$3000 fear suck!

[ekam]

You don't have to do the retrofit, just don't get unlucky like I did.

[JoeFromPA]

The IMS retrofit SHOULD BE a $1-1500k investment (the other costs should include a new clutch and flywheel, which is a worthwhile repair or replacement on a well used Porsche). It's not a $3k throw-away.

I don't personally believe in doing it on cars like mine (worth $11-14k, 12 years old, etc.)- I might if I needed to get my clutch & flywheel replaced. Some portion of the cars, lets say 3-10%, have this failure. The failure is catastrophic and, besides the water pump, about the only way the car is going to fail after it gets to 50k mles.

If I were shopping for a 97-2004 Boxster (S or not), I would attach a $750-1000 premium to a car that had had it's IMS bearing replaced. Maybe $1500 if the clutch and flywheel were done at the same time and it was relatively recent (i.e. within 3 years/20,000 miles).

That's my own opinion. I don't believe in getting it done for my own car, but a car that had had it done would be a nice thing to have.

[Perfectlap]

I don't really think it matters what your Boxster is worth. Unless the wheels are literraly falling off then most likely you are planning to keep it long term. If keeping an older Boxster is your plan then you are going to end up spending a fair amount to keep it running as a Porsche was intended to be. This is true of all Porsches from rare to common. Point is there's no point in owning one of these cars if its all busted up from outstanding repairs. If you are going to make that committment then there's no logical reason to put off the IMS upgrade. Sure you can wait until the clutch needs replacing but I think this is a dumb move. At most you'll save a few hundred bucks getting a few extra years on that clutch while gambling that if it goes against you it will cost you thousands. Good luck selling a Boxster with no engine.

btw, my dual row IMS was in PERFECT condition when it was extracted.
Until they come up with CAT scans for car engines you can either stress out about possibly being one of the unlucky ones or you can get the upgrade.
No brainer.

[surf40]

I’m am looking for a 2000-04 Boxster in Southern California. Since I am in no hurry, I’m holding out for one with the LN IMS replacement. I’ve seen some in NorCal, but none down here yet. I’m willing to pay $1-2K more with the IMS upgrade, figuring that if they did the upgrade, they also understand the car, and took good care of it. I’ll give it a year before I look at buying a non-upgraded car and having it done after I get it. . Like I said, I’m in no hurry, and can wait for the right car.

[mmontfort]

Why did I spend the money to replace the bearing in a car barely worth that much. Because I can. And when this Porsche Corolla finally blows up, I will go pay cash for something worth the money, a Corvette ZR-1. And I will let this Porsche piece of crap rust in the backyard. Why, because I can.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by mmontfort

Why did I spend the money to replace the bearing in a car barely worth that much. Because I can. And when this Porsche Corolla finally blows up, I will go pay cash for something worth the money, a Corvette ZR-1. And I will let this Porsche piece of crap rust in the backyard. Why, because I can.

You tell 'em!

[jacabean]

your comparing a 100k + zr1 vette to a 10k or so boxster, give me a break. there are some local ads for boxsters in my area . one has 175,000 miles and one has 155,000 . i highly doubt they have any upgrades.

[tnoice]

Originally Posted by mmontfort

Why did I spend the money to replace the bearing in a car barely worth that much. Because I can. And when this Porsche Corolla finally blows up, I will go pay cash for something worth the money, a Corvette ZR-1. And I will let this Porsche piece of crap rust in the backyard. Why, because I can.

This is close to the dumbest statement I have ever heard.

[Series9]

In relative numbers, there are probably few 986s out there that are upgraded.

In the coming years, there will certainly be many more cars with the IMSR on the market.

As this upgrade proves itself, I firmly believe that retrofitted cars will easily fetch $1k more than cars that don't have the upgrade.


Time will tell but I'm taking the route of action rather than apathy.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by surf40

I’m am looking for a 2000-04 Boxster in Southern California. Since I am in no hurry, I’m holding out for one with the LN IMS replacement. I’ve seen some in NorCal, but none down here yet. I’m willing to pay $1-2K more with the IMS upgrade, figuring that if they did the upgrade, they also understand the car, and took good care of it. I’ll give it a year before I look at buying a non-upgraded car and having it done after I get it. . Like I said, I’m in no hurry, and can wait for the right car.

Unlikely. If you're willing to pay a $2,000 premium then buy one tomorrow and have the upgrade done. No reason to wait.