Concerned about my pending purchase of a 2005 911 997

[Don9512]

I have a deal on a 2005 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet with the 3.8L, 47500 miles. The deal is pending a PPI by the local Porsche dealer, I'm not buying it from the dealer. After all this talk of IMS bearings I'm concerned. The car fax is clean. I visited the Porsche dealer and they ran a service report that shows a warrantee repair at 11000 miles ( 13590 sealing f cranks, flywh / 5043 oil loss) When I got this report the service manager said this was a good thing that the seal was replaced because the newer seal is better than the original. Any advice on this IMS bearing issue would be appreciated before I make the purchase.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Don9512

[Don9512]

Spoke to the Service Manager at the Porsche dealer today about the IMS issue. He said a few years ago it was a problem and they had scraped and replaced a few engines but he hasn't seen one in a couple of years. He also said to the best of his knowledge all the problems he saw were at 15000 to 30000 miles. I asked him if I should be concerned and he said he wouldn't but he's on this side of the counter. His best advice was to look at an extended warrantee at least then you don't have to worry about it. He did offer to replace the bearings but said it would be around $3000. PPI is tomorrow should be interesting.

[wvicary]

I don't understand why anyone would worry about an issue like this, if something breaks- fix it. Yes it's very expensive if not caught in time but many other manufacturers have issues that are just as expensive and occur much more often than the IMS brng. If you're going to lose sleep over the issue purchase a warranty.

[JFP in PA]

I have a deal on a 2005 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet with the 3.8L, 47500 miles. The deal is pending a PPI by the local Porsche dealer, I'm not buying it from the dealer. After all this talk of IMS bearings I'm concerned. The car fax is clean. I visited the Porsche dealer and they ran a service report that shows a warrantee repair at 11000 miles ( 13590 sealing f cranks, flywh / 5043 oil loss) When I got this report the service manager said this was a good thing that the seal was replaced because the newer seal is better than the original. Any advice on this IMS bearing issue would be appreciated before I make the purchase.

2005 was a transitional year for Porsche, some of the engine's had the serviceable (read replaceable) IMS bearing, while others carry the non serviceable (read total rebuild to change the IMS bearing). Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which bearing is in the car without pulling the trans and looking at it. If it is the non serviceable unit, remove the rear bearing seal and put the car back together. If the car carries the serviceable unit, upgrade the car to the LN replacement unit (now you can put a dual row LN replacement in a car that came with the OEM single row) and you are golden.

[Papachristou]

I don't understand why anyone would worry about an issue like this, if something breaks- fix it. Yes it's very expensive if not caught in time but many other manufacturers have issues that are just as expensive and occur much more often than the IMS brng. If you're going to lose sleep over the issue purchase a warranty.

^ This. Besides, you arent buying a kia. These cars cost more to maintain, it's part of the deal.

Why will the PPI be interesting? Either they find something or they dont.

[Mijostyn]

Hi Don,

I think you are asking yourself the wrong question. Ask yourself if you REALLY have to have this car. If it is a cool car and you REALLY have to have it then **** the torpedoes. Like Papachristou says above, these cars are expensive to maintain. More than likely the IMS bearing is going to be just fine but there are a zillion other things that can go wrong and many of them are going to be very expensive. That is the price of life in the fast lane. If you can not afford it and do not absolutely love this car then bail out now or you will for certain be a very unhappy camper. But if you can throw about 3 to 4 grand a year average at the car (service, tires and such) then knock yourself out. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE. (I love getting ***** out of perfectly proper English)

Edited January 22, 2014 by Mijostyn

[Don9512]

Thanks for all the advice in the end I just didn't want to worry about it. It wasn't about spending a couple thousand a year but having to drop 20K into a car that costs 45K. The math doesn't work for me. So today I bought a new Boxster. Not exactly a 911 but a great first Porsche.

[Mijostyn]

Great move. Now you have a warranty and you will know exactly how the car was treated. I lusted for a 911 since my first ride at age 13. My first Porsche was a brand new 86 944 Turbo and it was a fabulous car which I will always remember fondly. I might even still have it if I didn't total the thing :-( So, DRIVE CAREFULLY!! The Boxter will make you feel like a hero, a potentially dangerous impression ;-)