Well I have been on the site reading about RMS IMS and trying to learn what to look for when buying. I want an automatic as a DD. I am looking for one that has 50-70K miles. I was told that the automatics did not have as bad of a problem with the IMS but is this still something I have to worry about. There have to be a couple guys with autos.

 

Total 911: issue 69

http://www.total911.com/news/porsche-996997-ims-failure-video/
IMS failure explained
Much has been talked about 996 and 997 engines ‘blowing up’. We investigate the problem and explain how to avoid it happening to you.

 

Thank you. I did do some searching and found that video as well. I was more curious about the IMS in automatics. Also how do I know if the IMS is a problem. If the car was apart it is easy to see but not when you are looking at it. I also noticed in the video he mentioned a rattle.

I am also starting to wonder if a 911 as a DD is a good idea. All I keep seeing is RMS and IMS failures. How often do these really happen?

 

i'm DD'ing a 996 MK2 tiptronic and so far my IMS hasn't failed It's actually been a great daily driver so far.

 

Also what does MK1 vs Mk2 mean. I am guessing that they made a change but what years and how to tell. Is a 2002 a MK2 and 996s before that are mk1? Do the MK2s have the RMS and IMS issues?

 

I have a 1999 tip. Love it. As a daily driver it has been great. As an autocross car it has done well too. I have never missed a gear on our tracks. I might not be as fast as some but I do pretty good. My car has about 125k and I think the engine was replaced around 60k. I purchased the car used. So far so good.
If you are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic that inches along an automatic is the way to go.
The car has plenty of power to overcome the automatic.
Having fun in Oklahoma.

 

I picked up my 2000 996 a couple of months ago, been out looking for signs of IMS symptoms nothing so far.... car has 57k and runs like a champ. Also it seems from my researching IMS was more of an issue 1996-1999. Ofcourse those with out IMS issues are less likely to post compliments on IMS as apposed to complaints of those that have had an engine gernaded.

 

So if I get a 2000 they fixed something that made the IMS less likely to happen?

 

My '01 C4 had an IMS failure. I don't think there was any change to try and fix that. They put a new seal design for the RMS in '02 I think, but I don't believe they ever changed the IMS design. It wasn't a big enough problem.

 

996 MK1 is 99-01
996 MK2 is 02-04

i had RMS leak in my 02 tip. not a big deal. just replace the seal which is about 1k.

what you want to look for is repeat RMS/IMS issues. if it hasn't happened, i dont think you have to worry. if it happened, make sure it's done by a dealer as there is a specific tool for that. also, make sure it was done a while back so you know it's not coming back. if there is an issue that has taken more than 2 fixes, i would not consider the car. warranty and service history will be important on this.

also, the coolant expansion tank is known to burst. make sure that's already done. if not, it's a pretty expensive job too (i think a grand or so).

otherwise, the car is great as a daily. keep the brakes, tires and fluids new is all you have to worry about. mine was as dependable as a toyota.

 

I second that - it is dependable and I DD this thing like a rental car!!

 

Thanks Guys. I am thinking that a 911 is what I am going to get. Now to find the right one.

 

02+ offers many improvements in the 996 series over 99-01. if you can locate one that is lower mileage and in good condition, you've got a great value

of all 996 NA engines, the most desirable is the C4S, san the GT3 of course.

 

PM sent to Onempty

 

Mines a 6speed but still a daily driver...if its been a long day at work and you're approaching an on-ramp...theres absolutely 0 chance that you wont have an ear to ear grin once you get up to speed. No problems for the first 6 months KOW