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jjflash jjflash is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikefocke View Post
No, the current 987 engines ('09-'10) are not IMS engines.

As for the prior ('97-'08) M96 engines...

The RMS problem is a oil leak, not the biggest deal in the world. Not liable to take an engine if it happens. And well cured with Porsche's latest parts. Most that leak have been fixed within warranty. Mine was updated long before I owned it...maybe 7 years ago.

The IMS can be replaced by a longer lasting bearing and lubrication assembly from LN engineering. There are now hundreds running around and I have yet to hear of a single failure.

So I wouldn't say all Boxsters or Caymans are susceptible to these failures...many aren't and those that are can be upgraded to not be. And those that could experience them...a small percentage. Compared to the percentages for other performance engines known to be problem plagued, not a big percentage.
Hi Mike,

I think I understand the IMS and RMS situations now and the available "fixes" for them. FWIW, the engine in the car for sale suffered from re-occurring RMS failures and the dealer finally just installed a "new" "factory" engine. Seller says it was not a rebuilt/remanufactured unit, but this may be a matter of semantics since a CURRENT (2004) and NEW engine wouldn't even be a bolt-in swap for a 2000 MY car. (See Wayne's comment above.)

I'm willing to roll the dice on a higher-mileage car if the right one comes along and I realize that the IMS failures are still a relatively small % of the total number of cars out there. Nevertheless I would budget for an LN "upgrade" to the IMS and do it as soon as I could. And all else being equal I'd love to find a car with a previously replaced engine, even if based on the superstition about lightning not striking twice...." Even though my buddy has a 996 that had a FACTORY REPLACEMENT engine grenade on him 20K miles after install ;-). I just hope I can find and appease the Porsche gods and pick out a good one when the time comes.

My ideal car:

"S-model" or at least a 2000 + base.
White, Polar Silver, or Arctic silver with a black full-leather interior.
Tiptronic
Hardtop


Now excuse me while I start chanting, burning incense and looking for small animals to sacrifice.
__________________
Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM
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Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944
Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas.
Old 03-27-2010, 11:42 AM
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