High mileage 987s?

[hmcclung]

I'm definitly going to get a PPI, RMS, IMS, and the clutch are my main concerns. I have a pretty trusted indy that specializes in Porsche so I'm definitly not taking it to a dealer.
He quoted me $2,000 to replace the clutch in my Z3 and from what I've read that's not a whole lot cheaper than a Porsche so I'm definitly willing to pay a little more and drive a Boxster.
Aside from a water hose that busted twice and a new top and new brakes and oil changes my Z3 has been a tank the last 2 years, even with 120,000 on it and it being driven pretty hard. Would the Boxster's reliability be comparable to a BMW?

[husker boxster]

I can't compare to a BMW but I've owned 3 987Ss and all 3 have been some of the most reliable cars I've owned - I'm 57 and have owned a lot of cars. However the 2 I currently own are now entering that age and mileage zone where things might start happening. We'll see... $2K is about right for a clutch job on a Porsche.

Without turning this into an IMS thread, if you buy an 06-08 Boxster the IMS will be the newer, bigger design that is more reliable and doesn't need to be replaced. An 05 may or may not have the newer design as Porsche changed mid-yr in 05 to the new design. Some will argue if you're buying a 100K mi car the IMS will be worn out already even if it's the newer design. Some people have gotten 100K+ miles out of the old design. Something you need to consider, I'm not getting into that debate. If you read up on IMS, just remember the info is more on the older style (2001-2005) that fails at approx. a 10% rate vs the newer one that fails at approx. 1%. There are LOTS of threads on this topic but don't be frightened off by it. I follow the topic fairly close on P-9 and there hasn't been a confirmed IMS failure in years (there may have been 1 recently but the guy never came back to say for sure it was IMS). Not sure if some people jump on to stir the pot, but it's a rare occurrence in a 987.

[amagalla]

Originally Posted by hmcclung

I'm definitly going to get a PPI, RMS, IMS, and the clutch are my main concerns. I have a pretty trusted indy that specializes in Porsche so I'm definitly not taking it to a dealer.
He quoted me $2,000 to replace the clutch in my Z3 and from what I've read that's not a whole lot cheaper than a Porsche so I'm definitly willing to pay a little more and drive a Boxster.
Aside from a water hose that busted twice and a new top and new brakes and oil changes my Z3 has been a tank the last 2 years, even with 120,000 on it and it being driven pretty hard. Would the Boxster's reliability be comparable to a BMW?

One thing to keep in mind: Not all 987s can easily have their IMS changed without breaking the engine down. If memory serves, only some of the 05 models have an IMS that can be easily changed.

Tony

[hmcclung]

Originally Posted by amagalla

One thing to keep in mind: Not all 987s can easily have their IMS changed without breaking the engine down. If memory serves, only some of the 05 models have an IMS that can be easily changed.

Tony

I did read that the 2005 model used the old IMS bearing and in 2006 they used one with a much lower failure rate. I've been keeping my eye on Auto trader and it seems like most of the models in my price range are 2005 models. I wonder if the IMS issue is the reason...

[Giller]

Originally Posted by hmcclung

I'm definitly going to get a PPI, RMS, IMS, and the clutch are my main concerns. I have a pretty trusted indy that specializes in Porsche so I'm definitly not taking it to a dealer.
He quoted me $2,000 to replace the clutch in my Z3 and from what I've read that's not a whole lot cheaper than a Porsche so I'm definitly willing to pay a little more and drive a Boxster.
Aside from a water hose that busted twice and a new top and new brakes and oil changes my Z3 has been a tank the last 2 years, even with 120,000 on it and it being driven pretty hard. Would the Boxster's reliability be comparable to a BMW?

What model year are you looking at? 05 - can change IMS (but still a silly waste of money) 06 and newer - I don't think these can be changed. 09+ = no IMS at all.

[hmcclung]

Originally Posted by Giller

What model year are you looking at? 05 - can change IMS (but still a silly waste of money) 06 and newer - I don't think these can be changed. 09+ = no IMS at all.

05-07 model years. So you think the original IMS bearing is safe on the 05? I'm hoping to get at least 150k miles on the car before anything too bad happens.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by hmcclung

05-07 model years. So you think the original IMS bearing is safe on the 05? I'm hoping to get at least 150k miles on the car before anything too bad happens.

The money you spend doing an IMS on an 05 would probably find you an 06.....

Never is better when you are limited with your mechanical ability.