You'all scare me...................

[mikefocke]

And I'd surmise no one knows for sure exactly what it is, not even Porsche (as many of the cars Jake sees wouldn't be in their statistics).

My impression is you have a 1-3% chance of failure per year driven. Maybe more if poorly maintained or seldom driven. On the lower side is you do things right.

IIRC: The highest mileage Porsche Boxster I know of (Marc) is over 238k miles on the original engine. Pedro's engine blew at 207k on the track (after lots of track/AX time) but not from an IMS failure. Both are older cars with lots of miles. Both have original IMSs. Both were maintained much better than the book by Porsche knowledgeable folk. One was generally dealer maintained, one was owner maintained.

[JFP in PA]

Correction Mike, Pedro's engine had the LN retrofit in it when it blew, I believe from a rod failure not related to the IMS...................

[SeaNile31]

All this IMS talk has be once again debating an 05 S and doing the IMS upgrade or spending more for an 09 S.

[mikefocke]

You may be right on Pedro's engine...and the LN bearing was put in at what mileage? Probably 160k+ as it hasn't been out that long and my last said the longest mileage on the LN part was at about 30k.

I was responding to multiple points from prior posters..that there was a 50% failure rate and that there were few cars with many many miles on an IMS. Neither of which assertions my readings cause me to agree with. And trying to use Pedro's car as an example because it had so many miles on the original engine and failed not from an IMS problem and not on normal roads in normal driving style..though perhaps it was for him.

And if someone is worried about that risk, what about the other 4-6 potential causes of failure that we hear of? I figure I've over- improved too many of my cars.

What are the odds of 3 tail lights burning out on the wife's Acura at the same time? I replaced all 4 but then the cost was $2.50 for the extra bulb and my labor is cheap.

[JFP in PA]

I have to agree with some of your points Mike; I don't think the IMS failure rate is anywhere near 50%; or even 25% for that matter. Problem is that we are never going to know the real failure rate; that said, I know for a fact it does happen, and at some rate that is high enough to be discomforting to anyone with an M96/7, including the post 2006 units with the "last attempt" large diameter IMS bearing. The biggest issues are that it often gives little, if any warning; and the results are catastrophic, both mechanically and financially. And, yes, there are sevaral examples of very high mile cars with the OEM IMS in them.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with it. So rather than sit around and endlessly debate it, perhaps it is time for those concerned to become pro-active.

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I have to agree with some of your points Mike; I don't think the IMS failure rate is anywhere near 50%; or even 25% for that matter. Problem is that we are never going to know the real failure rate; that said, I know for a fact it does happen, and at some rate that is high enough to be discomforting to anyone with an M96/7, including the post 2006 units with the "last attempt" large diameter IMS bearing. The biggest issues are that it often gives little, if any warning; and the results are catastrophic, both mechanically and financially. And, yes, there are sevaral examples of very high mile cars with the OEM IMS in them.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with it. So rather than sit around and endlessly debate it, perhaps it is time for those concerned to become pro-active.

Game, Set, Match.

[Jake Raby]

Percentages are worthless to discuss, everyone wants a "number" to either scare them to death or make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside.. Fact is, no one knows exactly how many engines were built, and without that data no percentage can be figured.

Pedro's engine had only been IMS Retrofitted for a couple of months before it snapped a rod in half. Last time I talked to him he was looking for another used engine and I recommended that he just remove the IMS bearing from the scattered engine and use it again in the replacement. I have no idea if he did this or not.

How good is your luck? Thats just about what it equates to and thats no joke.

Taking your chances with this engine is like Russian Roulette, instead of a revolver holding 6 rounds, the engine has 6 cylinders. Sometimes you hear a bang, sometimes you don't.

[JTP]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

my last said the longest mileage on the LN part was at about 30k.

Only 30k on the longest run IMSR? That's it? I wish I could be a test bed for it, I drove my Box 18,000 miles in the last 7 months and by 12 months I'd be close to 30k. I'm paranoid about the IMS, water pump, AOS, etc but I'm trying to keep on the maintenence and drive it alot.

[JFP in PA]

I don't think people realize how low the mileage is on a lot of these cars are due to limited or seasonal use; we had an 01S up on the lift today getting it ready to go into hibernation for the winter, original owner, 9,734 miles.................

When it comes to the LN retrofit, look at the numbers differently: Over 1,000 units on the road, zero failures...................

[JTP]

I just can't believe how little people drive these cars. People probably think I'm abusing my car because I drive it so much, even through the snow.