sick of ims bearing - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Jimbo409 · 03-31-2019, 07:08 AM

I have been reading all the forums and they are filled with ims issues,im just sick of everyone saying the first thing to do is change your ims bearing as soon as you buy your car. There are so many cars driving around with the original ims bearing that I am having a hard time deciding if this is rally necessary. I have a few friends that have over 100m miles on there cars and never even heard of the ims bearing. I think we all read to many forums just my opinion

rjh986 · 03-31-2019, 07:28 AM

I may be selling my car with 80k within the next year and dreading hearing potential buyers requesting the $2k IMS discount for me not having it done. They will be quickly escorted off my property.

rick3000 · 03-31-2019, 08:26 AM

Before IMS everyone was terrified of RMS, and before that was D-chunk and slipped sleeve failure. Personally, I think the companies selling the solution kits have kind of scared up business for themselves, but if people want the peace of mind I understand it. Depending on your year IMS is not an issue (pre-2001). I actually remember before the kits where for sale, IMS was a noted issue but it was not something people where actively afraid of having happen. I actually got into a fight with some people on this forum at the time when I accused them of trying to scare people into buying their product. People can decide for themselves now, there is plenty of information out there to make an informed decision.

BOOTLEG · 03-31-2019, 08:28 AM

Jimbo,
Just lived through the exact IMS decision tree myself. I read so much, I actually made a Word document to capture my evolving thinking as I learned more. I first decided I had to do something because if not, it would drive me crazy each time I drove the car. Then, I would swing back and forth between the roller bearings and the LNE dual row ceramic. Then, I totally surprised myself by choosing the Solution which I had previously eliminated due to cost. Two things that changed my mind are 1.It it is re-usable. I could easily see my engine fail from some other issue and liked the idea that I could re-use my IMS with my next engine. 2. I had to admit that the LNE guys and Jake R. have established The Solution firmly in the marketplace as the best mechanical option which I believe has an impact with future buyers.
After installing it, I would do it again.

Geof3 · 03-31-2019, 09:03 AM

I still think that it is something that should be a part of the list of things to keep in mind. As with any bearing. The discussion of why Porsche used a plain bearing can be discussed to death, but it is what it is. I don't think, upon selling a car, there should be any sort of "discount" provided for an IMS that has no history. A swapped IMS doesn't automatically make the engine bullet proof. If the PPI checks out... then good to go. Up to the buyer to proceed. And I agree, marketing hype has created the paranoid state, but it would be folly to completely dismiss it as a regular maintenance item.

Jimbo409 · 03-31-2019, 09:38 AM

I agree with everyone but a ppl doesn’t necessarily mean your out of the wooods if it checks out ok,I just feel like Porsche has reall done a poor job of handling this issue or even addressing it. I doubt I would ever buy another Porsche product period. They have lost a loyal customer.

78F350 · 03-31-2019, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo409

I have been reading all the forums and they are filled with ims issues,im just sick of everyone saying the first thing to do is change your ims bearing as soon as you buy your car. ...

So you start another IMS discussion. Great idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjh986

I may be selling my car with 80k within the next year and dreading hearing potential buyers requesting the $2k IMS discount for me not having it done. They will be quickly escorted off my property.

Restated: You anticipate a problem with prospective buyers because you haven't addressed the IMS, so you will be hostile towards anyone who sees it as a problem.

Here's a Video about IMS Take care of it now, for the people around you.

rjh986 · 03-31-2019, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the video. I had a smile on my face while typing my original reply since I was sort of kidding. Sure, I'll consider all offers and variables when I decide to sell but any hostility will be on the buyers end since there are not many well maintained S's within 200 miles of my zip code. By no means am I saying that I have a rare, special car but it is what it is.

78F350 · 03-31-2019, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjh986

... any hostility will be on the buyers end since there are not many well maintained S's within 200 miles of my zip code. By no means am I saying that I have a rare, special car but it is what it is.

👍
I understand. A cared for, well maintained is worth what it's worth and any buyer demanding a special discount should be told to walk. Should we be expected to replace the heads every 100k because some have cracked?

Still, I see the IMS bearing as a 'while you are in there' job. A daily worry? No. But it is a factor that can be mitigated.

Now, don't ask me about why I won't buy another Subaru....

MrBen · 03-31-2019, 12:00 PM

I like Burnner's solution.

BoxMann · 03-31-2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78F350

Still, I see the IMS bearing as a 'while you are in there' job. A daily worry? No.

Exactly. If I were changing the clutch, or had to drop the trans for some other reason, I'd probably change it. But other than that, it's drive more,worry less.

And also, the numbers don't make a lot of sense. Let's say your car is worth $12k. If the IMS goes, your roller is worth maybe $4k. So, you'll have an $8k loss. Does it pay to spend $3k to eliminate a 10% chance of an $8k loss? (and let's not argue about the %) In theory, it should only pay to spend the money if it cost $800 or less.

Jimbo409 · 03-31-2019, 12:54 PM

I agree the numbers just don’t aff up these cars are disposal regardless what we think.

jmitro · 03-31-2019, 01:06 PM

go find NuttyProfessor on Rennlist.
He/she will heartily disagree with dismissing the IMS issue. I think he/she is secretly a paid operative for LNE

but really...I agree it's overplayed.

Tailwind · 03-31-2019, 01:31 PM

Before buying this car, I read a very comprehensive article on IMSB, learning the '99's have less than 1% failure. When this car came available, I asked the seller if he had the IMS replaced. He said no, that his indy echoed what I knew. I wanted peace of mind, so as soon as i got it home, I made an appointment with a trusted indy. The car needed mounts, and when I went to see him, I said I wanted the IMS replaced. He told me what I already heard and read. "I'll take your money if you want me to, but I'd shine it on".
A week later, the drive side CV Joint blew up. The indy told me the drive train was in good shape.
So I've spent the legendary ~$2.5K on repairs.
The car runs great and has buttery smooth shifts. I'm sinking coin into suspension, as it's all original, and am addressing minor cosmetic details and have done some hacks.
Waiting for them to reopen the roads...

KRAM36 · 03-31-2019, 02:11 PM

I have 127K on my car with the original IMSB. I'm not worried about it with this many miles on the engine. I'll drive it like it is until the engine or IMSB fails and get me a low mile engine and do the IMSB at that point. I love this car, it's in perfect condition. I don't know what Porsche did to protect these cars against rust, but there is zero rust on the body of my car, even the bottom side. It's like you could keep putting engines in the car for 30 years and it would still be like a new car.

I have parts sitting here that I've had for over a year and just have not got around to installing them. I have the complete 911 (996) gauge cluster to go in it, new KONI FSD struts/shocks and 1" lowering springs, plus new bits for the suspension. Still got my eye on getting the O.Z. Alleggerita HLT wheels and they have them in gloss black now. Lots of fun and life left in this wonderfully balanced car.

I've never owned any vehicle as long as I have owned this car. Unless the car gets wiped out in an accident, the title of this car will be in my name til the day I die.