If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

I should have been clear on that part. Yes, it's a keeper. I love this car, I will own this car until I die.

I felt the same way when I bought my '99 with 74K miles. After driving, racing and Axing it for 10K miles I had the LN bearing installed at 84K. The Tip transmission was pulled without the motor and the IMS, RMS replacement was done with motor in car. That was three years ago and my '99 has the same mileage as your Boxster. I looked at the stats, back then, and decided that the ceramic bearing, with a 5:1 ratio of longevity to the OEM, was the way to go and get more miles out of the OEM motor. Three years ago the entire job, with LN bearing, was $1,800. If I was looking at $4K, in todays money, to have it done my thinking would change. I would drive it until failure and look at a low mileage 2.7L Metzgar motor which can now be picked up for around $2,500 and with around $2,000 to install it I've got a little more power and a more bullet proof motor than the 2.5L which, as has been stated, had very low failure rate.
As it turns out, at 68 years of age, it looks as though my Boxster will be my last car and that's ok with me as it has been the most fun car I've ever owned.

[Jager]

Another option:
IMS Guardian

[cas951]

I had my 2002 S IMSB replaced at 140k miles a couple years ago.its also a Tip. My cost was $1200. The engine did not have to come out to do the job.

Btw the old IMSB was perfectly fine. I had it changed cause LN and JR did a great job marketing their product.

[Topless]

Take good care of your car with frequent oil changes and drive it like you stole it. When it finally goes, you had to take the motor out anyways right? Just replace it with a shiny 4.0L

[thom4782]

So here's a contrarian view...

If you plan to keep your car a long time, say past 200K miles, then the IMS solution makes economic sense compared to putting in the LN Retrofit or Gen 2 Pro. The risk you're taking is whether some other critical engine component will fail before you reach your mileage goal. And that's hard to know.

I just faced the same issue when the clutch needed replacing at 125K miles. My camshaft deviations were close to out of spec. So I had the shop replace the chain rails, the variocam solenoids and thoroughly inspect the lifters and other items before making the IMSB decision. I went ahead and installed the Solution. If my bet doesn't pay out so be it. I'd rather bet on an engine I know over the lifetime of the car rather than one that comes from wreck in a junkyard.

BTW: My OEM bearing looked great - almost brand new - when it was take out and it didn't wobble at all. When I removed the outer seal, however, it was clear the grease had been washed out. It was only a matter of time before it would have failed.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by thom4782

So here's a contrarian view...

If you plan to keep your car a long time, say past 200K miles, then the IMS solution makes economic sense compared to putting in the LN Retrofit or Gen 2 Pro. The risk you're taking is whether some other critical engine component will fail before you reach your mileage goal. And that's hard to know.

I just faced the same issue when the clutch needed replacing at 125K miles. My camshaft deviations were close to out of spec. So I had the shop replace the chain rails, the variocam solenoids and thoroughly inspect the lifters and other items before making the IMSB decision. I went ahead and installed the Solution. If my bet doesn't pay out so be it. I'd rather bet on an engine I know over the lifetime of the car rather than one that comes from wreck in a junkyard.

BTW: My OEM bearing looked great - almost brand new - when it was take out and it didn't wobble at all. When I removed the outer seal, however, it was clear the grease had been washed out. It was only a matter of time before it would have failed.

While all good points - spending $4000 on a part that may or may not break (and it's not even 50/50 - there is far more chance it will never break) can be a bit overwhelming for some. Really, replacing the IMS to me is akin to 'taking out engine insurance'. It's really personal choice how one wants to spend their money.
IMS seems to be more a personal opinion vs. hard fact unfortunately. If only Porsche would release more info, we might all have a cleared view of the actual percentage/risks.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

I would drive it until failure and look at a low mileage 2.7L Metzgar motor which can now be picked up for around $2,500

Please let me know where such an engine can be found. Thanks.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by clickman

Please let me know where such an engine can be found. Thanks.

If you look around on eBay there were three, as I recall, that were low miles (less than 50K) and two were priced less than $2,500 and one at $2,700. Two of them had Utube videos showing the motors running. A little leg work on your part will eventually produce one. If you are seriously in the market for one I will be happy to email you a notice and link when I next come across one.

[clickman]

Yeah, standard M96, right. It's the Mezger part I was interested in.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by clickman

Yeah, standard M96, right. It's the Mezger part I was interested in.

What I've read (and I'm not saying it is correct) is that Mezger (Metzger, Metsger) designed the 2.7L motor and there are two versions of it, a three chain and a five chain. I have not been able to find out how to tell the difference. I recall that I heard about the motors and how hardy they are from a post I read from Jake Raby. Perhaps he can enlighten us on the 2.7L.
I've seen the prices on used low miles ones drop because no one wants them they all seem to prefer an upgrade to the 3.2 or 3.4. It's the same with the 2.5L, used ones are appearing for under $2K.
I've also wondered if the 2.9 would fit in an early Boxster, what is involved in the install, how much a used one is going for and how well they are built.
I would be looking for a plug and play swap.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

Mezger (Metzger, Metsger) designed the 2.7L motor and there are two versions of it, a three chain and a five chain.

The Boxster (and 996) M96 was either a 5 chain (1997-2002) or 3 chain (2003-04). The Mezger engine is a whole different animal, from the TT or GT2:

Technology explained:

Think race car engine (i.e. $$$$$$$$).

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by clickman

The Boxster (and 996) M96 was either a 5 chain (1997-2002) or 3 chain (2003-04). The Mezger engine is a whole different animal, from the TT or GT2:

Technology explained:

Think race car engine (i.e. $$$$$$$$).

Thanks Norm, excellent information and clears up my confusion. I would still opt for a 2.7L as a replacement for a 2.5L or paying $4K for an IMS upgrade. I'd drive the 2.5 until it died then pick up a low mileage 2.7L and had a few hp to boot.