Scouting a Boxster
 

I'm in the market for a used Boxster. I'm looking at older models and found a beautiful 2005 base model that I just looked at. A couple of questions:

Is it typical for Boxsters of this era to have a little orange peel in the paint? It has a clean carfax and I could find no sign of a repair but at a certain angle you can see a little orange peel.

What is the recommended oil change interval when using a synthetic (Mobil 1)?

Thanks!

They do have a slight orange peel to the paint which is visible at certain angles.

Oil change intervals are every 10,000 miles or 1 year whichever comes first, full synthetic only. Personally I would change earlier than 10k miles.

Things to watch out for, IMS bearing, bore scoring and the usual maintenance type items like water pump, brakes, etc.

The IMS bearing in the ‘05’s may not be serviceable. Try sticking to 986 models. The ‘05 is the crossover year to 987’s.

Whoa....
 

WAIT, WHAT!?! Is that true? Is the IMS bearing not serviceable in some models?

IS there a way to tell from the VIN if you have the type that cannot be serviced?

No way to tell by VIN. you open up the trap door and look. Personally,
I’d avoid an ‘05. I know two that have failed with no track use.

Tony I owe you a beer. I was this close...

Except the information that he posted is incorrect!

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It can be replaced, but it requires a disassembly of the engine. But the 986 models are MORE prone to IMS failure, so I'm not sure why he'd recommend them. Read this for the correct information: https://lnengineering.com/products/the-definitive-guide-and-faq-for-porsche-ims-bearings/identifying-and-fixing-the-porsche-ims-bearing-problem.html?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4A Q3e64I8YEX-gyZFr_03WPZEyjaukeaauG9yDKorc5DXz7CFLKlP-RoC6N0QAvD_BwE

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First of all it was only late 2005's not ALL, like Tony makes it seem. Second the larger bearing used in 2005/06 models is larger and not prone to failure.

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Because you don’t have to tear down the engine. I know the larger bearing is replaceable. I said non- serviceable. That means replace like the 97-‘04 models.
And, I did say ‘May not’ as it was a crossover year.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/boxster-cayman-forum/1141256-scouting-boxster.html

Besides, who would spend 20k to rebuild a motor to replace the IMS when you can buy a nice 2000-2004 Boxster with an LN bearing already in for $12-$15k?

You posted more bad information than correct information, though, and scared the guy. Do you think he understands the difference between serviceable and replaceable? The early 986 (up to 1999) have the double-row IMS and have a stronger bearing to the single row used in 2000-2004. The only way to avoid potential IMS issues is to buy a 2009 or later. As for 2005, like I said, it has the largest IMS bearing that they ever used and is NOT as prone to failure. Failure at the track comes from not having a good baffle and/or oiling set-up for the high, sustained, g-loads that the car will face. I bought a 2006 S, knowing that the chances of an IMS issue are very, very small, and to see so much wrong information being given out to a potential buyer just chaps my hide! End rant.

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I'm afraid you are the one posting misinformation. The dual row was used well into model year 2001. but any 2000-2001 can go either way, and as the result have to have the flywheel pulled to find out which bearing is in the engine. 2005 was another transitional year, and could either carry the serviceable or non servicable IMS bearing; again, you have to take it apart and look. As for the third design oversized bearing, they too fail, just not in as large numbers as the earlier bearings; but they do still fail.

Hi, I have a 2002 986 S Guards Red, Black Interior with red accents, black roof (manual), motor taken out to save weight, has 18" x 8.5 boxster II wheels all round, black, with Yokohama Advans, Bilstein PSS9s, I'm about to put it up for sale, but currently having new trailing arms put on. If your interested I can send you more info.

Thanks to Tony and all of you for the informative responses. I think this thread will be very useful to others in the future.

So, if you find a really nice 2005 with low miles do you go for it even though the type of IMS in it is unknown? I was hoping to just change it when it came time for a new clutch. The one thing that really bothers me is the 10k oil service interval. The owner of this car followed that schedule. It does not appear he read the "or one year" part.

Quote taken directly from the L&N information that I posted above: "Early models used a stronger dual row sealed ball bearing which was replaced starting in model year 2000 with a weaker, sealed single row ball bearing which had a much higher failure rate and was the subject of the Eisen class action lawsuit settled by Porsche."

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The longer oil change intervals can be a really bad thing on the cars with IMS bearings, especially if it was a cold climate car and actually started during the winter months. If it sat in storage without starting during winters it would be better but still old oil doesn’t help. Car should have had plugs about three times by now, basically every 6 years. Brake flushes every two years too. Without the maintenance the car is a gamble.

Quote taken directly from LN IMS website:

"*Model year 2000 and 2001 engines came from the factory with either a dual row or a single row bearing IMS. Some late model year 2005 engines were also fitted with a larger bearing that is not serviceable without a complete teardown of the engine. It is impossible to verify what bearing is needed by VIN or engine number. Visual inspection is the only reliable method to determine which type of bearing is needed in these engines."

That is what has me worried. Even a normal PPI cannot detect it. I'm prepared to take on and even replace an IMS bearing, but I would like to know that it can be done w/o a teardown.

I find it hard to believe that Porsche does not have internal records of what bearing went into what 2005 car.