StanThePorscheFan

I keep reading about all the engine troubles people are having lately that I am starting to get cold feet about my wife's bone stock 03 S that just hit 100K miles. Its her summer toy and I also DE it 3-4 times a season. It has been properly maintained. Overall its in great shape with all the right options: Midnight Blue/Black, 030, PSM, Bose, OBC, 18" Turbo rims, etc.. But all that is worth $5K if the motor is gone. So should I start thinking of a replacement?

Thanks
Stan

harryrcb

Yes, you are right, get rid of it, I'll give you 5k for it. You need to stop worrying and enjoy the car, if you are doing the proper maintenance then that's all you can do. It's really just a crap shoot. some die other live forever. Hope yours is the later as I hope mine is. If you are really that concerned then buy some peace of mind and install the LN engineering IMS bearing.

Stephen Tinker

I was in the same quandry last year - though my 2001 S has fewer miles.
So I invested (?) $4,000 in the LN IMS upgrade, low temp thermostat & underdrive pulley. I know its a lot of $$ for peace of mind, but it helps stop the worry that your wifes car is only worth $5,000 if the engine implodes - plus you will have to buy her another set of wheels....

cretinx

if it hasn't **** the bucket by this point, and you continue to maintain it, then it should last a long time.

smshirk

I sold my 97 with 112k miles and regretted it until I bought my 01S. I would buy the 97 back even now if it comes up for sale. The guy I sold it to has 140k on it and it's still going strong, no leaks, no engine issues, although it has had most of the other known problems, some of them twice. We hear about all of the failures, but rarely about the majority of cars that don't have major failures. I spent the $ for a Raby engine but not because I was afraid of it failing. I just wanted the power.

racer

Keep it, enjoy it and if it takes a crap, worry about it then.

Macster

An 03 S with 100K miles? And it still runs ok? Oh the horror! I'll offer $5000 for the car.

Wait. Make that $5010. Got to beat harryrcb's offer!

Sincerely,

Macster.

AM993

Hey Stan, keep driving the hell out of it until the engine grenades, then it will give you a good reason for putting a 3.4 engine in it

eric523

Keep it! The higher mileage motors are somewhat safer in my opinion. I'd be worried about buying a 20k mile one..

I bought mine with 133k and THEN went racing with it. Regular maintenance, no issues.

Mr Michael B

+1

StanThePorscheFan

You know I'll blame y'all if something happens.

Just kidding of course. How 'bout track days? Is that a good idea? Previous owners never did. I am wandering if I should just let this car live a "quite" life.

terryengineh6

another 100K still availible

judd944

I am at 96k on mine I plan on keeping it for a few more years. The clutch is the only thing I see in the next few years that will be big $$

teamwenz

I have a 2001 986 S with 100,000 miles on it. Still has the original clutch and rear brakes. I am replacing the brakes this spring when I get it out of storage and have done the RMS. I have been running Mobil One 0W40 in it. Do you think I should switch to a different oil after your engine has gone over 100,000 miles. Maybe Castrol Syntec 5W40. I also drive it like I stole it every chance I get.

Fly911

100k miles on a Boxster S 3.2L? The motor is on it's peak of performance, basically just broken in! Expect to get an other 100k miles with regular maintenance and spirited driving (avoid too much put-put driving in town...).
The 3.2L engine is the best of the M96 series. It is basically a 3.4L with smaller diameter cylinders/pistons, and hence have a thicker cylinder wall. The D-chunk failure so common on 2.7L and 3.4L engines, is nearly unknown on the 3.2L engines. But like all M96 and most M97 engines, it has the potential of RMS and IMS failures, the latter will be catastrophic.
With the bottom dropping out of the bucket on Boxster prices, I would keep the '03 S, drive it hard and have cheap fun!