How much is 2003 S with bad IMS engine worth??
 

I am looking for a project for my son and I to work on. We like to tinker and fix vehicles that need something fixed to get them back on the road. I have a 2002 911 and a 2002 Boxster S that I work on. Very familiar with both vehicles and how to work on them.

I came across a good looking 2003 Boxster S, 100k miles, that experienced an engine failure due to IMS. Rest of the vehicle components are in real good condition. What would you pay for a car like this?

$2,500-$3,500 would be about right.

I'd say right around $3,000. Unless the car is in immaculate condition minus the IMS, it's not going to be completely worth it.

Thanks! I figured right around $2,800, with an engine of comparable engines going for about $4,000. Am I right that any 3.2 engine from an '03 or '04 Boxster will work?

Any engine from a 03 or 04 will work as a plug in play. Others will requiring mods that are usually not worth the effort.

Curious to see if you can actually pick up a engine for $4k. If so and you can do the work yourself this would be a really cheap way to get yourself into a nice car.

Correct....

Try to keep in mind the incidentals that might be warranted in a high mileage car getting a used engine - clutch, pressure plate, release bearing, flywheel, water pump, antifreeze, serpentine belt, spark plugs, motor mount, AOS, IMS RMS, E-I-E-I-O. And maybe some things not related to the engine that need some attention at 100K. I've let myself get sucked into other projects with similar outcomes!

Yup. The incidentals are a given. For example, when I took my transmission out I found that I needed to spend $400 on new mounts. Your car probably needs them too, given the mileage is close to mine. Both mounts spewed their hydraulic fluid all over my clean garage floor.

You should use the car for an Audi V8 swap. You already have an S, why not do something different? Audi V8s are like $500.

I have seen some '03/04 3.2 engines on EBay in the $4k range. I have no doubt I can do the labor part, I can replace clutches on my Wrangler and remove/replace rhe engine in my '79 F250. I have a lift in my garage and air tools. Just like playing around I guess...

If you just want to replace the engine and sell the car without any warranty as a project, do it.

If you want to keep the car, just keep another 4k in mind. Just for parts you need to replace the engine and give it a big service - also think about seals, sensors, sparks, wiring, coolant, radiators water pump, thermostat, generator, clutch, flywheel, ims, suspension, tires, brakes…

Regards, Markus

I hear you
 

I like projects too. I've just found out over the years that no matter how many things you anticipate and plan for, there are always more things that come up in the process of competing the project! Wishing you good luck on the project!

You need to worry about all of the problems that can't be tested because the engine doesn't run. For example; cooling system, power steering system, exhaust, air conditioning, emissions system, almost all of the electrical system, etc, etc.

Step One in buying a roller is to bring a spare charged battery and install it so you can test as many of the electrical systems in the car as humanly possible - wipers, fans, displays, dash, lights, windows, top, seats, alarm, fob lock/unlock, stereo, etc, etc.

Step Two is doing a full PPI inspection on the body, suspension, and the rest of the car.

I say this because when I bought my 1997 Boxster, the seller swore that the only problem with the car was a failed engine. He promised everything else worked perfectly. It still cost me more than $1,000 beyond replacing the engine to repair all of the problems that the seller promised didn't exist.

well damn, I had heard the no IMS has failed over 90,000mi.

EDIT: just realized he said kms.

Thanks for all the input. I made an offer to buy the car at $2,800. However, before I could get down there a day later, he had sold it for $3,200. Lots of good points made about other costs, other than the engine that needs to be replaced. Some of hem obvious like clutched and other related maintenance items, and others that are more hidden or can only be tested under operating conditions.

I had heard that if a car makes it to "high mileage" status, the chances of the IMS failing were a lot lower, than a car with less than about 60k. If it was going to fail, it would have more than likely failed by then. Naturally, this is not gospel, but more of a "rule of thumb".