IMS Bearing and Seal Replacement

[fhg986]

I have a mint condition Lapis Blue base model Boxster which just turned 55,000 miles this week. It is my daily driver and my commute is twenty two miles round trip. I have made the decision to purchase a 2009-2011 997 in about eighteen months. My dilemma is whether I should bite the bullet now and go ahead with the IMS bearing and seal replacement or continue to change the oil frequently, monitor the oil for the presence of metallic particles and keep my fingers crossed. I know that it would give me a peace of mind and add value to the car when the time comes to put it up for sale. However, I question whether I'm being over cautious based on the small percentage of Boxsters that are experiencing this failure.
Any input and opinions would be greatly appreciated!
Fred Grossfeld, PCA Hurricane Region Membership Chair

2003 Boxster
1985.5 944
1999 Boxster
1988 944 Turbo
1966 912

[mcdandc]

Park it and get a $500. commuter, I would love to have your problem.

[Pdwight]

Drive and enjoy it

Many tens of thousand Boxster owners drive their cars with no idea what a IMS even is......what will be will be

[dghii]

So what do you think your car is worth today? My guess is a little less than ~$11K, With documented IMS, RMS and clutch ~($2K) your car is worth 12K.

When you aquire your 997, Your Box will will have ~66K miles (and be 1.5 years older). What do you think it will be worth? My guess is $9K and with updates, $10K.

So your net is $1K out of pocket to drive your car for the next year and a half knowing that the IMS (etc) are new.

Does that give you piece of mind? Is it work $1K to you for the next 18 months?

Up to you!

[78F350]

That price analysis by dghii seems like a pretty accurate summary. Early on I was really concerned about the IMSB. After pulling 2 dual row bearings out of 2001 engines I became less concerned. The seals were compromised, but bearings looked good, both at about 125k miles. Looking at J. Raby's page opened my eyes to many of the other modes of failure.
Personally, I'll change the bearings on my 99s when I do the clutches and plan to take a weekend and under $500 to do it. I'll leave my worrying to the rod bolts, lifters, coolant and oil blockage, and cylinder walls. :dance:

[DennisAN]

You list a 2003 Boxster and a 1999 Boxster. Which one are you talking about? One has a dual-row IMSB and the other a less-reliable single-row IMSB.

[Pdwight]

Why on earth would Porsche change from a $8 dual row bearing to a $4 single row bearing on a later higher HP engine

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

Why on earth would Porsche change from a $8 dual row bearing to a $4 single row bearing on a later higher HP engine

profit, pure profit

[Pdwight]

Someone posted the IMS bearing and a cross to a GM alternator bearing...the same thing and then went on Amazon and it was listed for less that $10.00

I hope some heads rolled at Porsche for this travesty

[fhg986]

Originally Posted by DennisAN

You list a 2003 Boxster and a 1999 Boxster. Which one are you talking about? One has a dual-row IMSB and the other a less-reliable single-row IMSB.

Hi DennisAN. The current Boxster I'm driving is the 2003. I just listed the other Porsches I've owned just to let people know I've had this disease since 1977 and can't be cured!