cruz

i am a proud owner of a 1999 996 C4 Roadster with 151.000 kilometers and original IMSB. I learned that all mechanics, I asked for a replacement, recommended do not touch a well working 996.

slider172

1 Cab 6spd. 94k miles and still going on original equipment.

LDMF

99 cab just about to turn 40k. I have put 9k of spirited driving in the last 1.5-2 years. No issues. Oil filter cut apart every oil change.

Alezone

02 C4S , no issues

Over 100,000 miles on original bearings, maintenance service yearly or every 5k miles.

captain caveman

1999 3.4 93k not been changed as far as i know no problems yet
Really shouldent have said that

GaryLY

'99 at 100K. IMS was replaced at 81K weeks before I bought the car when one of the heads was replaced due to an intermix issue. I totally expected the car to go BOOM for the first year I owned it. 3 years/ ~19K miles later and after way more fun than I paid for, it runs like a top! I did add an X51 oil pan and pump, which made a huge difference in oil pressure on long sweeping turns.

TheAlsatian

99 with 45K. I just had the IMS bearing replaced last week. The old dual row bearing exhibited no wear or problems.

Tim Cooper

2003 0n 99k miles and no problems yet, I do use a 10W-50 with plenty of zddp which could have helped.

NIACAL4NIA

Vario-cam engines don't like thicker oils. My 2002 ran on 0w-40 and the bearing was fine at 90k. The original bearing is sealed. Porsche never approved 10w-×. Too much Zddp can harm your catalytic converter.

318touring

2003 C4 Tip, sold at 858xx kms, would be on its original IMS. I detected a layer of oil at the area between engine and gearbox from about 3 years ago. Didn't know whether that was from RMS or IMS. To know for sure I'd have to drop engine and gearbox and do all of the preventative maintenance that would have come up to $$$. I had spin-on oil adapter with magnetic sump plug. Both were checked at oil change time and were always clean.

Tim Cooper

Hi, could be different approvals in different territories.

I've got "Oils of viscosity 0W-40, 5w-40, 10w-40 and higher if they comply the ACEA A3 specification" in my Drivers Manual WKD 996 020 03 4/02.

I've been aware of the potential for cat damage but my 928 must have burnt 20 litres of oil and the cats are still fine.

I'm partly thinking a higher quality oil will help protect the bores. Also a bit sceptical thinking they may err towards thinner oils as a package to enable them to advertise better fuel economy.

NIACAL4NIA

Actually my 1986 Porsche 928 with 180K miles has been running on 20w-50 Dyno oil in California because it's a different engine than 996 and still has the original cats. 928 cats are not that sensitive compared to others and small amount of zddp helps the engine. Vario-cam plus engines are oil grade sensitive and if you live in a cold climate 10w-50 is a no no. Just pour some 10w-50 or 20w-50 in a cup and put it in the freezer. You'll get a yellow tar.

Tim Cooper

We've never seen -18C here so i'm happy to stick with the Porsche recommendations thanks.
Even the Macan's happy on a 5W-50 here.

exthree

2004 cab just turned 50K miles; original motor and original IMSB. Looking forward to the next 50K miles of smiles!

PCAR996C2

Up to 155,000 km's now on original bearing. 1998 C2 996.