boxster ims bearing

[box 986]

i have a 986 boxster 2.5ltr.
it has 72,000 miles on the clock and works like clockwork.
recently ive learned about the ims bearing and how sometimes its prone to failure,and ive been worrying about it ever since.
is it really as serious as some people say it is, or is it just hyped up.
some people say that it can destroy your engine beyond repair and that some american companies offer replacements for the ims bearing, but the cost for the bearing is quite high in my opinion.
any opinions please?

 

[Robin M]

I am no expert bit why do you think its a problem now? After 72 K miles I would have thought it has had plently of mileage to fail if it was going to?

 

[Ivor]

I have a 2003 Boxster 2.7 and the IMS failed at 19,000 miles so I don't think that yours will let go after 72k. Other posts about the IMS have always said the same thing: if its going to fail it will fail sooner rather than later.

 

[RonnieG]

to be honest its like the RMs its an old wives tale of woe... If its going to go it will be an immdeiate failure its like all diesel 5 series bmws blow the turbos or petrol ones have vanos troubles, or mondeos have injector failures on every car. Yes it happens but it is only a small number that it happen to. i have talked to people who work on them and it is a small number that fail so I would not worry too much. If it happens it is just bad luck. The RMS is more of a problem and really need replacing every 40-60k miles from what I hear mine lasted until 80k miles before it failed and a day had it sorted. If you have to replace yours get them to check the IMS bearing when she is in bits.

I say enjoy her and dont worry about it, chances of it happening are slight to be honest.

 

[Nick_USA]

There is no rule of thumb with regards to failure, some will never fail, some may fail with low mileage some with high mileage. Regular servicing may help but it isn't a guarantee, our 2004 3.2 S failed with 43,000 miles on the clock and it had never missed a stamp in the book.

There are others that swear by bearing replacements or upgrades but still this may not save you. A warranty may help with some of the costs but that's your own personal choice.

Safest way is to by a Turbo, GT3 or a new DFI car without any potential IMS issues.

 

[box 986]

thanks for the info guys.
i started worrying about it now because its just lately that i got to know about the potential problem.
i was wondering if i should get the upgraded bearings but that means having to remove the clutch, which is still in very good condition, gearbox and flywheel. quite an expense!
i guess ill just take my chances and enjoy it as it is.
i have had a sports exhaust fitted including muffler cats and manifolds, the techno torque from pedro's garage, the rss underdrive pulley, an evoms induction kit, and just lately i remapped the ecu, and the car is such a joy to drive, i dont want to part with it just yet.
my brother bought a ford focus RS recently and after i remapped the ecu he told me to go for a ride in our own seperate cars.
we were in a long straight at one point and i could see that his intention was to speed up and leave me for dust, but he just couldnt get rid of me, i was stuck with him at 155 mph! i couldnt beleive the speedo, the book says top speed of 149.
i love my car and for now i dont intend to sell it, so ill just enjoy it and then see what happens!