Rennteam 2.0 - EN - Forum - Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please! - Page1

Oct 26, 2008 12:26:01 PM

boytronic: Veteran; Loc: London , United Kingdom; Posts: 961, Gallery; Registered on: Jan 5, 2005

987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

I've started looking for a lightly used 987S - my ideal spec is as follows:

1. PASM
2. Sports seats
3. Cruise control
4. Bi-Xenon lights
5. Navigation

The only outstanding question I have is whether the 3.4 engine is worth the extra money over the 3.2?? The difference in price is "around" Pounds5k ($10k)!

Is it worth paying the extra for the larger engine, or would I be better spending a couple of grand on driving tuition instead?

Thanks...

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Oct 26, 2008 4:01:13 PM

harryo2b: Senior; Loc: Formerly Bitburg...Land of Bier, now Oklahoma home of the twister. , United States; Posts: 664, Gallery; Registered on: Oct 24, 2003; Reply to: boytronic

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Spend the extra cash on driving tuition. Margin of performance is minimal for the price in terms of engine size. Only good thing about the 3.4 in my eyes is opportunity for tuning since most I've looked into offer stuff for 3.4 and not so much the 3.2.

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Nov 2, 2008 1:03:36 PM

CPA4S: Senior; Loc: Ottawa area - Canada , Canada; Posts: 511, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 22, 2007; Reply to: harryo2b

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

the 3.4 also gets the cayman 6 speed tranny.

never driven the 3.2 but the car mags were at least as happy about this aspect.

--
08 RS 60 Spyder 08 GTS-6spd Manual 06 LR3-V8 HSE 04 C4S sold 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

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Nov 3, 2008 1:05:23 AM

jabo: Newbie; Loc: Delray Beach, FL USA; Posts: 43, Gallery; Registered on: Oct 11, 2004; Reply to: CPA4S

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

The 3.2 987 Boxster S has the same 6 speed transmission as the Cayman S.

The 3.2, once it loosened up, actually felt more powerful than a new 08 Cayman S I test drove.

I have since bought a USED 06 Cayman S, and it is even more powerful than the 3.2 of course, but now, thankfully it has been broken in, and really roars after 5000 RPM.

You will not regret a 3.2 unless you plan to add lots of mods.

--
06 Porsche 987S Coupe 05 Porsche 987S Cabrio gone MEPs rule!

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Nov 3, 2008 11:14:26 AM

percymon: Senior; Loc: Chester; Posts: 765, Gallery; Registered on: Aug 23, 2005; Reply to: boytronic

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

The power differenece from 3.2 to 3.4 is minimal, and yo'd be hard pushed to notice it on the road unless you had the two cars side by side in a drga race.

The only advantage in paying extra for a 3.4 is that being newer it should have more of the weaknesses dialled out. Having said that i'm not aware of an awful lot that changed from MY06 onwards.

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Nov 3, 2008 12:51:42 PM

reginos: Rennteam VIP; Loc: Nicosia , Cyprus; Posts: 12130, Gallery; Registered on: Mar 20, 2005; Reply to: percymon

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Buy the newest Porsche you can afford.

Porsche have a policy of continuous improvement and the newest car is always the better in every respect and not only paper specs.

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Nov 3, 2008 4:44:53 PM

bobr: Veteran; Loc: New York , United States; Posts: 945, Gallery; Registered on: Dec 3, 2003; Reply to: jabo

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

If you are looking to add porsche upgrades, such as sports exhaust than look for 3.4 S. I have a 3.2 S and having driven a 3.4 S did not see much of a difference. Both will suit you fine. Porsche for some reason elected not to make certain options available for the 3.2 S.
--
2006 987S, Artic Silver, Cocoa, Cocoa Top 2006 Cayenne S Lapis Blue New York

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Nov 6, 2008 6:09:38 PM

wtsnet: Rennteam Pro; Loc: Bath, UK; Posts: 2430, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 19, 2004; Reply to: bobr

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

I'm still happy with my 3.2, it has more than enough power relative to most of the other traffic on the road. There's only so much you can use day-to-day in the real world unfortunately. Smiley

Engine aside, the extra space in the rear luggage compartment makes more of a difference than you'd think.

