Scared new Boxster owner

[RandallNeighbour]

Sean, I just married a Porsche and a BMW and they are living happily in my garage. I can hear them whispering sweet nothings to one another in German after I turn out the garage lights and close the door.

I had the same freaked-out feelings you have when I bought my old, far higher mileage, far more beat up boxster four and a half years ago. Yes, I've sunk quite a bit into repairs and even more into mods, but the car is simply amazing and I wouldn't trade my old box in on another one to tell you the truth... even if my motor blows. I'll put a Jake Raby rebuild in it and thrash it even more when I take it out to the back roads of central Texas or to the Texas World Speedway for high speed driver's education weekends.

The longer you drive and enjoy your Porsche, the less you will worry about repairs or a motor blowing. Trust me.

Now go out and drive that car like you stole it. Remember, the car really needs you to redline it in every gear, especially 6th gear now and then when you're doing 160

[Nineteen89]

Well I guess my even bigger fear has come true, I'm going to have to wait to get my Porsche until I CAN write a check for $12,000 and not let it shake my finances, and only when I have another DD, Sean I'm sure you know lots about BMW's, is then330ci pretty bullet proof as far as MAJOR failures? I'm assuming it's similar to your 325, or how about an M3?

[Bob O]

Welcome to the club! It's impossible to say whether yours will blow up or not. Odds are it won't!!. One thing you might want to do, however, is to investigate an extended warranty from either the dealer (doubtful but, I suppose, possible) or an after-market one. I bought my 01 three + years ago and got a Warranty Direct top of the line complete coverage package, which covers it up to 100K miles. Cost was something around 2,300 or so, but it covers pretty much everything on the car. Was it worth it? hmmmm not from a cost standpoint since I've YET to have to use the warranty (knock on wood). But the peace of mind was certainly worth it.

I got the car with 23K on the odo. It now has 65+K on it. I track it at least twice a year and drive it almost daily. Not a single problem (ok I had to replace the ignition switch but that was all of $35 and a couple of hours time including going to the Audi dealer to pick up the part). I change the oil and filter every 5 - 7 K miles. I've changed the brake pads several times (for track use mainly and once because the original pads were worn out) And I changed the front rotors. All the above, except the ignition, were just wear items.

Mine, so far, has been totally dependable. Its one of the easiest cars I've ever owned to work on. (Brake pads take, what..an hour or so to change all four. Rotors took about an hour. no big deal)

My advice.. join PCA, look into getting a warranty (after much research as to what kind and from who), read the forums, change oil twice as often as the book recommends, get some good winter tires (I personally like the Dunlop Winter Sport, but there are several other good options) and DRIVE IT! You'll be a happy camper

Bob

[SeanZ4]

The E46s (1999-2005) are pretty bullet-proof. As far as major failures, figure on very seldom to never. The 2.5 and 3.0 are of the smoothest most reliable straight sixes in the world. Just my opinion, but I've owned half a dozen of them with -0- problems. Cooling issues will be your worst problem. They do tend to eat water pumps and blow expansion tanks...very common on a higher mileage one. Some of the earlier E46s had problems with the VANOS system too... but still not a major issue. As far as a M3?? Well, I've never had one of those, but they are a completely different animal. Considerable more expense in maint. I would guess. Most importantly, if you are young (I am not), check your insurance on a M3 before buying!! You can go to E46fanatics or bimmerforums and get lots of questions answered. Just like here, you only hear from the people with problems. For not much $$ you can mod out a 325ci or 330ci to look just like a M. They have entire sections on it if you're so inclined. If you're going to use it as your "only" or "daily driver" I'd go with the 3 car just for practicality.

sean

[SeanZ4]

Thanks Bob.

I have an uncle in Overland Park with an 01 that he bought new. He's had no problems with it other than a serp. belt broke on it at 4k on I-70.

I bought mine at Scholfield Porsche in Wichita. They sold it new and ran it through a pretty impressive check list. They even replaced the ashtray door because they said "it was cosmetically unacceptable".... Normally I'd shy away from a stealership, but they put a full drive-train wtty. on it %100 coverage for 90 days, and showed me all the serv. record since new. They're supposed to mail me a copy of all that this week. I'm thinking about an aftermarket wtty. for piece of mind at the very least.

sean

[NoGaBiker]

Originally Posted by SeanZ4

... I'm thinking about an aftermarket wtty. for piece of mind at the very least.

sean

Probably the best course of action. In a way, you're probably wasting $2000+, but unless you want to "self insure," it's not a bad plan. Funny thing is, if you had owned the car yourself since new and it had the same number of miles on it, you would probably think it was completely bulletproof and would not even consider adding a $2000 warranty now. You'd just drive it and figure WTH, if it blows it blows. That's how I am right now with a 4-year OEM warranty that just ran out 30 days ago.

But the exact same car, if I had just bought it yesterday, even if I knew for a fact that it had never had any issues, would be scaring me. Funny how psychology works. If you buy an extended warranty you will have spent money that will probably be wasted, but it is a relatively small, manageable amount. If you don't spend it, you will be gambling on a potentially very large bill if the worst happens; unlikely, sure, but more likely than on a Lexus.

Matt

[renzop]

It's only money :-}

Hell, in 2008 I lost enough money in the market for 2 IMS failures and a new tranny. I'm still enjoying life!

Drive it like you stole it.

[gerrygug]

000 Boxster S
Don't worry -- Be Happy!

I have a 2000s with the following engine history

No problems until 46K
46K replace drive belt tensioner pully
46k power steering hose replaced
77K O2 sensor
79K DME replaced
79K Oil separator
79K Air Mas Sensor
79K Right Cam Cover Seal
82K Water Pump
82K Left Cam Cover Seal
88K Vacuum Reservoir and Change over Valve
Current mileage 95K

I have a 2001 BMW 3 series with 135K and the Boxster maintenance is comparable.

These problems are about average in my experience with German cars.