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Porsche1996–2012 Critical issues documented

Porsche Boxster 987: common faults & what to check

The 987 is the Porsche Boxster built 2004–2012. Of the 5 faults documented for the Boxster, 3 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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5

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$1,500–$4,500

Typical repair

33

Service milestones

You're looking at the 987

Everything below is narrowed to this variant. Pick a different one to change it.

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Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2005 Porsche Boxster is the 987 generation (2004 to 2012).

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Porsche Boxster 987

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Can't confirm for this car

Porsche Boxster · 2005

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Porsche Boxster before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Confirm LN Engineering IMS retrofit or documented bearing replacement with a specialist receipt.

    See why

    M96/M97 Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing Failure

    The M96 and M97 flat-six engines in 986 and 987 Boxsters share the same intermediate shaft bearing design as the 996 and 997 911. The 986 uses a single-row bearing with documented failure rates above 10%. The 987 received a dual-row bearing (improved but not eliminated). Failure is catastrophic — bearing collapse destroys the engine without warning. The mid-engine layout means replacement costs are comparable to the 911. LN Engineering IMS retrofit is the documented preventive measure. Porsche faced Australian class-action litigation relating to this design covering Boxster models.

    What you would notice

    • Sudden catastrophic engine failure with loud bearing collapse noise
    • Metal debris visible in engine oil at service
    • Oil pressure warning light at idle
    • Cold start rattle from engine centre on high-mileage cars

    Typically $8,000–$28,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Check coolant hose temperatures with the engine warm — a cold return hose indicates circulation failure.

    See why

    Water Pump Plastic Impeller Failure (987 Boxster)

    The 987 Boxster water pump uses a plastic impeller that is known to delaminate and spin free of its shaft. When the impeller disengages, coolant circulation stops but the pump appears externally intact, making diagnosis non-obvious. The engine overheats without any external coolant leak. Replacement with an all-metal impeller upgrade is the documented permanent fix and is recommended on any 987 without confirmed pump replacement history.

    What you would notice

    • Engine overheating without any visible external coolant leak
    • Temperature gauge rising above the normal operating range
    • Coolant not circulating — return hose from radiator stays cold when engine is warm
    • Heater output reduced or absent at low speed

    Typically $900–$2,500 to put right.

All 3 issues for this one

Documented for the exact year and engine you picked. Tap an area to open it.

1 rated critical
Engine, transmission & cooling1 critical2

01M96/M97 Intermediate Shaft (IMS) Bearing Failure

Confirm LN Engineering IMS retrofit or documented bearing replacement with a specialist receipt.petrol1996–2012Engine
CommonEngine $8,000–$28,000 to fix

The M96 and M97 flat-six engines in 986 and 987 Boxsters share the same intermediate shaft bearing design as the 996 and 997 911. The 986 uses a single-row bearing with documented failure rates above 10%. The 987 received a dual-row bearing (improved but not eliminated). Failure is catastrophic — bearing collapse destroys the engine without warning. The mid-engine layout means replacement costs are comparable to the 911. LN Engineering IMS retrofit is the documented preventive measure. Porsche faced Australian class-action litigation relating to this design covering Boxster models.

Symptoms to notice

  • Sudden catastrophic engine failure with loud bearing collapse noise
  • Metal debris visible in engine oil at service
  • Oil pressure warning light at idle
  • Cold start rattle from engine centre on high-mileage cars

What to check

Confirm LN Engineering IMS retrofit or documented bearing replacement with a specialist receipt. Check engine oil for metallic contamination or gritty texture. Full service history showing consistent oil changes at correct intervals is a positive indicator. For any 986 without confirmed IMS replacement, factor the retrofit cost into the purchase price as a condition of sale.

Where to look: Intermediate shaft bearing housing, rear-centre of the mid-mounted flat-six

Ask the seller

  • “Has the IMS bearing been retrofitted with an LN Engineering unit or equivalent?”
  • “Is there a workshop invoice for the IMS bearing work?”
  • “What is the complete engine service history?”

