ivangene

BTW awesome vid!!
sucky ending, but there's the thing...any time - no warning... get the protection of either the IMS retro - or a really good warranty or both...

gawd that sucks dude! We just rebuilt a 3.6 and his ppopped at the gas station.. pulled in, git gas, hit the key and WHAM - game over....under 1000rpm sitting still

soverystout

very true.

for a MY99, I would do a PPI, an oil analysis, a compression test of each cylinder, the LN engineering IMS bearing, and the updated RMS seal and bolts.

That is as protected as you can get for that car, next to a warranty.

EastBay

philooo

Don't rely on the PPI. the least I can say is that they go over it quickly. Get one just in case but make sure you spend some time driving the car at all speed, including highway speed. And then get under the car and check for anything crack or ding that could indicate an accident. Carfax is sometime clean even when the car is wrecked.

On the good side, most Porsche owner have the money to repair their car and very often do it at the dealer.

I am in the market right now for warranty. they are not cheap and their website or customer service is non existant so it is scary.. but for info I got quoted +- $2800 for 2 years warranty with Fidelity Warranty Service on their platinum plan. 3 years and it cost you $4500 ! ouch. I got similar quote from Total Protection Services, but I heard forum member getting their engine replace and paid by Fidelity after IMS failure so I'll certainly go with Fidelity.

One thing about warranty -> no more modding and need to do regular documented maintenance.

Quadcammer

Its blown out of proportion until it happens to you (which it could at any time).

Then that great deal becomes far less of one.

ivangene

look - no need making it more than it is... its a bearing, it can be replaced, and if you dont replace it it "might" let go on you.........my 99' has 116k miles on the original ..... still cruising strong as hell

its nothing more than that
fix = ~$15K
prevent = ~ $2.5k (if you do the clutch at the same time... and why wouldnt you)

yasuro

if i were in the market for a 99 right now, i'd figure ~20k for the car + $600 for IMS upgrade + $600 for labor for installation.

so for ~$21 to 22k, i'd be sitting pretty in a 996 for the approximate price of a new, low optioned, chevy malibu or honda accord.

JF914

What an emotional roller coaster this is. Here are my conclusions from all the above, and ALL of the other posts.

> Yes, there is possibly/probably/maybe slightly more IMS/catastrophic failure risk on '99s, but seems like all 996's with intermediate shaft would have some similar risk.
> '02 model might reduce the risk somewhat, and provide a 3.6 engine, different headlights, and a bit of change to the interior design. BUT, still has the intermediate shaft/bearing potential, albeit from several technicians lower frequency.
> low mile car is not necessarily better than a 50K mile car.

Seems like the decision should be:
Do the IMS retrofit on any 996, parts and labor probably $1500 - $2000 for peace of mind and it costs about 1 year of a warranty
(without it, I think I would lose sleep).

Go for the '02 with higher miles (as long as its been maintained, and passes PPI) over the '99 aero low miles.

OR, **** all of this, and go buy an NSX with a Honda Vtech....

JF914

What an emotional roller coaster this is. Here are my conclusions from all the above, and ALL of the other posts.

> Yes, there is possibly/probably/maybe slightly more IMS/catastrophic failure risk on '99s, but seems like all 996's with intermediate shaft would have some similar risk.
> '02 model might reduce the risk somewhat, and provide a 3.6 engine, different headlights, and a bit of change to the interior design. BUT, still has the intermediate shaft/bearing potential, albeit from several technicians lower frequency.
> low mile car is not necessarily better than a 50K mile car.

Seems like the decision should be:
Do the IMS retrofit on any 996, parts and labor probably $1500 - $2000 for peace of mind and it costs about 1 year of a warranty
(without it, I think I would lose sleep).

Go for the '02 with higher miles (as long as its been maintained, and passes PPI) over the '99 aero low miles.

OR, **** all of this, and go buy an NSX with a Honda Vtech....

pszikla

Honda's are unbelievably reliable, drove my Acura to 565000 km's but at the end of the day it still doesn't generate the visceral excitement that my Porsche does to me as i walk towards it with cars keys in hand!
Pete

rpm's S2

Yeah... I want a Honda, NOT!

IMHO RMS leaks are no big deal. Annoying and a bit expensive, but not catastrophic. Historically, 911s have always leaked something. I would not do an RMS repair unless you have a leak. Not all cars are going to leak.

The IMS problem is completely seperate - and I agree, kind of frightening. Personally, I've decided to happily ignore the potential and just whistle past the graveyard...

One thing - If you do the RMS, think about installing a new clutch and DMF while you are there. Particularly if it is a new car to you and you really don't know how the clutch has been treated. Its only another 600-800 in parts, all the labor is already done. 996 clutches are good for up to 100k, but if you are already in there - do it.

mavthenav

You know you want the 99, go get it checked out it could be a peice of crap and you're working yourself up for no reason....

Find out a good porsche shop in your area, I'm sure lots in these forums can recommend and have them do a full inspection on it. Just let them know that you'll be bringing the business back to them for maintenance and they should do a good check on it.

Either way you'll be happy when you hit the winding roads.

ivangene

JF914 - you got it

soverystout

+1 except for the Honda part.

ivangene

yea, that comment might get ya banned