2005 Porsche Boxster Purchase - Owner Issues?

[mikefocke]

sample size used by CR and thus their ability to report anything meaningful on a niche vehicle like the Boxster. When a sample gets too small it also gets too self selecting.

I always cite my Boxster experiences (2 very very good/reliable/cheap cars) as being totally unhelpful when predicting what your experience might be.

I'd prefer the 987 over the 986 (I owned 986s) (look at the model year differences list http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences for reasons why).

And the '05 over the '07. Why? Because a major source of worry for some is the IMS and the '05 IMS is easier/cheaper to replace with an upgraded part in the '05.

Look for a car maintained by an enthusiast and get a PPI done before you buy so you know the condition of the car.

[surf40]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

And the '05 over the '07. Why? Because a major source of worry for some is the IMS and the '05 IMS is easier/cheaper to replace with an upgraded part in the '05.

Really? I thought the new 05 and up motor you had to split the case to replace the IMS, while the 04 and below you could upgrade the IMS during a clutch replacement. Now I'm confused.....(which is not hard to do BTW)

[Jake D]

From what I've read surf40, 05 is may or may not be able to be replaced without splitting the cases. For that reason I would go with an 04 S or something newer like 07. I think the general thought on this thread it to stay away from 05 models. I might be wrong in saying that though

[MikenOH]

I spoke with an instructor with an 05S last week at Mid-OH and with 117K on the clock he had only replaced the AOS.

As Mike F said, these cars have the small IMS bearing and it can be replaced without splitting the case.

If the car has had the maintenance done, I don't think these would be cars to avoid necessarily.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I beleive the IMS build change came in October of 2005 in the 2006 models. Some early 2006 cars can be fixed in the car too.

[SeaNile31]

Buy it, drive it and don't freak out about what you can't control. I'm on Boxster #4 and have had zero issues. Currently have an 05 S with 21K (bought with 20K) and no issues with the car from me or the previous owner.

[REDBXSTR]

Originally Posted by SeaNile31

Buy it, drive it and don't freak out about what you can't control. I'm on Boxster #4 and have had zero issues. Currently have an 05 S with 21K (bought with 20K) and no issues with the car from me or the previous owner.

Hello, I know this is an older post, but I wanted to see if you still own your '05 S, because that is what I have recently purchased, a 2005 Boxster S, Midnight Blue Metallic. Did you have any problems with yours, since your purchase with 21K mies that you could tell me about?

I was a little paranoid regarding the IMS bearing issues so I had the LN Engineering bearing upgrade, along with a Cayenne improved RMS to fix a small leak. Also replaced my flywheel and clutch. Rides great, but who knows.

Since the class action lawsuit, I attempted to check my VIN against the website and it said that my VIN is not part of the "class". Strange since I have an '05 with the single row bearing (before the upgrade) and it is less than 10 years old. Did you VIN check out as part of the class.

Just curious, because you have an '05 S as well.

Thanks

Steven