I bought a 1998 Boxster 2.5, did I make a huge mistake???

[Nimbus117]

You may disagree but it doesn't mean you are correct. Everyone having to change their bearings 'just in case' on the back of a small percentage of failures is bad advice.

Much better is to keep an eye on it during oil changes, fit IMS Guardian or replace if it bothers you that much.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Nimbus117

You may disagree but it doesn't mean you are correct. Everyone having to change their bearings 'just in case' on the back of a small percentage of failures is bad advice.

Much better is to keep an eye on it during oil changes, fit IMS Guardian or replace if it bothers you that much.

The % of failure is both inaccurate and almost irrelevant. If you have a 2001-2005 there is a very obvious flawe in the engine design. One that can be exacerbated by the stewarship, or lack of, by the previous owner if you're someone that purchased the car used. Porsche just settled claims for precisely these years. Generally big companies don't do something like this unless there's something in their own internal records confirming that a problem isn't a small % but well beyond the industry avearage for what is acceptable. Records from dealerships and engine replacement programs that would not play well before a U.S jury. Otherwise Porsche would have settled on all Boxster/Carrera claims, dual row bearings included. But they didn't -- just the single row. That's a point that shouldn't be lost on a single row bearing owner. Either are bad design but single is by far the worst. Just ask Porsche's lawyers.

So it's not a "just in case" retrofit, it's addressing a known problem now confidentially confirmed by the manufacturer. The IMS Guardian is probably good advice but since a clutch is not an item that's going to last forever a single row Boxster/Carrera owner would be wise to simply address the problem rather than waiting for a flawe to turn into game ender. Relying on unconfirmed, inaccurate and undisclosed %'s to any degree is questionable/shaky advice.

There are things you know (engine design flawe) and the things you don't know (% of IMS failures). I replaced a dual row bearing, but if I had a single row IMSB, I'd be swapping it out before the ink on that class action settlment check had even dryed.

p.s.
relying on the oil change filter inspection to detect IMS failure is like cargo inspection for narcotics at the U.S. Border.
The probability that a physuical search of every 100th car/container will land on the very car carrying drugs is a long shot.
You'd be quiet the lucky guy to be changing your oil just when the IMSB decided to let go.

[Nimbus117]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

The % of failure is both inaccurate and almost irrelevant. If you have a 2001-2005 there is a very obvious flawe in the engine design. One that can be exacerbated by the stewarship, or lack of, by the previous owner if you're someone that purchased the car used. Porsche just settled claims for precisely these years. Generally big companies don't do something like this unless there's something in their own internal records confirming that a problem isn't a small % but well beyond the industry avearage for what is acceptable. Records from dealerships and engine replacement programs that would not play well before a U.S jury. Otherwise Porsche would have settled on all Boxster/Carrera claims, dual row bearings included. But they didn't -- just the single row. That's a point that shouldn't be lost on a single row bearing owner. Either are bad design but single is by far the worst. Just ask Porsche's lawyers.

So it's not a "just in case" retrofit, it's addressing a known problem now confidentially confirmed by the manufacturer. The IMS Guardian is probably good advice but since a clutch is not an item that's going to last forever a single row Boxster/Carrera owner would be wise to simply address the problem rather than waiting for a flawe to turn into game ender. Relying on unconfirmed, inaccurate and undisclosed %'s to any degree is questionable/shaky advice.

There are things you know (engine design flawe) and the things you don't know (% of IMS failures). I replaced a dual row bearing, but if I had a single row IMSB, I'd be swapping it out before the ink on that class action settlment check had even dryed.

p.s.
relying on the oil change filter inspection to detect IMS failure is like cargo inspection for narcotics at the U.S. Border.
The probability that a physuical search of every 100th car/container will land on the very car carrying drugs is a long shot.
You'd be quiet the lucky guy to be changing your oil just when the IMSB decided to let go.

Again, this is just you opinion. You don’t know what the real failure rate is so how say that every Boxster with a single row IMSB should be replaced immediately. 99% of 986/996 owners do not post on forums and fair to say the only people that do post here and other sites about this issue either have had issues or have concerns. Scaremongers like you just feed the IMSB replacement industry (who also don’t disclose the condition of the bearings they replace). Does anyone even know if the LNE replacement is a permanent fix or will these engines need pulling apart in a few years too?

I clearly stated that I might get mine done when the clutch needs replacing for my peace of mind which you disagreed with. My car has done 80k, has an oil change every 5k miles and filter checked for particles, driven as recommended etc and had no problem with the engine exploding getting to work today or the previous 10 years for that matter. Porsche had to admit there was a design issue but only in the US due to the blame culture, they have not offered to modify every affected engine free of charge, have they? There may be a minority that continue to experience failures so every owner will have to weigh up the risks but there are things like regular oil changes that you can do to reduce it.

