Buying a Used Porsche 987 Boxster or Cayman: What to Look For
When buying a used Porsche 987 Boxster or Cayman, the first decision is between the 987.1 (2005 to 2008) and the 987.2 (2009 to 2012), because their engines are different designs. After that, buy on history and condition: the engine’s health, the gearbox, the roof or tailgate, and wear in the suspension and brakes. A specialist pre-purchase inspection brings all of that together.
In short: The Porsche 987 Boxster and Cayman share a mid-engined platform and were built in two phases. The 987.1 uses M96/M97-family engines with an intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing. The 987.2, from 2009, uses newer engines with no intermediate shaft, and its 3.4 litre engines have direct fuel injection. Buy on history and condition, and have any 987 inspected first.
What’s the difference between the 987.1 and 987.2?
The biggest difference between the 987.1 and 987.2 is the engine. The 987.2 introduced a new generation of flat-six without an intermediate shaft, with larger capacity for the base models and direct fuel injection for the 3.4 litre cars. It also replaced the Tiptronic S automatic with PDK.
| 987.1 (2005 to 2008) | 987.2 (2009 to 2012) | |
|---|---|---|
| Boxster | 2.7 litre | 2.9 litre |
| Boxster S | 3.2 litre, then 3.4 litre from model year 2007 | 3.4 litre with direct injection |
| Cayman | 2.7 litre (from 2006) | 2.9 litre |
| Cayman S | 3.4 litre | 3.4 litre with direct injection |
| Spyder and R models | Not offered | Boxster Spyder and Cayman R, both 3.4 litre |
| Engine family | M96/M97 | 9A1 |
| Intermediate shaft and IMS bearing | Yes | No |
| Automatic option | Five-speed Tiptronic S | Seven-speed PDK |
There was no 3.8 litre 987 and no 987 Cayman GTS; the GTS name arrived with the next generation, the 981. The 987.2 is also easy to spot from the outside, with LED daytime running lights in the front air intakes and redesigned front and rear lights.
Does the 987 have IMS bearing problems?
The 987.1 has an IMS bearing and the 987.2 does not. Every 987.1 engine belongs to the M96/M97 family, which uses an intermediate shaft running on a sealed bearing. If that bearing fails, the engine can be badly damaged.
On most 987.1 engines built from 2006, the bearing is the later, larger type, which can’t be replaced through the gearbox opening without major engine work. Earlier cars can differ, so ask a specialist which type a particular car is likely to have. On the larger bearing, the sensible approach is to keep oil changes on schedule and watch for warning signs, such as metal particles in the oil filter. Our article on when to replace the IMS bearing explains which engines are affected and what to look for.
What about bore scoring?
Bore scoring is wear to the cylinder walls, and it’s associated with the M96 and M97 engines, so it applies to the 987.1. Signs include a ticking noise from one bank of cylinders, rising oil consumption and sooty tailpipe deposits. It is much less common on the 987.2’s engines. An endoscope inspection through the spark plug holes confirms it either way, and our bore scoring guide covers the causes and fixes. If an engine does need major work, our engine and gearbox rebuilds page explains the options.
What should you check when buying a used Porsche 987 Boxster or Cayman?
Check the service history, the engine and gearbox, the cooling system, the suspension and brakes, and the roof or tailgate, then have a specialist confirm what you have found. The detail is below.
History and paperwork
Look for servicing to Porsche’s schedule, with invoices that show what was done. Check the MOT history online for advisories and a consistent mileage record, and make sure the V5C and VIN match the car. A diagnostic read-out shows any over-revs the engine management has recorded, which matters most on manual cars; our guide to Porsche over-revs explains what the results mean.
Engine
The engine sits low in the middle of the car, under a panel, so a proper look means getting underneath. Start it from cold and listen for ticking or rattles, and watch for smoke. A big cloud on start-up can point to a failed air-oil separator, but it can also be a sign of bore scoring, so it needs diagnosing. A light oil weep where the engine meets the gearbox is often the rear main seal and is rarely urgent. Misfires usually come down to ignition coils, which can crack with age.
