RF5BPilot

Unfortunately, you'll get about as many opinions as there are people here.

Were this engine mine, if he doesn't have clear evidence of significant metal being pumped throughout the engine....

I think I'd go with just the bearing & frequent oil changes for a while....unless you were going to rebuild as a 3.8 and make it a performance rebuild.

Dennis C

The issue with the ceramic IMS bearing is that it doesn't address the original design issues that lead to failure. It improves the bearing with better, harder materials that are less prone to wear and failure. The IMS Solution addresses the design issues.

FWIW - I'm having a new LN Engineering ceramic bearing installed this week.

5CHN3LL

It would be easy to misread Zanzibar's post as an indictment by Flat Six of the LN bearing...but it is my suspicion that this isn't the case. As Jake has documented, there is no shortage of ways for the M96 to die; addressing one potential mode of failure just takes (hopefully) one of those cards out of the deck.

The spectrum of IMSB positions is fascinating - at one end, we have conspiracy buffs who are in complete denial, convinced that the issue is just a ploy to sell bearing upgrades; at the other end are the uber-paranoids who will probably wind up swapping the bearing out more often than some folks replace their battery.

Imo000

My suggestion is to learn how to fix it yourself.

KrazyK

Man that stinks. This is the 1999 cab you bought sight unseen from dealer for 26,000, right? Did the dealer happen to include at least a 90 day warranty? Just hate to see you sink this much in a 1999. Terrible way to welcome a new 996 member. Sorry, bro.

5CHN3LL

If you are in love with the car and want to keep it forever, #1 is the way to go.

If the car isn't going to be a family member, #2 is the ticket. It's hard to rationalize plowing $15K into a car that's worth $20-30K unless you plan onto it for a long time...

KrazyK

Best idea so far.

dgjks6

Actually it was 22,995 plus ad-ons by the dealer, but remember how this all started. Wife bought the car for me. That is priceless.

Also, luckily I knew the risks of a Porsche. If I wanted reliable transportation I would have bought a Japanese car (No offense to German car lovers - I have a BMW, Audi, and a Porsche, but you know what I mean). Just by my calculations if I drive 25K miles per year I would need 2 seats of rear tires and one set of fronts per year at $1200/year, new IMS/clutch every 50K or every 2 years for $2400 or about $1200/year, 5 oil changes per year, plugs every 2 years, brakes every 2 years, new top every 4 years, etc.

I am in $400/month after the car is paid off and before I put gas in or pay insurance.

My biggest complaint is that since finding out this news I am not as excited about the car as I was.

5CHN3LL

If you actually wind up burning through two sets of rear tires every year but only need brakes every other year, I will start an Internet campaign to legally change your name to Drift King.

KrazyK

Did you look over your agreement to see if there is a 90 day warranty? Most specialty car dealers include a 90 day waranty, they just dont say much about it. Take Imre's advice. The 996 is now a DIY'er car, not a "must bring to shop for everything" car.

5CHN3LL

I wonder how many forum members suddenly develop a keen interest in car maintenance because some guys on the forum recommend it. Seriously?

Do you guys hang out on cancer forums recommending that members become oncologists?

dgjks6

You're killin me.

Anyway. More lots of thought last night and time spent on the phone this AM. Bearing was intact but going. No engine damage, just debris that may or may not cause damage in the future.

He is replacing the IMS bearing, RMS, and I am having him do the AOS since everything I read about on this forum happens to my car. Drains? clogged, seat heater? bad part, seat power switch? check and replaced.

He can do the AOS easily since the trans is out.

He will rebuild it for me like flat 6 does - and I guess the expensive part is new sleeves in the motor and he would not give me a firm estimate on time til completion.

Looked at motormeiser in CA but did not read good reviews so passed on them.

Spoke with UFOmotorsport in CA. Read nothing but good things about them. He said he can save me a few hundred on the rebuild because of things like the new AOS. Cost at most is $7500 (and he was willing to put in writing) plus shipping - figure another $1200, so for $8700 he can do it in two weeks.

I am considering that at this point

KrazyK

So your going to own a $35,000 1999 996, right? You do realize the insanity in this, I hope?

LordVicious

FIRE YOUR MECHANIC! You started with a working car. He clipped you for 5 grand for a clutch and a bearing. Now he wants more to "rebuild" your engine. Am I seriously the only guy on here thats going to call BULL****?!?!?

perryinva

Re-read the post. $5000 was the dealer quote, IMSB & clutch. His mechanic was a reasonable $1900 forthe IMSB parts & labor, and just th eprice of parts if a clutch was needed. Mechanic said clutch was fine (should be with low miles like that). mechanic is giving choices, and good ones at that.