ALL info/help GREATLY appreciated! - Student

[Ciao]

I would not discount the earlier model Boxsters 99-2003ish. As you stated there is no compelling proof of IMS bearing failures. Find a well maintained Boxster regardless of year and it will last as long as you want it. Regardless of year, basic maintenance or lack of will determine whether or not you have mechanical issues.

Good Luck!

[Neal]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Welcome to the 986 community, Neal. If you want to read up on some common repairs or fixes for the 986/987 we have some great articles below:

Porsche Boxster 986/987 (1997-2004) Technical Articles | Pelican Parts

Otherwise, you've come to the right place and I'm sure some of our community members will chime in with some great advice for you. If you ever have any forum or parts questions please do not hesitate to let me know as I am here to help. Enjoy your time here.

Thanks! Just wondering if im looking for a long no maintenance porsche except from the "usual" should i be looking for 2009+ or 2010+?

Originally Posted by Ciao

I would not discount the earlier model Boxsters 99-2003ish. As you stated there is no compelling proof of IMS bearing failures. Find a well maintained Boxster regardless of year and it will last as long as you want it. Regardless of year, basic maintenance or lack of will determine whether or not you have mechanical issues.

Good Luck!

So the 2004-2008 are worse for the IMS?
Also, do all the 2009+ boxter's have a different engine so no IMS issue or only some 2009 like late 2009+?

Originally Posted by JayG

MIF Bearing???

Want low cost maintenance? Get a Miata

IMS sorry, edited it.
Not interested in the Miata and because i wanted low maintenance costs I was thinking about initially spending more to get the model's that dont have the IMS issue but sadly I don't know exactly which years that would be.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Neal

Thanks! Just wondering if im looking for a long no maintenance porsche except from the "usual" should i be looking for 2009+ or 2010+?

Anytime. If you want to read an in-depth article about the IMS bearing issue and what options are out there take a peek here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade (IMS) - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-06).

Before you purchase I do recommend getting a PPI done so that you know what may or may not be a problem area with it. As far as a long no maintenance, it just depends. Find something that was well maintained and continue to maintain it well. The 2009+ will be IMS free, so if that is a concern then I'd go for that year.

Here are some threads that might be useful to you:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/65219-2006-2008-opinions-please.html
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/64688-cost-ownership.html
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/64057-986-987-upgrade-need-advice.html

[bwdz]

One recommendation you will always hear is get the newest and best P car you can afford. If you can get a 2009 or newer you will be getting a great car. Our first gen are great cars but due to age require much more maintenance so are best for those of us who perform our own repairs or else they end up costing as much as a newer one.

[paulofto]

If you get a pre 2005 986 bake in the price of an IMS replacement if it hasn't already been addressed since many, many have been done. If you get a 2005 to 2008 987 prepare to pay more but remember the IMS can still be an issue and the replacement is a whole other can of worms. If you get a 2009 or later 987 prepare to pay even more but you will have no IMS issues.

But keep this in mind: Any car, Porsche perhaps more than others, requires vigilant preventative maintenance. The older it is the more may need to be done. An IMS failure is not the only thing that needs consideration when assessing a used Porsche. Don't let the IMS issue blind you from the dozens of other concerns you should take into account. So from that perspective a PPI from an honest reputable mechanic who understands M96 and M97 engines is important. $300 to $400 spent upfront may well be worth it.

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by Ciao

I would not discount the earlier model Boxsters 99-2003ish. As you stated there is no compelling proof of IMS bearing failures. Find a well maintained Boxster regardless of year and it will last as long as you want it. Regardless of year, basic maintenance or lack of will determine whether or not you have mechanical issues.

Good Luck!

I would disagree with this assesment. Having just gone through an IMS failure at 100k miles in an '03 Boxster S, the risk is real if you don't upgrade the bearing. Reports are that similar vintages experience ~8% failure rate. And don't buy into the "if it was OK at 30k it'll be fine until 230k" adage, it's just not true.

Conventional wisdom seems to be to ignore the factory recomendations on oil changes and do them every 5-6k. And if you don't want to file bankruptcy from going to the dealer for oil changes, buy your own filters, crush washers and oil. I even take mine to a nearby Jiffy Lube (gasps of horror from other forrum users). I watch them do it, and take the oil filter home in a tupperware container for later analysis.

Re: Oil filter analysis. I do this but I'm increasingly dubious of the value. After all, once you find metal shavings in the oil the engine is likely full of metal debris and is headed for an expensive rebuild (unless you take this as a signal to trade or sell the car). My filter was cut open by my indie shop (I had them change the oil as it was in for other work) and pronounced clear at 93k. Failure at 100k.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Ciao

As you stated there is no compelling proof of IMS bearing failures.

Say what? No compelling proof of IMS bearing failures? Gee, I guess I must have been dreaming..........