Toyota allegedly have a 3.7% catastrophic engine failure rate and other manufacturers have similar rates but you never hear the hysteria like you do on Boxster/911 forums (Honda are best with 1 engine failure in every 134 cars).

[RandallNeighbour]

Meathead, the fears of catastrophic engine failure will diminish over time. Now I think about my motor imploding and I get giddy with excitement over the notion of shoehorning a LS1 in it and having a V8 Boxster for more fun!

It all depends on your perspective I guess, and if the boxster is a daily driver or an extra toy to play with when the weather is nice and time permits.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Meathead, the fears of catastrophic engine failure will diminish over time..

Randall I think it's the other way around. A lot of these cars were garage queens.
The oil intervals were too long. The revs weren't pushed...
The prices are now coming down and many clutches on these cars were swapped out before the LNE IMSB was available. Now those cars are taking on daily driving duty.
They sold a lot of 2.7's... enough to save the brand from bankruptcy. And folks like the OP can find a forum like this to post about an engine failure faster than they can call a Porsche specialist to inquire about preventative actions. Between the people worrying about IMS who do nothing about it and the people who waited too long do something, you're going to see the IMS controversy become a staple of Boxster/996 discussion.

[Meat Head]

I have been doing a **************** load of reading on the IMS failures. My Boxster is a 1998 with the 2.5 engine. It is my understanding that the 1998 2.5 Porsche engine had dual row bearings and due to this design (though also flawed) there was a much lower rate of IMS failure.

Though I'm not sure this will be my cars savior, it has had its oil changed yearly no matter what the miles put on the car.

The car has 27k miles on it at this time. It has been kept in a heated garage (healthier on the seals).

Bad news is its second owner (for the past 3 years) has been an older lady. From talking to her, the car has been driven gingerly (not good from what I've gathered).

I would like to wait 3-4k miles (1 year of driving) before changing out the IMSB and clutch.

[Kurt V]

The more you drive it the less paranoid you will become.

[paintboy]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

The more you drive it the less paranoid you will become.

Very true. Any any mechanic will tell you they like to be driven hard.

[Spidey]

Listen to Perfectlap, my engine was replaced at 10K and do you think I could get the records from the dealer that performed the engine swap? No chance. Great cars but obvious design flaw. It is too bad Porsche didn't just fix it and make it good.

[mikefocke]

You bought a 14 year old car that had been driven 2k per year.

Sure there will be minor issues. And only time will tell if yours will have major issues.

I'd do all the fluids changes, look at the tire dates. Check the serpentine belt. Inspect the coilpacks.

Expect plastic parts like tanks and AOS to fail because of age.

An issue might be major to you while from an overall percentage basis not so much.

Concentrate on enjoying it.

[paintboy]

Your big mistake is worrying too much. Drive. Enjoy. Repair. Repeat.

[Vista glass]

No you did not make a huge mistake. Drive, enjoy! IF it breaks at least you enjoyed it. Then go down the logic/decision tree. I have a 98 with 87K. I did the LN upgrade when doing a clutch. The old bearing was in great shape, but since I was there. If you are stressed I prescribe a long drive on a twist stretch of road for relief. Otherwise I'll give $3000.00 for it to help you de stress.

[Porsche Chick]

Oh, stop being such a girl!

You bought it, now enjoy it.

[Meat Head]

After Porsche released the actual percentages of IMS bearing failures I feel MUCH better about my purchase. My Boxster is a 1998 with the 2.5 motor and to my understanding has the double bearings that have less than a 1% failure rate.


I'm so happy I want to :dance:



I will still most likely upgrade my IMS bearings but not until I need a new clutch.
I'm very curios to see if this drives up the price on the 2000 and earlier Boxsters.

[westladog]

I was like you about two years ago. I really didn't need to replace the ims because it was still great when they pulled it out. I also had the clutch replaced all for $1700 parts and labor. It only gave me piece of mind.

I've put 50,000 miles in two years with no issues at all. Can't wait when it hits 100k miles in a few months!

I also got rid of the Mobil 1 overrated oil. Just plain oil every 5k miles. No issues!
I rev it to 5k rpm everyday on my way to work.

Maintenance is easy if you can raise the car. It's no different from standard cars.
If I can perform the 60k miles maintenance myself, anyone can. I can't believe some shops want $3000 just to replace the spark plugs, oil, oil filter, cabin filter, air filter, belt?

Just drive it
Just be glad that you didn't pay retail and people think you're rich when you only paid less than $15k