CaymanSleen

Please to meet everyone. Name is Walter. I am new to the forum. Would like some input from you guys because you seem very knowledgeable. This will be my first Porsche. I currently have a 2007 Saleen S281 Supercharged and a 2014 Cadillac ATS awd turbo. Test drove a 2006 Cayman S and fell in love with the connection between car/driver and the refinement. Ok...with research and checking out the forums it seems the issues to look out for are the (IMS) bearing issue. When checking out a Cayman S i am interessted in am I correct to look for a rattle from engin/drive train and check for any smoke from exhaust? Also (RMS) seal. Just check for any leakage under car? Another question how to tell if a car has (Pasm)? Another question is 60k mikes considered high? Pretty much I want to purchase a car without headaches. Thank you guys.

CaymanSleen

My 2 babie

CaymanSleen

extanker

what is your budget ?

Macster

All you can do is find an example with no stories, documented servicing, and give the car a thorough used car check out and if the car checks out avoid paying too much for the car.

A cold engine start then letting the engine idle as you walk around the car checking the car over from the outside all the time listening to the engine as you walk around the car, followed by a 15 mile test ride followed by a 15 mile test drive. Afterwards you check every system to confirm all work.

If you still like the car at this point then get a PPI. Among other things this has the car lifted in the air so a thorough check can be made for any leak sign. Every gasket, seal, o-ring, hose, hose fitting, hydraulic line, line connection, dust boot is checked for signs of leakage or problems.

Porsche considers 6K to 9K miles per year about "average" mleage so a 2006 (10+ years old car) with 60K miles works out to around 6K miles per year or about average miles.

As a number 60K miles doesn't have to be high miles. My 2002 Boxster has over 315K miles and still runs just fine. Well, there is a P1128 error code once in a while but that's due to be addressed as soon as I get my 996 Turbo that won't start fixed so I can put the Boxster in the shop for the P1128. But even with the P1128 the car runs fine. In hindsight at 60K miles the car was just getting broken in.

Can't help you with how to tell if PASM is present.

Mach5

With regard to PASM; on my 2010 the car has a button with a small shock absorber icon. When pressed the car switches to Sport with PASM engaged. Sport can subsequently be turned off leaving you with normal driving mode and PASM left in Sport. A subsequent push of the PASM button turns it off or back to normal mode. I don't know for a fact but I would expect the 2006 - 2008 cars (987.1)would be similar. Good luck with your search, these are wonderful cars!

CaymanSleen

Appreciate the feedback. Looking to spend roughly 26k. Most in my area in that price range are 06-07 Cayman S with roughly 60-70k miles.

CaymanSleen

It seems second gen 2009+ have a more peace of mind buying experience correct me if i am wrong due to not having the "ims" bearing issue. Also researching "Sport Chrono" and "Pasm". Are both available in gen 1 and 2 models? Are these features must haves. Car will moist likely be a weekend daily and possibly see the track maybe once per year. I will drive her hard spiritually but not totally beat on her. That's what the Saleen is for lol.

extanker

09 and up base should fit your needs with pdk

Mach5

The 2009+ did get some significant improvements, most notably the change to eliminate the troublesome IMS bearing and improved oiling etc.. However, there were a LOT fewer 987.2 cars produced, so finding one can be difficult and they do cost a premium over the 987.1s.

There has been lots of discussion about the reliability of tracked gen 1 cars. Some have had no issues but others have experienced oil starvation, bore scoring and other problems. Depending on how much and how hard you plan to track the vehicle that may be a concern. I would recommend doing some searches to get some additional perspectives.

harveyf

Regarding the IMS, you can search the web for the complete story in that regard but my high level summary is that starting in 2006, the Boxster/Cayman engines got a bearing upgrade. Anecdotally, this engine is the least likely to fail. The worst offenders are the engines from 2000-2005. Even those have a low failure rate but that is little solace if it happens to you. You can go for the 2009 and later cars with the DFI engine, which apparently has totally resolved that particular problem. But you will also see a jump in asking price.
Our 2006S has 65,000 miles. Again anecdotally, a "regularly driven" car is less likely to experience IMS failure.

Our Cayman has been virtually trouble free. They are very well built cars. Do your homework and go for it. You won't be disappointed.

tomhartzell

There is a video available on the Porsche Club website that is also available on YouTube that does a very good job of illustrating how the IMS bearing was improved, with the 2006-2008 IMS bearing being the beefiest.

If the link doesn't work, do a search for: Intermediate Shaft and IMS bearing explained