Porsche Boxster 987: Buyers Guide

Common Problems, What to Check & Buying Advice

The Porsche Boxster 987 is one of the best entry points into Porsche ownership. It offers strong performance, excellent handling, and a proper Porsche driving experience at a relatively accessible price point. When maintained correctly, these cars are reliable and hugely rewarding to own — but neglect can quickly turn a “cheap Porsche” into a very expensive mistake.

This buyer’s guide is based on years of hands-on experience working on Boxster 987s at Sports Vehicle Performance, and is designed to help you spot common faults, avoid costly surprises, and buy the right car.

If you’re serious about purchasing one, we always recommend a pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche specialist before handing over any money.

Service History – The Most Important Check

A good service history is absolutely critical when buying a Boxster 987.

Low mileage cars with poor or missing history often have more problems than higher mileage cars that have been used and maintained properly. A full service book is a good start, but don’t stop there — always check:

• Invoices

• MOT advisories

• Evidence that recommended work has actually been carried out

A car may have had regular oil changes but still need expensive work if items like pipes, suspension, or seals have been repeatedly advised and ignored.

Don’t be afraid of higher mileage cars. Regular use helps prevent many age-related issues such as:

• Corroded brakes

• Flat batteries

• Dry seals and window rubbers

• Cracked driveshaft boots

Porsches are well built, and a well-used, well-maintained car is often the safer bet.

Bodywork & Paint Condition

Porsche paint quality is generally very good, so take your time inspecting the bodywork.

Look for:

• Mismatched panels

• Poor paint finish

• Blemishes or imperfections

These can indicate previous accident damage, track use, or low-quality repairs. A careful visual inspection can tell you a lot before the car even goes on a ramp.

Suspension – A Very Common Problem Area

Rear Springs

One of the most common faults on the Boxster 987 is broken rear suspension springs.

• Rear springs fail far more often than fronts

• Often flagged as an MOT failure

• The spring usually snaps at the bottom

How to spot it:

• Does the car sit level?

• Does one rear corner look lower than the other?

• Is there increased rear wheel camber?

• If possible, feel around the bottom of the spring for missing or broken sections

Front Suspension

At the front:

• Bump stops commonly deteriorate

• Damper rods can corrode and, in extreme cases, snap

• PASM-equipped cars are particularly prone due to thinner components

Uneven ride height, poor ride quality, or knocks over bumps are all warning signs.

Transmission, Clutch & IMS Bearing

The transmissions themselves are generally reliable, but there are key areas to check:

Manual Gear Cables

• Gear cables can snap or detach at either end

• Repair is labour-intensive and expensive due to interior disassembly

Clutch

• Budget for a clutch if there’s no evidence it’s been replaced

• While the gearbox is off, it’s sensible to address other known issues

IMS Bearing

• Post-2006 cars benefit from the larger IMS bearing

• Earlier cars should either have evidence of an upgrade or budget for one

Where possible, a post-2006 car is the safer option.

Rear Main Seal (RMS) Leaks

Rear main seal leaks are common and often visible between the engine and gearbox.

• Oil seeps past the crankshaft seal

• Oil runs into the bellhousing area

• Often manageable for a time

However, when the clutch needs replacing, it makes financial sense to replace the RMS at the same time.

Engine Issues – Bore Scoring

Bore scoring is one of the most talked-about issues on these engines. While it’s not extremely common, it is extremely expensive.

Symptoms include:

• Light tapping or ticking noise

• Sooty exhaust tips

• Increased oil consumption

• Smoke from the exhaust

Repair costs can exceed the value of the car, so this is something you absolutely want to avoid.

A borescope inspection, where spark plugs are removed and the cylinders inspected with a camera, provides invaluable peace of mind and is strongly recommended as part of any pre-purchase inspection.

Brakes & Brake Lines

Discs & Pads

Brakes are not particularly expensive, but still worth checking:

• Feel for a lip on the brake discs

• Check pad thickness with a torch

If replacement is due, factor it into the purchase price.

Brake Pipes

Given the age of these cars, brake pipe corrosion is becoming increasingly common.

• Short pipes near the calipers are relatively easy to replace

• Pipes near the central valve block can be very expensive

• Proper repair can require engine removal

Always check MOT history for brake pipe corrosion advisories.

Tyres & Geometry

Tyres on a Boxster 987 are not cheap, and costs can escalate quickly.

Check for:

• Uneven tyre wear (can indicate worn bushes or suspension arms)

• Mismatched brands

• Low tread depth

If suspension components are worn, you may also be looking at a full geometry setup on top of tyre replacement.

Exhaust System – A Major Cost Area

Exhaust issues are extremely common on the Boxster 987.

Typical problems include:

• Cracked or bodged exhaust manifolds

• Blown flange gaskets

• Severely corroded studs and fixings

• Failing rear silencer boxes (often rot from the corners)

Replacing exhaust components is costly not just due to parts, but labour — corroded fixings take significant time to remove.

Quick driveway check:Look at the rear exhaust clamps. Heavy corrosion here is a strong indicator of the condition of the rest of the system.

Front Radiators & Cooling System

The front air intakes sit very low and easily trap leaves and debris.

• Debris holds moisture against the radiators and condensers

• Leads to corrosion and leaks

• Replacement is costly

Always check inside the front ducts for leaf build-up.

Coolant Crossover Pipes

These alloy pipes are another expensive weak point:

• Alloy corrodes where pipes join

• Rubber seals fail

• Replacement requires dropping the front subframe

If accessible, inspect them through the wheel arch.

Water Ingress & Roof Drains

Blocked roof drains are a big hidden problem.

• Drains block with dirt and moss

• Water enters the cabin

• Soaks the carpet and rear control module under the passenger seat

• Repair involves module replacement and coding

Simple check:Put your hand on the passenger-side carpet. If it’s damp, walk away or budget accordingly.

Roof drains can be checked with the roof partially open — clear drains are a very good sign.

Final Advice – Buy Smart

Buying a Porsche should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one.

Do your homework, inspect carefully, and if you’re not confident checking these items yourself, pay a trusted Porsche specialist to inspect the car for you. It can save you thousands in the long run.

If you buy the right Boxster 987, it’s one of the most rewarding sports cars you can own. Thinking of buying? We can help so be sure to get in touch! Info@sportsvehicleperformance.co.uk 01386 793138