studdgart

Since I just registered and this is my first post, let me start off by saying hello everyone. I have read alot of info here, but want to make sure I am clear ...

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 2006 boxster base with a build date of 04/06 on the door sticker.

Does this car FOR SURE have the better, beefier IMS? Have there been many failures on this IMS design?

studdgart

just want to add that this will be the 3rd boster i have owned. i had a 99 for 2 years with no problems what so ever. I also had a 2003 for a couple of years with zero problems. in my experience, the cars i have owned have been reliable, almost bullet-proof.

the car i am probably going to cose on this week is a certified car with a 2 year warranty btw.

i am just wondering if the MY2006 built 04/06 cars had the later, larger IMS bearing and nut, and did this upgrade prove reliable?

I wish I could afford a 2009 or newer, but its not in the budget. this is a second car for me.

Macster

I'm not up on the various MY/IMS bearing stuff but you might find the info you seek at Mike Focke's web pages or the L&N Engineering web site.

Within the last year Excellence ran one may more than one article on this IMS bearing thing and may have covered which MYs have the improved bearing. Might be worth ordering a back issue or two with the articles on this subject before you make the leap.

Sincerely,

Macster.

JM993

You need to check the engine number. If it begins with "M97" it has the new and improved IMS bearing. If it begins with "M96," it probably doesn't.

Cheers,
Joe

studdgart

where can you find the engine number? is it on the door sticker taht shows the build date or is it on the engine itself?

JM993

it's on the engine

racer

in my fearful, humble opinion, I don't trust any M96 or M97 based motor. I hear the "newest ones".. '09+ are better than the earlier ones.. so if you consider buying ANY year boxster, consider what you would do should catastrophic engine damage occur, especially out of warranty.

studdgart

thanks for the input. i decided not to get this car. I have an 2011 bmw 135 as a daily driver. i thought it would be cool to have a another boxster as a second car. i was going to buy this car cash. after i looked at it, i decided it was just too rough. im still thinking of a porsche as a second car but i have to have something with less tahn 10k miles on it.

also i dont think a base boxster is going to satisfy me.

i will be looking to pick up a cayman s as a second car. a newer cayman with no ims would be nice, but may have to settle for a 97 or 98 cayman s.

racer

A 97 or 98 would certainly be rare, since they didn't come out till '06

studdgart

omg of course i meant 2007 2008 not 1997 1998 haha