The best source of information is the web site at
LNengineering.
Any rotating bearing wears. Some IMS bearings have gone 255k miles, some 10k.
Will a Pre-Purchase Inspection detect a failing bearing? Depends on who is doing it. Someone with the right software (late revision of Durametric..maybe PST2, PIWIS) can detect camshaft deviation which is a common early warning sign. One of those cases where a great PPI is worth every bit of what you'll pay, a lousy one worth very little. Ask if they do a camshaft deviation test, if they don't, go elsewhere.
Can it be prevented? Reduce probability by using a good oil, changing it much more frequently than Porsche calls for, drive it every day and keep the revs up. To prevent it, the best known commonly available approach is to replace the bearing with one that uses a different lubrication technique and a better bearing (when you do the clutch, do the RMS and the IMS). There are detection kits available (
flat6engineering) but if the buzzer goes off, you still have to replace the bearing.
Your 2003 probably has the least desirable bearing of the 3 Porsche used.
The good news is that, even with all the above, the probability of failure in any one car is very low.
Owned 2, loved 'em both. As close to zero problems over 6 years as any of the 40 cars I've ever owned.
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