Model Year Differences
Model Year Differences
A partial list cobbled together from various sources of the various changes…
986 models
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1997 Base introduced
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Originally produced in Stuttgart. 11th digit of VIN is S. Later produced in Finland. 11th digit is U.
See note in red below.
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1998 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
18” wheel option with rear chassis reinforced to accept new wheels. Rear body structural change included redesigned wheel wells and coil spring mounts, lower engine compartment bulkhead, rear wall crossmember and rear axle mount reinforcements.
Side air bags standard (not available in ’97.)
Satellite navigation option.
See note in red below.
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1999 Base
2.5Litre engine 201 HP.
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Litronic headlights option.
Small storage compartment between engine compartment lid and the convertible top.
Larger & redesigned fuel tank and venting system including a fuel tank differential pressure sensor
Note: There were an unusually high number of catastrophic engine failures in 1997-early 1999 Boxster engines and these engines were often totally replaced very early (<first 10k miles)in their life. A replaced engine is not a bad thing in a Boxster as the Boxster is a car to be driven, not collected. A dealer should be able to tell if the car you are looking at has had its engine replaced if you give him the VIN. Reference
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2000 Base
2.7Litre engine 217 HP (redline increased from 6700 to 7200)
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Twin resonance induction on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines (new intake manifold with DME controlled flap).
S model introduced. 3.2Litre engine, increased valves sizes,.
ME7.2 Electronic Throttle System (eGas) on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.
Warm up catalytic converters (now 4 converters total) for emissions on both 2.7 and 3.2Litre engines.
Gearing change on 4th and 5th gears in manual gearbox.
Tiptronic gearbox also revised to work with larger engines, temporary manual mode allowed even
while in Auto mode.
Trans-fluid to water heat exchanger added.
Suspension changes (shocks, sway bars, springs).
Manual seat height adjustment standard.
Lighted vanity mirrors standard.
2000 S model introduced.
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.
Larger brakes.
Stronger wheel bearing carriers,larger bearings, longer control arms.
Larger 17” standard wheels.
Additional front radiator grill.
Left and right radiator inlets titanium.
Twin exhaust tailpipes.
Door sill trim.
Silver look trim in door pulls, lid openers, instrument bezel trim.
3-spoke steering wheel
Cloth headliner and changes to the top mechanism.
Subwoofer speaker system option.
Popular options grouped into packages.
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2001 Base (significant refresh)
2.7Litre engine 217 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
All Boxsters got 3-spoke steering wheels with Porsche crest.
Ambient lighting standard (door pulls, ignition switch, center console).
Trunk releases made electronic switches instead of pull handles.
Ignition key allows remote access to both trunks.
Cloth headliner standard on all Boxsters.
Porsche Stability Management optional.
Roll bar soft touch paint.
Trunks got new carpeting.
Optional rain sensing wipers
Dual cup holders
2001 S model
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.
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2002 Base
2.7Litre engine 217 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional.
Front seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters.
New multifunctional display inside instrument cluster when optional on board computer ordered.
Keys have color Porsche crest.
Matte surface switches.
Anti-entrapment trunk release lever.
Optional Bose sound system replaces previous digital sound package.
Additional colors: Black, Carrera White, Basalt Black Metallic.
2002 S model
3.2Litre engine 250 HP, increased valves sizes.
6 speed manual trans, 5 speed Tiptronic optional.
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2003 Base (Significant refresh)
2.7Litre engine 228 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Lockable glove box.
Improved cup holders.
Bose digital audio system option.
Base model gets same suspension as 2002 S model.
Glass rear window (heated) standard.
Grey/White turn signals replace the prior years yellow/orange ones.
Larger air intakes.
Side air intakes body colored.
Altered rear air spoiler.
Different front and rear bumpers.
Redesigned and lighter wheels.
Tweaked exhaust
Center vents smaller
CDR-23 uses MOST audio bus
Standard in-dash CD player
Optional PCM II using MOST
Switches horizontal
Revised console (between seats)
2003 S model
3.2Litre engine 258 HP
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
new anti-roll bars.
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2004 Base
2.7Litre engine 228 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
New colors (Atlas Gray and Carmon Red)
2004 S model
3.2Litre engine 258 HP
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
new sports exhaust system option
2004 550 S model (1953 built to mark the year the Spyder was first introduced)
A special “these options included” model
3.2Litre engine 266 HP at 6200 RPM
6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
GT silver metalic paint
Cocoa full-leather interior (also available is Dark grey with option code DY)
Cocoa convertible top
18” Carrera wheels with colored crests and grey spokes (delete grey option code 192)
Silver brake calipers
Color-matched roll hoops
Unique stainless steel exhaust tip
Litronics headlights with washers
GT Silver interior accents
Perforated Cocoa sport seats and steering wheel
Unique aluminum shifter and handbrake
Heated seats
On-board computer
Chrome rimed gauges
Hi-Fi Stereo system
Custom grill inserts for rear bumper
Special chrome badging for rear deck lid and interior
Special rear tail light lenses (all red)
Sports suspension
Spacers on all 4 wheels for wider track
Porsche Stability Management
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987 models
2005 Base (almost totally new model)
2.7Litre 240 HP
5 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic optional
Variable ratio power steering
Stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment
Bigger brakes
Head airbags
PSM standard
17” wheels standard (18”, 19” optional)
Improved headlights
More cockpit room
Better positioned roll bars
2005 S model
3.2Litre 280 HP
New 6 speed manual transmission, Tiptronic 5 speed optional
Bigger brakes even than prior S models (Ceramic brakes CBBS/PCCB option)
PSM Standard (PASM active suspension optional)
18” wheels standard, 19” optional
Sports chrono package option
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2006 Base and S
Optional TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Optional 19” Carrera Sport wheel design
Optional improved navigation system
Electronic logbook function has been integrated with the optional communication management system.
