How Worried Are You About IMS? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

thstone · 07-20-2011, 01:48 PM

How worried are you about an IMS failure?

Iflylow · 07-20-2011, 05:22 PM

Just sayin'.

thstone · 07-22-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iflylow

Needs another option- Not worried, I upgraded. Just sayin'.

Yeah, I kind of assumed that anyone who had upgraded wasn't too worried about it anymore...

DenverSteve · 07-23-2011, 11:06 AM

What are the failure numbers? 1%, 2%...? If it's too high it should be a recall issue.

Norminhouston · 07-23-2011, 12:28 PM

DenverSteve, the only people who know the answer is Porsche and they ain't talking.

boxster6354 · 07-23-2011, 01:07 PM

I always liked the saying: "Don't worry be happy"

I mean come on guys, what other car that you have had where you worry so much about what might happen in the future??

Drive it, be happy and don't worry. If it craps out on you then you either fix it or buy another at that time. Till then drive it and enjoy it.

Bobiam · 11-27-2011, 07:32 AM

It's kinda the "heart attack" of Boxsters.
Ya go to the doc every year and get blood tests, take fish oil (or Mobile 1), try to exercize the proper amount, attempt to eat right reading labels and reading related info, take lipitor, etc, etc, but you know down deep that it's somewhat a crap-shoot. So, you worry more than necessary, and maybe you'll be lucky and not become a statistic.
Best I can say after writing that is that you can always buy another engine or car, and you will still be on the top side of the grass!!!!!

MileHighBoxster · 11-27-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobiam

It's kinda the "heart attack" of Boxsters.
Ya go to the doc every year and get blood tests, take fish oil (or Mobile 1), try to exercize the proper amount, attempt to eat right reading labels and reading related info, take lipitor, etc, etc, but you know down deep that it's somewhat a crap-shoot. So, you worry more than necessary, and maybe you'll be lucky and not become a statistic.
Best I can say after writing that is that you can always buy another engine or car, and you will still be on the top side of the grass!!!!!

Egg-zactly. I was actually thinking the exact thing (though I wouldn't have written it as well) as I was opening this post. Hakuna-Matata.

MileHighBoxster · 11-27-2011, 11:28 AM

ARrrrgh. Dreaded double-post.

schnellman · 11-27-2011, 03:32 PM

I live at an intersection out in the country. Just a couple of hours ago a 17 year old ran the red light and got T-boned. His 15 year-old girlfriend left the scene in a body bag. I drive my Boxster like the Doktor intended and don't have time to worry about whether or not some bearing is going to go to hell. I can always get another car.

Overdrive · 11-28-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnellman

I live at an intersection out in the country. Just a couple of hours ago a 17 year old ran the red light and got T-boned. His 15 year-old girlfriend left the scene in a body bag. I drive my Boxster like the Doktor intended and don't have time to worry about whether or not some bearing is going to go to hell. I can always get another car.

Perspective, indeed. No point in living in fear, go enjoy what you spent your hard-earned money on.

At the same time schnellman's message also reminds us to be smart about how we enjoy our cars in a non-controlled (aka non-track, as in the street) environment. Some of us may not be as reckless as a 17-year-old (and I'm not saying this one was, who knows what happened for sure), but we all carry the same amount of risk whenever we venture out onto the road, so we need to enjoy our cars responsibly.

jsceash · 11-29-2011, 05:52 PM

I replaced with L&N engineerings kit

Stroked & Blown · 11-30-2011, 05:36 AM

I heard the "change in a coffee can" noise this summer, so I thought I had an IMS failure - had it replaced & the IMS was fine, but now I can sleep at night.

Still have no idea what the noise was, but haven't heard it since.

Gregtenerife · 07-21-2012, 11:21 AM

I have a 1998 Boxster that has covered only 26000 miles, at what mileage should I start getting concerned about the IMS?

Bobiam · 07-21-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregtenerife

I have a 1998 Boxster that has covered only 26000 miles, at what mileage should I start getting concerned about the IMS?

You're really ripe right now and for the past 5 yrs or so.

Gregtenerife · 07-21-2012, 12:16 PM

yikes! It's not a mileage related fault then?

2003S · 07-21-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregtenerife

yikes! It's not a mileage related fault then?

The community think (although I don't believe there is any scientific proof) is that it is the opposite; low mileage garage queens tend to fail more than "drive it like you stole it" cars.

Again, I don't know if there's any definitive proof of this, and I'm currently considering an LNE retrofit along with my impending clutch job. Just need to teach the Mrs. how to drive a manual, and do the clutch in properly first :-).

Gregtenerife · 07-21-2012, 02:52 PM

mine has been a garage queen in California until it was recently shipped to the UK, I am now taking it to where I live in Spain where it will have a regular thrashing. I will get the ims done on the first clutch change. thanks for the replies folks.

southernstar · 08-13-2012, 05:55 AM

I have a 2000 Base with 56,000 miles (91,00 km) and the original clutch. The car was meticulously maintained, with oil changes every 3 - 4k miles and stored winters. This winter I am replacing the clutch (although there are no signs of problems), installing a ceramic bearing and replacing the oil separator and serpentine belt and likely the water pump (as another preventative measure). I am also intending to drive the car in the winter when the roads are dry.

Overkill? Perhaps. I don't lose sleep over the IMS bearing; however, I do find myself listening for the dreaded death rattle and any other unusual noises each time I drive the car. For me it will be worth the peace of mind. In addition, we must also bear in mind that most prospective purchasers of used Boxsters will at least do a quick check on the net for reliability/issues and what are they apt to find? You've got it, nightmare stories about the IMS bearing. I have little doubt that the resale value will increase (as well as ease of sale) for any car that has been upgraded. Indeed, I would be suprised if it is not equal to the cost of the bearing and the additional labour invovled over and above that of a clutch replacement (which should also assist in resale).

Brad

Bobiam · 08-17-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernstar

I have a 2000 Base with 56,000 miles (91,00 km) and the original clutch. The car was meticulously maintained, with oil changes every 3 - 4k miles and stored winters. This winter I am replacing the clutch (although there are no signs of problems), installing a ceramic bearing and replacing the oil separator and serpentine belt and likely the water pump (as another preventative measure). I am also intending to drive the car in the winter when the roads are dry.

Overkill? Perhaps. I don't lose sleep over the IMS bearing; however, I do find myself listening for the dreaded death rattle and any other unusual noises each time I drive the car. For me it will be worth the peace of mind. In addition, we must also bear in mind that most prospective purchasers of used Boxsters will at least do a quick check on the net for reliability/issues and what are they apt to find? You've got it, nightmare stories about the IMS bearing. I have little doubt that the resale value will increase (as well as ease of sale) for any car that has been upgraded. Indeed, I would be suprised if it is not equal to the cost of the bearing and the additional labour invovled over and above that of a clutch replacement (which should also assist in resale).

Brad

That's a very good point. Providing that I was an educated buyer at the time, I'd be willing to pay an extra $2K for a new clutch and bearing. That really reduces the overall cost of the upgrade.