1996 – 2004 Porsche Boxster Maintenance & Service Schedule
The Porsche Boxster (986), produced from 1997 to 2004, was Porsche’s first water-cooled, mid-engine roadster, delivering balanced handling and timeless design. While Porsche originally recommended oil changes every 15,000–20,000 miles (or every 2 years), today’s best practice is changing the oil every 5,000–7,500 miles to protect the aging M96 engine.
In this updated maintenance guide, we outline key service intervals for oil changes, brake fluid flushes, cooling system maintenance, transmission servicing (manual and Tiptronic), and suspension upkeep. Additionally, we cover critical aging issues such as IMS bearing failures (a known weak point in early models), rear main seal (RMS) leaks, coolant expansion tank failures, and convertible top wear.
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