Thread: IMS question
View Single Post
Old 08-03-2012, 01:17 PM   #4
thstone
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
To answer your question, there is no way to tell if or when your IMS bearing will fail. Everyone is at some level of risk. The problem is that no one has figured out how to calculate or determine the risk. You will read of cars that blew up at 10K miles and cars that have 200,000 miles and are still running fine - and everything (and a bit more) in between. Thus, at the end of the day it is entirely up to you to decide for yourself what you are comfortable with and if you want to spend any money to try and reduce your risk (to a level that is also indeterminate).

What do most people do? Most do nothing and hope for the best. You will read some who say that the car needs to be driven hard and others will talk about oil and change intervals but nothing is proven. Many people have either replaced the stock bearing with an upgraded bearing (search IMS bearing replacement) or installed a warning device (search IMS Guardian). In these cases, it is wise to talk to the manufacturers about their warranties and long term recommendations so you know where you stand if you decide to spend some money. Last, a select few can't take the worry and sell the car.

I tried to be neutral and not make anyone upset. Apologies if I did.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor

Last edited by thstone; 08-03-2012 at 01:29 PM.
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote