Like any car, clutch life is largely predicated on use. I have the original clutch in my 99 996.

PPI Pre purchase inspection

LN (LN engineering.) Check them out.
IMSr Intermediate Shart Retrofit.
http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html

 

Good luck with your buy, but i think you can buy an 03" for that if you wait a bit- i've been researching hard the past few weeks

 

I know you want a standard trans, but back to RMS/IMS, a mechanic I am told is knowledgeable not myself has told me that although the issue exists it is not an epidemic and furthermore not likely with the tiptronic trans, just passing along what I heard

 

My 2002 C4S is one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. It's my daily driver, winter, spring, summer and fall. I drive it about 8K miles per year. I put dedicated winter wheels and tires on it in the snow, and it does very well.

I change my own oil, and I've done a few other small fixes myself (window regulator replacement, for example). I'm on my second clutch, and I had my RMS and IMS seals replaced at 74,000 miles. I haven't had any issues with oil leaks, coolant leaks, or anything else. I'm not worried about the IMS bearing. If it goes, it goes. I MAY consider changing it when I get my next clutch, but I don't know yet.

 

What is the cost of AMS & IMS seals from the dealer?

 

I had it done a couple of years ago, so I don't recall exactly. I think it was around $1,400. I'll check my records and post again later. I originally had it in the shop to have the RMS done because of a minor oil leaking issue - I believe the dealer called it "oil sweating", not leaking. While they had it apart, I had the IMS seal replaced also. As I said in my previous post, I've had no leaks at all since the newer RMS was installed.

 

agreed! my local porsche shop is the LN Distirbutor for the area. i got my clutch done there. they had a look at my bearing, checked for play - none present and said don't touch it. got 92,000kms on the clock, they said replace it next time i get my clutch done at say 160,000kms just to be ultra safe.

they removed the outer seal to get oil in there and i don't worry about it any more. they said the IMS bearing failure is super rare, in 10 years of them being in business they've seen 2 and have about five 911's in and out of there on any given day. do the math....

change your oil often, maintain your car and drive the **** out of it!

 

I just looked it up. I was actually pretty close! I had it done March 10, 2009. The breakdown is as follows:

- Remove and Install transmission, replace rear carnkshaft seal $1,260.00
- 997-101-212-00 Shaft sealing ring $22.10
- 900-385-275-01 Hex-head screw 6x20 (x3) $4.80
- 999-385-004-01 Torx head screw 6x35 (x4) $10.00
- 999-073-092-01 Pan-head screw 10x50 (x8) $20.00
- 996-105-017-02 Shaft base $70.09
- Lube 9 Qty Oil $66.87

Grand total: $1,453.86

 

As for any RMS issues, they got better each year. I have an 03' and have had it about 5 months, I do consume oil, but not a drip from the car and the consumation is "within limits" according to Porsche. (However, lots of people consuming seem to chalk it up to 0W oil, personaly changing to 5 and 10 has helped substantially. Anyways, I personally hate cabs do to the lines. HOWEVER, I have to admit I truly LOVE driving them with the tops down (even the old 356's). I might look for one with less mileage, however, the price seems right, so do your research, and go with your gut. Good Luck!

 

Anyways, I personally hate cabs do to the lines. HOWEVER, I have to admit I truly LOVE driving them with the tops down (even the old 356's). [/quote]

Sorry for off topic, but, really? You love the coupe but HATE cabs?
I am trying to think of a more beautiful, recent convertible car than a 993, 996, 997 cab. Top down, looking at if from the rear.... good stuff!

 

WOW...My RMS was done in Northern, CA two weeks ago and came out to $1450.66!!

 

Sorry for off topic, but, really? You love the coupe but HATE cabs?
I am trying to think of a more beautiful, recent convertible car than a 993, 996, 997 cab. Top down, looking at if from the rear.... good stuff![/quote]


Ya, I know, I'm weird... admititly I guess I just chalk it up to being a purists as porsche racing cars aren't cabs... except 550 spyders (which I adore!)

 

I agree with you. Personally if I was in the market to buy a 996 I'd rather buy a higher mileage model with its maintenance up to date like yours for example. The RMS and IMS issues have been present between 1999-2005 and many times the RMS has issues because the car isn't driven enough. So imo it's the low mileage cars that have been sitting in their garage most of their life that's most likely going to have issues because the seals and bearings need vacuum and lubrication to work correctly and just sitting in the garage the seals are going to dry up and deteriorate. Also if one buys a car with under 60K miles they also need to consider that they're going to have to pay for the 60K maintenance when it comes (coilpacks, plugs, RMS, Clutch, filters, etc.) which can cost thousands, and in the long run it would have been cheaper and better if they would have purchased a vehicle that already had all the maintenance taken care of. Once again this is just my .2 cents, and it might seem a bit biased because my 996 with 64k that's up to date with maintenance is for sale. haha....but I believe most owners would agree, and if I was buying another na 996 I would buy one with the 60K maintenance already done and would have saved myself thousands, what are some of you other owners opinions on this?

 

So did you buy the car yet?

 

I was told this by a dealership when asking what their price was for the IMS bearing upgrade would be. Seems like they would want to get my business, but told me the IMS bearing upgrade is not neccessary because my car is a tiptronic.