looking at a nice spec 2008 997.1 4S, <20k miles ... IMS bearing has me a bit worried... understand its not as easy to address in later 997.1's as in a 996.
Am I being overly paranoid?

 

Yes

 

Extremely paranoid. The larger IMS Bearing found in the 2006-2008 997's has had hardly any issues. the smaller more problematic Bearing was discontinued after mid-2005 production.
**I would however be more concerned about Bore Scoring in the 997"S" 3.8L engine.
Highly suggested you have a Bore Scope Inspection performed with photos of each cylinder when you have the PPI performed. Really a must to be certain the engine is healthy.

 

thanks... kinda felt that way... sometimes just need to hear from others

 

There is a 997 3.6L & 3.8L engine serial# guide which is handy to keep on file if by chance you find a nice 2005 or 2006 997. *2006 models have been found to have the earlier engine.
Production dates on 2005 & 2006 model years differ so good idea to have the engine Serial# guide to refer to:

3.8L "S" engine's ---> Smaller IMS Bearing is found in engines up to searial# M97/01 68509790. (Engines with serial# 68509791 forward have the larger IMS Bearing)
3.6L engine's ----> Smaller IMS Bearing is found in engines up to serial# M96/05 69507475 (Engines with serial# 69507476 forward have the larger IMS Bearing)

 

Yes and no depending on your risk tolerance. It's a very remote possibility and there are records of it but they're rare. How rare, who knows. Not everyone who suffers this failure posts on Rennlist or any other social media for that matter but I think most would agree that IMS failures on an -08 997 are very few and far between. I did a Google search out of curiosity and only came up with one:

Just my opinion and as I said, based on a simple Google search but I think your odds of having IMS failure on an -08 is a very remote possibility. If you have zero risk tolerance, step it up to a 997.2 where the IMS was eliminated.

 

You're not alone. Jake Raby's video on the M97 IMS bearing is currently the #1 video being viewed among all Rennvision videos.