I’m not Jack. I am a Boxster owner, an ASE Master certified tech and a technical training instructor for Subaru…for whatever all that’s worth. The advice in the “cheap 911” article is better than the advice that Tavarish usually provides. As usual, though, he underestimates the difficulty of the repairs that he advocates. The LN engineering IMS bearing kit is a nice piece, and it really does cost around $1000 including the necessary tool package, but it’s not a job for the beginner. I haven’t done the bearing swap on my car yet, but it would be a decent job for an accomplished amateur who is careful and can follow directions exactly. Like the Boxster, the 996 911s with manual transmission use a dual-mass flywheel. These do become loose with age/wear, so any used 996 911 will most likely need a replacement unless it has already been done. Now you are into at least $2000 in parts (if you shop wisely) to do the IMS bearing, flywheel and clutch. Do not buy a 911 or Boxster with a failed IMS bearing unless you intend to replace or rebuild the engine, as bearing failure puts a lot of metallic debris into the oiling system and (at worst) causes the camshaft timing to jump position. This means bent valves. Internal engine parts for any Porsche engine are pretty expensive, and the watercooled M96 family is no exception. All that said, the 996 911 can be a great value (and a really fun car) if the right example is purchased at the right price. Does it have any of the magic wonderfulness that the air-cooled 911s allegedly possess? Beats me. I don’t own one and probably never will.
ooh, yeah….look at that!!
can you smear some genuine Lamborghini grease on mine? make sure it won’t wash out either
can I still buy one or did I miss the boat?
Ninja Sweet!!!
Oh yeah, I noticed that Lambo was kind enough to paint the loaner your fav color.
Hey jack, can I get mine shipped to a different address? I’m moving in 4 days…
second that question of — have any extras?
I have a couple and I’ll contact you.
So, Jack, is this good advice, or bad advice?
http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/how-to-own-a-ridiculously-cheap-and-reliable-porsche-91-1668638286
I’m not Jack. I am a Boxster owner, an ASE Master certified tech and a technical training instructor for Subaru…for whatever all that’s worth. The advice in the “cheap 911” article is better than the advice that Tavarish usually provides. As usual, though, he underestimates the difficulty of the repairs that he advocates. The LN engineering IMS bearing kit is a nice piece, and it really does cost around $1000 including the necessary tool package, but it’s not a job for the beginner. I haven’t done the bearing swap on my car yet, but it would be a decent job for an accomplished amateur who is careful and can follow directions exactly. Like the Boxster, the 996 911s with manual transmission use a dual-mass flywheel. These do become loose with age/wear, so any used 996 911 will most likely need a replacement unless it has already been done. Now you are into at least $2000 in parts (if you shop wisely) to do the IMS bearing, flywheel and clutch. Do not buy a 911 or Boxster with a failed IMS bearing unless you intend to replace or rebuild the engine, as bearing failure puts a lot of metallic debris into the oiling system and (at worst) causes the camshaft timing to jump position. This means bent valves. Internal engine parts for any Porsche engine are pretty expensive, and the watercooled M96 family is no exception. All that said, the 996 911 can be a great value (and a really fun car) if the right example is purchased at the right price. Does it have any of the magic wonderfulness that the air-cooled 911s allegedly possess? Beats me. I don’t own one and probably never will.
Jack wrote this, so I guess you have your answer: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/08/porsches-deadly-sin-1-1999-porsche-911-996-3-4/