Been casually looking for a 2006+ 997 to avoid IMS concerns and came across a well options 2007 non S with PASM and hardback sport seats that I like but according to the autoatlanta vin decoder, the engine code is M96 which (a)I was told to avoid and (b) should have been phased out with the 2006 MY...

Is my info wrong? is auto atlanta wrong?

 

Yes.

The engine codes remained the same, the part number for replacement engines changed a couple of times.

 

so M96 doesnt mean it has the old style bearing? are all MY06+ safe?

 

I had a 2007 C2 and had a simlar concern when there was much discussion about Re:IMS problem. I investigated it on various websites dealers and discovered the following:
(1) porsche's engine designation on 997 carreras with 3.6 liter engines (2005-2008) is M96.05
(M97 for 3.8 liter). (Statements that all 997.1 had M97 numbers were false and was spread all over the place even by Callas et al. )

(2) Regardless of having this designation, there were changes made to the engine sometime in 2006 which increased the Intermediate shaft bearing size and reduced the likelihood of IMS failure in 06-08 model cars including those having the 3.6 liter engine. However, these newer engines cannot be retrofited with aftermarket bearings.

There may be some disagreement about this but without ginving you a lengthy history of my investigation ans sources, I can assure you that I was as concerned about this issue as you are and am satisfied with the information I recieved from a variety of sources including the primary vendor for the aftermarket IMS bearing who assured me that M96.05 was standard desigantion for 3.6 liter 997s and that there was a ridiculaous amount of misinformation that resulted from a single post by one so called expert. You should be fine with and 07 model C2 or C2s

 

correction to my previous post. The changes to intermediate shaft bearing design that occurred in the 997.1 engines apparently occurred mid to late 2005 so that most 06 model year cars have the improved IMS bearing. there are threads devoted to ascertaining the actual vin number range of engines having the early bearing design. I think that all 07 models (even if made in eg 7/06) have the improved bearing.

 

I just bought a 2006 (delivered in Oct. 05) C2S. I wasn't aware of the IMS issue until after my purchase. Can you please point to one of the threads that allows one to ascertain the vin number range of engines having the early bearing design?

 

Doug,

Late MY 2005 got the new IMS bearing design, which means that all 2006 + 997.1 cars have the IMS bearing design.

The original IMS bearing design has a double row of bearings. The new design has a single row of bearings.

 

Excellent, thank you!

 

Thanks Tim. Doug, I am sorry but I am pathetically inept on computer basics--- don't know how to paste in the link but there is a thread in this forum "2005 997 Enginez w/updated IMS Bearing" which tackles this question. Note that there is a separate engine number located on the bottom on the engine block (not the same as the VIN number) You will find an abundance of discussion by searching google with "997 IMS failure" . However, there is much hearsay to sort through and I think that Tim's information is consistent with the reliable sources. John

 

Thanks, John!