9mmkungfu

That is not correct. The double row bearing IMS design in the M96 engines was not changed until 2006 (when they went to a single row bearing.) The 2009 + engines eliminate the IMS altogether.

You have the same risk of IMS failure in an 05 as you would in an 01. Especially the 05 which was Porsches worst engine build year on record

My advice would be to get an 06 (if your budget allows.) Unless you could find a good CPO car from an earlier year.

Good luck. Lots of great cars out there. Take your time and find exactly what you want. And oh yeah.... Get a warranty....

What made the '05 the worst engine?

Hi, I have a late 01S just replace the IMS bearing, it was a single and add PSS9 shocks. Just a thought, buy a low millage early S do the IMS bearing, suspension and drive it for ever.

How can I tell if the 01 I am looking at has had the IMS bearing replaced? Where can I find out more info on replacement/cost? And could you tell me more about the PSS9 shocks? Thanks.

Charles at LN Engineering has seen / heard of IMS bearing failures all the way up to the end of the line of the 997, so buying a car based upon that assumption would be unwise. PhillipJ is correct - I wouldn't let the IMS issue influence your decision.

That said, if the 01 is the same price as the 05, then it sounds like the 01 is overpriced and the 05 is underpriced. If you're going to be driving the car, get the 05. If you're going to be modifying it and wrenching on it, then find a cheaper 01.

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Wayne,

Well I guess I wasn't very clear with the first posting. The 01 has 39k miles vs 70k miles on the 05.. and the 01 also has the factory hard top option. The price is about 20k for either car. A little on the high side I think, but they're both mint. Hmmm.

A side note, I prefer the tail lights on the 05+ models. Is it possible to retrofit them on the 01?

Hello everyone,

I'm looking at a couple Boxsters. One is a 01 S model and the other is an 05 non-S. It seems as though the additional power output on the non-S models after 2005 closely matches the power output of the pre-05 S models. Would it be wiser to get the newer car, if the price is the same (the 05 has a few more miles)?