Porsche Engine only good for 100K??? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

andrewk24 · 05-15-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks... But, I am looking only up to $15K. Just found another forum that comments about many boxster owners complaining about engine blowing up - even on very low miles, less than 50K miles. It's not year specific as included year 1998 thru 2004 models. Basically, noise in the engine, white smog, then engine dies. Tow the car to the dealer, and the diagnosis is will require new engine @ $10-12K. Some owners have success having Porsche to pay for the engine, but they still have to pay for the installation - @$3-$4K. How can do you know if your engine is not affected by this engine blowing issue????

Adam · 05-15-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewk24

Thanks... But, I am looking only up to $15K. How can do you know if your engine is not affected by this engine blowing issue????

Your budget pretty much excludes any decent 3.2L so you should look for some 2.7's. You don't have anyway of knowing which motors are going to make the distance and which ones won't. That's the risk you take with this car....or any car for that matter. The best you can do is find a clean well cared for example and get a PPI.

Brucelee · 05-15-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewk24

Thanks... But, I am looking only up to $15K. Just found another forum that comments about many boxster owners complaining about engine blowing up - even on very low miles, less than 50K miles. It's not year specific as included year 1998 thru 2004 models. Basically, noise in the engine, white smog, then engine dies. Tow the car to the dealer, and the diagnosis is will require new engine @ $10-12K. Some owners have success having Porsche to pay for the engine, but they still have to pay for the installation - @$3-$4K. How can do you know if your engine is not affected by this engine blowing issue????

You can't really. There is no test that can spot the issues that are involved.

It really is a crap shoot. Sorry I have to say it, but the engine is far from robust.

andrewk24 · 05-15-2008, 05:15 PM

It's a big gamble.... Since I am buying used and probably I will be the 3rd or 4th owner, I doubt that Porsche will do anything for me if my engine blows. Well, I am not going to gamble $15K, so Boxster is out list.
Thank you all...

Paul · 05-15-2008, 07:25 PM

You haven't driven a Boxster yet, right?

Bobiam · 05-16-2008, 06:33 AM

Stats like this 100K thing may include all Boxsters, so that may include the high mileage engines written about above (congratulations, guys) and engines with heavy track usage and modified aftermarket turbos.
These engines are also demanding of proper maintenance such as syn oil and use of properly rated coolant. And how many non-enthusiasts may bring a Porsche to a general mechanic that usually works on Saabs and Volvos.
I think the answer is that these engines are as good as most with the proper attention and TLC and take it easy on the redlining.

But I'm glad that this came up, since I only have 32 K on my '01 and I can relax now!!!

cas951 · 05-16-2008, 07:45 AM

Most of the Engine failures I've read about or hear about are from lower mileage cars. I have no data on this. Maybe a Poll in this Forum might give us all an idea to see how many members have had this experience and what mileage this occured.

insite · 05-16-2008, 08:02 AM

130K on my '99 2.5L, and i take it to the track regularly.

2001saxster · 05-16-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewk24

It's a big gamble.... Since I am buying used and probably I will be the 3rd or 4th owner, I doubt that Porsche will do anything for me if my engine blows. Well, I am not going to gamble $15K, so Boxster is out list.
Thank you all...

Your right, it's a very big gamble. One I wouldn't have taken if I knew then what I know now. I've had my 2001 Boxster S for a mere 5 months and two weeks ago the engine blew. The Porsche dealer won't actually rip it open to find out for sure what is wrong, but they say it is a slipped cylidner sleeve resulting in coolant mixing with the oil. Diagnosis is internal engine failure that can only be fixed by replacment. It seems to me that although some models/years are more affected ithan others it is still happening across the board. Of course the service guy at the Porsche dealer makes it sound like it is a freak occurance, but all the independant shops I talk to say they see it all the time.

ChrisZang · 05-16-2008, 10:14 AM

my engine died at 50k

andrewk24 · 05-16-2008, 10:37 AM

The other forum had over 60 Boxster owners (1998 - 2003) who reported blown engine with mileage ranging as low as 15K to 50K. Two days, and we already have 2 people with the same symptoms. Glad I did my research. And sorry for all of the owners affected by this issue..

fourniem · 05-18-2008, 07:09 PM

hello all,

I am at 180K on my 200 2.7.... daily driver...winter & summer... I change the oil every 5K... and go on the track a few times a year....

needless to say that I am extremely pleased about reliability of that car...

Michel.

dfraccica01 · 05-16-2008, 10:44 AM

I am starting to get scared of having my engine blow on me ; ;. I have 77k on my 02 and dont want to risk losing $12k to replace and engine. Hell the replacement cost of the engine is almost as much as the car worth! I am planning on selling it when I get home from Iraq. It seems like every time the car is driven something needs to be fixed. If I knew as much as I did now I probably wouldnt have bought one. Yeah its a fun car and all, but I dont have the type of money to risk having it blown up. I guess I really didnt even have the money to buy it in the first place lol.

Bobiam · 05-16-2008, 11:19 AM

I have to admit that horror stories scare me too.....
And I don't think the car is particularily dependable considering how long these things have been made in one form or another. I've had to deal with a lot of silly little repairs in the 5000 miles I've had it, but..........

For what's I'ts worth I checked the Consumer Reports annual car issue and the data they use is gathered from MANY owners or all kinds of cars.
They say:
The '02 Boxster is a Used Cars "Good Choice" for cars in the $20k-24k range.
In overall rating they give top rank to the 2007 Boxster in the $40k and up Roadster class.
In their reliability survey they rank '02-'06 Boxsters Average or above, with the exception of '03 which they rate well below avarage. The '03 scored poorly in "major engine", cooling, electrical, and body integrity. The '02, '05 and '06 scored very well for "major engine" catagory.
Under the "Used Cars to Avoid" catagory they listed the '99 and '03 Boxster as well as the '03 911.

Overall, the Box is much better than the Nissan Z, the Corvette, any Mercedes product, and nearly anything built by the big 3 American manufacturers with the exception of the highly rated Ford Crown Vic (but I don't think they do too well on the track!!!!!!!).

So, pray often, maintain your Porsche and enjoy it while you can.

Bob