dak911

In looking at supposed a 2005 911 arent they 997's? (not seeing any in person yet)
Can a 2005 have the "Boxster" (sorry about that) headlights?
At what month do they become 05 over 04?
Is an 06 ANY different mechanically wise than an 05...
Are there 'paddle shifters" offered on any of the 997's, or is there a conversion available?
Having sold my 00 and then my 02 Boxsters I'm hoping to get way from the IMS issues ...and trade for what new issues?
More questions coming...thanks
Daniel...not up on newer 911's having owned only up to 87

Domer911

easy way for me to discern 996 from 997 is the shape of the headlight lens cover. L-shaped = 996, oval = 997. Paddle shifters come as option on PDK versions of 997.2s, but I suppose almost anything can be added after-market.

there, other than "don't powder coat your tips", that's all I know about these cars. Tons of expertise on this sight, though.

Alan Smithee

Some 996 models were carried over for MY2005 (C4S, cabriolet, Turbo, GT3)
No. The 911 and Boxster shared headlights through 2001. When they were facelifted in 2002, they had different headlight designs.
Depends on the model. They do not change over all at once.
None that are published. Apparently there were some internal changes to the C2 to fix the IMS issues.
Paddle shifters became an option in 2010.

ADias

This is how a 2004 996 (possibly sold in late 2005) looks like (notice the straight sides, and complex tear-dropped headlights, with integrated fogs/blinkers):



Notice that in the 996 the front hood leading edge is straight.

This is how a 2005 997 looks like (note the coke-bottle sides, oval-shaped headlights, separate fogs/blinkers, and split side mirror mounts):



Notice that in the 997 the front hood leading edge is curved.

The Carrera shares the same M96 engine between the 2004 996 and the 2005 997, however, the cars are very different in chassis and suspension design.

KeninBlaine

I think the OP might have meant whether any 05 Carreras have the fried egg headlights like the Boxsters had. The answer is yes, for the models you cited (AWD models and GT3).

dak911

So, the IMS "problem is still inherent in the 05?

Alan Smithee

No, the '996.2' did not share a headlight design with the Boxster.

ADias

Yes. The 997 series uses M96/M97 engines. The new engine 9A1 (DFI) was introduced in the 997.2 series (997-facelift) which was introduced as a '09 model in the latter part of 2008. Note though that the M96/M97 RMS/IMS failures are relatively few, as there are many M96/M97 engines with many miles running without issues. Some have said that the well driven cars, driven often, spiritedly, are the better ones.

Alstoy

We did a poll here some time ago and there were not that many (~3%) that had issues. Also, the ~3% were not all '05s. I can't find any source where it shows "significant" problems. My '05 has been great. Most of the people that warn against this are non-'05 owners who are jealous that we got the first ones. Just make sure you know the owner and car well (PPI, records, etc) and you will have miles of enjoyment. Cheers.