Boxster - standard specifications / options listing? - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi, I’m a Porsche newbie looking for my first Porsche and have decided to start with the Boxster since it would appear to be a reasonably cheap entry level porker. I spend most of my free time (yes, it has quickly become an obsession) going through the Pistonhead and AutoTrader sites looking for good cars and I’ve been to see a few now, but I’m still not sure what the standard specifications are on the cars, for the different years. I found some information on the WiseBuyer’s Guide site, on the varying specs for the different years, but I’m not convinced that this details all specifications. For example, I’ve found some cars with traction control and others without. Some sellers are adamant that this is a standard option yet others, including some folks in this forum, suggest that it is an optional upgrade. Having owned a mk1 1.6L MX-5 without TC, and then a mk1 2.5L Z4 with TC, I have experienced the value in having this protection, so I’d rather have it than not. I want to be sure that I know what is standard on the basic car so that I know what options to go for. Can anyone point me to a good site that has this technical info fully explored, for all years of Boxster? Many thanks in advance, Graeme

cant direct you to a site but i can give you my experience of boxsters when i bought one in 20002 (you have not mentioned what year car you are looking at) at that time there were two varients 2.7 & 3.2 S the standard spec on the 2.7 was woeful. for your 31k list price you got: 16" alloys "leatherette" seats radio cassette 5 speed gearbox er thats it.........even the wind deflector was a £200 extra!! extras were many. most buyers of 2.7 boxsters ungraded the spec to 3.2 standard which included leather seats, 17" alloys, ungraded sound pack. the 3.2 had all the above as standard together with bigger brakes and a six speed gearbox and (I think) TC good luck in your search

http://www.theaa.com under used car values bring up the car you want then check out specifications, it even has the historical prices 2 Door Convertible 2.7 [no trim] MANUAL PETROL (2004-04) * Home * Car Reviews * Specification * Safety * Costs * Summary * Standard equipment * | * Optional equipment * | * Detailed specification * Standard equipment * Reach Adjustable Steering Column/Wheel * Air Bag Driver * Air Bag Passenger * Driver/Passenger Air Bag Side * Alarm * 16in Alloy Wheels * Anti-Lock Brakes * Remote Central Door Locking * Front Electric Windows * Front Head Restraints * Immobiliser * Radio/CD In Car Entertainment * Electric/Heated Mirrors External * Power-Assisted Steering * Driver/Passenger Seat Height Adjustment * Spare Wheel * Two Speakers * Upholstery Cloth 2 Door Convertible 2.7 [no trim] MANUAL PETROL (2004-04) * Home * Car Reviews * Specification * Safety * Costs * Summary * Standard equipment * | * Optional equipment * | * Detailed specification * Option * 6 CD Autochanger * Air Conditioning * Alloy Wheels - 17in Boxter S II Design * Alloy Wheels - 17in SportClassic Design * Alloy Wheels - 18in Carrera Design * Alloy Wheels - 18in Sport Design * Alloy Wheels - 18in SportClassic II Design * Alloy Wheels - 18in Turbo Look II Design * Aluminium Look Pack * Aluminium/Leather Gearshift/Handbrake * Bose Sound System * Centre Console - Rear Section Painted * Cruise Control * Electric Front Seats * Full Leather * Hardtop * Headlamp Pack * Heated Seats * Leather Sports Seats * Metallic Paint * On Board Computer * Painted Dials * Painted Roll Bar * Parking Assistance * Partial Leather * Porsche Communication Management Sys * Porsche Sound Pack * Porsche Stability Management * Sports Chassis * Stainless Steel Door Entry Guards * Telephone Module for PCM * Wind Deflector * Price (inc VAT) * £344 * £1,284 * £716 * £1,089 * £1,386 * £1,894 * £1,894 * £1,386 * £387 * £352 * £848 * £332 * £293 * £1,006 * £1,822 * £1,429 * £626 * £253 * £1,216 * £542 * £182 * £325 * £257 * £325 * £728 * £1,654 * £376 * £681 * £356 * £202 * £522 * £255 o.k that didn't quite work, but you get the idea of how it looks on their website Edited by 2something on Wednesday 27th February 22:24

