Models · Porsche
Porsche Boxster 986 buying guide
The first Boxster, built from 1996 to 2004 with a mid-mounted water-cooled flat six: a 2.5, then a 2.7, and a 3.2 in the Boxster S from 1999. A facelift for the 2003 model year added more power and a glass rear window in the hood.
The versions
- Boxster 2.5 (M96/20), 201bhp, 1996 to 1999
- Boxster 2.7 (M96/22), 217bhp, 1999 to 2002, then 225bhp (M96/23) from the 2003 facelift
- Boxster S 3.2 (M96/21), 250bhp, 1999 to 2002, then 258bhp (M96/24) from the 2003 facelift
- 5-speed manual on the 2.5 and 2.7, 6-speed manual on the S, or 5-speed Tiptronic S automatic
- Electric fabric hood with a plastic rear window until the 2003 facelift, glass after; optional aluminium hardtop
What to check on a 986 Boxster
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The intermediate shaft bearing
What to look for: Ask for the engine number and any paperwork showing an upgraded bearing, usually fitted at a clutch change. With the engine running, listen at the back of the car for any grinding or knocking that rises and falls with revs.
Why it matters: The bearing supports a shaft that drives the camshaft chains. Early cars generally have a double-row bearing; most later 986s have a single-row one, which specialists see fail more often. Failure affects a minority but can wreck the engine, so an upgrade on file is a sign of a car that's been looked after. Noise from the back of the engine is a reason to stop.
Oil and coolant condition
What to look for: Open the rear luggage lid to reach the oil filler and the coolant tank. Look under the oil filler cap and in the coolant: there should be no creamy, milky residue in either, and no oil film on the coolant.
Why it matters: Some early engines had casting weaknesses that could let oil and water mix. Most affected engines were replaced or rebuilt long ago, so a rebuild in the history isn't a concern in itself. Mixing on the car in front of you is.
The coolant expansion tank
What to look for: With the luggage lid open, look at the plastic coolant tank for cracks, crusty white or pink deposits around the seams, or damp patches beneath it. Check the level against the marks.
Why it matters: The tank is a known weak point on the 986 and cracks with age and heat. It's a straightforward replacement, but any coolant loss should be traced before the car is driven hard.
Also in the full guide
- Front radiators and condensers
- Oil where the engine meets the gearbox
- Second gear on six-speed cars
- Wet carpets and the hood
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the 986 Boxster
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
Porsche Boxster 718 · Porsche Boxster 981 · Porsche Boxster 987.1 · Porsche Boxster 987.2
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Porsche.