Question on Boxster Common Engine Failures

Hello everyone.
I'm in the market of buying my 3rd Boxster. I truly believe that the Boxster is the best roadster you can buy for long road trips. I drove the new Miata, and there was not comparison to the Boxster. That being said, I am looking at an 08 S limited. I love how they look and drive. My other Boxsters were 01 base and a 04 S. I'm kinda worried on the 08 because you can't replace the IMS bearing without engine removal and it could have the 3.4 D crack issue. This 08 has 91k miles on it, so it's not a garage queen, which I've heard is a good thing concerning the IMS issue, I think. What about the D crack issue, was that addressed in the later years. Should I just save some more $ and just get an 09 or newer. Or do they have problems too?
Thanks in advance.

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Common Boxster Engine Problems and Failures - 986 / 987

[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Maybe look for an older model with lower miles? It's hard to give advise on this one. The D chunking was mostly on older engines. The IMS is a real concern. Newer or older. Issue with older is you have to do common repairs to get it up to date.

- Nick

[mikefocke]

I read 6 Boxster forums daily.

I don't read about a lot of '08 problems. Not saying they can't happen, of course they can. Just that they don't seem to be that common.

The third generation IMS is not like the second which is good.

Some have removed the seal (without engine teardown) to let the bearing run in the oil mist within the crankcase.

And worst come to worse, the '08s are getting old enough that, after a crash, the insurance companies are totaling them so replacement engines are becoming available.