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Nov 7, 2008 6:25:38 AM

dreamcar: Rennteam VIP; Loc: Hampshire , United Kingdom; Posts: 8797, Gallery; Registered on: Apr 19, 2004; Reply to: wtsnet

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Having owned both the 3.2 and the 3.4 (we changed only because SWMBO hated the sport seats, and a lot of the options we really wanted were not available on our early 3.2) the biggest difference engine wise is not so much the power, which as has been said elsewhere is marginal, but the variocam plus valve timing makes the engine much more eager to rev at the top end. Fuel consumption is down about 0.5 mpg on the 3.4.

wtsnet is spot on with the rear boot, resiting of the oil and water filling has made a huge difference to the usability.

I believe the sports exhaust can be retrofitted to the 3.2, however. Your dealer would be able to advise on this.

Cruise control on a sports car Smiley

--
Boxster S 3.4 06 Cobalt / Ocean Blue BMW 123d M Sport 08 Le Mans Blue / Lemon

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Nov 10, 2008 1:48:28 PM

CPA4S: Senior; Loc: Ottawa area - Canada , Canada; Posts: 511, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 22, 2007; Reply to: jabo

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

2007 was the introduction of the Cayman tranny into the Boxster S.

not sure your comment is correct - the car mag's really talked up the new tranny so i would consider that; the trunk room and the vario cam's already mentioned.

--
08 RS 60 Spyder 08 GTS-6spd Manual 06 LR3-V8 HSE 04 C4S sold 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

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Nov 10, 2008 2:54:33 PM

jabo: Newbie; Loc: Delray Beach, FL USA; Posts: 43, Gallery; Registered on: Oct 11, 2004; Reply to: CPA4S

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

> 2007 was the introduction of the Cayman tranny into the Boxster S.

2007 was the introduction of the Cayman S powerplant into the Boxster S

The transmission is the same 6 speed getrag unit as before from the 2005 model year.

--
06 Porsche 987S Coupe 05 Porsche 987S Cabrio gone MEPs rule!

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Nov 12, 2008 1:38:13 PM

CPA4S: Senior; Loc: Ottawa area - Canada , Canada; Posts: 511, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 22, 2007; Reply to: jabo

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

jabo:

> 2007 was the introduction of the Cayman tranny into the Boxster S.

2007 was the introduction of the Cayman S powerplant into the Boxster S

The transmission is the same 6 speed getrag unit as before from the 2005 model year.

--
06 Porsche 987S Coupe 05 Porsche 987S Cabrio gone MEPs rule!

here is exceprt from a 2007 new model review?

The answer is now. Right now. As in the 2007 Porsche Boxster S, which is arriving at your local Porsche store just in time for football season.

More motor good
Here's the deal. Porsche has tossed the 3.2-liter engine that previously powered the Boxster S into the trash can. Sort of. This new 24-valve 3.4-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder is based on that engine, but it wears the same cylinder heads and uses the same VarioCam Plus variable valve timing and lift system as the 325-hp 3.6-liter flat-six in the Porsche 911 Carrera.

Power ratings are 295 hp at 6250 rpm and 251 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm — the same numbers listed for the Cayman S, which shares its chassis with the drop-top Boxster. That's an increase of 15 hp and 15 pound-feet of torque over the 2006 Boxster S. Base price is also up, but just $800 to $55,500 — a Cayman S starts at $59,695.

Also borrowed from the Cayman S is the roadster's standard six-speed manual gearbox. This gearbox uses shorter 1st- and 2nd-gear ratios than the six-speed previously fitted in the Boxster S. The yellow example we threw around the twisting turning roads south of Knoxville, Tennessee, was equipped with the manual, as God intended, but a five-speed automatic Porsche calls "Tiptronic S" is optional. All Boxsters remain rear-wheel drive.

--
08 RS 60 Spyder 08 GTS-6spd Manual 06 LR3-V8 HSE 04 C4S sold 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

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Nov 12, 2008 3:04:13 PM

jabo: Newbie; Loc: Delray Beach, FL USA; Posts: 43, Gallery; Registered on: Oct 11, 2004; Reply to: CPA4S

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Now that does make sense, a couple of cogs were replaced but the same transmission is used.

