Shortlived Boxster engines survey

[2TrunkSteve]

Just over three years and 20k miles (50k total) on my 97 and I have had very few issues. Engine mount, new glass top, cleaned the MAF and other basic annual maintenance required on any car. Currently I am dealing with a broken key to my wheel locks. I drove over to the Porsche dealer and they removed the locking nuts for free. I had a great conversation with the mechanic. Can't believe what a fantastic group of people I've found in the Porsche world.

My Boxster has been much better as a car than the 1988 911 it replaced. My wife likes to ride in it and will even drive it occasionally. The A/C and suspension is much more useable than the 911 and I am a much better driver in the Boxster.

I'll admit the reason I bought the car was the initial outlay was so reasonable. I agree with earlier posters that it's not really the purchase of the car you should be thinking about, it's the expense of the continued ownership.

Quit waiting for the other shoe to drop, get out and drive. If you are unfortunate enough to have problems, make the best and enjoy the adventure!

[Leslie Beauchemin]

I purchased my 98' Boxster in early 2000 with only 1,700 miles on it... it still had the brand new car smell in it. I paid $44,000 for it and was instantly in love! Never had anything big happen besides normal repairs, tires, ha, ha, etc... Did have the ignition switch replaced 3 times though. In 2008 I took it in 5 times for the check engine light, it kept coming on and I felt there was some loss of power. The first 3 times there was no compression in certain cylinders, which cost a pretty penny each time. The last two to three times I was told they couldn't figure it out and just reset the check engine light and returned the car to me. All this time I was getting scared because I felt there was something causing loss of power and vibration. December 15th, 2008 my engine blew up, so sad! Because of the economy, for the first time I was unable to pull the cash needed to fix it. I was told a valve spring broke. This month I was able to save the money needed to fix my baby. In my search for a motor and speaking with porsche people, was told about the IMS. I did order the part from, LN Engineering and it is being put in the car but had I known about it I would have had it replaced when I replaced my clutch. I wouldn't be $7,000+, so far, into this problem that could have been prevented. I wouldn't trade my car for anything, but I would have paid the money to retrofit the IMS in a heart beat, at my expense, had I known about it. I am very used to, everytime I have my car serviced plan on $1,000+, but by time I finish this I will be close to $10,000. Come on! Porsche should have at the very least made us aware that there was an issue that could be fixed. My car had 77K miles on it and the motor I bought has 39K, with the new part I am hoping for many years of happy driving. Just a little disallusioned with Porsche, shame on them!

[Bobiam]

I agree with Leslie about Porsche's shame. This defect is a matter of poor design and has nothing to do with driving style, care or maintenance. They should be extending the warrantee on IMS for 100K.
Hey, this is not a Chevy Colbalt.....for these prices we expect a higher degree of quality, engineering and loyalty from the manufacturer.

[dbw]

I bought a used bosxter from a dealer last year and have cpo warrenty till May of 2011. Does anyone know of extended warrenties for sale in canada?

[Leslie Beauchemin]

If I, or anyone I know, were to buy a used Boxster, I would call LNEngineering.com and order the retrofit IMS for about $600 and have it immediately replaced. It is a easy fix, especially if your due for a clutch, or take a chance and wait until your clutch needs to be replaced. $600 or $10,000+, I say do the math. Now we know what the problem is and how to fix it, get it fixed before you lose your motor. But that is just my opinion... wish I had this information before I had to go through the heartbreak of being without my car for a year and a half. I bought my car because at the time it was a great deal and I thought that my kids would be out of the house soon and it would be my little treat to myself. As soon as my last child moved out and I was ready to make some noise, my niose maker broke. Now I have a year+ to make up for so if ya'll see me, don't expect me to stop! Gotta go!!!

[JoeBoxer02]

I bought my Boxster 02 a few months ago, It currently has about 64,000 kilometers.. I was just reading about all those engine problems. Thousands of dollars in repairs, whoa .. what did I get myself into ?? Is there any preventive measures I can do to reduce the risk. What years were affected? Do they all have that porous engine block ? What problems happen before the " BIG ONE" occurs !! What do I have to look for?

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer02

I bought my Boxster 02 a few months ago, It currently has about 64,000 kilometers.. I was just reading about all those engine problems. Thousands of dollars in repairs, whoa .. what did I get myself into ?? Is there any preventive measures I can do to reduce the risk. What years were affected? Do they all have that porous engine block ? What problems happen before the " BIG ONE" occurs !! What do I have to look for?

