EraVerdict: The bargain 911, and the IMS bearing is the defining buy risk. Buy one with documented IMS work or price the retrofit into your offer.
At a glance
Risk 4/5 Market: Cheapest water-cooled 911
Must-have records:
- IMS retrofit/IMS Solution invoice (serialized kit)
- Clutch/RMS history
- Specialist PPI with filter cut and bore scope
Live listings
Heads up: some of these links (eBay) may become affiliate links, so EraBoard could earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes our ratings. Disclosure.
Saved searches open on each site. We link out and never copy listings or photos.
Buy-risk rundown
| Issue | Symptom | How to check | Typical cost (as of Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMS bearing (single-row on most 2001–05 cars) | Often none; metal flakes in the oil filter; IMS flange seal leak | Cut the oil filter; specialist PPI; ask for invoice | Retrofit $3,200–$4,600 standalone; $1,300–$2,200 extra with a clutch job [1]; $2,000–$3,500 per LN [2] |
| Bore scoring | Ticking, oil consumption, sooty tailpipe on one bank | Bore scope from the sump (not plug holes) | Usually means engine overhaul [3] |
| Rear main seal leaks | Oil drip between engine and transmission | Inspect from below | Commonly done with clutch/IMS [1] |
Cost figures checked against the sources below in Nov 2026. Bracketed numbers refer to the source list.
Notes
- LN Engineering cites an ~8% failure rate commonly quoted for single-row bearings, during the warranty period only [2]. About 20% of engines fail LN/Flat 6's pre-qualification [3].
- Turbo, GT2, GT3 (Mezger) cars do not have the IMS issue [1].
Before you buy
Use our printable pre-purchase inspection checklist and get a PPI from a marque specialist.
Sources
- Principe Repair & Performance, IMS failure & cost (accessed Nov 2026)
- LN Engineering, Essential Guide to 996 IMS (accessed Nov 2026)
- LN Engineering, IMS pre-qualification (accessed Nov 2026)
Last updated 2026-11-05. Costs vary by region and shop.
Newsletter
Newsletter coming soon.
A weekly email of hand-picked listings worth a look is in the works. Until then, bookmark the model pages; their live searches update all the time.