2006 Cayman S Coupe
3.4Litre 290HP
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2007 Base
2.7Litre 240HP
TPMS Standard (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Updated Tiptronic transmission with faster shifts when ordered with Sports Chrono
19" two-tone wheels available
Revised access to oil/coolant caps
Slightly better MPG
2007 S model
3.4Litre 295HP
2007 Cayman Coupe
2.7Litre 245HP
2007 Cayman S Coupe
3.4Litre 295HP
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Model Year ‘08 Revisions
Changes to all Models
NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENTS
• For MY2008, all Porsche models equipped with PCM also incorporate functionality previously called “Extended Navigation”.
• Functionality includes:
– automatic route recording,
– backtrace navigation.
– off-road navigation.
• Extended Navigation useful on-road navigation aid: when customer encounters areas not yet mapped, or where roads have changed.
• Private subdivision in a lake or resort community? New neighborhood not yet on the map? Your customer simply sets a waypoint on the way in, and retraces it to find their way home.
• Pilots and Yachtsmen see a compass as a necessity; Extended Navigation has one.
• As of Summer 2007, all models will be equipped with updated map data for all regions.
SERVICING INTERVALS
Due to international fuel issues, for Model Year 2008, Servicing Intervals are:
North America
• Oil change: 12,000 miles/20,000 km-1 year.
• Spark plug Change: For naturally aspirated engines: 36,000 miles/60,000 km-4 years.
• Spark plug Change: 911 Turbo, and GT3/GT3 RS: 24,000 miles/40,000 km-4 years.
These figures are maximum values for the Cayenne (V6). The actual need for maintenance in this vehicle is calculated and shown in the multi-purpose display.
Mexico, Central, and South America
• Oil change: 6000 miles/10,000 km-1 year.
• Spark plug Change: For naturally aspirated engines: 18000 miles/30,000 km-4 years.
• Spark plug Change: 911 Turbo, and GT3/GT3 RS: 12,000 miles/20,000 km-4 years.
Changes to Sports Cars
NEW COLORS
MY08 Exterior Colors, Sports Cars:
Standard Colors
• Carrara White
• Guards Red
• Black
• Speed Yellow
Metallic Colors
• Arctic Silver Metallic
• Basalt Black Metallic
• Cobalt Blue Metallic
• Meteor Grey Metallic
• Macadamia Metallic – New! (replaces Atlas Grey Metallic, which moves to Special Colors)
• Forest Green Metallic
• Ruby Red Metallic – New! (replaces Carmona Red Metallic)
• Midnight Blue Metallic
Special Colors
• Malachite Green Metallic – New! (replaces Dark Teal Metallic)
• Atlas Grey Metallic – (Moved from Metallic colors; replaces Lapis Blue Metallic)
• Dark Olive Metallic
• Slate Grey Metallic
• GT Silver Metallic
• Orange (GT3 RS and Special Edition Boxsters only)
• Green (GT3 RS only)
Interior Colors:
Standard Colors
• Black
• Stone Grey
• Sand Beige
• Ocean Blue
Special Colors
• Terracotta
• Cocoa
• Black and Stone Grey
• Black and Sand Beige – 997 only (not available for 987)
• Black and Terracotta - 997 only (not available for 987)
• Natural Leather Dark Grey
• Brown
• Carrera Red – New! (replaces Standard color Palm Green, which is discontinued)
Convertible Top Colors:
Standard Colors
• Stone Grey
• Metropolitan Blue
• Cocoa
• Black
BOXSTER / BOXSTER S “ORANGE” EDITION
Note: Preliminary Information Subject to Change.
• Two special limited-edition Boxster models.
• Characterized by a GT3 Orange exterior color.
• Other special equipment will also be offered.
• Note that we are calling these Special Editions “Orange” models as internal designation only.
• Exterior of 2008 Special Editions will be brilliant GT3 Orange, and further distinguished by a standard SportDesign package.
• External trim elements may be finished differently than previous Boxsters.
• Wheels are expected to be 18-inch for Boxster, 19-inch for Boxster S.
• Interior trim likely to be distinctively finished, with selective use of Alcantara.
• Limited Edition marking plate to appear in the interior.
SPECIAL RS 60 EDITION
Based on the S version
Tweaked exhaust which nets an eight horsepower increase over stock (303HP)
Porsche's Active Suspension Management is standard.
GT Silver Metallic paint accented by red taillight lenses and a black windshield surround.
The front bumper is from Porsche's SportDesign line, as are the nineteen-inch wheels.
The hood over the gauge cluster is removed. The instruments have also been set wider apart.
Shifter knob unique to the car.
The top and leather interior are in Carrera Red or a dark grey interior with a black top.
Silver seat belts regardless of interior choice
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2009 changes per a posting from Cajundaddy
Complete engine redesign eliminating well known weaknesses found with 986/987.1 models.
* No IMS
* Improved redesigned AOS
* Improved ignition switch
* Oil scavenge pumps in all 4 corners eliminating oil starvation under high G loads
* Improved engine oiling throughout
* Improved engine cooling channels throughout
* Zero cylinder wall failures
* Improved brakes
* Improved power steering pump with better heat management
* Improved trans that can handle more hp, also intro of PDK
* Improved shifter cables and linkage
* Improved microswitches throughout the car
* Improved wheel bearings
* Improved suspension
* Improved angle of rear axle reducing CV joint issues.
* Improved DME
* Improved fuel pump and fuel gauge.
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