kab1994

I just purchased a 2003 996 Mk2 w/ 42,000 miles. I am looking to purchase an aftermarket warranty for the car. I have a quote from Direct buy warranty and Easy care. Fidelity will not warranty the car. Has anyone had experience with either of those companies, or can you recommend a warranty you currently have? My main concern is an IMS failure.

prosled8

ISMB retrofit will probably cost less than the warranty, and last longer. Heck you could probably do the IMS solution for the $4000 the warranty would cost.

kab1994

I understand that the IMS upgrade is roughly $2200 for my car, but I would rather spend $4000 on a big fat warranty on my car that will cover everything. If the IMS fails then that gets taken care of plus I still have the rest of my car covered.

pfbz

Beware of aftermarket warranties... They rarely cover as much as you think, and it's usually a fight to get anything.

Most aftermarket warranties have language similar to what's shown below for engine coverage, and deny coverage for IMS-related damage because it is not an internally oil lubricated part. Either way, you are far better off preventing an engine problem for $1,500 or less than fighting an insurance claim for a $15k-$20K repair.

By the way, the underlying basis of the Porsche IMS lawsuit was similar, but with Porsche extended warranty... The named plantiffs had certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty cars with IMS failures and Porsche denied CPO warranty coverage to them.

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rpm's S2

Be sure any warranty has a detailed seals and gaskets rider. Without this coverage the warranty will be useless.

kromdom

Contact your local, trusted Porsche indy and ask what warranty company they had a positive experience with. Then contact that company and ask if they will cover IMSB failure and ask for that reply in writing. Buy that warranty that says YES in writing.

Rubik

After market warranty is BS. I have mine and I will cancel next week. They don't cover ****! It's a ****ing scam.

Gonzo911

In addition, there is usually language that they will not make any repair that exceeds the value of the car. I won't go any further.

kab1994

Are you saying that the IMSB is not an internal lubricated part?

Ahsai

The stock IMS is sealed and lubricated by grease and not engine oil. Aftermarket open bearings such as LN is splash lubricated by engine oil.

However, whether the bearing REQUIRES engine oil lubrication is arguable...maybe it does but just doesn't get it by design...

johnireland

I have an Easy Care policy that I bought through a Porsche Dealer. Easy Care has been in business since the mid eighties. I didn't get the whole works, the one step up from base warranty, which covers the engine, trans, and fuel system. I paid $2500 for 3 years or 36000 miles. Based on the numbers in the class action suit against Porsche, the failure rate for IMS shaft/bearing/cam chain gear or what ever failued...is 2%...or roughly 3500 failures out of 235,000 cars. As noted in this thread, a $2500 drive train warranty covers a lot more than just one bearing.

alpine003

The only sure thing that is covered by a lot of these warranty companies is the lube they use for your ****.

prosled8

Consider that if you desire a car with a good warranty, maybe a 10-15 year old sports car is not the right choice. Fact is, there isn't much else that goes wrong, you don't really need a big fat warranty. The more you read here, the more you realize that the problems are greatly overstated. Failures are quite rare. Look at the IMSB as a maintenance item at clutch time and the car will last a long time.

KrazyK

That covers it. Even Jake says their a waste of money.

kab1994

I agree with what you're saying and I am going to do the upgrade no matter what. It's a shame the seller put in a clutch 3,000 miles ago an didn't touch the bearing, but there is no point in crying over spilled milk. I disagree, however, with your point that because I would like an aftermarket warranty I shouldn't be purchasing a 10 year old pristine car!? After market warranties are common.