02Water Pump Plastic Impeller Failure (987 Boxster)

Check coolant hose temperatures with the engine warm — a cold return hose indicates circulation failure.petrol2005–2012CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Depends on the exact engine or version: 1 issueDocumented for a specific engine or version we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Fluid leaks1

01Rear main seal oil leak (2.5/2.7/3.2/3.4 M96/M97 flat-six)

Look under the rear of the car at the engine to gearbox joint for fresh oil, and check the ground where the car was parked.petrol1997–2008Fluid Leaks
CommonFluid Leaks $900–$3,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

A leaking rear main (crankshaft) oil seal is a known issue on the M96 and M97 flat-six engines in the 986 and early 987 Boxster and Cayman. Oil weeps from the joint between the engine and gearbox and shows as a wet bellhousing or drips after parking. It was very common on the 986 and Porsche revised the seal several times, so it is less common on the 987. The repair needs the gearbox removed, so most owners do it together with a clutch replacement.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil drips under the middle of the car after parking
  • Wet or oily area where the engine meets the gearbox
  • Oil smell or slowly falling oil level

What to check

  1. Look under the rear of the car at the engine to gearbox joint for fresh oil, and check the ground where the car was parked.
  2. Check the oil level on the dipstick or dash readout.
  3. Ask for invoices showing a rear main seal or clutch replacement and which seal was fitted.
  4. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the bellhousing area inspected from underneath and the leak traced, as oil can also come from the IMS cover or sump.

Where to look: Rear of the engine where it joins the gearbox (mid-engine bay)

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the rear main seal been replaced, and was the latest seal fitted?”
  • “When was the clutch last done, and was the seal renewed at the same time?”
  • “Does the car leave oil marks where it is parked?”
Other Porsche Boxster engines and years2 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01Cylinder bore scoring (3.4 M97 flat-six, 987 Boxster S)

Start the engine from cold and listen for a ticking or rattle that fades as it warms.petrol2006–2008Engine
OccasionalEngine $15,000–$35,000 to fix

Does not apply

Cylinder bore scoring is a known issue on the 3.4 M97 flat-six in the 987 Boxster S built before the 2009 direct-injection engine. A cylinder wall wears and scores, often cylinder 6, leading to heavy oil consumption, a ticking or rattle on cold start and smoke from the exhaust. Only a small percentage of cars are affected, but the repair is an engine rebuild. A borescope check through the spark plug holes before purchase is the usual way to rule it out.

Symptoms to notice

  • Ticking or rattle for the first minutes after a cold start
  • Blue smoke at start-up or under load
  • High oil consumption between services
  • One exhaust tailpipe sootier than the other

What to check

  1. Start the engine from cold and listen for a ticking or rattle that fades as it warms.
  2. Watch the exhaust for smoke at start-up.
  3. Compare soot in the left and right tailpipes.
  4. Ask how much oil the car uses between services and look for an oil analysis report.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask a Porsche specialist for a borescope inspection of all six cylinders through the spark plug holes, paying attention to cylinder 6.

Where to look: Engine cylinders (mid-mounted flat-six)

Ask the seller

  • “Has the engine had a borescope inspection, and can I see the report?”
  • “How much oil does it use between services?”
  • “Has the engine been rebuilt or relined?”

02M96 Internal Coolant Crossover Pipe Failure (986 Boxster)

Ask specifically whether the plastic coolant crossover pipe has been replaced with the silicone upgrade.petrol1996–2004CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Porsche Boxster service schedule

The 2 engines a 2005 Porsche Boxster was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

987 Boxster · 2005–2008 · 2.7L Flat-6 - Base trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 60,000 km

    A major service falls due, with spark plugs and a drive belt inspection.

  2. 80,000 km

    Control arm bushings and similar suspension parts can start to wear around this mark.

  3. 100,000 km

    Check the cooling hoses and think about how much life is left in the water pump.

987 Boxster · 2005–2008 · 3.2L/3.4L Flat-6 - S trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 80,000 km

    Worth renewing the water pump and cooling system parts here so the engine keeps running at the right temperature.

  2. 100,000 km

    An important check: suspension bushings and engine mounts have usually softened by this stage.

  3. 120,000 km

    Ignition coils and spark plugs benefit from renewal about now to keep that flat-six running cleanly.

Porsche Boxster faults in detail

Narrowed to the Porsche Boxster · 2005. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Water Pump Plastic Impeller Failure (987 Boxster)Major · Cooling

Other Porsche models

Porsche Cayenne23 documented faultsPorsche 91119 documented faultsPorsche Boxster/Cayman9 documented faultsPorsche Macan6 documented faults

Porsche Boxster buyer questions

Is the Porsche Boxster reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Porsche Boxster, the recurring problem areas are engine, cooling, and fluid leaks. A Porsche Boxster with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Porsche Boxster?

We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Porsche Boxster, covering engine, cooling, and fluid leaks. All 5 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Porsche Boxster?

Most single repairs on the Porsche Boxster fall between $1,500–$4,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Porsche Boxster?

Yes. A Porsche Boxster inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.