Buying my first boxster
So after months of searching eBay, car.com, and craigslist, I found my Porsche. :dance:
I have put a 700$ deposit down on a 2000 Porsche Boxster S that has 33k miles on it. (Ii will pay remaining 15,000$ in cash in February). I am a new Porsche owner and quite young. My wife and I are both nurses, and we both are 22 years old. The car has original paint, clean carfax, new tires, and has been in no accidents. It has Sportco racing seats and also includes the original leather seats in excellent condition. The previous owner said he did the oil on it every 5k miles and had is professionally done. The plastic parts of the dash have been dipped in carbon fiber and the car has also been lowered closer to the ground - apparently with clamps on the suspension (I don't think I like that... ) As soon as I pick the car up in Atlanta in late January, I intend on doing an IMS overhaul ASAP. Although the car has no leaks and has been fairly well maintained, I DO NOT want to have to pay 7-8k :eek: for a replacement engine (on the cheap end) the car drives and sounds great, do you guys have any suggestions for the first time Porsche owner? My friend would help me do the IMS install, and I would get the reinforced IMS from LNE for roughly 650$. I intend on posting many pictures and staying an active member on this forum so that I can learn to do the maintenance myself ( I already called the dealer and they quoted me 2200 just for the IMS) poll for if I should do IMS immediately. ANY COMMENTS AND ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED :cheers: |
In your case, replacing it immediately seems a good move....assuming you do the clutch while you are in there. You are likely getting close to a clutch anyway and prior low miles for the age may place you in the higher risk category....if you have a single row.
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The other option is wait until may this spring and be getting the rest of the parts these next couple months - I.E Water pump, air oil separator, IMS, RMS, and the clutch if it needs it. :confused:
I just really don't want it to break down as it will be my primary light commuter vehicle. |
I would put the stock seats back in. They are safer.
And I would have the IMS professionally done. A pro can easily do that job in a day. At $80-$90 an hour indy Porsche shop rates it's well worth it from any shop that stands by its work. If you make a mistake doing that particular job, oh boy. You write the check for the consequences. Not worth DIY savings in my book. Even if you go with a higher cost bearing, if single row it will need to be replaced sooner than a dual row bearing, the intervals are shorter on the single row. So I would consider doing a direct oil feed (DOF) modification in addition to swapping the low-mileage IMS -- if it is indeed a single row bearing. p.s. Das Schield has a sale going on for hood and trunk dent protectors (they go on the inside), you get the the rear free if you buy the front protector. If you frequently lug items around in the trunks it's well spent money, especially on a lowered car. |
Thanks perfectlap for that info, I checked into it, and solo motorsports in atlanta GA, will do the RMS, IMS, and clutch for around 2000K$ including parts/labor. that is with an upgraded IMS, and they have done lots of them before.. I think I will go with them and save myself the headache. :cool:
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I just my Box a few months ago and I will be doing my IMS in a few weeks. I have a LN Engineering approved indie doing my RMS, IMS and oil & filter change for just over $1,400. You might want to shop around. LN has an approved installer list so you might want to look into it. I'm sure you could us the $600 elsewhere.
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You won't know if its dual row until they take down the transmission and open it up. They would also have to calculate how many miles are left on the clutch and flywheel. Maybe the previous owner was not such a good driver and you only have 30K miles left, I would replace now if that's the case. If you have a single row, I think the extra $650 would be better spent getting a direct oil feed to the bearing. At the end of the day the culprit in IMS failures is not that the bearings are too fragile, but that the bearing is not getting enough oil or clean oil. This contamination or starvation leads to the compromising of the bearing. An upgraded single row IMS bearing is not cheap at $650 and while it makes it better at withstanding the oiling issues for certain amount of mileage, it really doesn't address the root cause of the issue. You can check with LNE but I don't think they recommend keeping in their single row bearing (if you can still get them) in for 80-100K miles, or the typical life span of a clutch (the next time you'll have the trans out to swap the bearing yet again). The Pelican bearing ($100) with a direct oil feed, would be the better choice in my opinion. Either way, you're getting rid of the original bearing that has spent a long time sitting dry with only 30K miles in 13 years and has become brittle, unless the previous owners made a point of driving it every week -- hard to say. |
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I agree 33K miles is not many miles for a clutch. I would expect to get at least 75K out of mine. I made a few assumptions. Since it is 13 years old with only 33k mi I assume these were not highway miles, e.g. daily driver, but rather short trip, etc. That and the age alone would lead me to believe the clutch would be due earlier than "expected."
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Newob- great looking car. Congrats!! When I was 22 I had a minivan built before you were born. Crap that made me sound like a geezer, didn't it!
