IMS Upgrade - Should I have it done

[yelojkt]

Originally Posted by Jim Miller

Well I bought it, 32K miles 1999 and its home and in my garage. Now I need to make the big decision of getting the IMS bearing replaced. I'm leaning toward it for piece of mind if anything. Thanks to all for the discussion.

Congratulations! Please let us know how you like the little bugger after a couple weeks. And some pics would not hurt either. Happy motoring.

[JoeFromPA]

Congrats!

My '99 boxster has 58.5k miles on it now (56k when I got it) and was owned by my father for 7 years. It wasn't driven alot the past 4 years or so, but always had annual oil changes and I know the service history.

I've decided not to get mine replaced unless I decide to do it along with a clutch job, notice a bad bearing noise from the engine that appears it could be the IMS, or notice bits of plastic in my oil. That's my own personal choice - each person needs to make their own.

The car is worth ~$11-12k (mine that is). If the engine goes, it's worth roughly $4-6k in parts or selling with a blown engine. I decided I wasn't willing to invest for the retrofit upfront, and instead will warm it up properly and drive the piss out of it frequently.

[Jim Miller]

Thanks, I have some of that excitement of when I first bought my 71 911T. This car actually has creacher comforts (AC, ventilation). Love the sound, you can hear a little of the 911T in it.

Question about oil, I plan to do an oil change right off. How do you check for plastic or metal filings? Screen the oil use a magnet?

[Jake Raby]

IMS seal material is rubber, not magnetic.. To properly inspect for damaged bearings requires an extensive inspection of the oil filter element as well as the engine's oil sump plate.

Taking your chances on the IMS is certainly your choice. Lots of people have learned that hindsight is much more clear than 20/20. As long as you know that up front, you are making a well informed decision.

[Steve Tinker]

To check for engine debris, you need to cut open the old filter and flatten out the pleated paper element.
Metal particles are shiny and can be ferrous (magnetic) or aluminium (non-magnetic).
Black plastic can be from the IMS bearing seal / various plastic engine internals.
Browny red plastic can be from worn chain tensioners.
One guy found green plastic in his filter but the verdict was out (I think) on what the cause of that was.

[Jim Miller]

I found a local Porsche repair place "Ralf's Auto Repair" in Reisterstown MD, not sure if anyone knows them. Nice guy, he recommended changing the IMS bearing out and was aware of the LNengineering retrofit.

Should I also have the RMS replaced also? Anything else. Car has 32,000 miles (99).

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by Jim Miller

I found a local Porsche repair place "Ralf's Auto Repair" in Reisterstown MD, not sure if anyone knows them. Nice guy, he recommended changing the IMS bearing out and was aware of the LNengineering retrofit.

Should I also have the RMS replaced also? Anything else. Car has 32,000 miles (99).

He can't be all that bad if he is current with the technology surrounding the IMS retrofit..

When you go "in" to the bellhouse area ALWAYS address the IMS, RMS and clutch. Even with 32K miles I'll bet that clutch disc it at least 50% worn.

Doing less just isn't smart. I don't allow people to make bad decisions, thats why my procedure goes all the way or not at all..

[SoK]

Originally Posted by Jim Miller

I found a local Porsche repair place "Ralf's Auto Repair" in Reisterstown MD, not sure if anyone knows them. Nice guy, he recommended changing the IMS bearing out and was aware of the LNengineering retrofit.

Should I also have the RMS replaced also? Anything else. Car has 32,000 miles (99).

Jim,

I just bought a 2001 Boxster with 42k miles last Wednesday, pristine in and out. It has a slight oil leak though, which I was aware of when purchasing and for which I paid the appropriate price. I'm taking it to the Cincinnati Porsche dealer Friday. Their rate is $1168.82 after tax to replace the IMS/RMS (most recent Porsche updates), oil/filter, full inspection/lubrication and a 2 year/24k mile powertrain warranty after the work is done. They're also giving me a rental for the 2 days they'll have the vehicle.

I priced out a warranty with a company I know of being in the insurance business, and the warranty alone on this car was $2400/year. I'm now paying half of that for at least a 4 or 5 year fix WITH a 2 year warranty.

Try calling a local Porsche dealer and see if you receive a similar number. I was very excited to hear this directly from the dealer.