About to Purchase, high mileage, IMS maybe replaced?

[ryanjboutin]

I'm about to purchase a higher mileage 1999 Boxster base.
The seller is a member here and has a 997, so he's selling the Boxster.

He says he's unsure if the previous owner replaced the IMS bearing.
He also says that the car has not given him any trouble in his 5 years of ownership.

So, the root questions are:
- If a 1999 Boxster with 160k miles on it is still pulling strong, is it reasonable to assume the IMS bearing has been upgraded?
- Or, forgive me if my level of knowledge is low here, am I reading correctly that the 1999 has the dual row bearing and a low attrition rate pertaining to IMS failure?

Thanks for the help.

I first saw the car on CL, then found it on 986forum after committing to buy.
This is the car btw: http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-sale-wanted/58537-1999-porsche-boxster.html
*Yes, I'll be removing the door decals. lol

[JFP in PA]

Assume nothing. If there is no paperwork for an IMS retrofit, then there is no retrofit.

Dual row bearings fail at a lower rate than single row bearings, but they still fail.

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Assume nothing. If there is no paperwork for an IMS retrofit, then there is no retrofit.

Dual row bearings fail at a lower rate than single row bearings, but they still fail.

Sounds good.

I see that sometimes there is an IMS retrofit sticker on the driver's door jamb.
That sticker is particular to the LN Engineering kit, correct?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

Sounds good.

I see that sometimes there is an IMS retrofit sticker on the driver's door jamb.
That sticker is particular to the LN Engineering kit, correct?

Every IMS retrofit kit comes with a door jamb sticker that has a bar code and serialized number on it.



That said, I am aware of multiple cars that supposedly had the retrofits done, but never got the sticker, and some owners that had to chase shops to get their stickers well after the install. So while a car may bear one, with "spare" stickers floating about, it is not positive proof of a retrofit.

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Every IMS retrofit kit comes with a door jamb sticker that has a bar code and serialized number on it.



That said, I am aware of multiple cars that supposedly had the retrofits done, but never got the sticker, and some owners that had to chase shops to get their stickers well after the install. So while a car may bear one, with "spare" stickers floating about, it is not positive proof of a retrofit.

Wonderful.

Thank you, sir.

[thstone]

Very likely that the car still has the original IMS bearing even at 160K miles. Failure rates on the 2.5L engines were fairly low.

I wouldn't trust any sticker - too easily replicated. There should be a paper receipt or it never happened.

Last, get a PPI so you know the general condition and possible repair areas.

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by thstone

Very likely that the car still has the original IMS bearing even at 160K miles. Failure rates on the 2.5L engines were fairly low.

I wouldn't trust any sticker - too easily replicated. There should be a paper receipt or it never happened.

Last, get a PPI so you know the general condition and possible repair areas.

Thanks for the heads up.
PPI has always been my plan, post purchase.

Already been talking with the local independent shop.
They seem very eager to help and have good online reviews.

I don't know anyone with a Porsche, so that's all I have to go on.

I haven't personally owned a car for about 12 years.
Been a truck guy since I sold my last car.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

PPI has always been my plan, post purchase.

A pre-purchase inspection after the purchase won't be of much help when you find out the car needs $4500 in deferred maintenance and repair work. With 160K miles, there are a lot of components that should have already been replaced. Unless the car is coming with a full documented repair history, you really, really, really need a PPI on a Porsche with that kind of mileage.

I know its a PITA to coordinate and arrange, but get the inspection before you buy. It will be the best $300 you ever spend.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by thstone

A pre-purchase inspection after the purchase won't be of much help when you find out the car needs $4500 in deferred maintenance and repair work. With 160K miles, there are a lot of components that should have already been replaced. Unless the car is coming with a full documented repair history, you really, really, really need a PPI on a Porsche with that kind of mileage.

I know its a PITA to coordinate and arrange, but get the inspection before you buy. It will be the best $300 you ever spend.

Ditto! A PPI is a must on this one. Too many unanswered questions.

