Porsche Boxster (2005 – 2012) Review

Porsche Boxster (2005 – 2012) At A Glance

Enjoyable and easy to drive, wonderful engine sound, great performance, surprisingly practical for a two-seat sports car, good automatic PDK gearbox.

Prices still remain quite high, even for the oldest versions.

Insurance Groups are between 43–46
On average it achieves 94% of the official MPG figure

Reviews for Porsche Boxster (2005 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Georgeous jewel like looks reminiscent of a miniature McLaren SLR. Electric folding hard top. A much...

BMW Z4

Better looking and a sportier drive than its Z3 predecessor.

Audi TT

As sharp a drive as the coupe version. Eye-catching looks and nice design details in the cabin. Good...

Porsche Boxster (2005 – 2012) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4329–4342 mm
Width	1801 mm
Height	1292–1295 mm
Wheelbase	2415 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1305–1380 kg
Boot Space	130 L
Warranty	2 years / Unlimited miles
Servicing	20000 miles

Costs
List Price	£33,375–£45,803
Insurance Groups	43–46
Road Tax Bands	K–L
Official MPG	26.6–31.0 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	-
Child	-
Pedestrian	-
Overall	-

On sale until September 2012

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.9 litres 2dr	£36,572	30.0 mpg	5.9 s
2.9 litres PDK 2dr Auto	£38,575	31.0 mpg	5.8 s
3.4 litres 2dr	£43,800	29.7 mpg	5.3 s
3.4 litres PDK 2dr Auto	£45,803	30.0 mpg	5.2 s

On sale until March 2008

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.7 litres	£33,375	30.4 mpg	6.1 s
2.7 litres Auto	£33,375	-	-
RS 60 Spyder	£45,400	26.7 mpg	5.4 s
RS 60 Spyder Auto	£45,400	-	-
S	£39,995	26.6 mpg	5.4 s
S Auto	£39,995	-	-

November 2004

On sale in UK the 2005 987 Boxster has increased power from 2.7 and 3.2 flat-six engines plus a lot of other improvements. 2.7 now develops 176 kW (240 bhp), 8 kW (12 bhp) more. Performance of the Boxster S has also been increased to 206 kW (280 bhp) from 191 kW (260 bhp). Boxster gets to 60 in 6.0 seconds; Boxster S in 5.3 seconds. Top speeds is 159 mph for Boxster and 167 mph for Boxster S.

Porsche Boxster 987 wheel and tyre sizes:

17-inch wheels with 205/55 R17 fronts and 235/50 R17 rears 18-inch wheels with 235/40 R18 fronts and 255/40 R18 rears 18-inch wheels with 235/40 R18 fronts and 265/40 R18 rears 19-inch wheels with 235/35 R19 fronts and 265/35 R19 rears

Revised chassis offers greater driving pleasure and enhanced active and passive safety. Larger wheels and a wider track. The new nose shows the relationship with the 911. The new lighting with separation of headlamps and front lamps with integrated fog lamps.

From side, larger rear air vents, bold door sills, larger window glass and newly-designed, larger diameter wheels are dominant. 2.7-litre Boxster now has 17-inch wheels as standard, while the Boxster S has 18-inch wheels. New Boxster also has five-speed manual transmission, S gets new six-speed gearbox. The gearshift had been revised for both transmissions so shift travel now shorter. Both models can be optionally equipped with five-speed Tiptronic S transmissions

New Boxster is the first roadster in the world to offer passengers protection against lateral impact using head airbags. In combination with a thorax airbag, concealed on the outer side of the backrest, the airbag deploys from the side window rail of the door and provides a very high level of protection for the head. The Porsche Boxster is priced at £32,320 (inc. VAT) and the Porsche Boxster S at £38,720.

August 2006

2.7 up to 245bhp (180 kW). Torque has increased to 273 Nm, available from 4,600 rpm. Average fuel consumption is 30.4mpg, an improvement of 1mpg. 2.7 accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 160mph or 161mph with optional 6-speed box. Boxster S engine increased in size from 3.2 to 3.4 litres, develops 295 bhp (217 kW) at 6,250 rpm – 15 bhp more than before and 340 Nm of torque. Boxster S gets from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds – a tenth of a second quicker than before. Top speed up by 2 mph to 169mph. Average fuel consumption 26.6mpg.

