IMS Bearing, Clutch and Flywheel Costs

How Much Does it Cost to Fix the IMS Bearing?

The table below lists the actual prices I paid for the various IMS, clutch and flywheel parts. Where applicable, these costs include shipping and tax. I may have missed a few small parts here and there, but the cost should be pretty close.

You can find the original cost breakdown document here. Note that while many of these part numbers will be the same for all years of the 986 Boxster and 996 Porsche 911, some vary by year. The part numbers above fit my 2000 Boxster S. You should always check your specific year and model.

Where Did You Buy Your Parts?

Many sources. I spent awhile searching and comparing costs. I purchased parts from the following websites: 
  1. Pelican Parts
  2. RM European
  3. ECS Tuning
  4. Autohaus AZ
  5. Sellers on eBay
I am not partnered with any of these sites and don't endorse them. You should do your own research when shopping and ensure you are buying quality parts from trusted merchants--particularly if you use eBay. There are many excellent sources for genuine Porsche parts and for OEM parts like Sachs and LUK. Just make sure you know what you are buying. 

Comments

  1. Hi Ben,
    I am in Japan looking for my Boxster S and will do an IMS bearing change after I get it. Thanks for posting the videos from a true DIY perspective! I am also researching bearing options (no decision yet) and ran across a company in FL that has a lit of their own. Maybe you ran across it as well? The company is MB Motorsports. Not as pricey as LN or Pedro's, but not cheap either. I am not endorsing this or any kit, just thinking of all the options.

    Again, thank you!

    TB

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    Replies
    1. Japan? Awesome! Thanks for stopping by. It looks like MB Motorsports uses a roller bearing in their kit. These do offer some strength benefits over ball bearings, but I avoided all roller bearing kits for the following reasons:
      1. roller bearings aren't very good at handling axial loads.
      2. if the bearing isn't lubricated properly a roller bearing performs worse than a ball bearing.

      Many people are using roller bearings, and they really might be fine, but personally, I stuck with a ceramic hybrid ball bearing.

      Delete
    2. I think the ceramic hybrid ball bearing is the best choice as well. I need to rely on those smarter than me. I have an engineer friend who kind of geeks out on this kind of thing and your analysis and his are very similar.

      I have looked at several S's and the majority of those and the 996s are Tiptronics. Very few 6-speeds but they are out there and a little pricey. Japanese owners do tend to be fanatical about these cars so for piece of mind spending a little extra will pay off.

      Thank you again for this blog and all your efforts. Keep the post coming!

      Delete
    3. I love Japanese car culture because they're fanatical about these things! Definitely hold out until you can find the 6-speed you want! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you get!

      Delete
    4. Hi Ben, maybe you don't remember me haha. Well, the S with a manual is still as rare as hen's teeth here (plenty of Tiptroincs, about 90%) so I settled for a 1997 2.5 with another rare option here in Japan, a full leather black interior. Almost all are graphite.

      The owner just did over $11,000 in Porsche dealer repairs in August. Full clutch system down to the last o-ring. Along with this a new IMS bearing and all the trimmings. Full suspension overhaul, new top and all the bits with that, a battery, brakes, coolant tank. You name it. It also has full dealer service records from new. I gave about $7,800 which is high here for an older car, but I can drive worry free.

      Keep up the great blog when you have time. You do a great job of breaking your ideas down for the rest of us!

      Delete
    5. Awesome! It sounds like a really nice example of the Porsche 986!

      Delete
  2. Hi, Great work in making these videos, keep up the good work as it helps so many people run their Porsches. I am in the UK and will be replacing the IMS over the winter period. Can you please tell me where you purchesed the bearing from? Thanks Cameron

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  3. Hi, Great work in making these videos, keep up the good work as it helps so many people run their Porsches. I am in the UK and will be replacing the IMS over the winter period. Can you please tell me where you purchesed the bearing from? Thanks Cameron

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  4. I really like all the work you put into the videos.
    I will be doing the same thing you have already done.
    I do have one question for...
    You said that you sourced an independent IMS bearing with ceramic bearings!

