Need Help: 1999 Boxster

[Macroni]

Posted on Boxster / Cayman forum but appreciate the worldliness of the renaissance men over here.....

I am looking at a 1999 Boxster for my son; a 66,xxx mile 2.5L model w/ hard top, excellent condition, strong ownership , fussy car guy all the records. It had a Porsche Factory replacement motor either @ 25,000 miles or with 25,000 miles. So either 25,000 0r 40,000 on the motor.

First question; does this motor need the bearing upgrade or did the replacement motor already address the issue?

Second question; would a 996C2 M030 suspension bolt into a 99 Boxster?

Thanks

Luke

[Matt Monson]

At that mileage that should have been a warranty factory replacement engine. Still needs the bearing done if you are worried about it. Odds are in your favor but many are scared by all the negative marketing.

I believe the suspension bolts up in the front. Less sure about the rear. Maybe dig around in the Spec Boxster racing forum on Rennlist?

What kind of money on this car? I've been looking at them and very few under $10k here.

[Cajundaddy]

They all should get the IMS retrofit bearing. 996 suspension is not compatible. The front is the same but the rear is way different. Very different weight distribution.

I sold my 986 and have a set of M030 sways if you are interested.

[techweenie]

I am unconvinced about the IMS bearing "necessity." I believe the failure rate is far higher on the aftermarket bearings, based on anecdotal evidence.

Had to laugh the other day when I read an ad for a Boxster that said 'unreliable factory IMS bearing was replaced at 172K miles.' Riiiiiight.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

What kind of money on this car? I've been looking at them and very few under $10k here.

Thanks Matt.

This one is $13,000 but it is a creampuff..... I was hoping to find a BoxS but no luck. I drove my mechanics 2.5L with a 12x,xxx and my conclusion was it is peppy enough.... love the thought of the hardtop for the winter and only one seat for a passenger.....

There are a ton of Boxsters on Craigslist here in the Philadelphia area. Ironically, I found this one sitting in front of the local body shop....

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I am unconvinced about the IMS bearing "necessity." I believe the failure rate is far higher on the aftermarket bearings, based on anecdotal evidence.

Had to laugh the other day when I read an ad for a Boxster that said 'unreliable factory IMS bearing was replaced at 172K miles.' Riiiiiight.

Failure rate on the 2.5 cars (double row) is estimated at less than 1% but if you already have the trans down for a clutch replacement it is a good preventative measure that doesn't add much cost. I have seen failures of the ceramic bearing only on cars that had prior issues with recirculating grenade frag.

It was a flawed engineering design and all will fail at some point but if you get 150k from the motor does it matter?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Failure rate on the 2.5 cars (double row) is estimated at less than 1% but if you already have the trans down for a clutch replacement it is a good preventative measure that doesn't add much cost. I have seen failures of the ceramic bearing only on cars that had prior issues with recirculating grenade frag.

It was a flawed engineering design and all will fail at some point but if you get 150k from the motor does it matter?

Again, the IMS bearing is completely sealed, so nothing 'recirculates.' I've read about the replacement bearings failing in 3-20K miles. Mechanics are happy to replace IMS bearings, of course.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Again, the IMS bearing is completely sealed, so nothing 'recirculates.' I've read about the replacement bearings failing in 3-20K miles. Mechanics are happy to replace IMS bearings, of course.

Like the red car in SoCal for $4500 that TuneRS rebuilt the engine?

I wish you could still buy 996 crate engines. I would buy a 3.4 or 3.6 and put it into one of these cars with a popped motor. There's a nice blue one in the PNW for $3500.

I guess because of the winter, most 986es here are 80k mi or less. But guys still want $12-15k for them. I think that is too much when a 996 is similar money and for some reason most Colorado 996es seem to be cabs. I want a convertible so that's a plus.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Again, the IMS bearing is completely sealed, so nothing 'recirculates.' I've read about the replacement bearings failing in 3-20K miles. Mechanics are happy to replace IMS bearings, of course.

Well, they begin their life from the factory completely sealed. Many don't stay that way. Mine still was at 95k when we pulled it at clutch time and the bearing was still in pretty good shape. Frequent oil changes, no overheat issues, and daily full use of the rpm band.

Long oil change intervals, moderate engine overheat, and low rpm loads (lugging) are common themes in cars where the IMS bearing seems to fail at lower mileage. If the old bearing came out in pieces, a replacement bearing is pretty certain to fail due to recirculating frag unless a complete tear down and cleaning are done. The single row bearing is at much greater risk with OEM failures in the 8-10% range according to Porsche.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

.

