I think the standard "rule" when buying a pcar, is to get the newest one you can afford. Personally, I think the 987 interior is reason enough to go in that direction. It doesn't seem that the IMS is as much an issue with the 987.

A big advantage with the 986 is that it's further down the depreciation curve, though if the IMS really concerns you and it's not been fixed, you will lose some of that advantage when making the repair.

Drive both, see which one you like better, then aquire the best of that series that you can afford.

Always good advice. So far I have driven a 986 S and a 987 base. I liked the older S car better. I am driving a 987 S on Saturday.

When you factor in the cost of the IMS upgrade a 987 base is the same price as a 986 S. At least where I am.

Yes, but it is nice with the 986(except replacement engines) you can remove the trans and replace the bearing when "you" feel like it, and not have to "remove and pretty much rebuild" your engine before its time...:)

The last two posts are forgetting that the first year of the 987 basically reused the engine from the 986 (as is typical of Porsche...see how few engine mods are to the new Boxster when it comes out this year) so there is a year (2005) where the 987 advantages and the 986 IMS replacement equivalent are both available if the car has the original engine. Porsche generally has changed the body/interior and then saved engine or trans changes for a mid-life kicker to sales. See the intro of the 3.2 and 2.7 engines mid-life to the 986 Boxster. See the PDK trans and 2.9, 3.4, DFI and IMS-less engines within the 987 models.

For what it's worth, My 2005 987S has the newer IMS bearing that you have to split the engine to replace.

Blackbear:
Just out of curiosity, what's your build date? (MM/YY on a sticker under the driver side door)

And Blackbear, is your engine original? Replacement engines have a unique serial number IIRC.

From what I can tell and from others have said here and elsewhere: the early MY 05 987s are likely to have the older design, but it's no guarantee. The later MY 05 987s are likely to have the newer design, but it's not certain.

The only certainty is in the 04 and 06 cars, where the latter definitely have the new bearing design and the former definitely have the old design.

So if you want a 987 with the old design, your best bet is to get an early build date MY 05 car and hope, or drop the engine to look (but the latter is obviously cumbersome and/or expensive).

Hi,
I have an 05 with 62K and a slight leak at the RMS. It seems that statistically, the odds are low that the bearing is failing. It seems I wouldn't know for sure if it were even serviceable until I had the thing pulled apart, and if I did, I'd be looking at about a $2500 job. This is about 25% the cost of the worst case scenario -replace engine with a used one with about 50k miles on it for about $10K.

AND, the IMS isn't the only way an engine can die!

So... it appears to me that the best bet is to not worry about it too much, and just be prepared to replace the engine if you get unlucky.

Does this reasoning appear sound?

I bought my 2001 Boxster with 32k miles on it . I also have a slight leak at the RMS area/rear engine/bell housing area according the PPI I had done. I have had installed the IMS Guardian last fall. So in theory I get some warning of an impending failure of the IMS. I hardly think about it anymore. Change the oil regularly and keep the revs up. I will save the $2-3ooo for when the clutch is one the way out and do the rms/ims at the same time.

Even with the Guardian installed, you could have a failure perhaps as soon as the next 200 miles.

The alarm could go off the next time you drive the car or not for 100k miles plus or never. All parts that rub against other parts wear and some fail sooner than others.

All the Guardian does is warn you of the presence of the symptoms of a failure and give you time to contact your bank for a loan.

I passed on info about my 2001 Boxster and the design of the engine may not be the same as the 987. However the IMS Guardian gives me confidence. :)

Yes I appreciate your comment Mike but I trust that the IMS Guardian will give sufficient warning such that I can shut the motor off asap before major damage is done. That is the purpose of this Guardian so I dont have to shell out $10k for a new engine. Only time will tell but there is no point in worrying about something that likely wont happen.:)

Does the guardian fit the 05? And does it actually work?

Is the IMS something that wears gradually over time, or is it something where you get minimal wear until some tipping point is reached, then boom?

I'll drive mine 60 miles every day, and examine the oil filter every 3-4K miles (every third month) at oil change. I figured to have a look at the IMS when I do the clutch, but mine shows no apparent need for attention any time soon. A light drip from the RMS on a 7 year old car hardly seems out of the ordinary.

I'd hate to do $2500 worth of preventative IMS maint, and then have the head crack. Maybe it's just best to approach these engines as disposable consumables? There are lots of second hand engines out there...

You will have to do the research on the internet to see if the IMS guardian would fit your 05. I am sure lots of testing has been done before it was released. There is lots of info out there on the IMS as well.

I'll sell ya mine! Ims and clutch recently replaced...it's a 2002 with sport seats! Pm me if interested

My own reasoning agrees with either/both Stu, and Mike. That is, I think one good strategy to take is just NOT to worry about it. The likelihood of failure is small. On the other hand, if one IS going to worry about it, I would MUCH rather replace the bearing then just spend money on a warning system - especially since there's no guarantee that the warning will be soon enough.

As for my search: I drove a 987 S and a Cayman S. Both GREAT cars. But then I drove an 87 3.2 G50 911...and I have to say that I think if I get a Boxster I'll get a 986 S. I just like the older cars better.

Ya know guys, I really don't have a position on if/when you should do an IMS replacement or even the Guardian.

Everyone of us is different and every one of us has a different financial situation and risk tolerance.

So what was right for me may not be right for you.

All I try to do is point out the pros and cons as I see em.