The 2005 MY IMS Issue
 

I know the 2005 was a transition year from the Gen 2 to the Gen 3 IMSB. I also know that there is no way to know for sure which IMSB is in the car without dropping the trany. And I also know that you can't tell which IMSB is in the car by looking at the VIN or mfg date. So those are the things I know.

What I'd like to know is the probability of having a Gen 3 IMSB in the car. So, are there any accurate numbers on what % of 2005 MY Boxsters have the Gen 2 vs the Gen 3? Are most of the 2005's the Gen 3 IMSB? Are failure rates, for whatever they're worth, on the 2005's closer to the 2000-2004 failure rates, or are they much closer to the 2006-2008 failure rates?

Reason I ask is that I'm shopping for a Boxster (as some of you know), and I see the early 987's going for not much more than a comparable 2003/2004, and I think it just might be worth the difference. I almost bought a 2006 this week, but it failed the PPI. So I'm back to looking again and wondering about the 2005's.

Thank you.

You have a 50/50 shot at which one it is.

2 follow up questions on this:

1 - While I know it's not a guaranty, does a later manufacturing date make it more likely that you have a Gen 3 IMSB? Seems it would.

2 - Any difference in the probabilities between Base and S engines?

Answers:

1. No.

2. No.

Every attempt to define where the cutoff point is has failed. Porsche had a habit of reaching in the parts bin and using whatever came out. And JFP has had his hands in enough 2005s to be a credible estimator. Plus he talks to people who have seen even more.