The Boxster and Boxster S started the new model year (from August 1, 2006) with increased performance and torque. The 2.7-litre engine in the Boxster now develops 245 bhp (180 kW), representing an increase of 5 bhp. The torque has increased to 273 Nm, available from 4,600 rpm. Meanwhile, fuel consumption and emissions have been reduced. The Boxster S engine, whose displacement has been increased from 3.2 to 3.4-litres, develops 295 bhp (217 kW) at 6,250 rpm – 15 bhp more than the previous model. The 3.4-litre engine has 340 Nm of torque.

Retro Boxster RS 60 Spyder launched Bologna Motor Show in Italy on December 5 - 16 2007. Has touches of Type 718 RS 60 Spyder. Based on Boxster S. Special twin pipe exhaust system increases power to 303PS and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) standard. from £45,400 including VAT. UK deliveries in the UK and Ireland from March 2008.

Newly-developed 'boxer' engines deliver more power on less fuel. Displacing 2.9-litres, the engine of the Boxster develops 255 bhp (188 kW) in the Boxster, an increase of 10 horsepower over the prior 2.7-litre model. The 3.4-litre power unit in the Boxster S now features Direct Fuel Injection, and delivers 310 bhp (228 kW), up by 15 bhp.

With the new six speed manual transmission fitted as standard, the Boxster accelerates from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds. And the Boxster S, when fitted with PDK transmission and Launch Control (featured in the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus), accelerates from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 5.0 seconds.

When combined with PDK, the new 2.9-litre engine fitted to the Boxster offers 31.0mpg (9.1 litres/100km) combined. Increasing fuel economy by an even more significant 15 per cent to 30.1mpg (9.4 litres/100km), the 3.4-litre Boxster S with PDK offers an even greater saving over its predecessor with Tiptronic S. Emissions also down. Boxster with the standard six-speed manual gearbox now emits 221g/km CO2, and 214g/km CO2 when fitted with PDK. The Boxster S manual emits 223 g/km CO2, and 221 g/km CO2 with PDK. So all are under 225g/km. and £300 tax rather than £415 tax in 2009/10.

February 2011

320PS Porsche Boxster S Black Edition announced. Just 987 available worldwide, each one finished in black and with a range of special features that accentuate the driving dynamics and muscular appearance of the two-seater sportscar.

3.4-litre six-cylinder engine similar to the Boxster S, with direct fuel injection for greater power and efficiency. In the Black Edition its output is 320 hp – 10 hp more than in the Boxster S. The revised engine reaches its rated power at 7,200 rpm, the Boxster S power pack at 6,400 rpm. Peak torque of 370 Nm – boosted by 10 Newton metres – is available at 4,750 rpm.

With its standard six–speed manual transmission, it accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.2 seconds, a tenth of a second faster than the Boxster S. This extra performance has not been achieved at the expense of fuel economy, however, for the Boxster S Black Edition contents itself with as much fuel as the Boxster S: 28.8 mpg Combined (NEDC).

Lightweight ten-spoke design alloy wheels, previously fitted to the Boxster Spyder, and which save 5kg overall. These are fitted with 235/35 ZR 19 tyres on the front axle and 265/35 ZR 19 on the rear.

Optional Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox shortens acceleration times from 0-62 mph to 5.1 seconds, and in combination with the Sports Chrono Package Plus with launch control this can be lowered further still to 4.9 seconds. In comparison with the manual transmission, the intelligent gear shifting strategy of PDK lowers fuel consumption to 30 mpg Combined (NEDC) and, more significantly, reduces the CO 2 emissions to 221 g/km; placing the Boxster S Black Edition in vehicle excise duty Band K.

Model lettering painted in black on the rear luggage compartment lid identifies the Black Edition as much as the embossed Black Edition model designation on the side of the fabric hood. The roll-over bars are painted in black, together with the rear side air intake grilles and the twin tailpipe of the exhaust system.

Black theme of the exterior is continued inside. The stainless steel door entry guards feature the "Black Edition" model lettering in black. The standard, three-spoke Sport Design steering wheel has a black leather rim. The trim strips of the dashboard and of the gear shift lever or PDK selector are painted in black. The dials on the instrument cluster are black, as are the partial leather seats with the Porsche emblem embossed in the headrests. A bespoke badge on the glove compartment lid further identifies each Black Edition.

