With the great success of the Boxster launch came a few shortcomings of this platform. Most notably, the IMS issues were a stain on Porsche's image once it came to the media's attention with the class action lawsuit for these failures. With the introduction of the M97 engine, the IMS was redesigned with a new, larger bearing that thankfully has proven to be very reliable with one easy modification. Regardless of which IMS bearing you have, there are steps that must be taken before you have a failure to prevent catastrophic engine failure.

There were three versions of the IMS offered and detailed in IMS 101:

1997-1999: Boxster and 911 received a dual row bearing. The early dual row bearing has a long service life and it's common to see these bearings go 100,000 miles or more without issue.

2000-2001: Boxster and 911 could have received either the early dual row or newer single row bearing. In these two years, Porsche used both the more durable dual row bearing and smaller, single row that is prone to failure. As it is impossible to tell which bearing you have without pulling the transmission first, it's a toss up which bearing you have and how much risk there is involved in not changing out the IMS bearing.

2002-2005: Boxster and 911 received a single row bearing. These model years are most prone to sudden and catastrophic failure, so replacement of the ims bearing is highly recommended.

2006-2008: Boxster, Cayman, and 911 received a larger single row bearing (non-serviceable). This final version is the most reliable of the factory bearings and replacement is not necessary.

All three versions were sealed conventional ball bearings. Had the original bearing been an open bearing, it is common belief that the added lubrication from submersion of the IMS in oil would have prolonged the life of the bearing or eliminated IMS failures entirely.

To further complicate identifying what IMS your engine might have, replacement new or remanufactured engines would have received whatever bearing was currently being used in production. So it is possible to have a 2.5 Boxster engine, built in 2006, with the later non-serviceable ims bearing. However, it's easy to identify if your engine is not original. If there is an X or Y in the engine serial number, it's been replaced, and a dealership may be able to tell you when it was manufactured.

Porsche has never offered a replacement IMS bearing nor supplied tools or a specified service interval for changing the IMS bearing. For most vehicles, servicing the IMS bearing involves 10-14 hours of labor and a handful of parts. Typically when changing the IMS bearing, it's best to install a new water pump, low temperature thermostat, clutch and dual mass flywheel, RMS, and an AOS, as well as address any other issues such as the Variocam wear pads on 1997-2002 Boxster and 1999-2001 911 engines. Servicing a Tiptronic car is no different and IMS problems are just as common with these models.

1. Scored cylinder. Scored cylinders are the most common in the 2002 and later 3.6 and 3.8 engines and to a lesser extent with the 987 3.4 S engines that are fitted with factory forged pistons.
2. Cracked (D-chunk). Most common to 996 3.4 engines but can occur to any 1997-2008 M96 and M967 engine.
3. Slipped sleeve. Limited to engines built in or around 1998 and 1999 where the factory had the blocks sleeved to correct a casting issue and is most common to the 2.5 Boxster engine.

RND Engines are sold by SSF Auto Parts through a network of professional independent specialists nationwide and are backed with a 1 yr, 12,000 mile warranty offered by SSF Auto Parts, which has been the leader in the industry since 1976. 

RND Engines is the result of a cooperation between the industry's leading European repair specialists and leading European parts supplier, SSF. This combined knowledge and expertise in engineering, rebuilding, and parts distribution is what sets RND Engines apart in the aftermarket. The mission of RND Engines is to supply the aftermarket the most updated, reliable, and absolute highest quality M96/97 exchange engines at a fair price. RND Engines are built for the car owner passionate about their vehicle, and an owner that wants to keep their vehicle operating at the highest standards. With no corners cut or details overlooked, RND engines simply offer a high-quality alternative and ultimate peace of mind.