Buying and owning a 996 advice

[Richard_Hamilton]

There have been at least 5 derivatives of the Rear main Oil Seal over the years, and although each one was an improvement, they still aren't perfect. My Cayman has had two. Seems to be oil tight at the moment though.....

 

[thirteeneast]

Any of the BMW's I have owned have dribbled at the Rear main seal if laid up long enough too.

Anyway I thought Porsches are supposed to be Oiley, Id say the 996 spils out less than some others.

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[AndrewEllinas]

And I'm afraid I'm one the unlucky one's who's had an IMS failure resulting in a complete engine rebuild by Hartech. I'm afraid I don't believe they are rare as people think. My friend (the only one I know who also owns a Hersche) has a 05 Cayman and his IMS went too.

Personally, I wouldn't have a 966 without either having the IMS changed or a Porsche warranty.

It's the major reason why I bought a turbo.

 

[geoffpfc]

[] Good luck with the Turbo, from what I've been told they have different, but more expensive issues than the non-turbo models. If you're really worried about the IMS then you could get a GT3 with its different engine.

One thing that has puzzled me is why the 993 and earlier cars are termed air cooled, when it's probably more accurate to call them oil cooled, seeing as they have about 50% more oil in them [&:]

 

[cowbridgepete]

I have also suffered IMS failure albeit with a 986 Boxster so I don't believe they are that rare either. I swore I would never buy another Porsche but 12 months on I'm thinking about a 996! How much does it cost to have the IMS changed (or is it just the bearing and/or seal?) and would the new part be better than the old part? Really want a 911 but 996 is probably only one I can afford.