That would possibly improve 0-60 times, but would not seriously alter the feel.

Both cars are incredibly fun to drive and I would say that you would not be disappointed in the 3.2.

As I said in an earlier post, I have owned both and the differences are small.

You would only notice a difference when driving each car back to back, and in that case,only after 5000 RPM would the Cayman S be a surprise.

--
06 Porsche 987S Coupe 05 Porsche 987S Cabrio gone MEPs rule!

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Nov 13, 2008 1:25:06 AM

vincesf: Co-Pilot; Loc: California; Posts: 258, Gallery; Registered on: Sep 2, 2007; Reply to: jabo

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

I too have owned a 3.2 Boxster S and now own a 3.4 Boxster S, and the differences are not earth-shattering. If you do end up getting the 3.4 engine, bring it to your Porsche dealer for servicing and ask them if they would be so kind to upgrade the engine mapping to an RS60 configuration. You will not regret it, as it does make the car even quicker.

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Nov 13, 2008 12:56:34 PM

CPA4S: Senior; Loc: Ottawa area - Canada , Canada; Posts: 511, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 22, 2007; Reply to: jabo

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

jabo:

Now that does make sense, a couple of cogs were replaced but the same transmission is used.

That would possibly improve 0-60 times, but would not seriously alter the feel.

Both cars are incredibly fun to drive and I would say that you would not be disappointed in the 3.2.

As I said in an earlier post, I have owned both and the differences are small.

You would only notice a difference when driving each car back to back, and in that case,only after 5000 RPM would the Cayman S be a surprise.

--
06 Porsche 987S Coupe 05 Porsche 987S Cabrio gone MEPs rule!

JABO - always nice when both can be right.

btw - there are number of mag reviews that also note either choice is a killer car.

--
08 RS 60 Spyder 08 GTS-6spd Manual 06 LR3-V8 HSE 04 C4S sold 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

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Nov 25, 2008 5:36:04 AM

stiles_s: Newbie; Loc: WA, USA; Posts: 10, Gallery; Registered on: Aug 14, 2003; Reply to: vincesf

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

vincesf:
I too have owned a 3.2 Boxster S and now own a 3.4 Boxster S, and the differences are not earth-shattering. If you do end up getting the 3.4 engine, bring it to your Porsche dealer for servicing and ask them if they would be so kind to upgrade the engine mapping to an RS60 configuration. You will not regret it, as it does make the car even quicker.

OH??? Have you done this? I have a 3.4l boxster myself and would love to do this. I've already installed the RS60 tips :)

Any other info in this would be appreciated.

--
Now: '08 987s, pasm, etc; '07GX470; '05 S4avant Ex: '03 C2 coupe

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Nov 25, 2008 6:19:44 AM

vincesf: Co-Pilot; Loc: California; Posts: 258, Gallery; Registered on: Sep 2, 2007; Reply to: stiles_s

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Yes, the dealer downloaded the new software in less than 30 minutes, and the car feels a bit quicker. I would recommend it to anyone who has a 3.4L 987S, and since the dealer did it, there should be no warranty issues. More power, free, seemed like a no-brainer to me.

vincesf

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Dec 4, 2008 12:19:21 AM

vincesf: Co-Pilot; Loc: California; Posts: 258, Gallery; Registered on: Sep 2, 2007; Reply to: vincesf

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Also, it is my understanding that there were improvements to the 3.2L Intermediate Shaft (IMS), that also may be significant to the longevity of the engine. I am not an expert on this, but the update occurred sometime in the 2005MY. There have been volumes written about it, nothing really conclusive, but it may influence some to favor a later 3.2L or any 3.4L 987S.

vincesf

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Dec 18, 2008 12:30:09 PM

berty987: Junior; Loc: UK; Posts: 71, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 25, 2007; Reply to: vincesf

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

There have unfortunately already been cases of post 2006 model 3.4L engines failing due to intermediate shaft failures. As expected it tends to happen before the car reaches the 40 K miles mark. There are certainly a number of improvements and developments of the 3.4 over the 3.2 but either way I would still suggest a warranty is advisable.

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987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

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Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

Re: 987 3.2 S vs 3.4 S - opinions please!

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