I think that is too much when a 996 is similar money and for some reason most Colorado 996es seem to be cabs. I want a convertible so that's a plus.

While looking for the Box, I went and saw a 11,000 mile 1999 C2 Cab last week..... owner wanted $26,000 had a leaky main seal and airbag light was on.... a respectable local mechanic quoted roughly $1,500 to fix both....

I passed...... it did seem a bit soulless......

[CountD]

Boxsters come up. For your son? How old? If he's young get him a Mercedes 300D Diesel and see if he respects that first. I can appreciate as a father who wants his son to have the best, but if he's young and has the confidence of youth I would not find some creampuff Boxster to give him. Get him an appliance to drive first and see how he treats that.

I see you are from Philly. Go out to California and have a vacation - then look around for your Boxster. The lifestyle lends itself to these cars; hence they are available and will have more choices.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by CountD

I see you are from Philly. Go out to California and have a vacation - then look around for your Boxster. The lifestyle lends itself to these cars; hence they are available and will have more choices.

There's a '99 on SF CL with 55k mi at 2/3 the price of the one Luke is looking at. I'm seriously considering this route if the other car I've found falls through. No fewer than half a dozen 986-S models at or under $10k. With 2-3 midday weeks and some showings scheduled in advance, a one way ticket and 2 day drive home could save me thousands.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Again, the IMS bearing is completely sealed, so nothing 'recirculates.' I've read about the replacement bearings failing in 3-20K miles. Mechanics are happy to replace IMS bearings, of course.

The LN replacement bearings aren't sealed -- they are intentionally left open to allow for engine oil lubrication instead of the grease sealed into the original bearing design.

If an original bearing has already begun to spall, the fragments in the oil have been know to damage the new bearings.

If the new engine has a double-row bearing, I wouldn't worry about it until it needs a new clutch. The engine number should tell you. There are resources on line that list bearing style by motor. A 99 would have originally had a two-row; you would have to confirm with a replacement.

There are a number of 99s in the DC area asking (and not selling) in the 7000-9000 range. Most are higher mileage, and who knows about their history. Getting a cosmetically outstanding car with a known history is worth a premium. though at $13000 you are well into 2000-2002 money, and approaching 2003-2004.

[Macroni]

I bought it..... could I have saved $4,000..... maybe but it is not my style.......

The car is in excellent knit...... Needs nothing I just have to pick up the maintenance schedule...... elements I paid for; 1 owner car, all records, no stories, perfect condition..........

.... Son is over the moon..... Will post pictures when transaction is completed and Boxster is sleeping in the garage.....

Perfect timing as Intercity is picking up the 3.6L SC for delivery to its new owner in N CA.

[Macroni]

Purchase picture

[Matt Monson]

Congrats. I will wait for pictures.

I agree with your logic. On one if these a few thousand doesn't matter if you gave better assurance of history and condition.

[black_falcon]

Fixed ^^

Beautiful Boxster. Polar Silvar is such a striking color for these cars and the hardtop really completes it.

Your son is also very lucky, and hopefully responsible. If I would have had my '99 Boxster 15 years ago when I started driving, well it's still quick enough to get an inexperienced driver in trouble. Kids either respect fast cars or they don't.

I remember my dad flipping me the keys to his V12 XJS when I got my license; his faith in me made me respect the car that much more and sure left a lasting impression.

[COLB]

Neutral handling, less torque than HP, and a manual -- I think those factors help keep a younger driver from getting into too much trouble.

Beautiful car. No doubt there is false economy in a cheap Boxster.

Is the interior red?

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by COLB

Neutral handling, less torque than HP, and a manual -- I think those factors help keep a younger driver from getting into too much trouble.

Beautiful car. No doubt there is false economy in a cheap Boxster.

Is the interior red?

Yes, a red interior.

I whole heartedly agree with the false economy statement. This is my seventh Porsche only one was new. The most expensive had the 2nd cheapest purchase price.

Stitch: Bought for $22,000 / 6 figure modifications /result: ouch!



69S: Bought for $18,000 / 6 figure restoration. / result: Broke even.



83SC bought: $19,000 / sold: $35,000 / result: lost a little.


83SC 3.6L Targa: bought & sold: even.



Overall result: A hellofva lot of fun!

[Matt Monson]

Think I may have settled on a car I found out in CA. It's a customer's car. '99 and same exterior color as Macroni's but plain grey interior. Triple the mileage and half the price. Over $5000 in service in the last 24 months (6000 mi). No hardtop, but softop with glass window replaced last year. All records for the last 12 years, with 10 of them at the dealership. Going to have it looked over by a shop and then I think I'll be booking a flight.