Poll:IMS related engine failure

[imon_2nd]

I bought a 2004 Boxster S yesterday that has 98K miles on it and lots of service records. However the previous owner was pretty certain neither the IMS bearing nor the clutch had ever been replaced. Having researched these cars extensively, I've decided to have both done soon. My local Porsche expert at Schatz & Krum, Sacramento, CA, suggested using an oil-fed IMS bearing replacement, which would raise the cost of the combo job from about $2,800 to $3,400. The oil-fed bearing is supposedly a "life of the car" piece, as opposed to 40K miles on the ceramic bearing. Does anybody here have experience with the pressure-oiled IMS bearing?

[thom4782]

Nothing lasts forever.

If you're referring to the IMS Solution, it's probably the most bullet proof option out there because its a plain bearing. There's nothing to collapse, which leads to all sorts of other havoc.

The question to ask yourself is whether the $700 extra is worth the perceived risk it offsets. If you plan to keep the car a long time, say more than 100K, it's probably worth it.

BTW: the LN folks are saying to expect 75K miles on their IMS retrofits.

BTW2: I put the Solution in my 125K car b/c I didn't what to think about the IMS issue and its risks ever again.

[imon_2nd]

Just an update on my 2004 Box S...
Apparently, the engine failed at less than 47K miles while the first owner had it. Porsche replaced the motor under warranty. This was discovered last week when the indie shop removed the trans to do the clutch and IMS bearing. They found the motor is an M97, in which the cases must be split to replace the bearing.