Dispeling M96 engine rumors

Originally Posted by gRed04

Wow, I have to wonder out loud why anyone would continue to pour money in any type of car with that kind of major failure rate.
.

Yeah, I agree, it's really a shame. The car drives better than anything other car I've owned - the key for me has been "taking the plunge" and doing the work myself, which greatly reduces the $$ that one has to pour into it.

[landrovered]

I will not drive a car that I can not work on myself. I am sure that the warranty repairs will be quite traumatic for me on the new Cayman S. Perhaps they will let me do the work and just supervise?

Originally Posted by landrovered

I will not drive a car that I can not work on myself. I am sure that the warranty repairs will be quite traumatic for me on the new Cayman S. Perhaps they will let me do the work and just supervise?

landrovered, just curious - did you get an extended warranty? and if you mind me asking, how much was it?

thx

[navair]

So, does anybody have hard data for the production cut in of the single row IMS bearing vice the older (and "better") twin row? I have an '02 (may 2002) 'S', hoping mine has the dual row. I missed a chance to have the bearing changed out when I had the clutch done at 40K (almost free due to a RMS leak fixed under warranty), dammit!

[Chris02BoxsterS]

Originally Posted by navair

So, does anybody have hard data for the production cut in of the single row IMS bearing vice the older (and "better") twin row? I have an '02 (may 2002) 'S', hoping mine has the dual row. I missed a chance to have the bearing changed out when I had the clutch done at 40K (almost free due to a RMS leak fixed under warranty), dammit!

I'm just completing a DYI IMS bearing replacement myself with Charles' LN kit, hope to turn the key tomorrow or Sat. My '02 S is a single row bearing setup which made replacement straightforward with the tools from LN. Clutch disk and CV boots done at the same time 23.2K miles, two hard DE days, I'm 3rd owner. No play in shaft was found but edge bits of the seal were missing.

From Pelican Part Tech site:
Boxster Double Row:
Engine Number up to 651 12851 (M96.22)
Engine Number up to 671 11237 (M96.21)

Boxster Single Row:
Engine Number from 651 12852 (M96.22)
Engine Number from 671 11238 (M96.21)

996 Double Row:
Engine Number up to 661 14164

996 Single Row:
Engine Number from 661 14165

I've heard from Jake this may not be 100% accurate so I pulled my trans before ordering a kit. PM me if you want more info as I just did this over the past month.

~ Chris

[landrovered]

The 98 boxster is long out of warranty and I do the work on it. The 2010 Cayman S is standard warranty, it is ordered and not here yet. But I am not a fan of extended warranties as a rule.

I have an 03 Range Rover HSE and I looked at an aftermarket warranty on it but after getting into the nitty gritty of it, there were too many exemptions to make it worth while to me. Like it only covered failures for oiled parts. For example a blown head gasket is not covered because it is not an oiled part.

It sounds like you like to get your hands dirty as I do. I am meticulous about my vehicles and most average auto repair shops quality of work is far below my minimum standard, so I do it myself.

I have a friend with a very sucessful Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche shop. He used to be a factory mechanic at Lamborghini, he is Italian. Not a "pimp my ride" kind of place but a real repair shop, he actually worked on a Veyron recently. I have learned so much hanging around his place. What I learned is that his expertise is in his head because he uses the same basic tools that I do. Nothing special, he just knows what he is doing and does it well.

I will have the Cayman S serviced at the dealership during the warranty period but after that it is mine!

Originally Posted by landrovered

It sounds like you like to get your hands dirty as I do.

When I have the time, I love it. I test drove a 09 Boxster a few weeks back - I remember the salesman saying it was a basic 4yr/50k warranty - but I never got the details if they had an extended "Factory" (which I'm sure they do). Normally I'd be with you on the extended warranties, but if was say, 3k for a 7year/100k for powertrain, I'd get it...but that's just me.

Sounds like your experience with 3rd party warranties is about on par with what I've heard. Which is too bad - be nice to have a good reliable extended warranty without any loopholes.

[landrovered]

Fred,

They had a bumper to bumper option that covered everything but tires and washer fluid but it was expensive. From the sounds of your woes, the oiled parts gig would have covered you without any issues.

Here is a page that has a lot of good info. It is not Land Rover exclusive they do other makes as well. I believe the fellow I spoke to was named Hal.

[pbanders]

Very interesting thread. Jake is also well-known and well-respected in the 914 community. The work he's done on understanding M96 failure modes is outstanding. If Porsche had any sense, they'd fly him to Germany to debrief their engineers. Oh, and bring Navarro, too

I knew the issues when I bought my used Boxster. I have no interest in owning a sports car that I cannot drive at 10/10ths when I want to. So that I can do this and minimize the risks and consequences of failures, I keep on top of all maintenance, and I also bought an aftermarket warranty. If I have a problem, will the warranty pay? Who knows, but having proper service records and a spotless engine with no leaks probably will help my case. I also am financially able to deal with paying for an engine replacement, if I have to.

I wish I lived near Jake, as I'd have him update the engine with his latest improvements and monitor any issues. My mechanics here know about his work and I trust them to keep on top of things.