2005 997 w/ IMS Retrofit vs. 2006 997
07-13-2015, 11:36 PM
#16
I picked up a 2005 earlier this year. I was going back and forth between the 996 and 997. When I found out that some of the 2005's had replaceable IMS's - I rolled the dice and picked up the 2005 997. I like the 997 look and upgraded interior. Only way to tell is a VIN number search and most of the early build 997's have replaceable IMS's is my understanding. Only way to really tell is have your mechanic take it apart.
After the PPI I bought the car and had my mechanic take it apart and I got lucky - replaceable IMS. I put the LN Pro in it and sleep well at night. The non-replaceble (without cracking the engine case) 997's turned me off because I would be worried about it. My recommendation is an early 997 and replace the IMS or get a 997.2.
I realize it is a rare occurrence but I don't worry about it now and it will help with resale.
After the PPI I bought the car and had my mechanic take it apart and I got lucky - replaceable IMS. I put the LN Pro in it and sleep well at night. The non-replaceble (without cracking the engine case) 997's turned me off because I would be worried about it. My recommendation is an early 997 and replace the IMS or get a 997.2.
I realize it is a rare occurrence but I don't worry about it now and it will help with resale.
07-14-2015, 12:14 AM
#17
I am looking at purchasing my first 911...
2005: There have been first hand reports on forums of the IMS failing. IMS is replaceable. LN Engineering has a retrofit kit available. Many people on the forums say to avoid 2005 models.
2006: Updated, larger IMS. Not as many report of IMS failures yet, but it might be because these cars are just getting out of warranty. Charles Navarro (LN Engineering) and Jake Raby (Flat 6 Innovations) have stated that Porsche's fix was not the correct one, and that it actually makes the problem worse.
QUESTIONS:
1. If purchase price was not a factor, would you get a 2005 997 and do the LN Engineering IMS Retrofit or a 2006 997 w/ a larger, non-serviceable IMS?
2. Please discuss any pros and cons of a 2005 (M96) vs 2006 (M97) 997 that I have missed in terms of reliability and operating cost.
2005: There have been first hand reports on forums of the IMS failing. IMS is replaceable. LN Engineering has a retrofit kit available. Many people on the forums say to avoid 2005 models.
2006: Updated, larger IMS. Not as many report of IMS failures yet, but it might be because these cars are just getting out of warranty. Charles Navarro (LN Engineering) and Jake Raby (Flat 6 Innovations) have stated that Porsche's fix was not the correct one, and that it actually makes the problem worse.
QUESTIONS:
1. If purchase price was not a factor, would you get a 2005 997 and do the LN Engineering IMS Retrofit or a 2006 997 w/ a larger, non-serviceable IMS?
2. Please discuss any pros and cons of a 2005 (M96) vs 2006 (M97) 997 that I have missed in terms of reliability and operating cost.
Since you are familiar with LN (Charles) and RED (Raby) you know that MY05 may be eligible for a retrofit or maybe not. I doubt you will be dropping the transmission during PPI to see which bearing you have. The best you can do with a MY05 is LN retrofit if it has the small bearing, or remove the outer seal if it has the larger IMSB. Both are fairly involved jobs that require expertise and tools to preserve valve timing. IMSB seal removal would be appropriate for MY06/07/08 997 too. 996 with "X" or "AT" in the motor serial number will also likely have the the larger (22mm nut) non-serviceable IMSB.
In my area the Porsche dealers rarely inventory 997.1. A 997.2 CPO car would be nice but that's a whole different market in terms of dollars. A 996TT would be something to consider--if you can deal with the 996 styling.
07-14-2015, 04:40 PM
#18
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not really worth it for a lesser 996.
but, a 996 Turbo with a full 997 nose update would seem a wholly worthwhile idea.
but, a 996 Turbo with a full 997 nose update would seem a wholly worthwhile idea.
07-15-2015, 01:42 PM
#19
Eric, I think you are doing the right thing by doing your IMSB homework. Buying a used car for $40,000 that could suffer a $25,000 failure without warning is serious business! No one wants to end up having $65,000 invested in a MY05 997.
Since you are familiar with LN (Charles) and RED (Raby) you know that MY05 may be eligible for a retrofit or maybe not. I doubt you will be dropping the transmission during PPI to see which bearing you have. The best you can do with a MY05 is LN retrofit if it has the small bearing, or remove the outer seal if it has the larger IMSB. Both are fairly involved jobs that require expertise and tools to preserve valve timing. IMSB seal removal would be appropriate for MY06/07/08 997 too. 996 with "X" or "AT" in the motor serial number will also likely have the the larger (22mm nut) non-serviceable IMSB.
In my area the Porsche dealers rarely inventory 997.1. A 997.2 CPO car would be nice but that's a whole different market in terms of dollars. A 996TT would be something to consider--if you can deal with the 996 styling.
Since you are familiar with LN (Charles) and RED (Raby) you know that MY05 may be eligible for a retrofit or maybe not. I doubt you will be dropping the transmission during PPI to see which bearing you have. The best you can do with a MY05 is LN retrofit if it has the small bearing, or remove the outer seal if it has the larger IMSB. Both are fairly involved jobs that require expertise and tools to preserve valve timing. IMSB seal removal would be appropriate for MY06/07/08 997 too. 996 with "X" or "AT" in the motor serial number will also likely have the the larger (22mm nut) non-serviceable IMSB.
In my area the Porsche dealers rarely inventory 997.1. A 997.2 CPO car would be nice but that's a whole different market in terms of dollars. A 996TT would be something to consider--if you can deal with the 996 styling.
So I decided on the 06 C4S from a reputable independent dealer that upgraded the IMS/RMS (documented) along with another $6K worth of maintenance/wear items - new clutch, coils/plugs, rotors and pads, refinished the wheels, and new tires.
