996-997 wet-sump engine reliability: enter your stats here!
Discussion
Mr Ping said:
1998 C2 Cab
Engine blew at 18k - my dad owned it at that point and I am unsure what it was but I don't believe it was IMS.
Should have had the IMS looked at at this point but didn't....read forums, panicked and then got that done too about 4 weeks ago although I wasn't experiencing any problems.
Thanks for some actual long term experience, I'm curious , do you know what state the IMS bearing was in when it was replaced ?Engine blew at 18k - my dad owned it at that point and I am unsure what it was but I don't believe it was IMS.
Should have had the IMS looked at at this point but didn't....read forums, panicked and then got that done too about 4 weeks ago although I wasn't experiencing any problems.
I initially told the garage that I wanted to keep the replaced bearing as I wanted to know what state it was in but I never got it - they just did the work and told me it was an absolute bugger to get out but otherwise there wasn't anything obviously wrong at the time.
I was a tiny bit peeved but didn't want to be awkward about it but I trust them based on the work they have done for me over the years - As well as the fact that when I bring it in for stupid things that I should really know how to do myself they just go ahead and sometimes do it for free.
I was a tiny bit peeved but didn't want to be awkward about it but I trust them based on the work they have done for me over the years - As well as the fact that when I bring it in for stupid things that I should really know how to do myself they just go ahead and sometimes do it for free.
My '99 C4 is now on 60k with no major rebuilds. my feeling is the problem although real is easy to get out of proportion. It would make sense to change the bearing if it was likely to fail , it seems difficult to get a definitive mileage or age at which they should be changed. But appreciate the info !
Personally I'd say it's worth doing the bearing / IMS upgrade if you intend to rack up worry free mileage over a number of years - otherwise it will always be niggling at the back of your mind (especially if you read these forums) and will dampen the fun!
In fact if you're at 60k then you will prolly need some work doing in the nearish future at which point getting the IMS done at the same time would be a no-brainer.
In fact if you're at 60k then you will prolly need some work doing in the nearish future at which point getting the IMS done at the same time would be a no-brainer.
the only real problem I had with my 996 C2 was when I took it to the local OPC once to have the clutch replaced they said they would replace the RMS also and then 2 weeks later RMS leak of doom was leaving nice little puddles everywhere . . . . they also must have got the YTS lad to fit a new alternator and didn't screw it on properly, leaving me in smoke in the middle of town and refused all responsibility.
after that ive never taken either that or my 997 to a OPC and never will.
also never had any issues "touch wood"
had the 996 for 2 years and 50k miles, would recommend another to anyone but only if it has specialist service history, NOT OPC rubbish.
also had a elise mk1 head gasket blew on it costing a small fortune, and I bought a freelander for the missus ages ago, that had the head gasket replaced 3 times in 4 years, amongst lots of other problems, and was by far the most expensive car I have owned for service/maintenence etc.
after that ive never taken either that or my 997 to a OPC and never will.
also never had any issues "touch wood"
had the 996 for 2 years and 50k miles, would recommend another to anyone but only if it has specialist service history, NOT OPC rubbish.
also had a elise mk1 head gasket blew on it costing a small fortune, and I bought a freelander for the missus ages ago, that had the head gasket replaced 3 times in 4 years, amongst lots of other problems, and was by far the most expensive car I have owned for service/maintenence etc.
Most expensive and unreliable car I ever owned was an MGF from new (yes noddys car). Head gasket blew every year and sometimes twice a year. I believe it is the same K series in a Mk1 elise and in the landrover hence the same issue?
Spent most of the first year in the garage and kept falling to pieces, was the biggest bag of s
te I have ever owned.
Funny how the so-called 2nd hand bargain suggestions often overlook this and recommend it as a cheap toy car yet the 996 / 997 gets so much grief.
Regarding OPC, I recently had my own lovely experience of one. Walked in and the sales guy walked straight past me completely ignoring me and served the guy behind me who was looking at 2nd hand boxsters. The guy behind me had that corporate look whereas I was in T shirt and trainers as i had been cleaning my car.
Anyway trotted off to look at a 997 and a few mins later same salesman comes over and asks what I am doing.
