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Boxter S engine reliability

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Old 02-15-2010, 05:42 AM
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Default Boxter S engine reliability

I've read about random catastrophic engine failure on these cars. The engines come apart many times under normal operation. I wonder if Porsche ever got this problem resolved, or will at least replace out of warranty engines? It sounds like a big engineering failure that they're not wanting to admit to. Since the engines are modular, there is no rebuilding them, they just replace the whole thing.

I really like the car and was considering one until I read about the problems. Other nagging problems are rear main seals leaking and needing replaced. Out of warranty the RMS is $3K and an entire engine replacement is around $15K.

Anyone have more info on the Boxsters issues? I was leaning towards a Boxster S, but now thinking a Z4 or the S2000 might be a better choice.
Old 02-15-2010, 09:14 AM
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Old 02-15-2010, 09:37 AM
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My cousin had one of the early boxster S's and his engine blew apart. I'm not sure if they resolved the issue. I'll be in the market for a sports car in about a year. Boxster S is one of them, along with a Z4 M coupe, and 370 Z....As you can tell I'm all over the place..lol
Old 02-15-2010, 09:56 AM
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The engine on my dad's boxster S needed to be replaced, I forget the exact circumstances why ( think it was a rod bearing).

Fortunately he bought it CPO and the replacement wasn't an issue The out of pocket costs would have been $15-17k.
Old 02-15-2010, 10:01 AM
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I would NOT change my decision to buy the s2k before a boxster, 350z, or z4. I think it is easily the superior car given it's reliability when compared to the boxster.

Now compared to a 370z, or z4m, that decision might be different, but you get into different cost up front with those cars.
Old 02-15-2010, 10:05 AM
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RMS and IMS issues are about the only thing keeping me from buying a used 996. So much for Porsche reliability...
Old 02-15-2010, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by dogas,Feb 15 2010, 10:56 AM
The engine on my dad's boxster S needed to be replaced, I forget the exact circumstances why ( think it was a rod bearing).

Fortunately he bought it CPO and the replacement wasn't an issue The out of pocket costs would have been $15-17k.
I'd double check that engine replacement cost -- you can get an entire early Boxster S for that much.
Old 02-15-2010, 10:27 AM
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lol at mod sarcasm
Old 02-15-2010, 10:31 AM
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I've always heard Porsches are not made to last forever, they require rebuilds after a while. My Buddy has a first year Boxster and he has had zero problems with it, but it is very low miles, like maybe 3K per year.
Old 02-15-2010, 11:42 AM
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Huh. Was the engine disaster like the e46 M3 engine disaster? I know someone who got TWO M3 engine replacements under warranty.


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