Another IMS Thread

[MBDiagMan]

In my search for a Boxster I found a 2001 with last six VIN digits 623284. I still haven't figured out if it is two row or single row. The information in the SN class action suit thread is confusing to me.

The second IMS worry is the fact that this car has been on the dealers crowded lot since October. The oil doesn't look dirty, but it doesn't look fresh either. I expect that this car has LOTS of starts after which the engine was shut down a minute or so later. Not a good life for any engine.

Given the apparent large number of quick engine runs, it is easy to imagine a sludgy situation resulting from it. Beyond the normal bad things from such usage, in this case it sounds as if this could be setting up a bad situation for the IMS bearing.

I like the car in many ways, and have started trying to set up a PPI for it, but this is a set of circumstances that concerns me.

BTW, this is in Texas, so the car didn't set in the Snow All Winter or anything.

More information. I have plenty of general auto experience, a two post lift and plenty of equipment to work with. When I buy a used car it gets an immediate and thorough going over including fluid and filter changes, etc., so it would be getting an immediate oil change with a thorough drain after a full warm up with a follow up oil change soon after to help remove sludge. I live over a hundred miles form the city so putting the car on the lift is not practical before purchase.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[TeamOxford]

Doc,

IMHO, I think you should take your time in purchasing your Boxster.

Being in Texas, you are in a Boxster-rich area. There are always plenty of examples to choose from, and I would suggest you sample as many as possible. Eventually you will encounter one that meets all of your criteria.

Someone once told me that finding the "right" one will take about a year. The fact that you are reading the forums and educating yourself about the nuances of finding a good example is an excellent start.

You will find that most of what you'll rely on is just plain old common sense. Driving the car is somewhat of an emotional experience, deciding which one to buy shouldn't be.

In the final analysis, if anything about the car doesn't seem right, don't buy it. When you find exactly what you're looking for, but are concerned about the IMS bearing, just allow yourself the $1500.00 to get it replaced immediately after purchase. And you might as well change the clutch and RMS while you're at it.

Some great sources of used Boxsters:
Porsche dealers offering certified used Boxsters
PCA members selling their Boxsters
Private owners selling clean Carfax models with detailed service records

Feel good about your purchase, do it right, sleep tight, and then enjoy the Boxster experience!

TO

[ATX_Boxster]

Where in TX? Seems like there were a lot of Boxsters for sale in the spring...but the supply has dried up - at least here in Austin.

Definitely get a thorough PPI...and best of luck in finding the right car.

[MBDiagMan]

Thanks for the replies guys and for the good advice.

Yes it does,seem that the supply is drying up right in front of my eyes. The warm weather is probably at least partially responsible.

In the nineties I looked for two years for a manual transmission MB 300E of which only about a thousand made their way to the states. I finally found the nice example i was looking for and have now, with 333K miles on the odo, it has given all it will give. I hope it doesn't take two years to find this car. Anyway I have proven that I can be patient and find the right car, and have also proven that such patience pays you back with years of service and enjoyment.

BTW ATX, I'm about 100 miles NE of Dallas.

Doc

[Deserion]

I thought I recognized you from the Benzworld W124 forum.

Sometimes the right car just suddenly pops up. In my case, I had been doing research on the Boxster for a while and was asking questions (pestering) the resident Boxster expert at The Car Lounge for the ins and outs of what to look for. A few attempts to go look at examples had been failures (a green '02 had been sold, and a '98 was way too worn out). eBay, of all places, helped me find my Boxster. It showed up there and on cars.com I believe. Called up the dealer (family-owned place that dealt with luxury brands), and had the car sent over to the local independent Porsche shop for a PPI. As it came back with a clean bill of health, I drove two hours and picked it up.

Was hoping to find a car with an actual "color" to it, but I can't say I haven't enjoyed this car. Well, aside from the fuel pump malady two months ago.

[Jake Raby]

I still haven't figured out if it is two row or single row.

And you won't know until the transaxle is slid back enough to look behind the flywheel. All 200,2001 and 2005 models require a visual inspection. The directives are wrong over and over again and we no longer even look at them.

[southernstar]

Jack, it was my understanding that the single-row bearing was not even introduced with the 2.7 and 3.2 engines until mid- model year. Inotherwords, 2.7 and 3.2 engines built in 1998 through mid 1999 can't have them. Those built afterwards may, or may not. Engines built after the listed serial numbers in 2001 (late 2001 model year), will invariably have them.

Brad

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by ATX_Boxster

Where in TX? Seems like there were a lot of Boxsters for sale in the spring...but the supply has dried up - at least here in Austin.

Definitely get a thorough PPI...and best of luck in finding the right car.

Just on a lark, I searched for Boxsters in the DFW Metroplex, and just one search on Car Gurus yielded 34 Boxsters.

Can't vouch for ANY of them, of course, but this one hooked me a bit:

Used Porsche Boxster For Sale Mesquite, TX - CarGurus

TO

[MBDiagMan]

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Just on a lark, I searched for Boxsters in the DFW Metroplex, and just one search on Car Gurus yielded 34 Boxsters.

Can't vouch for ANY of them, of course, but this one hooked me a bit:

Used Porsche Boxster For Sale Mesquite, TX - CarGurus

TO

TO,

Thanks VERY much for the link. I did not know about car gurus.

[Izman1000]

So is it even possible that a '97 base can have a single row bearing?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Izman1000

So is it even possible that a '97 base can have a single row bearing?

Yes, if it got a replacement engine while Porsche was using that style.

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by MBDiagMan

TO,

Thanks VERY much for the link. I did not know about car gurus.

Doc,

The price on that white Boxster S just went down $1000 today.

Just sayin'............

TO

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by ATX_Boxster

Where in TX? Seems like there were a lot of Boxsters for sale in the spring...but the supply has dried up - at least here in Austin.

OMG, they just keep popping up all over the place here in Dallas:

2004 Porsche Boxster

TO

[MBDiagMan]

Thanks TO! I am working on one of the other ones that you pointed out to me. I think I'll be able to look at it Saturday and get a PPI at the same time.

You're right, there seem to be plenty of cars in Dallas. I'm now pretty sure i will find a decent car in my price range, thanks to my new found friends here on 986Forum.

[Topdown986]

Does anyone know the cut off serial number for the motor to have a dual row bearing? I'm also interested as I've been trying to find out if my 2000 S has a single or dual row. Thanks

[MBDiagMan]

Originally Posted by Topdown986

Does anyone know the cut off serial number for the motor to have a dual row bearing? I'm also interested as I've been trying to find out if my 2000 S has a single or dual row. Thanks

Topdown,

Just this past weekend, I had the thread up on my IPhone with the VIN information you are looking for. I was just now looking for it so that I could link it for you, but now I can't find it. It is in here somewhere. I thought that there was a thread about the Porsche Class Action Suit that held the information.

Be advised, though, that Jake has indicated that the numbers are not always an accurate indication. He says that the only way to know is to pull the flywheel and look. If I pull the flywheel to look, it will be with at least a fresh replacement bearing in hand and probably an LN kit.

Hope this helps.

[southernstar]

The following thread lists the catalogue numbers and a discussion concerning the double-row versus single-row bearing:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/46267-single-row-vs-double-row-bearings.html

Brad

[MBDiagMan]

Here's the thread I was looking for Topdown:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/46093-ims-lawsuit-do-listed-vins-id-cars-single-row-bearings.html

[Izman1000]

Thanks, JFP. Outside of a replacement engine, my '97 will have a double row then?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Izman1000

Thanks, JFP. Outside of a replacement engine, my '97 will have a double row then?

It should.