Quote:
Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal
Pete, I could have written that almost verbatim five or six months ago, before my thinking evolved. In an effort to avoid forking over what I considered (and still consider) the Solution's exorbitant cost, I reproduced LN's contradictory statements as a fait accompli. (Example: The sump provides all the oil a bearing needs.) Oiling method aside, the Solution's bearing design won me over, although I came close to choosing their ceramic-hybrid bearing. A shame LN's products are unavailable in Europe. Best of luck for your IMS bearing's longevity.
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Yep. If there was a importer and a workshop familiar and certifies with the LN product line, i probably would went for the solution myself. There is no doubt it is the best design overall, removing moving parts.
However the IMS issue is considered greatly exaggerated here in europe. Porsche entusiasts know about it, but 95% cars on the marked has not had it changed. Allthou personally i think the 8-10% failure rate proven i the lawsuit is too high for comfort and is the reason i wanted to change that 25 year old, 73000 mile bearing thats in the car now.
I think the eps bearing will be fine. Chances of failure are not 0% but its def a upgrade. Considering its a 25 year old car and all other failure prone components of the m96 engine, i'm ok with the odds. I got the car somewhat cheap, because it was fall, and seller had given up selling it that year. Paint was miserable as well. The part of the reason i did not go for a 996 is the fact that i now have funds for a replacement engine or huge costs should the issue arise. That, and the fact that my insurance company gives drivetrain insurance up to 200 000km (no age limit) with only 1000USD paid by me if engine grenades, leaves me pretty relaxed about this.
I even managed to track down Norways answer to mr.Raby! A guy dedicated to rebuilding these engines. He said he works exclusivly on the engines, no other work on the cars. Rebuilds and work on around 10 engines a year and has been doing that for 17 years. He said if I ever had problems, too contact him. He converts to 3.4/3.6 as well. All the workshops and insurance companies knows him, even thou he stays off forums and doesn't even have a web page. He said he wants the work he does to speak for itself. Very interesting talk with him on the phone.
Now the snow melts, the birds have arrived for spring, and I can't wait to have the car ready for summer!