Dual or Single Row IMS for a 01/00?
 

Yes yes, another IMS question. Sorry! Thinking of buying a Boxster this weekend. Currently a 914 (soon to be 914-6) owner.

I've read the dual row was used up until sometime during 2000 when it was changed out to the less robust single row. Is it safe to conclude that a car built in January of 2000 is 100% a dual row IMS - or is there a chance it is a single row?

Thanks.

year 2000 can be either bearing. see attached from Mike Focke's website


"The replacement of the bearing in the first two IMS design cars requires some special tools (generations are generally dual bearing '97-'99, single bearing '00-04, '05-'08 but there are replacement engines and especially in the first year of these groupings there were two generations used)."

It is not safe to assume anything, all the lists of VIN's, build dates, and serial numbers have been proven wrong, over and over again. The only reliable method of identification is to take the car apart and look at the bearing..............

My car was built in February 2001 - so assuming that the engine was built sometime during the end of 2000 as it had to be built / shipped to Finland prior to February.
When the IMS bearing was removed 3 years ago to install the LN hybrid, I found that it was the dual row assembly - but as JFP says, its anyones guess as to when the actual changeover took place.....

Are you aware that there is a new IMS solution for single row bearings?
Either way, single or dual, there's a fix. One just costs a bit more than the other.

A common problem with Porsche component change overs are that they never seem to be clean; the switch to the non serviceable IMS in 2005 is a perfect example. We have seen early build cars with the late component, and late build cars with the early IMS.

Yes, I am aware. It's just part of the decision process if I want to spend the $1000 or $2000 to get it fixed. Or take the risk. I've done plenty of reading and more will be done before I commit to buying.

But thanks for the replies on this tired subject.

My 2000 S had the dual row bearing, I think the build date was April 2000.

steve

My "S" was built in Jan. 2000 & had a Double row IMSB. Now it has a Triple row. :)