Boxsters with reliable engines

[Dave S.]

To contrast all the negative posts about IMS failures and such, I thought I'd start a thread where folks who have never had a major engine failure could post the year, engine and mileage of their reliable Boxsters. I really like my Boxster and it is a great car.
I'll start but my mileage isn't all that impressive:

2003 Boxster S (3.2L) 15,000 miles and has had no issues. ;-)

Dave S.

[rick3000]

There have been a couple threads like this lately, but I'll bite.

1999 Boxster (2.5L) 33,000 miles
No RMS, IMS, or slipped sleeve issues (Knock on wood)

[SRQ Boxster]

2002 Boxster S, 3.2, 22k miles. Driven hard at many autocross and D.E. events. I have had no leaks or mechanical issues as of yet.

[Ofishbein]

My 2001S has 65K and no issues - and it's been driven quite briskly in the 20K miles I have owned it. As for the IMS failure rate, I think people are getting too wrapped up in worry. I personally know about a twenty people with Boxsters/911s (with the M96 engines) and none of them have had a problem or actually know anyone who has - first-hand knowledge at least. I think some people just need to have something to fret about at any given time (IMS failures, global warming, bird flu, radon, Manbearpig, etc.).

[kabel]

rick, you gotta drive that thing more!

MY99 107,650. No major catastrophes (knock wood) Daily driven, autocrossed at least once a month. New shocks, replaced a water pump over a year ago, due for an oil change.

[jmatta]

2002 S, 15k miles...occasional autocross. Nothing but oil changes (but I will be installing the LN billet oil filter adapter come spring). Out of all the PCA folks I know with Boxsters and 996's, only one case of implosion and that was a '99.

[Frodo]

2001S, 41K. I am (on those days when it gets above around 30 degrees in my garage) working on the alternator. (I'm thinking it's just the voltage regulator, but we'll see...) No other engine problems---minor, major or otherwise.

(Knocking on my desk---wood!---as I type. )

[Allen K. Littlefield]

So far so good. '02 2.7 TIP with around 40k. Did have the RMS fixed under warranty and was told, " This will solve the problem". Fingers crossed etc. Looking forward to spring when I can get out and drive it again.

AKL in the frozen "globally warmed" Northeast.

[insite]

1999 2.5L 5-speed
138,000 miles
i race it!

no major engine problems to date (fingers crossed)
no RMS

[23109VC]

2000 2.7L 5 speed
I bought the car from dad,, and he bought it from original owner who was a neighbor.

car had repeated RMS leaks at about 12k miles - dealer put in new engine. So my car hasn't been 100% trouble free.

BUT, the car now has 75k and has had ZERO engine/drivetrain problems since the RMS issue was corrected.

so the replacement engine has over 60k miles of trouble free operation.

Car was daily driven by my dad for 6 years.

[NoGaBiker]

2004 S Anniversary Edition. 27,000 miles.

At 21,695 I experienced the following: " Customer states that there is a fluid leak under vehicle. Found oil leaking from rear main seal. Remove and reinstall transmission. Measure Crankshaft and install new rear main seal. Clean Engine after repair." The time was 6.4 hours, and no charge because of warranty. The parts were the RMS and four screws. I don't know the rates at this dealer but I would assume around $110, so say $700 labor and probably less than $100 for parts, if you were paying for them.

That's it for the motor. A few other niggling squeaks, and the driver's armrest/door storage bin cover was replaced after about 2 years because the soft rubber stuff was peeling. No problem since.

Matt

[roadracer311]

2003 Boxster S
28,500 flawless miles. I've put on 10k of these miles with nothing but scheduled maintenance, which I do myself. The previous owners didn't have any problems that I'm aware of. I bought it right as the factory warranty was ending.

[Adam]

03 S with 28k miles. Mostly street use with occasional autocross. No issues besides a pretty loud knock and slight RMS seep that went away. Had it flatbedded to dealer for the knock. They couldn't find the cause. I believe the scan tool said it was a cylinder misfire. They drove it around and it actually fixed itself. I put a bottle of techron in the tank the week before it happened and that was the only variable. Never used it before then and have never since and the engine seems to run well.

[turbo23dog]

2000 S 3.2L 6speed

36,000 miles

At 30K besides the normal service items, also needed to replace front motor mount, both inner CV joint boots and battery. Also fixed "oddments tray" (armrest) hinge and the hose for the windshield washer had to be reaffixed to its fitting (washer fluid was pumping out the bottom of the car when activated) which was an easy fix.

[Bob O]

01, base model, manual tranny, 65+K miles. No engine issues at all. No leaks, no weird sounds, knocks, hiccups or whatever. I track it at least twice a year and drive it almost daily. I've replaced brake pads and rotors, the ignition switch and .......that's all I can think of. (oh,, the driver's seat heater isn't working but I haven't had the time to do anything about it yet. oh well) It's been 100% reliable and trouble free so far. (Knock on wood, which seems to be a common thing to do on this thread!)

Bob

[70Sixter]

25,000 miles and no problems. 3.2 986S with 6 spd bought new in April 04.

[gerrygug]

2000 Boxster S
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.

[j.fro]

I'll DEFINITELY be knocking on some wood after this post...
2000 S with 114xxx miles.
Headers + modified cats + modified muffler (CEL, 1117, reset every 200mi)
EVO intake. No MAF CEL since replacing oiled filter with AEM Dryflow
Suspension mods, brake mods, short shifter, but those things have nothing to do with the motor
2 years of regional PCA autocross success, plus plenty of spirited touring
Almost daily driven, and she's running great. It's a long-time dream come true.

Awesome car!

- 2006 987S
- Just over 25,000 miles
- Driven about once per week, April-October, at least 300 miles when taken out
- 4 Oil Changes
- 1 brake fluid flush
- 1 air filter
- 4 new tires
- 1 alignment
- gallons of wax, leather conditioner, window cleaner and tire dressing!


I will forever be a Porsche owner.

[Stunin_Stud]

I have a 2001 3.2L S with 31,000 miles no problems. did the 30k maintenance myself. seems to have some kind of oil under it but no leak yet. I am a student so got no money for repairs thats why I hope nothing goes wrong.

my buddy has a 99 996 with 190k on the 3.4L and that gives me hope.