05 997S w Replaced Engine

[997tx]

Group,

 

Owned a great 993 widebody years ago before kids.  Now looking at possibly buying a 997 from a friend of mine.  He bought his 05 usedin 07 and I believe had Intermediate Shaft Seal issue which required replacing the engine.  My question is:

1) If they replaced the engine some 3+ years after new is it likely to have the single instead of dual gasket (might be using wrong terminology). 

2) He has maintained the vehicle based on Porsche recommended intervals with no issue

 

I believe the car has 80k miles, 60 with new engine.  The vehicle is in mint condition cosmetically with all records from dealership.  The price is reasonable based on NADA.  That said, would you pass?

 

[White987S]

Should have never sold the 993. You can buy two 997 for the price of a good widebody 993 today.

 

My concern would be if he maintained the oil change interval per Porsche's recommendation. Every 12,000 miles or every 20,000 miles is WAY too long.

 

Have the plugs been replaced? Serpt. belt? Has the water pump been changed yet? Thermostat?

 

And I think you are confusing two different weakspots. The IMSB (intermediate shaft bearing) and the RMS (rear main seal- more of a 996/986 issue).

[jl-c]

As he is a friend, get an oil sample and have it analysed. If all OK then go for it, and enjoy it, but ignore the recommended oil changes and do them every 6000 miles with good oil (something like Millers Nanodrive CFS 5w40 NT) . Then work your way through the service items as suggested by White987S so that you have a known point to work from. No guarantee as to which IMS you have apart from looking (see JFP's answer to "Decipher a VIN?" )