Boxster IMS Bearing Article

So discouraging that Porsche AG handled the issue so poorly.  The bearing failure or uncertainty of it occurring with such catastrophic consequences makes the cars worth little now.  Years ago they said a replacement engine was $15k - and now you see nice looking cars for around $8-10k.  I'm sure I'd be in one if it wasn't for the IMS flaw.  

So what’s the big deal?

You buy a running car at a HUGE discount (Like a Boxster for $14K or a 996 at $18K), drive it directly to a competent mechanic who does the IMS bearing upgrade for around $2,500 (and throws in a new clutch at the same time) and you’re good for at least 50,000 miles, in a great Porsche, and you’re into it for around $20K.   Cheaper, even, than a plastic Speedster, for a car with no leaks and A/C. 

That's my thought as well, Gordon. The LN Engineering fix I understand is about $4k but I think that includes replacing the clutch and pressure plate at the same time, if needed.

All things being equal, if the car is in tip top shape otherwise, that seems like a deal.

I've seen a few advertised as having had the IMS bearing done and they seem to command another $3k or so above those that haven't.

I’ll tell ya, Bob, I helped my son pick up his new-to-him 996 after the IMS upgrade at one of the recommended shops near Boston and the tech told him the same thing as in the article - “These things hardly fail on cars driven hard.  The people who dog ‘em seem to have much earlier failures.  Keep the revs up!”  Chris was all-in with that car with well less than 50k miles for under $25K.  About the cost of a used Vintage Speedster for 10X the car.

To Chris’ credit, he drives it harder than I drive Pearl, generally keeping the revs over 3K (where it seems to really like it), and it has great heat, great A/C and NO LEAKS.  

If I were to do this over again, that might have been the way to go for me, ‘50’s nostalgia included.  I think that my two electronics-challenged BMWs and friends who had issues with their 911 derivatives scared me away.

But then, I still have Pearl, I’m now a member of the PCCA and can hop in and drift back to 1957 for a while and just enjoy it now and then.  That’s not bad.

I have a Launch Edition 997 C2S that came from one of the earliest production batches from year 2004. It's got almost 80K miles now and I'm still using the original brake pads  and the rotors show virtually no signs of wear (I have PCCBs). I don't track the car (sadly),  but, I believe a REDLINE a day, keeps the mechanic away.

The IMS in my M97 and like the M96 can be swapped easily. The next buyer (If and when I sell it) will probably ask all sorts of IMS questions. I'll be happy to give a discount. That said, LN Engineering suggest their IMS get swapped out 'routinely' at 4K - 6K miles intervals.

I had 3 IMS bearings done along with Clutch.  2 Boxster and a 996 911 Cab.  No more than 2500 on each and well worth it.  Each time same mechanic.  The real concern is if the mechanic is actually checking to see if the car is eligible (meaning did he/she really check everything they could to ensure there wasn't any early stages of failure happening.  I would not hesitate to buy an older Boxster or 996 911 model because of IMS.  I have a couple of the old bearings sitting in my tool chest to remind me.

That said, LN Engineering suggest their IMS get swapped out 'routinely' at 4K - 6K miles intervals.

Swapped out every 4-6k miles is one expensive oil change!  I checked the LN IMS site and they say: The Dual Row IMS Retrofit™ and Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit™ both have a 6 yr or 75,000 mile service interval. The RND Roller Kits have a 4 yr or 50,000 mile service interval. They do recommend oil change every 5k miles/6 months and their filter adapter. The single row IMS bearing used in 2000 through 2005 model years is reported to have an 8% failure rate, versus less than 1% with the dual row  (2006 up)IMS bearing  

I guess that's not too bad but sure not Toyota or Mazda reliability.  Sounds like those with early models 1997-1999 are the best investment.

Wolfgang,

Oops, I meant 4-6 years IMS bearing interval. I read LN Engineering documentation many years ago and got a chance to speak with them last year in their booth at the 356 Club gathering at the Pheonix Club in Anaheim. Their message to everyone who stopped to speak with them was if you had bought a 996 or 997, you had better update the IMS ASAP and that it was not a matter of if, but when it grenades. At almost 80K miles my car is running strong. No need for an IMS and I can sleep at night. But I had to replace the transmission just like I had to on my wife's Lexus. The general thought is if an IMS grenades, it will go early and on cars that have not been 'driven'. There was  reason they eliminated the IMS in the mid year update. But I didn't shy away from my 997.1 for a 997.2 even though at the time a buddy of mine argued that the 996 with 3.6 was the better buy if I wanted a modern car to be beat on - and I tend to agree.

I think both the 996 and 997 are good 'investments'. I prefer the 997 because of the styling, but I also like the 996 because it is a bit more raw and for some reason (that I can't prove) I feel they are a tiny bit more stout than the 997, but certainly not as stout as the 964.  And now we are talking apples to oranges

RD

The 997 models require an engine out service to split the case and replace.  it is not a serviceable bearing like on the 996.  No way to get to it without splitting the case.  It is roughly 15K to replace on the 997...through Jake Raby and team.  I discussed at length with him several times as I was looking at a 997.  I agree though - the 997 is much better styling.  But the bearing they used doesnt have the same issues and seen a MUCH lower failure rate because of its internal nature.  

There are other issues.

I did the $800 IMS bearing (cost of the bearing) only to have the engine implode, shortly thereafter, due to hydraulic cam chain tensioner failure. It was a $900 part at the time and an easy fix, but Porsche had no service interval on that part, thus was never checked during regular maintenance.

Car had 130k miles and was running like new...until. I still miss it.

i had a 997, Porsche fixed that in2005+ ,models