    Where did you get it and do you have a part number?

    Thanks Bart

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  5. This is the first time I've ever left a comment on a blog but felt compelled to do so. On January 31st 2017 I fulfilled a life dream at the age of 47 by purchasing a Porsche. A beautiful well kept Boxster with 67,000 miles. While attempting to learn as much as I could I quickly got my dream crushed when I read and learned of the infamous IMS bearing failure after only a couple of weeks of owning it. I put it in the garage scared to even drive it because of the risk of losing my dream and beauty due to catastrophic failure. I read a lot and watched many videos..THEN, I ran across your informative, detailed, thorough and often entertaining IMS series. I think what struck me the most is how nervous you were to perform such a huge project on your own because, like you, I also have never attempted something even close as this but I felt if I ever wanted my car back. I prepared and made notes and took a deep breath. On my back and in my garage I completed my very own " IMS " project! I replaced the IMS, clutch and rear main seal. I just wanted you to know from me to you that I couldn't have done it without you. I just finished two days ago and have cleaned her up and been non stop driving in my town of Charleston, S.C. Many, many, many thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Burner,

    This is Sander from the Netherlands. First I'll give you my compliments about your very nice and informative 'how to' videos on youtube.
    The way you show things (real calm, a clear explanation with a typical sense of humor) exactly the way I like.

    Last week I saw the parts 1-13 (IMS). After the last part I jumped up:'Yes he did it!'
    My girlfriend was laughing because of my reaction. It is not even my car haha. But it feld like it was.

    Next, I defenitely need Boxster S. With all the information in my head, it should be possible to buy a nice one.

    At the moment I drive my daily 2005 MINI Cooper S (R53, supercharged). Everything on it I made by myself. And it's better than fabric at the moment.
    A really nice car with 210 bhp (smaller superchargerpulley etc.) Handling is very nice, it drives like a go-kart.
    Sounds also really nice with the whining noice of the charger and the pops and bangs because of the Milltek cat-back / de-cat header.
    Give it a rich setting from the CPU and the bangs and flames are a fact. But something is missing, the sound of a flat six.

    Enough about that car. Before the MINI I wanted a Porsche, but my mechanical skills were a little bit low.
    The MINI was a good car for increasing my skills. My first reaction: I never had a car like that. You can't get anywhere. The smallest ans easiest things would be done in the 'front-end-service-mode' (read that as 'all parts need to be removed').

    So now I think I am ready for making a step forwards to the Boxster. When I buy it, I'll start with changing the IMS.
    I prefer a face-lift 986 but when I saw your videos, the IMS is not as good as the pre-facelift versions.
    In Germany the Boxsters are cheaper then in the Netherlands, so I'll buy it there.

    Prices:

    pre-facelift €10.000 - € 14.000 ($ 11.620 - 16.280)
    Facelift €14.000 - € 20.000 ($ 16.280 - 23.250)

    Buying a facelift = a lot more expensive
    When I buy a pre-facelift, I have lot of money for doing all these modifications. Hmmz, a hard decision. What do you think? The only reason for the facelift is the glass window and a bit more power.
    In both situations, I definitely will do the modifications. Just in case of.
    Is there a possibility to put a double row IMS into a facelift Boxster? (Because a single row with a spacer is possible for the pre-facelift).

    Another fact, almost all Boxsters are only driven in summer. That's is not a good sign in the advertisement. I think I have to look for a higher mileage one.
    When you have other tips for buying the right one, please let me know.

    On youtube, I saw you used the service manual. Do you have any experience with '101 projects for your Porsche Boxster'?

    So I got a lot of questions later, but I hope you will make a lot more videos in the future. Keep on going!

    Thanks in advance.

    Greetz
    Sander Kuijpers

    ReplyDelete
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