Comfort and convenience is also enhanced for the Boxster S Black Edition with standard features including anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, cruise control and a climate control system. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including satellite navigation module is also standard. In addition, the universal audio interface offering MP3 player compatibility and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation are also standard. The Sound Package Plus creates an impressive audio experience, and standard Bi-Xenon headlamps with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights ensure safety on dark roads.

Upon request, the Boxster S Black Edition can be individualised even further with other options. For example, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is an option as well as the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and the adaptive sports seats with memory function.

The Boxster S ‘Black Edition’ goes on sale in the UK and Ireland from March 2011 and is priced from £47,426. Included in the purchase price is the invitation for customers to explore the dynamic attributes of their Boxster and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

As with 986 Boxster, brake discs prone to rusting if car not used enough, especially the rears.

09-07-2012:

Not immune from coil spring failure. One 51k mile 2006 car needed four springs and a new steering rack within past 18 months.

20-08-2012:

For warranty purposes, Porsche now requires for all new tyres to be stamped with the letter N-0 or any sequence up to N-4 and all tyres should match, not N-2 on front and N-4 on back, for example.

26-02-2015:

Late model Porsche ECUs record how the car has been used, in particular if it has ever been over-revved. So vital to see a readout of an interrogation of the ECU before buying a used Boxster.

07-08-2015:

Clutch failed on 2010 Porsche Boxeter S at 34,000 miles. Cost of clutch and DMF quoted at £2,600 minus a £500 discount by Porsche dealer, so £2,100. Will be cheaper at an independent specialist.

12-12-2015:

68,000 mile 2007 Porsche 987 Boxster S 3.4 ( M97.21 engine) diagnosed as having scoring on the cylinder bores. According to the Porche garage that serviced the car this is a known problem which will need a complete engine rebuild. Repair bill likely to be £10,000. (See: Peter Morgan on bore scoring) Might be due to oil surge and oil starvation during hard cornering first seen in the 996 3.4 engine due to being wet sump rather than dry sump. More likely to be due to repeated short runs from cold.

25-05-2016:

Oil leak reported from independently purchesed used 2006 Boxster.

26-07-2016:

Catalytic converter cores of 68k mile 2006 Porsche Boxster S reported to have melted due to a fault with the mass airflow sensor affecting the fuel/air mixture and causing it to run over lean and over hot.

18-03-2017:

Report of blocked rear drain tubes of Porsche 987 Boxster S leading to permanently sodden carpet behind the front passenger seat (which also explains heavy condensation inside the car). Porsche advised that that once the drains are cleared they would need to remove the seats, trim, and carpet to dry everything, and to prevent the electrical controls under the seat from failing, e.g. hood mechanism. Not a cheap fix.

10-09-2018:

Report of cloth at base of convertible roof of 2006 Porsche Boxster 987 slipping outside the plastic window frame and having to be guided back by hand to close.

22-09-2018:

Report that 2005 Porsche Boxster S Tiptronic jumping out of gear and lever becoming difficult to move as car gets hotter. A change of transmission fluid heps, but the real villain is the external muli-function 'Tiptronic Switch' on the side of the transmission. Replacing that solves the problem.

16-11-2018:

Problem reported with radio of 2009 Porsche Boxster S immediately after it had had its radio/computer module replaced by the Porsche dealer under warranty a few years ago. Occasionally, for example after a shopping trip, when owner restarts the engine he find that the radio has switched itself off and that the controls on the radio have become inoperative so that it cannot be switched back on. He found that if he was to leave the car in this condition that the battery would be completely drained the following morning. In addition, he has found that if he disconnect sthe battery, leaves it for some seconds and then reconnect the battery, that the fault clears itself. Keeps a 10mm spanner in the driver's door pocket for this purpose.

09-03-2019:

Report of 'Gear Selector Not Engaged' warning appearing on dash of 2007/57 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Tiptronic. Warning later changed to 'Tiptronic Emergency Run'. Yet car has continued to run beautifully. Boxster forum suggested could be caused by a flat battery, but battery not flat, or corroded battery terminals, but they are fine. Porsche dealer suggested selector lever had probably worn at its base and shorted out a switch. Quoted £1,300 to fix. An independent Porsche specialist will have a cheaper fix.