Tim Lawton

I have a '99 986. bought it at 80k+/-....
had a water pump and clutch going south on me at 90k.
ims bearing good but replaced it since the clutch was down to the rivets...
the bearing was actually good. but why not change at this point?


tim

Por356c

Hi - 3rd owner of 02 Boxster. The 2nd owner had the LN kit installed at 40k just before I bought it. Nice to have the peice of mind.

TristanCBR

2001 Boxster S, 92K no known IMS replacement or issues.

Tim Lawton

I kind of felt that way too. if I hadn't had to do a clutch job, I may have just gone my merry way...however, I sleep better at night and I make a lot of road trips to places where no one has ever heard of a "porch"...

TristanCBR

Yeah, if I had to pull the engine or trans for any reason, I'd knock the other stuff out too as "might as wells"

arrakis

Replaced IMS as preventative maintenance on my '03 Boxster S at 45,709 miles. As well as rear main seal (was leaking), water pump, clutch, spark plugs and belt.

mueber

Mine's a 2000 Boxster S with 43,000 miles. It hasn't failed. I'm having in done during the upcoming week along with a clutch replacement by a garage I've used for years.

The technician recommends the Porsche factory IMS upgrade kit. He is assured by Porsche I will have no problems with it. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Flat6 Innovations

No such product exists!! There's never been a factory Porsche IMS retrofit kit. No part number for an IMS bearing exists, only a complete IMS shaft assembly. This is well known fact.

This technician is clearly out of touch, and has no idea about this issue, and the available products to address it.

mueber

Has anyone had their IMS service done by a dealer? If so, what did the do, and what products did they use?

Thanks,
Mark

Flat6 Innovations

Dealers have been using genuine LN Engineering retrofit products since 2008. Back then they'd make the car owner buy the retrofit kit, today lots of dealers stock the parts.

BUT not a single dealer in the world is an IMS Solution Certified Installer.

paulofto

The dealer here has done many. In fact they welcome you to bring them the bearing of your choice or they will supply an LN bearing but they confirmed Porsche does not supply a stand alone bearing, only the entire shaft assembly which will require an engine disassembly to install. Prohibitively expensive and kind of counterintuitive to install the same bearing that they are removing.

mueber

I just received an email from the local dealer confirming the LN Engineering bearing, and based upon my mechanic's quote, I suspect his parts supplier is providing the shaft assembly. I just called them to cancel the appointment to do the job.

Thanks again, everyone.

mueber

It's in the shop and being done at a much lesser price. Soon you can add me to the list of those who have not had a failure but have had it done.

mjberning

No IMS failure yet on this 14 year old car

Oil changed 4 times a year regardless of miles driven. I like to drive the vehicle at 3000 RPM and rarely use 6th gear unless Im on an open road

Will get IMS updated when I do the clutch

Still pondering the options

1) IMS solution is too expensive for the parts you get. Many repair shops says that its a waste of money given the low rate of failures and the other options out there that make that low rate of failure even lower.

Id rather get one of the below and also change water pump and solve more engine issues than just IMS. The LNE company makes really good products but is starting to get P996 owners to fetishize the IMS bearing over all other maintenance items. Best to get the most engine protection for the money.


a) LNE Single Row Pro sold on Partsgeek for around $600. The double row should last more than the 75000 mile service interval if its better than OEM and I maintain the vehicle and drive it like I have been.
b) Vertex roller Bearing with oil feed which is supposedly a permanent fix and sells for $450 on Ebay. No known failures reported on the internet and it meets the requirements for how I drive and change my fluids.

Tim Lawton

I had my IMS and clutch done at 94000 miles. The bearing was still good. Do I sleep better at night??? YES.....


I also had to do my water pump at some point after that. Actually, I have spent more money on rebuilding the rear suspension than anything else.....


a 14 year old car with only 28000 miles??? Jeebus, do like I do and drive the firkin car every day. It'll last longer....


Tim