Seriously, good for you. I did the IMSB and a bunch of other maintenace a few months after I got my Box S and now I don't stress about those items anymore. Do what makes you feel good, in my case I don't like having a bunch of unknowns when I have the possibilty of being ahead of the game. |
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IMS, RMS, Tranny R & R Tips - 986 Series (Boxster, Boxster S) - RennTech.org Forums |
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I am of the same sentiment, I do not want to worry over it. |
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I do enjoy learning how things work and feeling the satisfaction of knowing that I put part of the car together. :cool: regardless who does it, I want it done sooner rather then later. the real question is, which car will be more fun to drive, a Boxster S, or a turbo eclipse?:D |
Sounds like you are in it for the long haul. All the above is good advice. I bought my 2001 Box base with 30k miles. 2 years later it has 40 k miles. I have done the following
had installed the following: cv joints refurbished idler arm pulley replaced for the alternator if I remember right installed IMS Guardian - cheaper than putting in new IMS bearing but not as good otherwise normal maintenance like oil changes, coolant drained and replaced with real Porsche antifreeze, new tires. I expect to change in the next 5 years if I keep it that long: replace water pump replace AOS replace motor mounts replace ims/rms/ and overhaul clutch. I don't put a ton of miles on it. About 5k miles a year. It has been about what I expected in terms of expense to run. I could spend $5-10 k on preventive maintenance but I cannot justify it. Plan on spending on the average $1-2 a year once you get your major intended jobs done. I like low mileage cars. It feels tight and starts well in winter. Enjoy your ride.:) |
Regarding the poll re ims install now or later. I have no wrenching skills but if it was me and in your situation I would get it done by an outfit that has done it before. LN Eng. recommended shops etc. Nobody likes an engine blowup and for myself I am older - see my handle, I have elected not to get ims done and if it blows up then I get an older Cayman. If I was tight for $$$ and young I would get the ims done. How can you afford an engine blowup in early life? That depends on how lucky you feel!
Trust this helps.:) |
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Sounds like we were in the same boat. I just bought my box in August (you beat me by a year! I'm 23) and had the same thought. Ims now or later? I did the ims, rms, clutch, and oil change in my first week of ownership. The main reason I wanted to do it first thing was to take away the worry in the back of my head and fully enjoy the car. Not worth any risk. Couple grand now or a huge headache with a broken toy in your drive way?
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That looks like a really nice car. Good find! |
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AOS, water pump does not have to be done right away. A proactive purist would put in a new water pump right away. I am not that way inclined . How proactive do you want to be? I think that you have your priorities right for your situation - ims, rms(rear main seal) replace and I feel that your clutch is young unless it is giving you trouble. Read carefully what everybody has recommended. It all boils down to $$$. It is a fun ride and for me has been worth every $.:) |
I'm going to guess that between keeping an imsb and the original water pump in for too long the water pump failure has claimed many more engines or forced a rebuild.
You should update the coolant cap to the 2004 revision which I think is the most recent. This should be part of the pre purchase inspection in my opinion. You don't want to flush the coolant, replace the water pump or the replace the troublesome coolant tank without also updating the cap. It's a $20 part that can throw a wrench to the entire cooling system. |
I guess my big question is, if I replace the ims, rms and clutch, how likely is it that something else break and I'm out 10k? Like if I don't change my water pump, or aoc could it mean a new engine? Or does it simply mean a couple hundred in repairs? I am used to cars that if they break, it's not normally catastrophic engine failure... That's one thing that made scared when I read that about the ims...
That's my real question... |
If you stay ahead of the water pump and ims while making sure your oil level is correct, the chances of engine failure comes down drastically.
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:) |
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Just drive it for F sake. Nothing's going to happen to your car. :) |
Do not lug!
Hey congrads on your sweet ride. These cars have small motors that like to operate at higher rpms than say your big v8 so don't shift out to soon. Search this site for more info on this if you need to. What you two have done is bought a race car with license plates on it. These cars love to be drivin hard and fast so don't think your going to hurt it, enjoy!:)
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I think you need to drive it for awhile
Check the levels all the time. Look for drips. Smell the smells after you drive it. Change the oil yourself, cut the filter open, drop the pan and inspect what all that looks like You don't sound like you are set up to do repairs easily, no garage, jacks, stands, specific tools or the ability to let the car sit while you figure out what is wrong and fix it yourself You could do all those preventatives, that will certainly take them out of the equation, but there are many other things that can take out that engine that you can't really prevent easily. It's a slippery slope Hey if you have the funds, go for it You won't know until you drive it and they present themselves Drive the thing, they love it, you'll love it and you'll start to get a feel for what is needed right away Oh by the way - Congrats - and welcome |
Congrats!
Now just drive it and don't worry! You bought a fantastic and reliable car... |
Got some other pictures, decided to show it off a bit better... Do you think I should change the rims or put a body kit on it?
THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSES TO MY POLL AND MY QUESTIONS!!:) http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152857.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152869.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152883.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152897.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152929.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152938.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152948.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152958.jpg http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1387152968.jpg |
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Drive it. Perform some routine and preventative maintenance as outlined in previous posts. From looking at your pics, your Boxster seems to already be modded quite nicely (except for the compressed springs). Enjoy the driving experience. There will be plenty of time down the road to mess with it. TO |
That's a very nice, low mile "S" for 15700.
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That red looks nice. Drive it for a while before you start modding. That car already has some good mods on it. Things may come up and you will have the money to address it and the "while you in there" stuff.
How much thread are on those tires? And did they paint the inside frunk? Like the spoiler, and the seats. Factory radio has already been ditched. Buy a nice jack and a set of stands and drive on. |
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Yes, I need to buy some stands and a jack because I intend on doing the oil changes myself. Ironically I think I will probably end up replacing the stereo again in lieu of one with an external input jack. :cool: |
what mods. does this car have ? suspension has had work done , what parts where installed ?
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In the future I first intend on replacing The ims, rms, clutch and water pump. I then will upgrade the rear window so that it doesn't have any sun damage, then I will replace the stereo for one with an external jack, and lastly place some slightly different rims on it. I also intend on putting the original seats back in.:dance: |
I watched that car via the Craigslist ad. Good luck with her.
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