bkjwhipple

81k trouble free miles.. origional throw out bearing .. no plans to do anything but drive it. 99 c2

996_North

I have an early 99, and I know it has a reman engine in it now based on the "AT" in the serial number. 81K miles on it now and I can only estimate that it was replaced sometime after the 30k mark by a previous owner. No idea why the orignial engine blew..could be IMSB, or intermix, or maybe some idiot ran it with no oil, who knows..Clutch is due soon, so I'll get it done at that time. Ill report back to everyone on the condition. Point is that there are plenty of reasons an engine could go bad. Get a PPI and enjoy. There is a thread here somwhere that list a few advantages the 99's have over later 996's. Weight, direct cable to throttle....

ccaarmerciill

I had my 2001 IMS bearing changed recently at 65k milesish. Dual row as well... old bearing was still in really good shape. I do also agree with the statement that the earlier dual rows are less likely to fail. I'd just wait until you do your clutch. Unlikely it'll fail until then...

DaveCarrera4

Hold out for a 2000 or later. Some improvements in the later models.

keytohwy

Love my 99...66k-ish miles, no IMSB upgrades, etc.

I sleep at night.

b8_rdc

Plastic rear window is going to drive you nuts. Get a 02+

Imo000

To me the dual row bearing of the early ones alone is worth getting them over the later weaker single row intermediate shaft beatings.

gstreev

Still pondering this ....... Will a PPI tell me the IMS bearing needs replacement, without taking it out, I doubt it, maybe an oil leak will say maybe RMS or IMS is leaking? Anyone know a good Indy shop within an hour of SLC to get this done?

gstreev

One last Post, I'm looking for a convertible, I have several cars, so don't need a DD. Boxster S's 2000 - 2002 with under 70K are going for around this money in my area and they suffer from the same issues. So (2000 - 2002) Boxster S OR 99 911 CAB? The Boxster S's I drove seemed underpowered, seemed to handle better, but there is a reason the 911 cost so much more. The 911 is only around 100 #s heavier and feels so much more powerful, the 911 gives me a grin, I feel my near stock 2012 WRX is quicker than the early Boxster S's.

996_North

PPI may identify some of the key indicators (like weeping RMS) but an oil change and a look in the filter for debris would be better to identify overall health, assuming you can tell when it was last changed. But, again not 100% conclusive. I am sure most are not going to pay for an oil change for every car they PPI. If the IMSB is this much of a worry for you, just budget to have it replaced.

silotwo

To the OP's first question: No, I personally would not "worry".

Yes, I agree with 996_North - a good PPI that includes dropping the oil filter, which I believe can be done without going in pocket for a full oil change, and if the PPI comes back clean, simply budget the $1500.00 or so for a retrofit IMSB. Avoid getting caught up in all the "while you are in there" costs unless something is found to need repair during the IMSB install.

I own two 2004 996's. A C2 where I proactively had the IMSB replaced at 75k miles and the bearing appeared to be in fine shape. A C4S where the IMSB failed at 37k miles and a Porsche provided crate engine was installed.
I always had oil changes performed at +/- 5k miles, had oil analysis performed that never indicated any problems, never tracked the cars, meticulous with service, and yet that did not prevent the failure in the C4S. However, the C4S was a low mileage garage queen when I bought it and I put 14k miles on it before the failure.

These cars are daily drivers for me, I never feared driving either one of them and I still don't.

Life offers enough opportunities to "worry" and if owning something causes anxiety then in my opinion it is simply not worth having. At the end of the day these are just machines, not life or death.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hurdigurdiman

You need to worry more about the actual convertible top than the ims bearing with the 99 Cab. The top will malfunction for you more times than the bearing will. The earlier quote was mine. I still stick with my guns on that score. Does it have a hard top coming with it? You will need it when the top stops working.



How many Cab owners have had trouble with the soft top in their cars rather than trouble with the IMS bearing??????????? Repairs to the soft top can rack up the dollars.

keytohwy

Granted, mine is not a daily driver, but my top has been fine in the 18 months of ownership. I also see nothing in the history from the dealer records with issues around the top. Maybe I'm lucky?

Soaringman

I have 99 coupe with same k
As yours, nothing on the car that doesn't work, as far as I know original bs bearing, no problem and no worries for me

gstreev

No, doesn't come with hard top