doctorjb

I think i have narrowed things down to a 997 Carrera 2005 or a 2006 but don't know what the tradeoffs are. Can anyone provide any help understanding what I would be gaining or losing?

Thanks
John

Edgy01

As is generally the case, the initial year of introduction can have some disadvantages. There were a few. Things like the quickly update PCM, and the rear suspension pieces being put in 180º out of position come quickly to mind.

gota911

The 2006 has the new design of of the IMS (Intermediate Shart) bearing, which is more robust than the older design. This change has reduced the IMS related engine failures.

997_rich

Make sure you double check any of this (like the engine change). An '06 can easily still have the '05 engine if it sat in the shipyard for a while etc. Regarding the engine, look on the block under the car for the first few digits of the engine serial #. '05=M96 and '06=M97. Most of the other changes happened along with the engine changeover.

yemenmocha

Thanks for that info. Now I'm curious. Exactly where? Easy to find?

doctorjb

This all very helpful info. Were there a lot of 2005 engine failures? Was there a recall by Porsche to fix the issue? When buying how many miles would have to occur before this generally happened? Just wondering if the original owner would have had to deal with this or would it still be a possibility for me as the second owner of one?

997_rich

Do a search on engine number and a search on ims failures.

You'll find pics of where to find the engine number.

No Porsche fix on m96 ims unless you have a failure under CPO. If you look you'll find a poll on this board where you'll see there are four documented failures of 997 engines self reported total across all users on this board. It's not scientific but it will help you draw your own conclusions as to how wide reaching the problem is.

utkinpol

search this and renntech forums.
plus, first of all - ALL 3.6L engines are M96. M97 is a 3.8L engine.

M96 starting from some particular engine number got updated single row bearing. Street word is that any '06 car built in second part of 2006 year will be safe. Note that some '06 cars were built in '05 and will not have it.

So, those 'late' '06 cars with June+ build date will have updated IMS bearing, they will have new sub-version of PCM electronics, navigation DVD module is newer too. most important issue there was that those 'late' cars ot also an updated primary ECU - if you search TPC turbo thread on 6speedonline you will see more info about implications.

For those buyers who will keep car stock none of that matters much. IMS bearing can be replaced on '05 car with some aftermerket solutions when you buy this car if it still got a stock one.

yvesvidal

Before buying my 2006 C4S, I looked around and had a 2005 C2S inspected. The dealer (it was being sold by a Porsche dealer in Kentucky) had just replaced the IMS and RMS under warranty, a week or so before the warranty expired, as there were some signs of oil leaking under the car.

Overall, I agree with the first response being made, about staying away from the first year production. See if you can invest a little bit more money or be more patient and get yourself a 2006 model with a 3.8 Liter engine (S type). You will not regret it.

Yves

ultimate

I'm not sure I understand the idea that an 05 is the first year of production - isn't the engine just a late evolution of the 996 engine? Some have said the year of the changeover engine (07?) is the year to get, that would seem to me to actually be a first year car (?)

racer

'05 was the first year of "997" production. And yes, the motor was a further evolution of the 996 motor. Then during 997 production there have been some enhancements.. beginning in '06 and again when the DFI motors were introduced.

Porsche is always evolving their cars, even if they tend to look the same

yemenmocha

So you agree the M97's are fine?

jcnesq

I have heard that the 05's had a newer version of the IMS problem fix but still that it was further fixed after 05. I still have an 05 launch car 997S (I bought it on "launch day" 8/28/04)) and never had problems, knock on wood! I have been active here throughout that time period and honestly I do not recall seeing any significant problems with IMS (with the prior years' 996s, it was a more common problem). Other than that, as I recall, the later 05's and 06's had an upgraded stereo which could play mp3s (not on early 05s) and maybe adaptability for cell phone integration (you wouldn't want that anyway).

Palmbeacher

My mid-run '05 (built Jan. '05) had the small single-row IMS bearing. I had it replaced with the LN kit when I had the clutch done. Cost me <$600 for the part. The '06 has a larger bearing and spindle, so theoretically it should be more durable (my original, small bearing was in perfect shape at 30K miles, seals intact etc.) but is still grease-packed and sealed and it's still a garden-variety steel bearing. Whether it's less, more, or the same durability as the LN replacement for the smaller bearing has yet to be proved. If you're the type who stresses over the potential for catastrophic engine failure, an '05 is probably better for you, since the bearing can be checked and replaced if needed.

doctorjb

This is all very helpful but I am a bit confused. It sounds like there were changes in the models throughout the 2005 and 2006 production year? So are you guys saying that if you get one in the early part of the year it could be different than one later in the year. Is this just options that change or are there really mechanical changes to cars later in production? IF so how do you know when your car was produced?