'05 or '06 987

[oofie]

Hey, new member here and I want to help out my dad with his *potential* purchase.

He's looking to get a Boxster, either an 05 or an 06. I've been researching for him and found out a lot about the RMS and IMS failures on the 986. Do these problems still persist with the 987? I've read that cars with the m97 engine have the redesigned intermediate shaft, but I've also read that some of the early 987's still have the m96 engines. How do I find out if the car he's looking at has the newer m97 engine?

Great forum and resource here!

Thanks,

Ron

[phillipj]

I believe the 06's have the new IMS design. There are a lot of Boxter experts here that will be able to give you a defintive answer.

[renzop]

All years have had at least one reported IMS failure. But it looks like there are very few if any RMS issues in 987s. Also IMS looks like its reported less frequently in later model (not sure if that's because ther are fewer later Boxsters, later model Boxster have less mileage or Porsche actually did something to fix the problem).

Bottom line, no model year (except '09+) is immune from IMS. 987s have very little RMS issues. The newer the car the better the chance that you won't have problems.

[White987S]

Just a few quick thoughts:

1) The 2006 has smart air bags. Good for young passangers, who need a booster seat. Might not need the expensive Porsche child seat.

2) Get the "S"

[RFM]

My wife's 2006 987 (Europe) airbags are not smarter than the previous Boxsters, the only difference is the possibility to order or install a passenger airbag deactivation lock with the ignition key MY2005> instead of the earlier bar <MY2004 986. A smart aibag has a pressure (weight) sensor build in the seat cushion.

[oofie]

Well, looks like he found an '05 Boxster S for a good price, only problem is it is automatic. Are the "S" engine less prone to the IMS failures?

[RFM]

987 and 987S shares the same M96 engine design, it makes no difference in that case.

[White987S]

Well, looks like he found an '05 Boxster S for a good price, only problem is it is automatic. Are the "S" engine less prone to the IMS failures?

Keep looking. There are a ton of Porsche for sale right now. Don't be in a rush.

[White987S]

My wife's 2006 987 (Europe) airbags are not smarter than the previous Boxsters, A smart aibag has a pressure (weight) sensor build in the seat cushion.

The 2006 Boxster in the USA has smart air bags, for sure. As little weight as my computer bag is enough to set off the sensors, and deactivate the airbags.

[oofie]

987 and 987S shares the same M96 engine design, it makes no difference in that case.

Just to make sure I have it right, the m97 engine only began on the MY2006 models? Where do I check for the engine code on these cars?

Edited March 1, 2009 by oofie

[oofie]

Keep looking. There are a ton of Porsche for sale right now. Don't be in a rush.

Yeah, I told him not to jump on that one, even though its an S, I think he would prefer to have the manual in the longer run.

[London987]

i have an 05 987 - it is a 3.2....i'm guessing it must be a m96? dunno......porsche can't even tell me whether i have the redesigned IMS or not.

i have spoken to a few specialists and i don't think it makes a lot of difference what year you get up to the new car released this year as the engines are all a variation on a theme.

it seems (as renzop says) that unless you get new then you run the same risks on either engine. have a look on the web, there's lots of chatter on this. my experience is a busted RMS, this was replaced with a new designed part, seems ok so far. most cars that will leak have done so and should have had this fixed by now.....which leave your IMS question.....and that seems to be something that a lot of people have an opinion on but no definitive answer.

Edited March 1, 2009 by London987

[Bob Z.]

Keep looking. There are a ton of Porsche for sale right now. Don't be in a rush.

Yeah, I told him not to jump on that one, even though its an S, I think he would prefer to have the manual in the longer run.

Good idea...these cars are made to be manually shifted! I love mine ('08 987S) and if I wasn't buying a new house I'd keep it.

And don't let him get hung up on the IMS/RMS issues - all cars have problems and these are isolated...none reported in latter year cars that I know of. But be sure to try and get a CPO car if buying used, or a lot of factory warranty, or both like mine has.

[oofie]

Thanks guys for all you help! Well, my dad ended up with an 07 Cayman, black on black, 5spd, CPO with only 14k miles. I think (hope) that he got a good deal on it though.

[berty987]

i have an 05 987 - it is a 3.2....i'm guessing it must be a m96? dunno......porsche can't even tell me whether i have the redesigned IMS or not.

i have spoken to a few specialists and i don't think it makes a lot of difference what year you get up to the new car released this year as the engines are all a variation on a theme.

it seems (as renzop says) that unless you get new then you run the same risks on either engine. have a look on the web, there's lots of chatter on this. my experience is a busted RMS, this was replaced with a new designed part, seems ok so far. most cars that will leak have done so and should have had this fixed by now.....which leave your IMS question.....and that seems to be something that a lot of people have an opinion on but no definitive answer.

I beleive that the M97 engine is the 3.4 Variant in the boxster S and higher output 2.7 in the standard model that came into production for the 2007 model year. The larger M12 nut configuration IMS bearing and housing was introduced for the 2005 model year vehicles and was also found on later 986 models, this was revised again for the 2008 model year. From the parts listing it looks like Porsche went back to a double row bearing for 2008 from the single row bearings used previously

[White987S]

Thanks guys for all you help! Well, my dad ended up with an 07 Cayman, black on black, 5spd, CPO with only 14k miles. I think (hope) that he got a good deal on it though.

Congrats, great car. Easy to drive hard, and instills a lot of confidence. Black cars are hard to keep clean, but you probably know this (use Zaino products). I would miss the drop-top, though.

[oofie]

Thanks guys for all you help! Well, my dad ended up with an 07 Cayman, black on black, 5spd, CPO with only 14k miles. I think (hope) that he got a good deal on it though.

Congrats, great car. Easy to drive hard, and instills a lot of confidence. Black cars are hard to keep clean, but you probably know this (use Zaino products). I would miss the drop-top, though.

Thanks! I know you said that get the "S" version, but my dad wanted a certified car within his budget and this cayman just fell on his lap. As for the drop-top, the good part is that my brother has a Z4, so my dad said that if he wanted to let his thinning hair out, they can switch cars for the weekend :P Anyway, I'm off to my parents place to see if I can drive it for a couple of hours and see how it compares to my Honda Fit. :D