PorscheStrong

Getting ready to do some preventative maintenance on my 2001 911 C4 (39K miles) and curious to hear what others have done and paid for their IMS and other repairs to address some of the 996's more risky areas. No need for editorial comments, just looking for some concrete data and informed perspective on costs and scope, which hopefully will prove helpful to all.

For background, the information I collected below was provided by my local indy shop, which is a German car specialist primarily focused on Porsche's. They know the 996's well, along with every air and water-cooled model out there. I'm located in an affluent area of Philadelphia, so labor costs are fairly high.

They're recommending the IMS retrofit and RMS replacement. IMS would use LN ceramic part and include a magnetic drain plug. Since RMS is a cheap part, will replace that as well. Cost: $2,500 (approx $1500 parts, $1000 labor, if I recall correctly; ~10 hours labor). Dealer was $3,300 (mark-up on both parts and labor, and not willing to help out on cost or match indy prices, despite the issue being a known Porsche-driven defect).

They're also suggesting we look at the clutch and assess once in there. They typically look for 60-70k miles on a clutch, though allowed potentially much less depending upon style/use. My usage is very clutch-friendly, so it's questionable. If we do it, it's parts-only, no labor, but the clutch kit is still $800 - a fraction of what it would cost w/out the IMS job, but at the 2k miles per year I put on the car, a new clutch is many years off if I elect to defer. We'll see once they get in there, but knowing me, I'll probably man-up and just replace it.

They suggested looking at the flywheel as well, but doubted that it would have issues, since they normally outlasts clutches and I'm probably marginal on the clutch. Flywheel cost would be $1,130 (parts + labor).

Last up is the water pump. I wasn't aware of issues here, but my wrench says there's a (relatively) high failure rate, and failure can cause catastrophic engine damage (similar to IMS, with either metal or plastic shards circulating in the engine). Likely to do this one. Cost: $1,150 (parts + labor).

** Note: I searched the other IMS postings but couldn't readily collect much data on cost to address preventative maintenance, so thought an original thread would be useful. If this is well-covered out there, please forgive the new thread and point me to it.

Ahsai

The prices are generally high but not out of line. However, $1.1k for water pump sounds outrageous even if they charge you $350 MSRP for the pump.

alpine003

That is pretty much avg for IMS/clutch, especially for an affluent area and/or a Porsche specialist with a good rep. Dunno where the $1500 is parts comes from. I would ask for an itemized listing on that one.

If history is unknown, I would do waterpump and AOS while the tranny is off.

You will have to make the call on the clutch once the tranny comes off.

gnat

That sounds about right for the IMSB job from what I've seen others say and what my Indy has quoted for whenever I get around to it.

Go ahead and do the clutch now. You'll probably find that you're either side of the halfway mark. While (given your milage) you can probably get away with many more years before you need to replace it, you'll be paying for all the same labor again. $800 now is better than $2k down the road.

Don't know about the other costs, but your AOS and coils should be checked too.

Oh and one more thing. Drive the car more!

JD ARTHUR

I just had a new water pump, a new AOS, new chain tensioners, new plugs, magnetic drain plug, spin on oil filter which I already had but they installed, new RMS, new double row LN IMS bearing, including coolant and DT40 oil, my cost was about 5500 parts and labor, I have a TIP which ups the cost some. JAKES shop did the work so I know it was done right. Jake test drives the car for about 80 miles and looks for any problems after the work. They put a serial numbered FLATSIX INNOVATIONS tag on the car which is nice if you ever sell the car and give you a USB storage device shaped like a key attached to your keyring with all the pictures of all the work done already loaded on it.

lagodue

I recently inquired about similar service in another relatively affluent area in CT. Prices were similar, but the indy is offering 10% off for winter months to help keep the shop busy . . .

sjg1138

I paid $2500 for IMS/RMS/Clutch replacement. No new flywheel.

phlporsche

I paid 3200 in the philly suburbs at a reputable Indy for LN Pro IMS(dual row replacement of single row in my 02), RMS, AOS replacements, an oil change and a state inspection. PO had done the clutch within 5k so no need to replace.

ea6b0107

I have a 2001 C2. Just two months ago I paid $3300 ($1950 parts + $1350 labor) for IMSB (LN Single Row Pro), RMS, clutch, flywheel, and an oil change. Work was performed by an Indy in the DC area.

Castro Viejo

This is just a quote so it may be different once I get there, but to do the IMS (dual or single depending on whether the car checks out in pre-qualification, according to the tech), RMS, and clutch is about $3,200 in Ohio. Reputable shop as far as my research has turned up, so I'm confident it'll be done right.

The AOS is another $350 or so and I've elected to do that as well. So after taxes I'm probably looking at $3,700.

I've inquired with another Indy shop closer to me and they quoted $3,100 for IMS Classic single row retrofit and RMS.

Not perfect data but can't imagine (don't want to believe?) the estimate will be that far off from the actual cost so long as no surprises are found.

C4911

When I purchased my '99 996C4 I immediately had some preventative maintenance done. Installed IMS bearing(LN Eng.), replaced clutch disc, pressure plate, release/pilot bearings, cleaned and resurfaced flywheel, RMS, changed oil and filter and replaced the serpentine belt. Total was around $2700(labor was $80/hr). Done by Porsche indy in South Jersey.

Tman996

Do you mind telling us where you got the work done? I'm in DC area and thinking about getting same work done. Thanks!

pfbz

OEM water pump is $257 at Sunset Porsche and is a relatively easy job, even for DIY... Even with expensive coolant, etc., don't see replacing the water pump as an $1,100 job!

As for the clutch, I personally wouldn't worry about replacing the IMSB unless the tranny or engine was down for other repairs, so by corollary, I can't imagine going through the labor to replace the IMSB without spending the extra to freshen the clutch.

...and an OEM AOS is $117 at Sunset and much easier if the tranny is down, so yes, I'd do that as well.

ea6b0107

Auto-Therapy in Gaithersburg

Tman996

Thanks!