Need help with VIN
 

I am looking at a 2005 Boxster S for sale. It is my understanding that the early build 2005's had the single row small IMS bearing. Later build dates had the larger less vulnerable bearing. Can anyone tell me if VIN: WP0CB29805U732088 is a earlier build or later in the run. Is there a place I can put in a vin # in and get a build sheet? Thanks for any help.

If the car has more than 50,000 miles, you are more-than-likely past the point where you would have to worry about an IMS failure. Near as I can tell in my research, nearly all IMS disasters happened at less than 50,000 miles.

2000 was the transition year, not 2005.

The car only has 24,000 miles, thus my concern. My research says that 2005 was the year that the IMS bearing was updated from a single row smaller bearing to a non-serviceable larger bearing that was less prone to fail. That is my quandary.

I have done a vin check on a source from this forum but only gives me an IN SERVICE date of 3/26/05. No build date. Does anyone know if the build date is on the window sticker?

Thanks for the responses.

False. 2005 is a transition year from a serviceable bearing to non-serviceable.

The build date is in the driver's door jamb. But it's only MM/YY.

Supposedly, rumor has it, don't quote me on this, I won't swear on a stack of Bibles, (I think that covers the disclaimer), Porsche had a supply of smaller bearing engines already built for the 2005 model yrs. Porsche ran their supply dry of smaller IMS engines somewhere in March 2005 and at that point started using the larger bearing IMS engines after that time. There are no records of when the change-over occurred so that's why it's speculation. I would hazard a guess if the In-Service date is late March, you would have the smaller bearing since the car had to be built, shipped, and in the dealer's inventory before the Mar 2005 cut-over.

Husker, I had the same thoughts that this car was more than likely a early 2005 model. The person selling the car has no idea about the IMS issues and is asking a premium price for it. I will probably pass because you can never educate these owners on replacing the bearing and the costs associated with it. He will end up selling it to another unknowing person, who will probably drive it for 100,000 service free miles. ��
Why is it that we knowledgable folks can't bring ourselves to pay a premium price for a beautiful car that has the potential to explode?

Thanks for the help

Build sheet:
https://admin.porschedealer.com/reports/build_sheets/print.php?vin=WP0CB29805U732088

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1472561005.jpg

Although I'm not sure if this helps with your IMS bearing question.

2000 was the transition year for the replaceable double row bearing to the replaceable single row bearing that had more failures. 2005 was the transition year from the smaller single row replaceable bearing to the larger non-replaceable (without splitting the engine case) single row bearing.

My guess is since this was built toward the end of the 2005 production run, it has the larger bearing, but I believe the only way to know for sure is to drop the transmission and look.

Thanks Steve, this helps a lot. Unfortunately it is still a crap shoot.

With a build date of 06/05, it would certainly have the larger bearing. Looks like it wasn't sold until 10/05. Maybe the site that said it was in service in 03/05 was incorrect. With the larger bearing you would have a smaller chance of failure, but the extreme low mileage could still be an IMS red flag.

If the owner won't budge, maybe wait and see if he gets it sold. Convertible season is winding down so there will be less interest. He may be more motivated to sell next mo.

From experience, there is no proven way to determine which type of IMS bearing is in a 2005 car (with its original engine) without taking the car apart and looking at it. We have seen early cars with the oversized bearing, and late cars with the serviceable bearing. 2005 cars are a total crapshoot as to which style they came with.

2000-2001 was the transitional period when they went from dual rows to single rows, but both are serviceable.

You know, if you don't know the answer then perhaps you should refrain from posting rather than spreading misinformation. Between this and your post about winter storage, you don't really seem to know what you're talking about.

Sorry dude, calling it as I see it.

And then there are many owners fully aware of the IMS issue - but chose to ignore it as it impacts only a small percentage.

Sometimes it's nothing to do with education, but owners who don't see the value in spending thousands when odds are greater then 90% that your IMS will be fine.

When you are paying $10,000 for a 5 year old Camry that is a good risk. If you are paying $25,000 for an 11 year old car with known (small percent agreed) issues, you are playing in a different league. My only issue in starting this thread was to see if the bearing in the car I was looking at is replaceable or not. I have to justify if paying a premium price and another $2,500 to replace this garage queen's bearing so I can drive with peace of mind. I have owned 2 early year water cooled Porshes and replaced both with L&N bearings for peace of mind. Others can ignore the issue if the want.

Based on the spec sheet Steve ran, it looks like it has great options and colors.

Assuming no mechanical issues, I've never minded paying a bit extra to get something I want. The enjoyment far outlasts the extra money spent.

And if you are that worried, why not spend that money on a newer model year where the IMS doesn't come into play? The price diff between model years is not all that much.

You can get a 2009 Boxster with 60,000km's for $40K Canadian through a Porsche dealership with CPO warranty. That's about $30,000 USD.....only $5000 more than what you are paying at $25....with no IMS worries.

I have been looking at newer models also and I agree that is an option.

Thanks for the input.