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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHReplacing IMS bearing in "high mileage" 996s
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Install clutch, and discussed
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I immediately installed a new clutch, and discussed with the mechanic the possibility of installing the LNE upgrade.
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Suggestion · Original poster
What are people's thoughts on replacing the bearing in cars with over 100k?
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Suggestion
Then you're throwing money down the drain replacing the IMSB on an engine with >100K miles.
Replace imsb is no guarantee against engine failure
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Suggestion
Replacing your IMSB is no guarantee against engine failure, but it makes sense for somebody who wants to drive their car for a long time.
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Suggestion
My plan is to replace my IMSB/RMS and AOS with every clutch, regardless of mileage.
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Just starting a clutch/RMS/AOS/IMS job at home on my 99 996 with 100k miles, original double row bearing.
What are people's thoughts on replacing the bearing in cars with over 100k?
Seems that if the bearing has made it 100k miles, it might last until another failure mode kills the engine. I hate to cave to the IMSB hysteria, but since I'm already in there, I will probably do it anyway.
Sure would be nice to coax many more miles out of this flat 6!
I bought my 2000 C4 four years ago with 107K miles. I immediately installed a new clutch, and discussed with the mechanic the possibility of installing the LNE upgrade. In his opinion, the car made it to 107K, there was no need for the LNE install. I took his advice and I am now at 143K with no major issues
It's a wear item. The longer it's in, the more it will wear. No different than a wheel bearing, except that instead of making your car thump when you turn, the IMS bearing will make your engine stop being an engine.
I replaced mine at roughly 120K miles when my clutch was done. I agree with 5CHN3LL. Bearings wear with use. If you have an opportunity to replace it while the clutch is being done, then why wouldn't you replace it? I know it adds a little bit of cost, but it gives you a little more peace of mind and potentially gives your engine more life.
Definitely do it while you are in there. You can get the pelican kit and save some money if you don't want to use the LN kit and it will be good for about 40k. Replace it again when you do another clutch like others have mentioned. But given that you have the better double row like I did, I went with the LN double one.
Never forget that there are 27 known failure modes for the M96/M97 engines. What are you doing about the other 26?
Nothing? Then you're throwing money down the drain replacing the IMSB on an engine with >100K miles.
My experience:
'97 Boxster engine failed at 204,000 miles due to cracked head. IMS bearing was fine.
'99 Boxster engine failed at 136,000 miles and 89 track days due to lifter failure. IMS bearing was fine.
'99 996 engine has 142,000 miles and runs perfect.
If it ain't broke, I don't fix it.
M96 engines are disposable.
Buy a replacement engine from eBay for $5K and you're back in business for another 100K miles.
That logic is the same as deciding you shouldn't bother to eat healthy food and exercise because chances are that you're going to die of cancer or die in a car crash.
There are some things you can control and some things you can't control. It makes sense to deal with the things you can control so that you can minimize your risk. Replacing your IMSB is no guarantee against engine failure, but it makes sense for somebody who wants to drive their car for a long time.
Heck... why change the oil? These engines are disposable!!