Cooling
The radiators sit behind the front bumper openings, where leaves and debris collect and corrode them over time. Look through the openings for a build-up of debris, check for coolant leaks, and watch that the temperature stays steady on the drive. The water pump is a wear item on these engines, and evidence that it has been replaced is a good sign.
Gearbox and clutch
On manual cars, the clutch should bite at a sensible point and not slip under hard acceleration in a higher gear, and changes should be clean. Tiptronic S cars should change smoothly and promptly. On 987.2 PDK cars, look for smooth pulling away and clean changes, and check the history includes the PDK oil changes in Porsche’s maintenance schedule. Our article on PDK gearbox maintenance covers what that involves.
Suspension, brakes and tyres
Knocks over bumps, vague steering and uneven tyre wear point to worn drop links, bushes, top mounts or dampers, and coil springs can break. Some cars have PASM adaptive dampers, which should be free of fault messages. Check the brake discs and pads, and look for matching Porsche-approved N-rated tyres on each axle.
Roof, tailgate and interior
On a Boxster, run the roof through several cycles and check the fabric, rear window and seals. Damp carpets suggest water getting in, often through blocked drains. On a Cayman, check the tailgate opens and closes properly and the luggage area is dry. In either car, try the air conditioning, the windows and every switch.
Boxster or Cayman: which should you choose?
Mechanically, the 987 Boxster and Cayman are very close, so the choice comes down to body style and the condition of the individual car. The Boxster is a roadster with a fabric roof, electrically operated on all but the Spyder. The Cayman is a fixed-roof coupé with a rear hatch and a stiffer body, which Porsche set up with its own suspension settings.
Both have a luggage compartment at each end, and both are practical enough for regular use. If you would be happy with either, the car with the better history is usually the better buy.
Why have a pre-purchase inspection on a 987?
A pre-purchase inspection shows you the real condition of a 987 before you commit, including the parts you can’t see on a test drive. For a 987.1, it also gives you a clear view of the engine’s health.
Our Porsche pre-purchase inspection covers every aspect of the car. The car needs to come to our workshop in High Wycombe, because Lawrence doesn’t do mobile or on-site inspections. Repairs that come to light, from suspension to cooling, are routine Porsche maintenance and repairs, and knowing about them before you buy gives you a fair basis for negotiation.
Common questions
Does the Porsche 987.2 have an IMS bearing?
No. The 987.2 Boxster and Cayman, from 2009, use a newer engine design with no intermediate shaft, so there is no IMS bearing. The IMS bearing applies to the 987.1 and other cars with M96 and M97 engines.
Was there a 987 Cayman GTS?
No. The 987 Cayman range was built around the Cayman and Cayman S, with the Cayman R added on the 987.2. The GTS name arrived with the next generation, the 981. There was no 3.8 litre 987 either.
Is a 987.1 still worth buying?
Yes, if its history is good and its engine checks out. A well-maintained 987.1 is a rewarding car, but it needs more care when buying than a 987.2, particularly around the IMS bearing and bore scoring. An inspection, including a look at the cylinders if there is any doubt, is the way to buy with confidence.
Should the IMS bearing be replaced on a 987.1 before buying?
It depends on which bearing the engine has. On most cars built from 2006, the larger bearing can’t be replaced without major engine work, so monitoring is the practical approach. On earlier engines with the replaceable type, many owners have it done when the clutch is changed.
Getting a 987 inspected
If you have found a 987 Boxster or Cayman you like, have it inspected before you commit. Lawrence has over 40 years’ experience with Porsche, and our pre-purchase inspection covers every aspect of the car, from engine to bodywork. The inspection takes place at our workshop in High Wycombe, a few minutes from the M40. To book, call 01494 534834 or see our contact details.
More on this model: Porsche Boxster & Cayman.