Boxster IMS upgrade solutions - 986/987

[Gary Bullen]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS"]We own a 2005 987 Boxster S. In that time the car has done 18,000 miles. It lives in a secure dry garage under a car cover and attached to a battery conditioner. It's pampered and looks pretty good for it's age. Having decided it's worth more to us than the ££'s it would fetch if we sold it we are now considering an IMS Guardian upgrade. Parr have sent us a mailshot with the following details -

The cost to to supply and fit the IMS Guardian kit with engine oil & filter change on your 2005 987 Boxster 3.2 S would be £944 including parts, labour and vat.

We would advise that it would be better to actually fit the LN Engineering uprated ceramic IMS bearing & seal kit with a new rear main seal as a preventative measure rather than monitoring the original vulnerable Porsche bearing. The cost of this would be £1,666 inc vat for a manual gearbox 987 Boxster 3.2 S

[FONT=Trebuchet MS"]We'd like to ask -

1/. Have you had this work done to your Boxster/Boxster S?
2/. Who did you use for supply of parts/labour to fit?
3/. What sort of cost for parts + labour + VAT?
4/. Other than peace of mind was there any other noticeable improvement for example

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

All I can say is that that is a ridiculous price for an IMS Guardian. The list price is £300+VAT, but there are a couple on eBay for £295 inc vat. It makes it about the most expensive oil change imaginable. I suspect the inflated price is to tempt you into an LN bearing "upgrade" (which is not fit-and-forget, by the way).

Edit: the only snag with a 987 is that they don't make an IMSG switch suitable for the dash.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I agree with Richard Crazy price.

Either get one from Wrightune for £360 or get a warranty for the next few years which covers it and most other things too.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

At our national event Autofarm were quoting £1300.00+vat to supply and fit LNE dual row IMS bearing for early 987/997 or £1650.00+vat including clutch. There are others who supply and fit this bearing such as Braunton Engineering in Devon.
http://www.brauntonengineering.co.uk/

Philip Raby are quoting £420.00+vat supply and fit IMS guardian.
http://www.findaporsche.com/porsche-care/ims-guardian/

 

[tex]

i used to worry about the whole ims problem and even thought about getting the bearing changed when i got the clutch, rms and ims seals done when i asked about not one specialist or opc had done one within a 100 mile radius and there is plenty of 911's and boxsters going about aberdeen and as richard said the ceramic bearing isn't a proven cure, yes some may say better safe than sorry but i'm just going to take the chance my but then again my 3.2s has 44,000 miles on the clock and its an old 986 so not worth as much as your 987.