"I am thinking of getting one of these at some point in the nearish future"
"What? ....a 911?...." (sarcastic salesman voice)
"Yes, a 911"
"Oh right, what do you drive now then?"
"That 911 over there"
I personally found this extremely rude even when he suddenly changed his tune and started being really "helpful". I then made him show me around the car, give me numerous brochures and show me around some of the 997s outside (even though I had decided I would buy one from my local specialist for sure now) then eventually I said to him;
"So why when I expressed that I want a 911 did you act so surprised about it and why did you ask me that question in the first place?"
"erm um erm um erm"
"Is it because it isn't selling very well?"
"erm um erm oh, no it was erm, because I thought you might not like the colour"
"hmm but why would you assume I wouldnt like the colour? I never said what colours i like"
"erm um erm um erm"
Anyway this carried on with me verbally torturing him for another five or ten minutes
Whilst I enjoyed baiting him for being a complete arrogant tool I do tend to avoid even speaking to their sales guys now and find the people in the Aston Martin garage far friendlier and more professional as I have been a couple of times to pick up things for my brother who has a vantage. I told them the story and they said well, you can never tell who has money so we don't judge people by appearances.
Spent most of the first year in the garage and kept falling to pieces, was the biggest bag of s
te I have ever owned. Funny how the so-called 2nd hand bargain suggestions often overlook this and recommend it as a cheap toy car yet the 996 / 997 gets so much grief.
Regarding OPC, I recently had my own lovely experience of one. Walked in and the sales guy walked straight past me completely ignoring me and served the guy behind me who was looking at 2nd hand boxsters. The guy behind me had that corporate look whereas I was in T shirt and trainers as i had been cleaning my car.
Anyway trotted off to look at a 997 and a few mins later same salesman comes over and asks what I am doing.
"I am thinking of getting one of these at some point in the nearish future"
"What? ....a 911?...." (sarcastic salesman voice)
"Yes, a 911"
"Oh right, what do you drive now then?"
"That 911 over there"
I personally found this extremely rude even when he suddenly changed his tune and started being really "helpful". I then made him show me around the car, give me numerous brochures and show me around some of the 997s outside (even though I had decided I would buy one from my local specialist for sure now) then eventually I said to him;
"So why when I expressed that I want a 911 did you act so surprised about it and why did you ask me that question in the first place?"
"erm um erm um erm"
"Is it because it isn't selling very well?"
"erm um erm oh, no it was erm, because I thought you might not like the colour"
"hmm but why would you assume I wouldnt like the colour? I never said what colours i like"
"erm um erm um erm"
Anyway this carried on with me verbally torturing him for another five or ten minutes
Whilst I enjoyed baiting him for being a complete arrogant tool I do tend to avoid even speaking to their sales guys now and find the people in the Aston Martin garage far friendlier and more professional as I have been a couple of times to pick up things for my brother who has a vantage. I told them the story and they said well, you can never tell who has money so we don't judge people by appearances.
986S facelift Oct 2002, (my third Boxster from new) 42,000 miles (hardly used once I got a GT3, sadly now replaced by an X3).
RMS replaced early under warranty, since then no drive train issues, tiny RMS leak which I ignore, but had to replace the a/c radiators at last service (expensive) and of course, the disks twice. Original clutch still.
Completely reliable, and a keeper (I specced it well) till something major blows then scrap.
RMS replaced early under warranty, since then no drive train issues, tiny RMS leak which I ignore, but had to replace the a/c radiators at last service (expensive) and of course, the disks twice. Original clutch still.
Completely reliable, and a keeper (I specced it well) till something major blows then scrap.
Mr Ping said:
1998 C2 Cab
Engine blew at 18k - my dad owned it at that point and I am unsure what it was but I don't believe it was IMS.
Porsche replaced the engine for free despite it not even being within warranty at that point (yes, shock horror indeed!)
Since then I have now done just over 103k on the clock with no IMS issues and we have had it in the family since 1999.
Had the RMS done at about 85k because the garage figured they might as well get it sorted whilst the clutch was being done.
Should have had the IMS looked at at this point but didn't....read forums, panicked and then got that done too about 4 weeks ago although I wasn't experiencing any problems.
