Every newbies first step
 

A warm aloha to all:

I've as many others am aware of this Boxster community and have silently benefited from it. Getting very close to my first Porsche. I have my eye on an 2005 S with 57000 miles on it. One concern is the IMS issue. My question is how many 987.1
cars really get protection for this as it is very expensive verses the 986 models. I'm under the impression that year model 2009 forward is the safest bet, but don't see much about owners replacing the bearing on 2005-2008 cars. Any comments would be very welcome. One more concern is that here in the islands there aren't many mechanics familiar with these cars, so to a certain degree I'd be on my own.

Welcome to the forum!

Before we get to IMS talk, a few basic questions.

What oil are you considering using?
Considering de-amber?
What tires will you be using?
What is your opinion on cow tipping and / or Smart Car tipping?

Welcome, and on a more serious note, the cars most prone to an IMSB failure are the single row bearings from about 2000 to 2005. All the other motors have a failure rate of less than 1%. So if you are sure you have a 987 with the updated big single row IMSB, you should be ok. Just make sure you haveb the updated IMSB.

It sounds exspensive to own a newer porsche over there. Personal suggestion. Get a cheap late 90s car and have fun with it. If you want a 987 they are great looking cars and as the others mentioned, you can not failproof a 987.1 engine, but it is less likely than the 2000 to 2005 engines to fail. So if you wouldnt be interested in an aftermarket bearing either way there is no real diffrence, just a smaller failure rate on the 987.

Hahaa i almost spit out my coffee timco!

Oil now there is a good topic for the morning!


http://img0.joyreactor.com/pics/post...fe-356867.jpeg

As mentioned above, focus on the other areas of known maintenance, AOS, water pump, etc. Assuming you are on the original clutch, when it is clutch time ask them to check the IMS type. If its the "old" replaceable type do it. If it's the larger newer one, leave it and don't worry. I've seen many debates on the topic, but have not seen any confirmed information of significant volumes of failures for the new style. Welcome and enjoy!

I would agree with this advice and add changing your oil and filter at 5000 miles. Cut the filter open and send the used oil off to Blackstone Labs for an analysis. Install a magnetic drain plug to pick up any debris. You can also get the IMS Guardian for more piece of mind. Then drive it like you stole it! The islands would be an incredible place for a Boxster! Welcome to the forum:cheers:

Many thanks to all you guys. I am taking notes and all your advise will be well used. Having all your collective thoughts is much appreciated.

If there is an ad for the car you are after, drop a link here so we can take a look.

You will definitely want to get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). They usually run around $300 and it is money well spent. There is a Porsche dealer on Honolulu, otherwise you should find a shop that specializes in these kinds of cars. There are lots of fine details that a first time buyer wouldn't know to look for. They know what one of these cars should handle like, so a test drive will tell them a lot more than someone who has never driven one before, or has very little "wheel time" in one. They are sometimes a little more adept at finding signs of previous accidents that may or may not show up on a carfax.

Hi Honolulu driver. I own a 987.1 (05). Mine had the replaceable bearing. Fantastic car. PPI and if it pass, I would definately consider it. 987s are great cars. Plenty of info on this forum to help you take care of your car also.

Oh man, I could not stop laughing!

I'm sorry, but your post Is just rude. The op has asked a very legitimate question and you make fun of him and mock him? The difference between a post 2001 986 and a 987 IMSB is night and day. If you don't understand the difference, you really have no technical knowledge and you should refrain from posting about something you are ignorant of.

Excuse me??? Lighten up, Francis.....I didn't mock anyone. (edit. Actually, I mocked my own thread and the countless times those questions have been asked and discussed. See the difference?)

The day this site becomes too uptight to say something in jest, it's time to start calling the internet cops out. Yes, Mr Rensho, I do know the difference but never having shopped them yet or had mine swapped, obviously it's a better reply for someone with experience to type up. I see you didn't throw out your expertise....you just needed to call me out.
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszqk5180c.jpg

Can someone make that into a spoiler sticker? :troll:

All right, I guess I have to get a sense of humor. Maybe there is an app for that.

Only for Smart cars.

OP - the 2005 is a changeover year IIUC. Some have a weak but field-replaceable single row IMSB, others have a more robust but not field-replaceable single row IMSB. That's why you see little discussion about upgrades for the post 2005 cars.

I have a similar problem with my 2000. You don't know for sure until you drop the tranny whether you have a single row or double row IMSB.