IMS ISSUES??
I have an opportunity to buy my 1st Porsche. it's been well maintained and looks and runs well. Looks like camber adjustment may be needed. That's all that's visually questionable. So I'm all happy about a chance to own an affordable Porsche and then I found this website. And I learned a little about IMS failure. Now I'm worried. Should I balk at the purchase and have a reputable repair shop analyze the car for me? Like what it would take to be certified pre-owned car.
Right now I'm figuring on buying it unless I hear compelling reasons for not from you guys.

 

This is an oft-discussed topic that has no definitive answer. I can only give you my opinion which you can take with a grain of salt. I have a MY 2000 Tip (automatic) Cabriolet which I purchased with 37k miles. I had my IMS and RMS done within a few weeks of buying it, after doing a lot of reading here and on other forums. Justified or not, for me the peace of mind was worth the expense.

A new option is the IMS Guardian that is now for sale. For around $400 you get a monitor that we're told will notify you seconds before an engine melt-down. To me this is not a viable alternative. I'd still be wondering if and when my engine was going to grenade. Where might I be when the alarm tells me to immediately turn off my engine? It could be a dangerous situation. Other forum members will have a different opinion on this.

As far as having the car certified, I'm not sure that will be possible with a '99, but you should call a dealer to be sure. Most legitimate after-market warranty companies won't cover a '99.

 

If you go to any car forum you'll read about the issues they all have. All cars break. The number of Porsche with issues, albeit higher than it should, is minimal. If it is going to drive you nuts do the upgrades for peace of mind. If not, don't worry too much about it.

 

Do yourself a favor, get a PPI, if that checks out, get the car, drive it, and enjoy it! Do NOT search for IMS on the interweb, do NOT search for prices of 911's after you buy it, it will only drive you absolutely crazy.

Oh yeah, drive it like you stole it!


Brian

 

i was worried about the same thing, im buying a 2000 cab...assuming the ppi goes well tomorrow, if they find evidence of rms or ims i'll walk from the sale, if they dont i'll buy it and try to never think of ims or rms ever again

 

I have a 99 c2 cabrio with 88,000 miles. This is a forum site,a very good one at that. Most people come on here to learn about problems and what not. The % of cars with IMS problems are pretty slim from what i hear. I was worried for awhile but then just started driving her the way she should be driven. Do your research and make a good choice.

 

A small leak at the RMS is not a big deal. It can be addressed at a later date without jeopardizing your engine. A PPI won't be able to determine the state of your IMS unless it is already toast.

 

Great responses, one and all! I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply to a green Porsche aficionado like me. You'd comments have settled me down quite a bit now that I'm a little more familiar with the unknown. I'm so green I'm not gonna look this gift horse in the mouth. I hope to be parking her in my garage by this time next Monday. And wouldn't you know it , the car is green too.

 

Green Porsches have the fewest IMS problems.

 

I thought green porches were envious of silver Porsche?

 

thats good to know, figured if there were any signs i would either walk away or use it to re-negotiate the price

waiting for ppi results so i can sign a check

 

+1 on the PPI. Also:

It may sound like a simple thing, but make sure the car comes with TWO keys, too. It's incredibly expensive to replace and program. Besides, the 996 came with two keys -- you should get 'em both!

 

nice. I agree!

 

'99 Ocean Blue, 78000 miles runs great!
There is a lot of fear mongering even on these boards.
There is ZERO statistical evidence that '99's are any more suceptible to IMS issue than a 2004!
If PPI checks out and you are happy with the price then buy it and be prepared for a helluva fun car!
Pete

 

Well, for that matter there is *zero* statistical evidence that an IMS issue even exists :->