When I bought my 04 with 55k on it, it was taken in and had a new clutch installed soon after. Then I start reading about the IMS issues,as everyone else had said " scared the hell out of me" at first. I decided that I would get the LNE bearing done, but I put it off. Now I hear about failures to the new bearing and it makes me wonder whether to do it or not, or install the "guardian". While I do believe that this is a problem with these cars,and not a hoax, and that LNE's bearing is superior, I don't like the fact that it can be fouled by foreign debris in the engine such as the gasket material found in peoples oil filters or the chain tensioner paddle filings that seem to be in alot of filters opened up on this site. It seems that if a small piece of non-metal debris mentioned earlier got washed into the new unsealed bearing it could cause the balls to slide instead of roll which wouldn't take long to destroy it. Three of the failures of the LNE bearing are foreign debris failures. I'm beginning to wonder if there is a cure for this issue, or if you trade one risk for another. With all that said, I think I would install the bearing if my tranny were to be removed for a little piece of mind, but I try to not let this issue destroy my Boxster experience. Life happens-deal with it when it does.

After some research, I discovered that it doesn't have to cost 3K to do the IMS upgrade. In fact, for low mileage vehicles such as yours and mine that probably don't require any clutch work, , with the right "indy" the service can be performed for under 2K . Not bad for something that will not only protect your investment, but give you a piece of mind as well .

Not replacing the clutch assembly when carrying out the IMSB might seem to be more cost effective, but its really not, even if you have a low mileage Porsche.

What if the clutch has little wear and is in excellent condition ?

Huh? Danger is on assignment and drives his car maybe 1 to 2k year, his clutch will last another 15 years!

I have not done the IMS upgrade because I now love the idea that I have a ticking time bomb of a motor and can't wait for it to implode on me.

That's the only way the wife will say, "what's it gonna cost to get the motor replaced?" to which I will reply, "Honey, it won't be cheap. It might be $15k or more."

Which will pay for a motor swap and rid me of the underpowered 2.5 in my 1997 and replace it with a 3.4, 3.6, or even 3.8!!!

That's precisely my point ! It's like my fifth wife who rarely shaved her legs. Why change razors if it never gets used ?

mine was $1900 including RMS and oil change. My clutch looked like brand new, I should have done the flywheel, going to have to do that within the next year after the shop showed me pictures of it and I have a very slight amount of clutch chatter.

good news was the shop gave my car a clean bill of health after the IMS (besides the flywheel)

Im going to be out of town to a beautiful southwest asia resort for the next 9 months so I did not want to take any chances since my wife will be driving the car some while I am gone.

When I had my transmission and RMS done I requested to have the IMS retrofit done but I was told not to do it. They said it shouldn't even be a concern. The Indy shop also said "The dealership doesn't offer it so neither do we". Well Jim Ellis does offer it in Atlanta. I've since stayed far far away from this Indy shop from this experience and couple of others. I have almost 110K on my Boxster so if it blows I'm going for a 3.8 so I'm not too concerned with it :)

I am north of 140k on my engine with heavy track use and it is still going strong. When the engine goes it goes. Is there a potential for the IMS to fail? Yes. I also know of of these engines failing from all sorts of other issues (D-chunk, spun rod bearings etc) so rather then worry about all the what ifs, and possible problems I choose to stay on top of normal maintenance, enjoy the car and if the engine blows up I will worry about it then.

2 years ago(ish) my RMS went from slightly weeping to outright sobbing. While the car was apart I told my mechanic to do the clutch as well.... they called me shocked that the clutch was still over 95% and advised I didn't need to change it. The following weekend the pressure plate springs failed.

Now they were good guys, and I ended up with a new clutch for free as an apology for them talking me out of it in the first place and it costing me a day at the track, but my rule of thumb is when the clutch is exposed and it has been in there for a fair amount of time, change it no matter how it looks.

I agree, If your in there just change it.

the expense is the labor not the part.
You're getting a two for if you change the clutch. Granted most people put more than $2K miles on a car per year. At that rate we'll all be be in little George Jetson cars before that clutch wears out.

For the same reason you think doing preventative is a good investment. If you are going to keep the car are you really going to open it to that degree and pocket the grand a clutch kit costs? I wouldn't, at the very least I'd replace the slave cylinder and TO bearing, if the slave pees on the clutch plate one fine day, then you are reopening the case for a clutch you could have replaced.

My vehicle has 19k original miles, and so far as I can tell the clutch probably has 98.99% of life left in it . Why would I replace it at this point ? Should I also replace my toaster, microwave, DVD player, TV and any other appliance before it fails or wears out sometime in the next 15 to 20 years ?

Does it cost two grand to open a toaster? yeah didn't think so, all that **************** you listed is disposable... Your argument would be far more salient if you said "I'm going to run both the clutch and IMS more miles based on the current odometer before replacing either one".


PS Stuff wears out from age and sitting, like I said the slave cylinder is a good example, hey this is the USA please yourself, the P dealer once tried to replace my worn out oil seal to save me money on my 944 clutch job, guess how that went??
Car leaked like the Exxon Valdeez and had to go right back in.

Same for me. My wife would not support an engine upgrade, but if the engine fails..... She doesn't know my current engine is 2.7 and not 3.4 (or even bigger?).

With only 19k original miles, if while doing the IMS retro-fit it's determined that my clutch is still in excellent condition, I'm leaving it alone. The way I put miles on (or lack there of) I'll be in an assisted living community before I'll ever have to change it !

Randall, I always agree with you. I guess it's our ......many trips around the barn yard. Max

Danger, Do you still have "traces"? If so , you may prepare for "assisted living". Come to the "South" where you will be take care of in good old "Southern Style". Max