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by thstone

A pre-purchase inspection after the purchase won't be of much help when you find out the car needs $4500 in deferred maintenance and repair work. With 160K miles, there are a lot of components that should have already been replaced. Unless the car is coming with a full documented repair history, you really, really, really need a PPI on a Porsche with that kind of mileage.

I know its a PITA to coordinate and arrange, but get the inspection before you buy. It will be the best $300 you ever spend.

Originally Posted by Topless

Ditto! A PPI is a must on this one. Too many unanswered questions.

Hmmm.
I'll see what I can do.

Seems rather difficult as we live in different states, and he's being gracious enough to drive it to Vegas from California for no charge.

[ryanjboutin]

Ok, just talked to him, looks like we're getting one set up.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

Ok, just talked to him, looks like we're getting one set up.

Good to hear of it!

[ryanjboutin]

Originally Posted by thstone

Good to hear of it!

He seems like a really good dude.
Happy about that. lol

I know it's a cheap(er) car, but it's still an investment.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by thstone

Very likely that the car still has the original IMS bearing even at 160K miles. Failure rates on the 2.5L engines were fairly low.

I wouldn't trust any sticker - too easily replicated. There should be a paper receipt or it never happened.

Last, get a PPI so you know the general condition and possible repair areas.

Totally agree on the paper receipt my LN dual row was done five years ago and I saw the contents in the box and there was no sticker.

[ryanjboutin]

Got the car back from inspection yesterday.

LCAs are nearing replacement status.
Sway bar links are nearing replacement status.
Brake pads are at the end of service life.
Oil is free and clear, no metallic bits, just needs a change.

I have an oil change kit with 10 quarts of Total in my cart at Pelican Parts, along with 6 spark plugs and a new belt.

Quick question, sway bar end links, is that the same at "drop links?"
I come from truck suspensions, and I think some of the terminology is different, but same parts.

Thanks for the heads up fellas, good lookin.

[Xpit77]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

I'm about to purchase a higher mileage 1999 Boxster base.
The seller is a member here and has a 997, so he's selling the Boxster.

He says he's unsure if the previous owner replaced the IMS bearing.
He also says that the car has not given him any trouble in his 5 years of ownership.

So, the root questions are:
- If a 1999 Boxster with 160k miles on it is still pulling strong, is it reasonable to assume the IMS bearing has been upgraded?
- Or, forgive me if my level of knowledge is low here, am I reading correctly that the 1999 has the dual row bearing and a low attrition rate pertaining to IMS failure?

Thanks for the help.

I first saw the car on CL, then found it on 986forum after committing to buy.
This is the car btw: http://986forum.com/forums/boxsters-sale-wanted/58537-1999-porsche-boxster.html
*Yes, I'll be removing the door decals. lol

I put one in my 99 just after I got it. My guy saw more dual`s recently but the numbers are a bit in question with more owners with first gen`s having it replaced. But.One less worry.

[Xpit77]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

Got the car back from inspection yesterday.

LCAs are nearing replacement status.
Sway bar links are nearing replacement status.
Brake pads are at the end of service life.
Oil is free and clear, no metallic bits, just needs a change.

I have an oil change kit with 10 quarts of Total in my cart at Pelican Parts, along with 6 spark plugs and a new belt.

Quick question, sway bar end links, is that the same at "drop links?"
I come from truck suspensions, and I think some of the terminology is different, but same parts.

Thanks for the heads up fellas, good lookin.

Your in the right direction.Get the front end done first. All of the squeeky will be gone. Not that big of a hit on the wallet.Yes if you have a hotrod background like me these cats have a different name for some parts. But we get it.
Exibit A

[Racer Boy]

Originally Posted by ryanjboutin

Quick question, sway bar end links, is that the same at "drop links?"
I come from truck suspensions, and I think some of the terminology is different, but same parts.

Yes, sway bar end links are the same as drop links. They are very easy to replace, BTW.

[ryanjboutin]

Awesome, thanks guys.

Yea, the maintenance needed is nothing I haven't done before.

Just need my roommates to move out so I can have my garage back! haha
Aww, I made myself sad.