THE PROBLEMS

Engine

The Boxster’s “M96” motor, shared with the 996model 911, is notorious for suffering scored cylinder bore liners, which at best causes excessive smoking and oil consumption, and at worst a terminal lack of compression. The only cure is an engine rebuild.

The IMS is positioned below, and takes its drive from the engine crankshaft and provides drive for the oil pump and the camshaft chains. ‘The warning sign is rattling cam chains, which means turn the engine off immediately and hope that the outer race has not damaged the casings,’ Robin tells us.

There are other engine issues to be aware of, Robin warns. ‘Perished “O” rings cause oil leaks, and coil packs fail, as do Variocam solenoids, resulting in engine misfires.’ However, some of the M96’s problems are down to ‘user abuse’, including an additional smoking issue, Robin stresses. ‘White smoke from the engine is very bad, normally meaning a crack in the block. This is not a Porsche problem, but due to poor maintenance – a lack of coolant changes.’

He adds: ‘Do not confuse it with the normal condensation – the giveaway is the coolant reservoir, if it constantly goes down then it is either leaking or the coolant is being burnt.’ Water pumps can fail, too, again mainly down to lack of coolant changes.

Exhaust

Rusty exhaust fasteners are the biggest problem, whether they are holding on rusted exhaust manifolds or the flange connection. ‘Many will not be recognisable as nuts and studs, and brute force will be needed to remove them,’ Robin warns. ‘Lambda sensors commonly fail but are not expensive – the problem is getting them out.’

Bodywork

Check for corrosion behind the rear wheel arch liners, and where gravel will have removed the protection from the bottom of the wheel arches. ‘There should not be any rust coming through the bodywork unless the panel is accident damaged and/or poorly repaired.’

Interior

Seat side bolsters wear through, and the centre console lid breaks off, while rear trim panels can be dirty from unclean hands removing them to gain access to engine, Robin has noticed. Water can collect in the foot wells and cause corrosion in the modules and brackets under the seats.

Ignition switches and door locks fail, as do regulators, while modified sound systems can be a nuisance. ‘Aftermarket stereos are normally earthed incorrectly, and make the alarm system think the radio is being stolen, so will beep when you lock the doors,’ Robin reveals.

If the air conditioning does not work, the two condensers, in the car’s nose, are probably leaking. ‘They’re prone to rotting from debris collecting in the outer lower corners of the bodywork,’ says Robin. ‘The front “PU” should be taken off regularly and the condensers and radiators cleaned out.’

Hood

Many early Boxsters will have had a replacement hood. ‘The rear PVC windows go yellow and brittle, and break up under normal operation of the hood,’ says Robin. ‘The hood stitching erodes away, and the crease lines cause the canvas to break up.’ If fitting a new hood, it makes senses to upgrade to one with a glass screen.