03-04 S or 05-06 base boxster?

[mikefocke]

986

'97-'99 original base only 2.5
'00-'02 updated with 2.7 base and 3.2 S
'03-'04 updated with many changes but basically same engines as '00-'02

987

'05 2.7 and 3.2 S pretty much same engines as '03-'04 but new body
'06-'08 2.7/3.2 introduced IMS design that requires case cracking and replacement of entire $$$$ IMS assembly rather than just the bearing
'09-'10 IMS-less design with 2.9 in base, 3.4 S IMS-less DFI

To quote Charles directly when I asked him what 987 to buy if you were planning an LN IMS bearing change:

"It would definitely be the MY05, as it can be replaced. Most MY05 cars should be single row, but we’ve had a handful (maybe two) that had double row bearings, much to our surprise!

The MY06-08 cars cannot have their IMS bearings serviced unless you tear down the engine completely and, as we’re starting to hear of MY06-08 failures more commonly now, I think it’s best to stick to something you can service. Unless… a car was purchased with the intention of purposefully going in and building up a larger engine, and in that case, it doesn’t matter. We have an upgrade for the MY06-08 IMS, but engine has to be split like previously mentioned."