I know there are several threads going about 996 and 997 engine failures. Most of them lump M96 and M97 issues together. I was wondering if any of you have heard of or experienced an M97 IMS failure? When I asked this six months ago I heard from a couple of folks (including JFP in PA) that knew of a few. The M97s have been out since '06 and from what I have seen on the various boards there is much less chatter about M97 failures. Our local dealership has seen many M96 failures but no M97 failures. I had a chance to ask this of the service advisors at Champion Porsche when visiting during vacation in December and got the same feedback ("several '05 cars and earlier cars, but nothing since '06). Thanks. Matt

 

It's happened but as you say, less often with the M97s. The IMS was redesigned in 2006.

 

IMS was also updated again in 08.

Glad Porsche eliminated the issue completely in 09.

 

M97 = 3.8L, M96 = 3.6L.

IMS bearing in both engines is same, imho, and its part number is the same.

 

Part number for M97 shaft is 99610590106
Part number for M96 shaft is 99610590101

The bearings as installed from the factory are different. Replacement shafts come with the bearings installed.