Having mine done with the clutch & RMS in 11 days. As soon as I get back from Ohio.

With these vehicles being relatively low cost in very good running condition and the extremely high cost of rebuilding a motor, it just seems like a wise investment. A boxster with a blown engine could not be worth much. Though one with a new clutch, IMS & RMS is still a value. You have peace of mind and a tradeable/saleable vehicle. Just my opinion.

With the new information that Porsche has released I don't see how anyone (with a double bearing motor) could justify the cost/risk ratio to complete bearing upgrade until clutch replacement is necessary.

I suspect that the value of the older double bearing Boxsters may increase now that this information has been released.

1999 2.5L 126,000 miles. 60+ track days. Original bearing. I did not replace the IMSB when I replaced the clutch. Engine runs perfect. I sleep fine at night and never think of the IMSB except for when I log onto Porsche online forums.

1999, 2.5L, 72K. I have not changed my IMS bearing since I bought it, but the carfax for my car stated:

08/10/2001 24,665

Transmission removed to complete repair
Washer nozzle(s) replaced
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Fluids checked
Wipers/washers checked
Inspection completed

10/29/2001 26,637
Transmission removed to complete repair
A/C system checked
A/C refrigerant recharged
A/C condenser replaced
Intermediate shaft seal replaced
Rear crankshaft oil seal replaced
Oxygen sensor replaced

02/21/2002 29,439

Transmission removed to complete repair
Rear crankshaft oil seal replaced
Intermediate shaft seal replaced
Blower motor replaced/repaired
Recommended maintenance performed
Four tires mounted and balanced
Alignment checked
Two wheel alignment performed
Transmission fluid flushed
Brakes checked
Oil and filter changed

After that it is nothing but routine maintenance. So, If I read between the lines properly, my RMS & IMS were corrected at the 30K mark under warrenty. More or less. When I need a new clutch, I'll have the IMSB replaced as well. I'll just consider it anotjher wear part and be good for another 50K+ miles until my next clutch replacement where I'll just do it again.

Is the MIS only an issue for standard tranny's? I have a tiptronic, and wondered if this could be an issue on the automatics as well? Anyone know?

McDuff

Sorry, make that IMS.....

even more of an issue for the tips

I have a 2001 Boxster 2.7 litre and had the IMS Guardian installed. I am the 3rd owner and believe that the ims has not been replaced. Bought it with 30k miles, now has 40k miles. I bought this car with eyes wide open and did all the research on the internet. Fortunately at my stage of life if the engine explodes for whatever reason it is not the end of the world. 90% of my driving is around the city so if something goes wrong the indy shop is close at hand.

As an aside I can see the problem if a young person buys a cheap Boxster and is not aware of the problems that can occur. Do your research before you buy. Knowledge is $$$$$$.....:(:(

Meat Head- I'll post the same on this thread as I have on the other you started.
Then perhaps we can all get back to the fun stuff!

I'm like most and have responded with my honest opinion to this and other threads that are all related and running at the same time.

I had to get peace. I wanted to keep the car. Some say a P of this age is a cheap car... that may be the case but its still an expensive lawn ornament or a total B@ll ache to part-out if it goes bang.

So i did not ask opinions - i quietly read up and i made my choice and made my peace. I had two obstacles!!! My wife and my wise old dad.

Both told me i was nuts, that it was fine, it would not happen to me, told me to think about the cost of the repair in relation to the value of the car.

I offered them both the same deal. I would pay them £500.00 with which they could do with what they wanted. This was my 'insurance'. The deal was that if the engine goes bang because of the IMS ANY TIME during my ownership they had to pay for it to be rebuilt, say £6k! If they were so confident then they could spend the £500.00 and never worry! Strangley with that on the table neither had the same confident outlook and soon agreed that it was an ok investment if i intend to keep the car - which i do.

Look at it like this - Its rather like a rubber cam-belt in any other car - would you leave it on there for 10 years or 100k miles would you? No - you would take preventive measures. Yes i know that cam-belt changes on other cars are cheaper... but you have a porsche! What did you expect. Treat it as a part of the car that can and will need maintenance. If this cost is an issue... you have bought the wrong car for cheap thrills - go and buy an MR2 turbo!

Just my 2 pounds worth!

There is no right or wrong - there is rationale on both sides , you only need to sqaure it away with yourself. It depend if you are the worrying kind and risk averse, or if a porsche of this age does indeed represent a cheap beater. Ultimately you have to weigh up the odds for yourself and live with a decision.

Un-subscribing now as i have made that decision and i sleep very soundly - not smug, just happy.

^ If nearly all a Boxster's trips are short, it might be a good idea for one long drive at some point during the week.

Model year 1999 (June 1998 build).
139,xxx miles.
Original engine and bearing but many other things replaced.
I've put 81k on it in 7.5 years. Few of those miles were easy ones.
Oil: Motul 8100 5w-40 changed every 10k.

^ who are you ordering the Motul from? price?

2000 2.7 with 61,000 miles.IMS not changed.water pump once.Oil changed every 3,000 miles.Bought three years ago no problems

IMS and Tiptronic
 

I don't know which is correct but I have seen several posts that say it is less of an issue for Tiptronics.


2000 base Tiptronic, 64,000 miles original IMS

2000 2.7, 133k miles. Since I have a double row, I'm not going to replace the IMSB until I have to replace the clutch, and even then, I'm thinking of just removing the outer seal if the bearing is otherwise in good shape. Hopefully I can get at least another 50k on the clutch.

Macster on the Rennlist forum has a 2002 with something like 250k miles that is on original everything, motor, clutch and tranny.

I've pulled mine at 128k, it was washed out of all the factory grease and full of motor oil. My biggest consern now are the cam chain, I'm at -12 in one of my banks, it's only a matter of time. Planning to do a full rebuild.

Drove a 2000 base up to early 2012 and 78k miles. Never worried much about this.

Former:1998 2.5L Base purchased with 107K miles sold 2 years later with 133K miles. Original IMS, clutch and flywheel. All in good shape. No metal in the oil filter. Drove it like a Porsche.

Current: 2000 3.2L S purchased with 48K miles Dec 2011. Now has 78K miles and all is well with IMS, clutch and flywheel. Drive it like a Porsche.

I have a 1999 2.5 base model that I bought 2 1/2 years ago. I was able to get the records and found that the motor was replaced by a Porsche dealership in 2003. All it said on the invoice was "engine seized", so I'm not exactly sure what happened. This new/remanufactured engine has 53,000 + miles on it. I believe I probably have a single row bearing in this engine but there is no way to be sure without dismantling it. I plan to keep the car so I will replace the bearing either with the "permanent solution" or "ceramic bearing" (if it's a dual row bearing) .