Should I buy? '05 987 without service records but only 39k miles?

[pinksnyper]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

As thstone is saying, we don't know crap.

Here's the Reader's Digest version - Porsche did not keep records of which engine has which IMS version. The smaller, replaceable version from 2001-2005 breaks at approx. 10% rate while the newer, bigger, non-replaceable version from 2005-2008 breaks at a 1% rate. Porsche builds a bunch of engines before they're used, so they sit in storage while they wait to be installed. The new IMS version started hitting the assembly line sometime in 2005, possibly in Mar 2005. But people have earlier 2005 build dates and have the new version in them. Your May build date would indicate a potential new version IMS, but what if there was an older version sitting in the corner that was not immediately installed? It's possible.

Are you out of the woods regardless of which IMS you have because it's now 13 yrs old? Maybe, but not entirely. Low mileage cars seem to be more prone to failure because the grease washes out of the bearing and it relies on oil to keep it lubricated. If the car is sitting for long periods of time, the bearing can be sitting w/o oil until the engine is started as the oil drips down into the crankcase and away from the bearing - not good to have a bearing running for a period of time w/o lubrication. Oil intervals also play a part in longevity. In the early 2000s, oil change intervals were suggested to be as long as 15K mi. It's been found that was too long since the oil lost viscosity and wouldn't properly lube the bearing. It's important if you can get a history of the oil change intervals. Today's logic dictates 5-8K mi is more in line with longevity.

If you are bent on buying this one, you have options:

1. Immediately do a clutch job on it and only then will you be able to determine whether you have the old or new IMS. If the old, you can change it and be worry free. If it's the new, you are virtually worry free (assuming decent oil interval history) since the chance of failure is 1%. Just add $2-3K into the cost of buying to do a clutch job. If just the clutch is replaced, the job will cost less. Add for a flywheel that may need replacing along with the IMS if it's the old version.

2. Do an oil analysis every 4-6 mo to keep an eye on metal levels in the oil (an indication the IMS is going south). This will give you a heads-up until a clutch job is necessary. If the oil passes inspection, you can feel more confident the IMS is OK. An oil analysis costs approx. $30.

3. Buy the car, do nothing, and just wait until the clutch needs replacing to investigate the IMS. You have anywhere from 1-10% chance of failure, which translates to a 90+% chance that nothing will happen. Some people can live with those odds, some can't. It depends on the level of risk you're willing to take. Just remember, if you're one of the unfortunate 10%, you have a $10-15K bill staring you in the face.

I think members have held back on discussing the nuts & bolts of IMS as this topic has been beaten to a bloody pulp 1000s of times over. Hopefully my synopsis gives you a flavor of the issue and if you need more info, just search on IMS. There are plenty of members who have driven hundreds of thousands of miles on their original IMS and plenty of members who have had failures and know first hand the possibility of failure exists. I own 2 of the later version IMS cars and I sleep well at night. YMMV.

It comes down to how much risk you're willing to shoulder.

Thank you! I most certainly didn't intend to turn this discussion into yet another IMS thread. I appreciate your insight - I think I'll mull it over while I still have a few other options.

[Bootlegger]

Bottomline,....only you can determine your level of risk. The 05 sounds like a sweet car. Low miles, well sorted and cared for makes for a good buy. Quit vacillating and make the move before it's gone. That's regret.

Incidentally, I purchased a 986 SE years ago with 30K after searching for the right one for a year. Changed the IMS, clutch, AOS, water pump & thermostat, chain tensioners, etc. within the first 2 months and have been smiling ever since.

Just do it..... IMHO

[pinksnyper]

Originally Posted by Bootlegger

Bottomline,....only you can determine your level of risk. The 05 sounds like a sweet car. Low miles, well sorted and cared for makes for a good buy. Quit vacillating and make the move before it's gone. That's regret.

Incidentally, I purchased a 986 SE years ago with 30K after searching for the right one for a year. Changed the IMS, clutch, AOS, water pump & thermostat, chain tensioners, etc. within the first 2 months and have been smiling ever since.

Just do it..... IMHO

I don't disagree with you but like I said those items add a good $3k to the price and , though I "have" the funds I am trying to be...what's the word here....responsible maybe. Haha. I picked the wrong car for that.

[kk2002s]

4 POs, whats up with that. Not a deal breaker but a blip on the radar
A PPI with Cam deviation measurements, oil leaking will tell you something about the health, no guarantee of course
A look at the condition of the belt, filters, under the front bumper scrapes, rotors, brake dust on wheels, coolant/expansion tank yellowed, Coolant cap ending in 04, WP replaced will give you a quick id as to whether the PO stayed on top of the basics, preventative component replacement.

Don't get lost in the IMS forest or you will never come out.
Many of the forum members are proof Boxster driving goes on with the original IMSB

[husker boxster]

Don't get too hung up on the # of owners. It is 13 yrs old and 2-seaters are life-style vehicles. Something can change in their life and suddenly the 2-seater doesn't fit. Someone may think they need one and then find out a 2-seater does not fit their needs (2 seats but 3+ people, etc). Or they get engaged, married, or have kids that make a 2-seater impractical. Or it's a weekend toy and suddenly job options change or they need to downsize due to the economy (like the little 'adjustment' in 08). The current owner has medical reasons for selling. There are a myriad of reasons sports cars can have multiple owners. It's not necessarily a red flag, but can make the maintenance history trail harder to traverse.

[mikefocke]

My last Boxster has had 5 owners I know about. Several of the sales were made for life change reasons. I bought on that basis, sold for the same.

[marck]

I really did get lucky on my 98 Boxster, I guess. I'm the 8th owner I did't get a PPI and relied on some paper work from the last owner that indicated IMS replacement at 30K, I'm at 72K at purchase. The parts that need replaced are because they are simply old. Regular maintenance was done but not much else.

What I've learned.
A PPI will give you a lot of assurance about what the future might hold for repairs. You'll find all the obvious issues. My door locks were foo bar, and I didn't even notice till I got home, god I'm such a nube!!! I'm about $1000 into maintenance for just old parts. Not bad, but I can do the work. If there's no record of IMS then it's not been done. The Durametric abuse info will be useful and the cam deviations will be useful. I would expect a PPI to provide that info.

You might just want to plan about $3k for repairs for a mystery machine. Just decide to do the clutch IMS and RMS, Oil change, AOS and some hoses, Water Pump; and from what I know so far that prevents the most serious and costly issues.

If you aren't sure about these issues then step up to a certified pre owned model.

My personal philosophy related to cars, either make enough $$ to have someone work on it or learn how to do it your self, and have something else to drive in the mean time.