How Tuff is the 986 Suspension - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

flmont · 07-26-2019, 08:57 PM

Driving around Tucson,Az will just beat any suspension system to hell ( F-250's) are beat to hell,...So what kind of abuse can the 986 take..around Tucson you either drive fast to smooth out the road or so slow to save the suspension,or keep swerving like a drunk to miss the pot holes. !!

particlewave · 07-26-2019, 11:59 PM

Not tough at all. Expect your suspension to be shot in a year or two driving on roads like that.

truegearhead · 07-27-2019, 02:45 AM

In my experience it’s a lot tougher than BMWs I’ve owned. Unlike BMWs I wasn’t replacing control arms every couple years.

10/10ths · 07-27-2019, 04:41 AM

.....I live in a state with horrible roads and have put 38,000 miles on her here and she had 25,000 when I bought her. So I’m close to 60,000 total miles on my 2004 with the stiffer factory M030 suspension on 18 inch Carrera Lights with Pilot Sport 4S tires.

Knock on wood, no issues so far.

YMMV.

There are something like four different companies that make aftermarket control arms for these cars because of failures.

Just buy a Boxster and enjoy.

Like you said, even if you drove a boring old truck it would get beat up.

Might as well enjoy the driving while you bust your kidneys.

Cheers.

bcrdukes · 07-29-2019, 05:13 PM

My 01 Boxster S has about 86K miles on it (or 138,500KM.) I had to replace the shocks last year, but confident they were dead a long time ago.

I didn't have to replace anything else. I didn't want to believe it, but had three shops check out the control arms etc, and not a problem. For what it's worth, I live in Toronto. Awful for pot holes and all sorts of terrible roads.

To truegearhead's point, I'm glad I don't have a BMW anymore. Control arms, and tie rods, and what have you needing replacement ever few years. No thank you.

husker boxster · 07-30-2019, 04:15 AM

Front LCA bushings don't take a lot of abuse. And rear toe is easily knocked out of alignment with their egg shaped adjustment washer.

flmont · 07-30-2019, 12:49 PM

Good to know,..TY...My rear wheels look kicked out, ( or pitched in at the top of the wheel )..Need the Alignment checked for sure

Anker · 07-31-2019, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flmont

Good to know,..TY...My rear wheels look kicked out, ( or pitched in at the top of the wheel )..Need the Alignment checked for sure

There's supposed to be some negative camber on the rears, so that's not a problem.

flmont · 08-01-2019, 03:36 PM

Oh ok,..Anker Thanks