Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by johnsimion

Consumer Reports' "Best and Worst" issue on the newstand included ratings of the 1999, 2000, 2001 etc. cars (they don't have ratings pre-1999). Similar ratings are included in the 2008 and 2009 Buying Guides. The two Guides don't go as far back as 1999, but the ratings on the Boxster that they DO contain are not the same as those in the "Best and Worst" issue. This could indicate a mistake, or it seems more likely that the "Best and Worst" issue is a compilation based on an average of all the annual reports (?) over a period of years. For example, the 2001 Boxster is rated "Better than Average" for Engine Major in the "Best and Worst" issue, but "Much Worse than Average" in the 2008 Buyer's Guide. Either the "Best and Worst" issue is outright wrong or it is based on a compilation of several years of better than average surveys. The latter seems more likely. If so, it's also statistically more significant than a one-year sample.

Don't misunderstand me -- I do think ANY engine failure more than a tiny, tiny fraction (i.e. a lot less than my speculative failure rate of 1%) is unacceptable and I completely support efforts to make Porsche take care of the problem. Just two weeks ago, I bought a 1999 with under 15K miles, then I read these forums and scared myself silly. I was ready to resell the car and get an S2000, but since then I have calmed myself down. The odds seem to favor me and so I'm learning to live with that 1% risk. However, I'm already planning for the worst: Raising heck with Porsche and trying to save for the 350 HP Raby engine if and when my engine does blow. "Well, honey, I have to replace the engine and this was all they have available." Hehehe

Thank you....I stand partly corrected!! The 4/08 CR issue rated the 911 and Boxster back to '02. WE know that there isn't much difference between the engines in the two cars except liters and HP. The Porsche earned "worse than average" marks in '02 through '05 when both cars are viewed together. But we don't know the sample sizes or enough to comment much more than that. So, like I said above, the newer cars are improved. On the next page is the data for Toyota.....I wish that Porsche had Toyota making their engines!!!!!!! And a few pages away is that other Boxer style engine car, the Subaru. They have a substantially better record than Porsche and you don't need a fortune to maintain them.
I love my Boxster, but there is no good reason that an engine that expensive should have a major failure when cared for and driven reasonably.

Bob

[Bobiam]

I broke down and bought an extended warranty. 3 yrs coverage for$1600 or $1800 (I forget!), but it will let me sleep at night......

I'm retired and simply could not afford to replace an engine if I suffered a catistrophic engine failure such as discussed in this thread.

This goes against my usual car care principles and prevents me form doing my own maint, such as oil changes, to honor the warranty, but I feel safer now.

Much thanks to all that have contributed to this thread.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

I broke down and bought an extended warranty. 3 yrs coverage for$1600 or $1800 (I forget!), but it will let me sleep at night......

I'm retired and simply could not afford to replace an engine if I suffered a catistrophic engine failure such as discussed in this thread.

This goes against my usual car care principles and prevents me form doing my own maint, such as oil changes, to honor the warranty, but I feel safer now.

Much thanks to all that have contributed to this thread.

This sounds like a wise move for you.

Best of luck with the car!

[denverpete]

Hmmm... Wonder how many times I've written this out here?

Bought my '99 Boxster in May of 2005 with around 12,000 miles on it. Less than a month later it just died at a light. Towed to the dealer and waited for the bad news.

Complete engine failure. As with most, there was no telling what the actual problem was since I'd have to pay to find that out for sure. But the guess, of course, was the intermediate shaft.

Luckily for me, the car was covered by a 90 day warranty from the dealer. So, they were forced to front the $10-12k required for a new engine.

For the first year or so I still lived in a bit of fear though that grew less and less. Still, that fear never erased the joy I felt in firing it up, dropping the top, and just driving.

Then little oil drops started appearing right where an RMS leak should be...

Sold it a few weeks ago for a certified '06 Cayenne Turbo S. It doesn't have nearly the same sound or sportyness of the Boxster. But it fits where my life is now and gets the kiddos to basketball practice in stupid fast fashion.

[speedyellow]

4 banger w/ forced induction from Audi on a 2011 Boxster. Would this be a cheaper and more reliable replacement on a blown engine, what do you think?

[rivermanphillips]

It seems like I have a unusual 1998 Boxster. It has 220,000 miles and going strong. , One clutch, oil seperator replaced and regular maintaince. Driven on highway mostly.IT SCARES ME TO READ OF EARLY FAILURES.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by rivermanphillips

It seems like I have a unusual 1998 Boxster. It has 220,000 miles and going strong. , One clutch, oil seperator replaced and regular maintaince. Driven on highway mostly.IT SCARES ME TO READ OF EARLY FAILURES.

I'm sure you never floor it, or red line it, or have any fun at all, or change the oil after a year or so......

[Sikedsyko]

This is a very scary thread for someone looking to buy an older boxster. anyone have any conclusions about the 2000 model boxster and it's failure rate?

[rick3000]

Originally Posted by Sikedsyko

This is a very scary thread for someone looking to buy an older boxster. anyone have any conclusions about the 2000 model boxster and it's failure rate?

No one has a definitive conclusion or percentage of failures for any year.
But I will remind you that for every post here about an engine failure there are probably a few thousand Boxster owners that never had a problem and therefore never sought a solution on the internet, and posted here about how few problems they have.

There have been over 200,000 Boxsters sold and this entire forum maybe mentions about 100 individual engine failures. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it doesn't happen that often (knock on wood).

[Sikedsyko]

Originally Posted by rick3000

There have been over 200,000 Boxsters sold and this entire forum maybe mentions about 100 individual engine failures. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it doesn't happen that often (knock on wood).

My problem is I'm one of those people that when I try to go out on a limb and do something I probably shouldn't ie. buy a Porsche, Murphy's law kicks in and I get screwed.

[gschotland]

Originally Posted by Sikedsyko

My problem is I'm one of those people that when I try to go out on a limb and do something I probably shouldn't ie. buy a Porsche, Murphy's law kicks in and I get screwed.

If you're making such a big financial stretch just to buy the car, then you probably shouldn't buy. Spend a lot of time reading this forum. This site is also very helpful if you're in the market: http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages

Take time to educate yourself and go in with your eyes wide open. I did and my ownership experience has been great. I can't think of any car I'd rather have for the $; the Boxster's a phenomenal value. The IMS bearing failure issue made me nervous too, so when my car was ready for a clutch I got the bearing retrofit at the same time. I agree the problem is totally over-hyped, but now I sleep a lot better.

If you have some basic mechanical skills and are willing to learn, you'll be amazed at how much you can do yourself - and how much of a dent that will make in your maintenance costs. Being able to work on the car and solve problems gives me a lot of satisfaction, enhancing my ownership experience. If you've got to run to a dealer or mechanic every time you have a little problem or require maintenance, it's going to get pricey. I leave only the hard jobs for the pros.

[gregwils]

Originally Posted by rick3000

No one has a definitive conclusion or percentage of failures for any year.
But I will remind you that for every post here about an engine failure there are probably a few thousand Boxster owners that never had a problem and therefore never sought a solution on the internet, and posted here about how few problems they have.

There have been over 200,000 Boxsters sold and this entire forum maybe mentions about 100 individual engine failures. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it doesn't happen that often (knock on wood).

I don't disagree that this thread makes it seem like every other person has had an IMS failure. On the other hand, I don't think you can ratio based on forum posts. I have been on lots of other forums (other makes) and it is very unusual to see this volume of engine failures. It's probably safe to agree that IMS failures are a real problem for Porsche. There was a great article in Excellence on the M96 engine listing it's strengths and weaknesses.

I would suggest to current and potential owners of M96 engine (2000+) who are concerned to just install the upgraded bearing from Raby on LN, then you're risk of an catastrophic engine failure probably isn't much greater than a Honda or Toyota. RMS can still be a problem.