IMS Failure - Need Advice

[thstone]

I would suggest that the following statements reflect the current state of affairs;

• Nearly all current 986 owners are aware of the IMSB issue and know about their options to address it (if they desire).
  
  
• Nearly all 986 buyers know about the IMS issue if they do even the most precursory investigation into Boxster ownership prior to buying the car.
  
  
• Porsche is well aware of the issue and isn't going to fix it or address it.
  
  
• Lawyers are well aware of the issue and do not see a path to pursue a legal solution.
  
  
• Independent experts are well aware of the issue and are not motivated to participate in the legal process.
  
  
• More companies will see the IMSB situation as an opportunity for profit. Some will be trustworthy, some will not.
  
  
• With sellers, buyers, maintainers, and experts all aware of the issue, the market price of a used 986 has already adjusted for the perceived risk associated with Boxster ownership and the IMSB issue.
  
  
• The prices for used 996's have also adjusted accordingly.
  
  
• This situation is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by thstone

I would suggest that the following statements reflect the current state of affairs;

• Nearly all current 986 owners are aware of the IMSB issue and know about their options to address it (if they desire).
  
  
• Nearly all 986 buyers know about the IMS issue if they do even the most precursory investigation into Boxster ownership prior to buying the car.
  
  
• Porsche is well aware of the issue and isn't going to fix it or address it.
  
  
• Lawyers are well aware of the issue and do not see a path to pursue a legal solution.
  
  
• Independent experts are well aware of the issue and are not motivated to participate in the legal process.
  
  
• More companies will see the IMSB situation as an opportunity for profit. Some will be trustworthy, some will not.
  
  
• With sellers, buyers, maintainers, and experts all aware of the issue, the market price of a used 986 has already adjusted for the perceived risk associated with Boxster ownership and the IMSB issue.
  
  
• The prices for used 996's have also adjusted accordingly.
  
  
• This situation is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.

I agree with all but the 1st line.

I believe the LN IMSB is a permanent solution to the IMSB issue & the cost to implement the solution is offset by the depreciation the original issue caused if you are purchasing a 986/996 now.

[2003S]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I believe the LN IMSB is a permanent solution to the IMSB issue

it appears that Mr. Raby would disagree with that per his "IMS Solution", references. It would seem that some anticipate the LN IMSB, while very solid, may not be a "final" solution to the problem.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by 2003S

it appears that Mr. Raby would disagree with that per his "IMS Solution", references. It would seem that some anticipate the LN IMSB, while very solid, may not be a "final" solution to the problem.

appearances can be deceiving, my theory assumes proper installation & maintenance.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by thstone

[LIST][*]Nearly all current 986 owners are aware of the IMSB issue and know about their options to address it (if they desire).

I disagree. For better or worse, the Box is a mass market car. Most owners don't have a clue. I'd be surprised if as many as 3/10 Boxster owners had any clue about the IMS bearing or even that their car has such a thing.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by pothole

I disagree. For better or worse, the Box is a mass market car. Most owners don't have a clue. I'd be surprised if as many as 3/10 Boxster owners had any clue about the IMS bearing or even that their car has such a thing.

I have to agree. In talking to my mechanic about the number of IMS bearings they've upgraded (LOTS) it seemed to me like most were adding it to their clutch replacement after being advised by the mechanic. Otherwise, and like most who visit a Porsche dealer for new clutch, they were clueless of the issue.

The other issue I have to disagree about is that failures are now priced into market prices. I believe we're only seeing the start of IMS failures.
986/987/996's are now entering that point where average mileage is starting to climb well north 50K. The cars are changing hands from folks who didn't drive the car every day to buyers who are driving the cars far more frequently which only speeds up the demise of vulnerable IMS cars. The lower the prices for Boxster go from simple price depreciation, the more people will buy these cars, drive them hard and many will not consider the problems that have been cooking from oil change intervals that were inadequate, Porsche approved oils that were inadquate and infrequent driving from the previous owner which allowed seals to dry out and become brittle.

[trimer]

Originally Posted by pothole

I disagree. For better or worse, the Box is a mass market car. Most owners don't have a clue. I'd be surprised if as many as 3/10 Boxster owners had any clue about the IMS bearing or even that their car has such a thing.

New owners probably knew...but most knew owners only ever have those cars for a few years which means they are under warranty so no need for them to even think about that bearing issue.

I am putting a new LN bearing in my car and I will be pissed if I take our good bearing to put in one that fails. But there is a risk with either bearing I guess. The more I read that post about the LN bearing failures on this thread the less it seems that LN is certain about the single row bearing.

[The French Dude]

Originally Posted by trimer

New owners probably knew...but most knew owners only ever have those cars for a few years which means they are under warranty so no need for them to even think about that bearing issue.

I am putting a new LN bearing in my car and I will be pissed if I take our good bearing to put in one that fails. But there is a risk with either bearing I guess. The more I read that post about the LN bearing failures on this thread the less it seems that LN is certain about the single row bearing.

What did you read about LN failures ?

[trimer]

Originally Posted by The French Dude

What did you read about LN failures ?

First dont get me wrong...I went on to google and typed in LN IMS failures and you will see a few stories out there...not just boxsters. I did not change the bearing on my first box and it was an 02 with 37000 miles. But, not many failures and I am not trying to start a feud with anyone...specifically LN, but there are some stories out there. As I said earlier in posts though, sounds like maybe the bearing was not installed properly which could lead to failure. My mechanic worked for years at a P dealer and started his fix it company back in 01 and has done many of these and has not seen any failure from his work...but my thing is merely out of nerves. My car has 17000 miles and I would not dream of NOT doing the upgrade but nerves...Bearing that has not failed to replace with one that is not 100% gauranteed to NOT fail.

We always read about how we NEED to do this...it is an absolute must but then read that even with the single row upgrade there has been failures? 5 or so out of a few thousand is a great number but according to Porsche only 5% failure out of hundreds of thousands?

Again - The more I type the more I want to keep my mouth shut. I AM doing the bearing upgrade on the 5th...just prey nothing happens after that!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by trimer

New owners probably knew...but most knew owners only ever have those cars for a few years which means they are under warranty so no need for them to even think about that bearing issue.

I am putting a new LN bearing in my car and I will be pissed if I take our good bearing to put in one that fails. But there is a risk with either bearing I guess. The more I read that post about the LN bearing failures on this thread the less it seems that LN is certain about the single row bearing.

If you are that concerned, give Charles Navarro, the owner of LN a call, he will openly discuss the handful of failures out of the thousands of units installed, and tell you exactly how many failed and why. Charles is very open on this subject, so stop speculating or worrying and give him a call.

[trimer]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

If you are that concerned, give Charles Navarro, the owner of LN a call, he will openly discuss the handful of failures out of the thousands of units installed, and tell you exactly how many failed and why. Charles is very open on this subject, so stop speculating or worrying and give him a call.

Exactly why I said I should keep my mouth shut. Not speculating anything but spending this kind of dough on a 17000 miles porsche makes me sick to my stomach for me and anyone else who has to do this for peace of mind. As I said...I am already scheduled to do it and wouldn't not do it but of course...as with anything mechanical it can fail as well.

[The French Dude]

Hehe ! I will also do the upgrade anyway !

[Dgnarvs]

If there is buyers' remorse, what would this be? Pre-purchase jitters?

Goog luck, Trimer! I'm sure it would work out fine! Just add some miles in a hurry so you've got lots of fond memories to look back on when your Box eventually goes to car heaven! Nothing lasts forever.