Ok, I am in my search for new Porsche..... glad this forum exists b/c I wou;d never have known about the IMS & RMS issues.... Seems like the 996 AND the Boxster has this issue.. ughhh.

If there was such as thing as "safe years", which years should I consider? If that year is 'too much money', I will have to let some time pass and depreciation helps me afford it.

Also, if I went with a cheaper/older/potential problem Boxster, how much $$ would you set aside to help with the known problem areas of the car? In other words, if I could not afford an 09 but could afford an 02 and have $5K for repairs & warranty, is that smarter in your opinion?

I am thinking its kinda like buying an airplane - expect problems and have cash to pay for it. What reserves are smart??

Thanks!

Your wealth of information is mind blowing (and humbling)

George

 

I have had my 08 Boxster just over a year and before looking I asked three Service Advisors (all from different Porsche dealerships) for their recommendations. All three said if they were buying they would look at the 08, last of the gen1 987 as most if not all "bugs" were worked out and they considered it very reliable. They said the later an 07 was built the better they thought that model would be but they couldn't tell me when these "improvements" were made. The 09 was still too new for me to find a good price so I didn't pursue that model. I don't recall any comments on it nor have I seen anything that would keep me from looking at it and in fact may look at that model for the next one. Before going out of warranty in Sept. I took it to a dealer for the "once over" and got a clean bill of health. I looked for the lowest mileage car I could find for what I was willing to spend and got one with 14,000 miles. I stayed away from 19" wheels as I had read the ride was more harsh. I don't track it and I think it will be as trouble free as any car I have owned. I put on all season tires last winter, it's seen quite a bit of snow, and the only problem was a nail in a tire and I was able to get it home & remove it for repair. The "drone" people mention from 2,000 to 3,000 rpm does get annoying so take a good test drive. I tend to do my shifting to avoid the "noise." I also might mention we once didn't quite pull the top release latch fully open before lowering the top and we snapped a plastic connector that I was able to easily fix. Heated seats were a must for me and they sure work great. Good luck hunting

 

thanks!!

George

 

In 09 they did away with the IMS - If that is not in your price range then the 03-04 S model from the 986 series are the best. From the 987 the 07-08 would be the better of that series. the 986 you can do preventative IMS replavements which could run you $2 - 3 k if you need a clutch as well. As for the 987 there is not quick fix, the entire motor would have to be torn down. So pick the range that fits your budget and go as new as you can. BTW stay away from 05, it was an interim year and you never know what you get,
good luck and good hunting

 

Unfortunately, there is no special year that's better or worse than any other. I always recommend that one buys the newest model they can afford. That way you have the newest "things" in the car and potentially the lowest mileage while not simply buying a garage queen.

 

So Harry, in your opinion, I could get a 03-04 S model from the 986 series and just put $3K into a new clutch and IMS replacements & clutch and not look back??

George

 

pardon the ignorance.. but what does IMS and RMS stand for?

 

Depending on the milage, the short answer is yes. when you get into the higher milage cars then you can add a waterpump to that list which will run you around $500.00 I work on nothing but Boxsters and in general they hold together very well. One of my best customer is over 110k on the odometer runs all DE's that come up and until recently was his daily driver (got a company car) Now if you want to make it run faster, that's another story

 

no pardon necessary the IMS stands for intermediate shaft, this shaft is powered by the crankshaft via a chain and it in turn powers the Camshafts via chains. Gee what could go wrong there. the pressure on the rear bearing of the IMS is what is failing in some cars.
the RMS is simply the rear main oil seal (crankshaft)

 

thanks. appreciate that

 

And I thank you, too.

 

Thanks for answering my question!

On thursday, I am looking at a 2004 Base Boxster with a stick & 17" wheels and 29K miles. Serviced at dealer every year or 10K miles.

The RMS was replaced AND the IMS seals were replaced AND they went ahead and replaced the clutch at 20K under warranty. They said it was about a $1200 repair (if memory serves me correct - I called the Porsche dealership where its been maintained).

Should I still be concerned with the IMS.

If so, do you think I should spend the $$ on a warranty or replacing the IMS bearings??

George

 

the IMS seal is not the problem. when they start to leak it usually means there is something up with the bearing. the bearing is what you need to replace and LN Engineering is the one to get.

 

You seem to have the maintenance record for the vehicle. That's all you can do. If it has been properly maintained, you can only do what you can do (with any used car). Properly maintained is what you want. Service records provide you with the security of regular oil changes and proper flushes and filters. That's all a 30K Boxster needs.