Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob175
I have a '98 Boxster (5 speed) with 74,000 miles. After reading the various posts about the IMS failures I contacted my independent Porsche shop that I've done some business with in the past to express my concerns about this issue. (btw...a very well run shop with a great reputation)
The owners told me to NOT be concerned. They have only seen a couple in all the years they've worked on Porsche Boxsters. They asked if there were any signs of oil on ground under the car. When told no oil is ever on the ground they suggested I bring the car in so they can put it on the lift to confirm there is no oil under the car and also listen to the bearing with a stethoscope.
I appreciate their expertise and their suggestions. They did say that they have seen a few more IMS failures on the 911's but as I wrote, they seldom have seen them on Boxters. It's somewhat curious that the Class Action Suit covers Porsche cars starting in 2001 instead of a few years earlier, like my '98. Perhaps that indicates that I'm somewhat out of danger.
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Many moons ago I posted a reply to an IMS thread showing all the production numbers (how many 986 Boxsters were produced since their debut) and that considering how many were known to have failed (reported) the numbers were more like 98.5% chances you will never have an IMS problem. Even lower. Of course no one has the real numbers, not even Porsche as many that have failed were probably junked and never reported. But for sure the numbers are very low considering how many were produced.
What I can tell you my own experience. Last year we rebuilt the engine on our 986S (I will update the thread I started - at the end it was nothing serious) and I got a new IMS bearing from LN. I will post pictures of the one I took of the car, at 56,000 miles. It looks new, no play anywhere, seal intact and so on. Could certainly have lived for another 50,000 miles.
The key thing is to simply add the IMS bearing as another maintenance item. Every time you do the clutch, throw in a new bearing. At $600 it is nothing compared to the peace of mind.
CR