According to my expert Porsche mechanics, there will be metal fragments in the oil filter prior to an IMS bearing failure. Always worth tearing apart the filter to inspect it. If found, stop driving it and do an immediate IMS shaft bearing replacement.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by dbw

I bought a used bosxter from a dealer last year and have cpo warrenty till May of 2011. Does anyone know of extended warrenties for sale in canada?

3 years ago when I bought my '01 used, I got a non-CPO extended warranty from the Porshe dealer. I can renew it before it expires or I'm out of luck. As far as I know you can't buy an extended warranty in Canada other than from a dealer. Hopefully I'm wrong and things have changed...

Having said that, I don't think I'll renew. So far the warranty has been used once, for an A/C compressor replacement. And that was a lot less than what the warranty cost.

I think I'll put my money into an IMS upgrade instead

[Leslie Beauchemin]

Originally Posted by clickman

3 years ago when I bought my '01 used, I got a non-CPO extended warranty from the Porshe dealer. I can renew it before it expires or I'm out of luck. As far as I know you can't buy an extended warranty in Canada other than from a dealer. Hopefully I'm wrong and things have changed...

Having said that, I don't think I'll renew. So far the warranty has been used once, for an A/C compressor replacement. And that was a lot less than what the warranty cost.

I think I'll put my money into an IMS upgrade instead

I think you just made a great decision!

[Leslie Beauchemin]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

I agree with Leslie about Porsche's shame. This defect is a matter of poor design and has nothing to do with driving style, care or maintenance. They should be extending the warrantee on IMS for 100K.
Hey, this is not a Chevy Colbalt.....for these prices we expect a higher degree of quality, engineering and loyalty from the manufacturer.

You know what is funny? I called Porsche when my engine blew and they told me that my car was a couple of month's past 10 years old and that was why they wouldn't back it. So that leads me to believe if your car is under 10 years old, you might get some backing from Porsche? If anyone has tried to contact them, please let me know the outcome!

[mikefocke]

Ford didn't pay for the Model A engine that was 30 years old.

Chrysler didn't pay for the Mitsubishi engine they used that had 100k miles.

Alfa didn't pay for the Giulietta engine that was 5 years old.

I don't expect Porsche to pay for the 9-10 year old engine that has 56k in my '01 if it fails. I paid a lot less than the original owner and I chose to take the risk of that brand, that car and being not under warranty when I paid that low price.

[Leslie Beauchemin]

I don't expect Porsche to pay, just wish they had let owners know there was a problem so they could fix it! They knew the part was faulty and did nothing to help their loyal owners prevent it. Yes, I knew this was an expensive car to maintain before I bought it but there is no reason for throwing my hard earned money away when I could have taken care of it for my regular $1,000 to $2,000 services. I have taken awsome care of my car for the last 10 years. Every time there was a noise, reduction in power, etc... I took it to the mechanic, never missed my 3,000 mile oil change, tune ups, etc. It just would have been the right thing for them to give us a little heads up! If you don't understand that then I guess when it happens to you and you find out the manufacturer could have prevented that $10,000 to $15,000 bill, then maybe you will be a little butt hurt too! I work very hard for my toys and I pay for their maintenance but this was a bit extreme!

Sorry if I rambled but this is a very touchy subject right now!

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Ford didn't pay for the Model A engine that was 30 years old.

Chrysler didn't pay for the Mitsubishi engine they used that had 100k miles.

Alfa didn't pay for the Giulietta engine that was 5 years old.

I don't expect Porsche to pay for the 9-10 year old engine that has 56k in my '01 if it fails. I paid a lot less than the original owner and I chose to take the risk of that brand, that car and being not under warranty when I paid that low price.

[Leslie Beauchemin]

By the way, I would replace your IMS before your motor blows! Just giving you the heads up!!!

Originally Posted by Leslie Beauchemin

I don't expect Porsche to pay, just wish they had let owners know there was a problem so they could fix it! They knew the part was faulty and did nothing to help their loyal owners prevent it. Yes, I knew this was an expensive car to maintain before I bought it but there is no reason for throwing my hard earned money away when I could have taken care of it for my regular $1,000 to $2,000 services. I have taken awsome care of my car for the last 10 years. Every time there was a noise, reduction in power, etc... I took it to the mechanic, never missed my 3,000 mile oil change, tune ups, etc. It just would have been the right thing for them to give us a little heads up! If you don't understand that then I guess when it happens to you and you find out the manufacturer could have prevented that $10,000 to $15,000 bill, then maybe you will be a little butt hurt too! I work very hard for my toys and I pay for their maintenance but this was a bit extreme!

Sorry if I rambled but this is a very touchy subject right now!