Cayman - best versions? Best years? Bad years

[afterburn 549]

Sold my 911, I am thinking Cayman.
Am I CRAZY ? LOL
I know they have a IMS problem (maybe I can use that to my advantage in dickering)
What years to stay away.?
What to look for?
Best models?
thanx!

[tonythetarga]

If you don't want the IMS problem look for an later 09 build and newer. The 06 - early 09 have the 'non-servicable' IMS bearing but the oil fed solution looks very interesting and would not stop me from any 911, Boxster or Cayman with that larger bearing. I think I'd do the oil fed solution right off the bat as it is basically in the same ballpark, pricewise, as an LN IMS bearing replacement.

[afterburn 549]

Pretty sure I can fix it myself.......If the price is /was right. how much can a bearing be from Porsche ? ( MIGHT BE HORRIBLE LOL )
So i guess you are saying after 2009 they are fixed?

[tonythetarga]

It's not the bearing that's expensive in the 06-09 versions, its the fact you have to tear down the engine to extract the bearing. The other 97-late 05 cars have a bearing that can be extracted when the trans, flywheel and clutch are removed and the cams are locked etc.
In 2009 they redesigned the engine to remove the problem altogether.
The direct injection oil keeps the original bearing but you take off the outer seal and the oil injection feeds oil to the bearing to keep it from breaking down, throwing off the cam timing or detonating altogether, taking the rest of the engine with it.
Go to LN Engineering, Flatsix Innovations or EBS Racing websites and read up on the IMS bearing and various solutions.

[recycled sixtie]

From what I understand just to be sure you have to get the later Caymans in 2009 or newer to get the ims free ones. Perhaps other members on this forum or 986 or rennlist forums would know for sure.

If it was me buying a Cayman I would buy 2010 or newer just to be on the safe side. I think that you are going to have to do more research in this area. I envy you your purchase but as an owner of a 2001 Boxster base for three years I have been very happy with mine.
Cheers, Guy.

[afterburn 549]

Well, i have not made such a purchase.yet, Just getting up to speed. This place is the place for a education.
How many hours?? ( To replace) and what is the cost of a IMS ? I am guessing its a engine split deal ?

[rhogg]

My understanding is the 2009-2012 cars are virtually identical. There is the Black edition and the R which were late model sales boosters.

The 2006-2008 cars differ quite a bit from the 2009+ The base 2009 has similar power to the previous S. The automatic became the excellent PDK in 2009. There are known track issues with the earlier cars. On top of this you have the IMS issue.

As a result there is a significant price difference between the 987.1 and the 987.2.

Last fall I bought a 2009 S with PDK and it is an excellent modern car. I also have a 1983 SC which I love. The handling difference is very noticeable. PDK is a little odd, a little clunky from start, but excellent and a lot of fun. Buying used a pdk guarantees you haven't had over-revs. It seems very robust. In 2009 its the push/pull integrated paddles; later years its the more typical left right paddles set off from the steering wheel.

When I bought my 83 I paid a lot and got an excellent car (through pelican) There is no money saved buying "cheap" used cars. Buying quality used saves you way more through increased reliability and reduced maintenance.

Good luck. The Cayman is a great car - fast, fun, precise. Having said that I still choose the SC more often than not!