IMS Failure is not a Myth.

[Bengalfan]

I have a 2000 base, w/ 5-sp, and was looking to convert to a tip, so when I saw an '03 "S" tip at a local NWO auto dealer, I stopped to check it out. Had ~65k on it. Started it up and it sounded like lifters clapping, turned it off almost immediately.
What does the IMS sound like when it start to goes out?
This dealer (not Porsche) came back to me couple days later and told me he "drove it for 15-20 minutes and the sound went away".
I asked him was he nuts to drive it with that noise even 5 minutes would be crazy - and no, I'm not interested even dropping the $$ 3k.