Need Advice Please - Sell or Fix 2003 911 IMS failure
 

Hello Everyone,

I am in dire need of advice. I bought a 2003 C2 about 3 weeks ago. It has 80k miles and is in good condition. A few days ago the IMS decided to self-destruct. Catastrophic engine failure. The shop says I need to replace the engine. I have yet to make a payment on the car and the dealer will not help out.

I'm devastated. What should I do? Should I try to sell it? If so, where could I sell it and how much can I expect as a fair price? Or, should I keep it and fix it? Should I fix it myself with an ebay rebuilt engine?

Thanks in advance for your advice. I truly appreciate it.

Sorry to hear this. The first step is to stop and take a deep breath.

Rennlist has a very active 996 (pelican is more air cooled oriented) so I would advise you to also post there.

Your options are:
1. Sell car as is...you'll get $7 to $8K for it

2. Learn who Jake Raby and Charles Navarro are

3. Buy a used engine from the only dismantler Jake Raby and Charles Navarro recommend: ebay username is qualityporscheparts

4. Take Jake's engine rebuild class this year and rebuild your own engine

5. Buy a Porsche engine (if available) or a RND rebuilt engine ($20K)

6. Put in an LS V8...costs about as much as the RND engine

Sorry..there is no easy answer

Feel free to PM me if you want more details on the options

As is with blown motor probably $4,000-$6,000. Very similar one sold locally not that long ago for $2,500.

Perfect candidate for an LS swap though

That seems very low. Wish I could find one at that price. On ebay they seem to sell for around 7k or 8k (cabs are less)

Its pretty unusual for a dealer not to include at least a 30-day warranty, but I understand some dealers will push for as-is sales. Likely no recourse with the dealer, as there's rarely any forewarning when an IMS bearing goes, so unlikely they anticipated a problem.

I don't understand the fear of people selling on eBay, or Craigslist or the telephone. An engine is an engine. If it came out of a maintained car that was crashed or vandalized, it's a contender. You can install any one of many IMSb replacements before putting it in your car. Owners are getting 200K plus miles out of M96 engines.

I know it's a budget buster, but hopefully you'll drive the wheels off it when it's back together.

https://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=37257

What people are asking vs what they are getting vs timing of when they need cash are completely different things.

Thanks for the info everyone! I really appreciate it. I'm happy to be a part of such a good community.

Have any of you had any experience with this ebay seller?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/porsche-rebuilt-engine-motor-911-996-carrera-3-6-l-2002-2004-with-warranty/162444766243?hash=item25d2766c23

The LS swap is tempting but the kit (from renegade hybrids - minus the engine) is around 7k. I don't know if I could afford that... Are there any other kits available?

@billh1963 I'm looking up those guys now and posting to Rennlist. Thank you so much.

Wtf? Wouldn't wheels, seats, trim and tranny alone be worth way more than $2,500?

I would sell it as-is, take the hit and buy another one with known history of the IMS fix. Buying a used engine is a risky endeavor, and those engines aren't cheap.

---Adam

A core engine alone is worth about that.

The car he linked to eventually sold for more than the $2500...not sure how much more.

I agree with Ebola that someone in a hurry to sell will take less than current market. However, the last few I have seen on ebay, craigslist, etc. have sold in the $7K to $8K range. That's for really clean coupes. Cabs and worn out car bring less.

Search Vertex Auto in the 911 tech forum. Then run.

And RL is the right place to find a used engine. Good 996 community. There was a cheap takeout there just last week iirc.

You can always LS swap and never have to deal with the horrible M96 again...purist not apply. Sorry for your loss.

is a Subaru any eazyer or cheaper then an ls1 ?

will the new 4 from porsche bolt in ?
wonder if that will be cheap at first with little demand for them ?

Have you priced a crate factory engine with no core? Even if they would sell it to you, which I doubt they would without a vin, it would cost 2-3 times what the car is worth.

When we have to buy new engines for the ST class Caymans in IMSA and WC it's around $20k ea including core exchange. The core is usually another $7500 if you have grenaded it so bad they won't take it. I would expect the new engines to be closer to $40K.

I was thinking of out of an newish car wreck
before there is much market for the new 4 replacement

You would need the whole car and even then it might not work. Eiectonics has changed a lot in the last 15 years. The ECUs aren't even the same brand any more and it's 4 generations apart. Would need the whole harness and probably dash too.

OP had the car 3 weeks before the IMS grenade went off. Smells fishy to me.
Just saying. That's some serious bad luck.

My friends boss just had his M96 motor fail in his 911. He was quoted over $16,000 for a replacement motor. I'm very sorry. Probably not worth fixing the car.

For what it's worth, I'd fix it. You're on the hook with whatever financial institution you used. It would be in their best interest for you to have a running, driving vehicle..and making payments...they don't want it back
I work with a fellow who purchased a 2011 Dodge Ram quadcab a few months ago and for whatever reason ran it hot. Aluminum heads, bottom end knock, engine ruined, about 6K to either rebuild or replace it. Work your best deal with a shop, then get the extended loan, or the higher payments on the existing one..just my dos centavos, mind you. Hope it all works out

I would buy the cheapest used motor i could find, install it, and sell or trade in the car as soon as possible. Cut your losses.

A factory replacement motor is probably cheaper than an LS swap by the time everything is sorted out.