gbright

Hi Porsche People,

Been away for Porsches for a three years. Wow the price changes!

I am looking at a 2005 Turbo S. It is a one owner with 89,000 miles. And it is an automatic which I need...bad knees (this happens to a miler past 70 years of age!) .

Do I remember correctly, this car has no IMS bearing problem? I think I remember it can have hydraulic cam tensioner issues?

Also looking looking at a 2007 Cabriolet, with 40,000 miles and an automatic...but not sure I want another cab?

All comments and suggestions are appreciated !

Thanks, Grant in Georgia

Petza914

Turbos and GT cars are based on the Mezger engine design and do not have the IMS bearing issues as they have a permanent oil bearing, not a ball bearing.

A tiptronic Turbo is actually faster than a MT car as it stays in boost during shifts, though the PDK is a much sportier transmission - to get that though you'd have to move to a 997.2.

Turbosnneed to have the coolant pipes pinned to prevent catastrophic pipe failure and a dangerous situation of dumping slippery coolant all over the road just in front of the rear wheels. They should also have the cam gears pined so you don't spin a cam gear changing the timing and destroying the engine. Those are really the only two issues with the turbos.

Bxstr

Correct. 996 Turbo has no IMS bearing issues. It does have coolant lines that need to be addressed though. Typically accomplished with dropping the motor and pinning or welding them in place.

As mentioned, PDK is a bit sportier, but the Tiptronic is very reliable.

linderpat

You should probably cross post in the turbo forum too, as you'll get more feedback there I think. Good luck on your reentry!

JW911

Just so you are aware, for the model year 2005, the Turbo is not a 997, it is a 996. Different body, interior, and motor than the 997. The 997 Turbo did not come out until 2007. More horsepower and more modern body and interior.