IMS question

[smcgeary]

I own a 79 911 SC euro and a 2002 boxster S. If I could only have one it would probably be the SC since I believe I can keep it forever.

The drive is completely different in both. The boxster is much more refined and has better brakes and handling characteristics. Not to mention a climate control that actually works. My SC is pretty well modified and it is a ton of fun to drive. More raw, more gear whine, more thrilling to push hard etc.

My guess is that ultimately the boxster aftermarket will come through with good reasonable options for remedying the problems in our cars. We are seeing this already with the likes of Jake Raby and LN engineering.

One of the guys that I have gone to a few track events with had much the same options that you are going through. He went with the boxster and has built a killer track machine. The sc's may be bulletproof but to put those motors together correctly you are still talking a good deal of money.

Bottom line drive both cars and pick which one you like. If these cars were built that crappy this board would not exist because no one would like the cars.

If I was comparing a SC to a standard boxster it would be a no brainer go with SC. If it was an S I would think harder but probably still go with the SC. I like old stuff though.

[fastorange]

My last Porsche was an '85 911 3.2 Carerra. It was a nice car, but it too had things to worry about. It also had terrible heat/ac, a crappy shifting 915 tranny, and interesting tail heavy handling. It looked incredible, was fun to drive, but the driving experience between that and my "lowly base" 2002 boxster is night and day, with the Box being the clear winner. I really love driving my Boxster and all the modern things about it, and for that reason I don't worry about the possible engine issues. I have had over 35 cars, from classic muscle to four wheelers to sports cars, and all have their maladies. If my Boxster motor decides to bite the dust, I will cringe, but then I'll probably look forward to sticking something stronger into it......like I have had to before sometimes..... you want to play, you gotta pay...otherwise, buy a camry....

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I don't mean to put down the Box. I LOVE driving a Box. However, imagine how much fun it would be to be unconcerned about RMS and IMS. Even better, imagine if modding the motor were much cheaper and easier.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only time I ever get concerned about IMS is when I come to this forum and of the three forums I visit daily this is the only one that seems obsessed by it. Some forums seem to draw all the negative problems with a particular piece of equipment and all the detractors. I own a Leica M8 camera, made in Germany, and of the three forums for Leica cameras I belong to one of them is like this forum is with IMS. If you went to that forum before you bought a Leica M8 you would never buy one, yet the other two forums never, or rarely, raise a fuss about the camera. I've owned my M8 for three years and not once had a problem with it. As an observation from a relatively new Boxster owner, and member of this forum, there appears to be a lot of negativity about the Boxster from a few members but their input seems to carry a lot of weight here. Perhaps if the, at times, overly sensational posts where taken in context of the poster the issue would carry less importance than it does and could be viewed in the overall context of Boxster mechanical history which is one of reliability and low cost of upkeep. The fact that the Boxster is the best value for a sports roadster says something about the car.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by onshore

The only time I ever get concerned about IMS is when I come to this forum and of the three forums I visit daily this is the only one that seems obsessed by it. Some forums seem to draw all the negative problems with a particular piece of equipment and all the detractors. I own a Leica M8 camera, made in Germany, and of the three forums for Leica cameras I belong to one of them is like this forum is with IMS. If you went to that forum before you bought a Leica M8 you would never buy one, yet the other two forums never, or rarely, raise a fuss about the camera. I've owned my M8 for three years and not once had a problem with it. As an observation from a relatively new Boxster owner, and member of this forum, there appears to be a lot of negativity about the Boxster from a few members but their input seems to carry a lot of weight here. Perhaps if the, at times, overly sensational posts where taken in context of the poster the issue would carry less importance than it does and could be viewed in the overall context of Boxster mechanical history which is one of reliability and low cost of upkeep. The fact that the Boxster is the best value for a sports roadster says something about the car.

I'll agree with you that the issue is perhaps over played, however, if you are one of the few unlucky ones who has an IMS failure, you'll certainly change your tune in a hurry.

What's too bad about the fix, is that unless you're due for a clutch, it's an awful lot of labor just to change a bearing.

Originally Posted by Cloudsurfer

What's too bad about the fix, is that unless you're due for a clutch, it's an awful lot of labor just to change a bearing.

I fully agree with you Cloudsurfer and as fate would have it I need to have the RMS on my '99 replaced as it has started to leak a little. The extra labor and cost to replace the IMS bearing while already in there is money well spent on maintenance and I'm going to go ahead and replace it as I will be tracking and AXing the car next spring. My view on the issue of IMS is that if it goes and junks my motor I would look at it as a situation to upgrade from what I've got and I'd slip in a new or rebuilt 3.2L.

You folks need to be careful concerning the "IMS failure" hyperbole on this board. There are users on this board that make a living woking on porsche's and selling aftermarket parts. And I have seen postings where some people claimed IMS failure in a post but have never posted again. It is easy in this day and age to "create" a market of fear then serve the needs of that market.

I am making no claims (for or against). I am just saying be careful.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by dalealan2001

You folks need to be careful concerning the "IMS failure" hyperbole on this board. There are users on this board that make a living woking on porsche's and selling aftermarket parts. And I have seen postings where some people claimed IMS failure in a post but have never posted again. It is easy in this day and age to "create" a market of fear then serve the needs of that market.

I am making no claims (for or against). I am just saying be careful.

It is not hyperbole, it is real. While not as widespread as other issues; it is nearly always fatal to the engine. To describe it as a myth is delusional. I’d suggest you visit some shops that have pulled engines with failed IMS bearings and look at the result before casting aspersions on the validity of the issue…….

"It is not hyperbole, it is real. While not as widespread as other issues; it is nearly always fatal to the engine. To describe it as a myth is delusional. I’d suggest you visit some shops that have pulled engines with failed IMS bearings and look at the result before casting aspersions on the validity of the issue……."

Hyperbole: meaning excess or exaggeration

I would suggest you work on your reading comprehension.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by dalealan2001

"It is not hyperbole, it is real. While not as widespread as other issues; it is nearly always fatal to the engine. To describe it as a myth is delusional. I’d suggest you visit some shops that have pulled engines with failed IMS bearings and look at the result before casting aspersions on the validity of the issue……."

Hyperbole: meaning excess or exaggeration

I would suggest you work on your reading comprehension.

I meant exactly what I said; the IMS issue is not an "exaggeration"….

And I would suggest you get a life………………..

[jmatta]

It is a real issue...I have two friends that lost engines due to this failure. I wonder how many folks out there also have two friends?

It doesn't mean every engine will implode; just that there is a possibility and to be aware of it (exercise risk management).

This forum is fortunate to have some very knowledgeable individuals who share their "real life" stories and experiences with the rest of us.

[2K3_Boxster_S]

Originally Posted by mptoledo

I have no further concerns over it. I have conceded that if it fails, I will get a replacement 3.6 or 3.8 engine. I mean **************** happens doesn't it? I don't let it detract from my enjoyment of my Porsche. If anybody is losing sleep over it, then I suggest pony up the money to upgrade your IMS or trade it in for a miata. Yes it does SUCK that this is even an issue, but with numbers of 2% to 11% guesstimated, I like my odds (knock on wood).

Ditto
It is exaggerated IMO. If it happens to mine, I will swap something else in there, maybe not manufactured by Porsche.