scoped.

Contrary to the comment above, that's not really exactly 'easy'. The plugs need to be pulled. Not a massive amount of work, but not really 'easy' either. I would advise being careful who you get to do any bore inspection. Pretty much all these cars will have some marking to the cylinders, but often it's just harmless 'polishing'. There's a thread running on 911UK right now where a specialist scoped a car and declared all the cylinders scored. User posted images, experts deemed the marks 'normal' and unlikely to be scoring. In other words, you need someone who knows what they are doing to avoid false positives (and perhaps false negatives).

Personally, I would not buy a gen 1 3.4 without either:

A. A clean bore inspection or...

B. An ongoing Porsche warranty

With either of those two, great, go ahead. Without them, the risks are too high. Views vary, mine is that you should ignore those who say scoring is not common in the gen 1 3.4. In my view, it's a significant risk. So do your due diligence and if the car comes up clean or has that Porsche warranty, you're good to go. But bear in mind that clean today does not guarantee clean bores 20,000 miles down the road. So factor that in if you are intending to do significant mileage.

The other alternative is to go with a gen 1 3.2. Performance delta is minimal and the 3.2 doesn't score. The 2005-2005 3.2 does have a slightly higher risk of IMS failure, but i reality IMS failures are pretty rare. Bore scoring on the 3.4 is a far, far greater risk than IMS failure with the 3.2 . These views tend to make people cross, but so be it. I think the OP needs to be aware of all views.

[toplad]

I agree the Op can hear all views, but some aren't really based on actual numbers, just a misguided representation of the numbers, probably due to an inordinate amount of time spent reading the Internet. Speak to people who sell them for a living and its not large issue in Boxster circles 

Inaccurate information should be challenged

[Ralph007]

I have read views from both sides and comments from Revolution Porsche who state in their buyers guide that bore score is quite rare on 3.4 and more common in Cayman than Boxster.

The web is a wonderful thing, how did we buy cars before the internet or forums existed.

I really appreciate all the advice, it’s a difficult one to call. I am waiting for information regarding the service history coming back so we will see if that’s all in order.

Si

[Chrisbin]

Only thing I’d add to the comments above is that whichever side of the fence you are, because of the “internet reputation” it may make resale more challenging because the next buyer will be reading the same things.

If you’re buying a “keeper” then clearly that doesn’t matter,

Good luck with the search!

[Ralph007]

Thanks all, I have touched base with the seller and hoping to view next week. He is happy to present it for any inspection that I may wish to have undertaken, just looking into finding someone local that could carry out a boroscope inspection on the car.

I think if i sat and read into any prospective car purchase on the net I may not buy anything, as long as proper precautions are taken (in this case boroscope inspection) then thats as much as I can do to satisfy myself I think.

With regard to have the bores checked, how often do people have it done? Say I have the car checked this month when would it be reasonable to have it done again - I am not sure if this issue is something that manifests itself over a period of time or happens overnight, clearly if its the latter then theres not much you can do about it.

Si

[Menoporsche]

I believe it happens overnight, or far more specifically when heating the engine on a track day, pausing a little, then blasting it again.  It's something to do with inconsistent cooling. Have seen detailed explanations, but too detailed for me.

[Ralph007]

Ok so I don't plan on tracking the car and wont be driving it in 'anger' so to speak, are there any other things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of problems, did I read fitting a low temp thermostat can help?

Also was anyone able to advise on checking the PASM, think earlier in the thread someone suggested they can fail - just wanted to find out the best way of checking them out?

Si

[Menoporsche]

General advice is to fit low-temp stat but I've heard mutterings about whether it really works, ISTR it's based on a chain of reasoning which uses a faulty assumption in one link. Cheap though and doesn't do any harm.

I mentioned PASM earlier and have no idea how to check it.  All I know is it's great when it works, but pricey when it doesn''t (I recall £1k per corner in the distant past), any shock will fail eventually and this car will be 10 years old.  Just be aware of it.  Perhaps by now there are low-cost solutions to repair or replace.

[Lonewolfgjp]

If you’re going to get the car inspected they should check all the suspension and that the PASM is working correctly.

Ive had two cars with PASM and had know issues with either and was told by an Indy that it is very reliable 👍

[Ralph007]

Top man thank you, yes I think I will have it inspected but didn't know if when viewing the car I should be looking for anything in particular.

Quite excited about potential Porsche ownership!

Si

[Scubaregs]

On 5/14/2019 at 11:52 PM, Pothole said:

In my view, it's a significant risk.

Significant risk is defined as, ""High-probability risk likely to have a significant impact."

Now whilst I think we would all agree on the impact part, high probability?

High probability suggests to me greater than 50/50, do you have numbers to backup your "view?"