All in all since I bought the car off my old man with 53k on it I have had to replace the water pump, clutch, master-cylinder and the exhaust...that's pretty much it I think apart from the usual stuff like tyres and accidentally buggering up the window mechanism when unwinding frozen windows!
Never had to put any oil in between services and the water has only been slightly topped up once since new.
Used every day as a daily driver covering over a 100 miles a day. Drove it all round France with no bother apart from getting dirty looks off the locals for not driving a renault and also having english plates.
.....now let's compare with an MGF I had previously (from new and looked after "carefully")
2 new radiators
5 head gasket repairs
3 new stereos
engine mounts breaking twice
suspension snapping twice on potholes
Spent the majority of the first year back in the dealership being fixed
Sold to me at the time as "a sports car" then after breaking it several times the same sales guy said to me "look, you cant drive it like a sports car and have to be more careful with it!"
This is in the space of 4 years and 25k miles.
It never ceases to amaze me when I see some 2nd hand car sales magazine or car programme say buy an MGF its a bargain for summer yet then hear bad press about the 996. Sure my 996 isn't a looker and it's a bit of a cruiser but it costs me the same to insure as my old CTR, less to tax, less to maintain, less for tyres, doesn't look like a chavved out breadvan and if the bugger goes bang I can probably buy another one for 10k.
Bargain!
You left out the those friggin sun visors. I recall that the fell off after 1 hour of getting the car.....Engine blew at 18k - my dad owned it at that point and I am unsure what it was but I don't believe it was IMS.
Porsche replaced the engine for free despite it not even being within warranty at that point (yes, shock horror indeed!)
Since then I have now done just over 103k on the clock with no IMS issues and we have had it in the family since 1999.
Had the RMS done at about 85k because the garage figured they might as well get it sorted whilst the clutch was being done.
Should have had the IMS looked at at this point but didn't....read forums, panicked and then got that done too about 4 weeks ago although I wasn't experiencing any problems.
All in all since I bought the car off my old man with 53k on it I have had to replace the water pump, clutch, master-cylinder and the exhaust...that's pretty much it I think apart from the usual stuff like tyres and accidentally buggering up the window mechanism when unwinding frozen windows!
Never had to put any oil in between services and the water has only been slightly topped up once since new.
Used every day as a daily driver covering over a 100 miles a day. Drove it all round France with no bother apart from getting dirty looks off the locals for not driving a renault and also having english plates.
.....now let's compare with an MGF I had previously (from new and looked after "carefully")
2 new radiators
5 head gasket repairs
3 new stereos
engine mounts breaking twice
suspension snapping twice on potholes
Spent the majority of the first year back in the dealership being fixed
Sold to me at the time as "a sports car" then after breaking it several times the same sales guy said to me "look, you cant drive it like a sports car and have to be more careful with it!"
This is in the space of 4 years and 25k miles.
It never ceases to amaze me when I see some 2nd hand car sales magazine or car programme say buy an MGF its a bargain for summer yet then hear bad press about the 996. Sure my 996 isn't a looker and it's a bit of a cruiser but it costs me the same to insure as my old CTR, less to tax, less to maintain, less for tyres, doesn't look like a chavved out breadvan and if the bugger goes bang I can probably buy another one for 10k.
Bargain!
On the strength of your experience, I promised to myself that I wouldn't buy a British car.......
'02 Plate 986 Boxster S now on 72k - owned for 4 months and had an RMS replacement in November last year before I bought the car. There was a chirping sound coming from the engine compartment which started a few weeks back. Had it checked out and it turned out to be the IMS bearing which was still intact but running very tightly and showing signs of pitting e.t.c. Just had it replaced under warranty from the garage I bought it from, so all in all, not bad considering it's an 11 year old car
edcs said:
'02 Plate 986 Boxster S now on 72k - owned for 4 months and had an RMS replacement in November last year before I bought the car. There was a chirping sound coming from the engine compartment which started a few weeks back. Had it checked out and it turned out to be the IMS bearing which was still intact but running very tightly and showing signs of pitting e.t.c. Just had it replaced under warranty from the garage I bought it from, so all in all, not bad considering it's an 11 year old car
That must have been a great warranty to get an 02 ims replaced! Who was the warranty with?
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