early 997 (997.1) IMS for automatic

greetings everyone I am new to Porsche, looking to buy an early 997 automatic rear-drive hardtop non-turbo. I have some IMS related questions: I have read the horror stories re 996 and early 997 (997 gen 1?) IMS. Scary!! Enough to stop me buying, for sure..... The advice seems to be to replace the IMS at the same time as replacing the clutch for the manual cars which saves a lot of money on labour. But - I am looking to buy an automatic early 997 model, guessing about 2004-2005 (MY05? 997.1 ?) which has the same problem with IMS as the 996 model cars - as far as I can understand. What strategy should I employ to deal with IMS problems in automatic 997 Gen 1 (997.1) ? Also, as I read that the later 997 models had some improvements in the area of IMS bearing (better quality bearing? some redesign in engine?) When replacing the IMS on early 997, can this improvement be retrofitted ? Finally, on automatic 997 Gen 1, how much would be cost to replace IMS - parts and labour total? I want to factor this into my budget before I buy. Where in Melbourne should I go to have this work done? I live in Brighton - is the Porsche Brighton a good place to have the IMS and general service done? I am happy to go elsewhere too. Thanks in advance!

It's an interesting point you raise. My specialist up here highlighted this point when I bought my 997. There is a much higher failure rate on the IMS manuals over the tippers. Interesting hey.

Acid rider this is worth a read http://chrisstewart.hubpages.com/hub/Purchasing-a-997-Porsche

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fluid coupling to reduce any 'shocks' back up the driveline to the engine vs. a mechanical clutch would be my first thought

thanks, I read it, but the article it does not really tell me what I need to do re IMS bearing on automatic transmission 997.1. The automatic transmission should last a lot longer than a clutch so the coupling of IMS bearing replacement with auto-trans rebuild does not make sense. So what else to do? Avoid 997.1?

talk to the Porsche centre that is doing the PPI?

well the Intermediate Shaft is for moving the cams that move the valves... so I don't see why it'll be different for an automatic. This graphic will help you with years and versions:

Orion03 thanks for the graphic. I am new to Porsche, apologies for rookie questions. So the 997 Carrera started life with M96 engines and then switched to M97 engines? I.e. 997 does not mean M97 engine and 996 does not mean M96 engine, right or not? or M96 engine means Carrera 997.1 and M97 engine means Carrera S 997.1 ?? A "non-replaceable IMS bearing" is a good or a bad thing?? If you were to buy a 2005 build 997.1 automatic with M96 or M97 engine, what strategy would you adopt with the IMS bearing ? Replace it immediately after purchase as a precaution? How much will it cost on automatic - parts and labour?

M96 is normal Carrera, M97 is Carrera S. Non replaceable IMS bearing.. Good cause it's the very last version and most updated one, and so far it's been okay. Bad cause you can't put in one of the many "fixes" If you get an early 997... just budget in one of the many fixes, and talk to your mechanic about it. Re cost, do a search for Amanda's thread where she replaced the IMS on her Boxster.

Hey Acid Rider. Did you get an answer to your actual question in the end? I read through the big IMS thread on here and I'm pretty sure I read that a couple guys replaced the IMS without doing the clutch at the same time. I think one had an auto also. So it wasn't a "while you're in there" job. The price they both quoted was about $2,300 and Jocaro was mentioned. For some reason Amanda paid $3,500 but she did have some sort of complications.