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.

 

renntech.org

 

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

 

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 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.

 

RMS and IMS issues are about the only thing keeping me from buying a used 996. So much for Porsche reliability...

 

I'd double check that engine replacement cost -- you can get an entire early Boxster S for that much.

 

lol at mod sarcasm

 

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.

 

Huh. Was the engine disaster like the e46 M3 engine disaster? I know someone who got TWO M3 engine replacements under warranty.