Upon further inspection, I see where your problem likes (I think) - i.e. in the 2006 model I can't find PSM in either standard or optional equipment, whereas I can ind it as an option in 2004

Hi Guys, thanks for the response on this. Question: how can you tell if a Boxster has traction control fitted if the current owner has no clue whether or not it is fitted? Is there a switch somewhere on the dash that allows you to switch it off? If anyone has it, can they tell me where to look so that I can find it when I go to view the car, and then I can somehow attempt to educate the owner Thanks! Graeme

Traction Control - Actually known as PSM (Porsche Stability Management - Stability control system with ABS, Anti-slip regulation and Automatic Brake Differential). It is a rocker swith marked "PSM" on the top right hand bank next to the radio and immediately to the left of the steering wheel rim. Beneath the bonnet their is a white sticker and if it has PSM, it will have the code "476". Have a look here http://boxster.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page for a starter. tartanfunk said: Hi Guys, thanks for the response on this. Question: how can you tell if a Boxster has traction control fitted if the current owner has no clue whether or not it is fitted? Is there a switch somewhere on the dash that allows you to switch it off? If anyone has it, can they tell me where to look so that I can find it when I go to view the car, and then I can somehow attempt to educate the owner Thanks! Graeme

Hi guys, thanks for the info. I had a look at the wiki referenced but couldn't find anything in their on PSM or traction control. I tried searching too but found nothing. I will have a look out for the switch though - it should be fairly obvious eh?

Ok, I went to see the car this morning and it turns out that it does not have PSM fitted. The owner was completely useless too. No service history even though their advert said that it did - can you believe it? Anyways, here comes the next question for the gurus... Can traction control be retro-fitted as an upgrade to a Boxster? The price of the car is good, but the lack of traction control is putting me off. I've spun too many times in cars without TC to know that I'm not that good a driver and that I do need some active calm-down contols Thanks again. Graeme

tartanfunk said: Ok, I went to see the car this morning and it turns out that it does not have PSM fitted. The owner was completely useless too. No service history even though their advert said that it did - can you believe it? Anyways, here comes the next question for the gurus... Can traction control be retro-fitted as an upgrade to a Boxster? The price of the car is good, but the lack of traction control is putting me off. I've spun too many times in cars without TC to know that I'm not that good a driver and that I do need some active calm-down contols Thanks again. Graeme 3 years ago I moved from a mini cooper s to a 2000 boxster s... my advice woule be spend lots of time looking at actual cars... dont got for the first one you see... and drive as many as you can to try and get an idea what a good one should drive like.. The one I eventually bought didnt have PSM (on 986 models PSM is an option on the 2.7 and 3.2) I did 16,000 miles in 9 months and had not one issue with that... I think the mid engine layout helps, keeping more of the weight over the rear wheels... for example i've had a lot more trouble with my current 1 series and that has traction control... My advice is treat it with respect, drive like a plank and you'll end up in trouble, but that applies to any car... Go for it, I loved mine, and now saving towards a Cayman later this year... once bitten you'll have trouble with anything else.

Thanks for your advice northandy. I had a basic 1.6 MX-5 for 8 years (without any TC) and spun it once in the wet - I was driving too fast. I then moved on to a 2.5L BMW Z4 with traction control and this saved me a few times. Several thousand pounds lighter thanks to the beamer depreciation, I've finally woken up and decided to go for a Porsche. Since selling my Z4 I have driven a 2.5L Boxster and felt the difference right away. It is a proper drivers car. I've had a shot of a friends 3.6L 993 (18 year old too) and this was unbelievably solid. I felt the same in the Boxster. I can't wait to get my hands on one, but there are some folks out there that think that their cars are worth their weight in gold. I'm slowly realising that some folks that advertise their Porsches don't really want to part with them I think that I have got the bug already, and I don't even own one yet! Cheers, Graeme

yep, it indicates in my manual that the switch is located on the left switch bank at the top next to the stereo. of course that might vary on different model years as well!...............duh the manual is for a left hooker!... so its on the right!, sorry! mine hasnt got psm. Edited by shred on Saturday 1st March 14:53

Lovely low milage one coming up for sale - a time warp https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-porsche-9...