het 3.2 blok van de 986 boxster heeft dezelfde dimensies dan de 3.4L M96.
maar door het feit dat dit minder opgeboord is, hoor je zelden over motorproblemen zoals die te pas opduiken over de 996 3.4L
zelfde verhaal voor de 987 waar het blok overgedimensioneerd is vergeleken bij de 3.6L van de M97.
dus qua betrouwbaarheid van motoren zijn beide oké, alleen is er qua look&feel een hele generatiekloof tss de 986 en 987.
I’ve just been reading a magazine article about the M96 and M97 engines used in Porsche 996s, Boxster, Cayman and Gen1 997s. In essence, it’s a well researched piece but spoiled by wordiness and the inevitable scaremongering.
So, let’s get one thing clear right from the start. Porsche sold hundreds of thousands of Boxsters, 996s and 997s, and the vast majority have had trouble-free engines. The problem is that the internet and press grab hold of the rare engines that fail and blow the issue out of all proportion. I have done a lot of research on this subject and spoken to many engineers, and I have discovered nothing that would put me off owning one of these cars. I once wrote that I reckoned five percent of M96 and M97 are likely to suffer terminal failure, and was contacted by a Porsche specialist who congratulated me on my feature but suggested that I had over-estimated the problem – he believed it was less than five percent.
The 911 Carrera pumps out a full 300hp from just 200c.c. in-excess of the Boxster. Both units feature VVT, electronic throttle and 2-stage variable length induction manifold, so why the 911 has a specific output of 87hp/litre while the newer Boxster engine achieves just 79hp/litre ? Remember just 3 months ago the 911GT3 broke the 100hp/litre barrier.
For marketing reasons, of course. By deliberately detuned the 911’s flat six, losing a little bit displacement and more efficiency, the 3.2-litre Boxster S has the power exactly in midway between the base Boxster and the 911 Carrera. On one hand this should satisfy those complaining the Boxster as slower than many competitors, on the other hand the flagship 911 can remains earning superior profit without worrying internal competition. We can imagine that Porsche can easily make a 285hp Boxster without needing increase the engine capacity.
Compare with the old Boxster, 987 improves in every aspect – speed, handling, braking and damping. The changes might be small, but the accumulative effect is apparent.
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