Ims

Tduffy2021 · 01-14-2021, 03:29 PM

Question for the group as i am new to this. Looking into purchasing an 07 911 but am reading all sorts of conflicting info on the IMS issue. Did it significantly affect the 06-08 models? Thanks in advance!

racer · 01-15-2021, 12:24 PM

The risk of IMS failure is reduced for the 05-08 cars. However, in this year range, the only IMS "kit" requires you to drop the engine and split the case. The earlier cars have a more accessible "retrofit" kit as an IMS solution.

So.. you enjoy the lower values of these cars because their risk of failure is higher than the 09+ vintage cars. Prices always change, but I think the recent "replacement" engines run about $20K.

FWIW, I think the class action lawsuit bantered about a 10% failure rate? but the 05-08 cars are maybe closer to only a 5% fail rate? so, there is a 95% chance you won't be impacted at all and you will have a fantastic car to enjoy!

As always, a PPI that includes an oil change to access and cut open the oil filter to look for metal is suggested.

Over the years, it seems the "low mileage cars using the factory 10-15K mile oil change interval" are more suspect than higher mileage examples with frequent oil, changes. Then again, high mileage examples will start to exhibit other wear issues (chain tensioner pads that seem to go at around 100K miles)

tonythetarga · 01-16-2021, 04:19 AM

Welcome to the board. Firstly, you need to do more research on your own. Check out threads by: Byprodriver and JFP in PA. They have shops and extensive rebuild information with accurate data. Also read up on LN Engineering.
The early 986 cars up to 2000 had issues with failure that got worse when Porsche went to a single row bearing in the changeover from around 2001 to 2004. The 05 997 and 987’s to the 08’s had the ‘non-serviceable’ IMS, meaning the only way to replace it is to disassemble the engine.
Having said that the 06-08 cars can be perfectly reliable cars. My 06 Cayman has over 100k. These bearings are sealed and yes they can fail. They have a very low failure rate compared to the previous early IMS cars.
How do you plan to use the car? Daily, fun, track etc? These have different oil change frequencies and affect engine in different ways. Buy a car with a service history. Get a PPI. If you’re really concerned about ims failure, the best solution for you is to drop the trans, open the IMS door and have the seal removed. This way the bearing gets an oil bath. Change the oil frequently, like every 3-4K and at least once a year.
I change mine about every 2 K as I do some track days as well. Drive the car as it was meant to and enjoy yourself. Don’t skimp on maintenance.