If the IMS goes, what's the loss here? Can anything be reused?
I've got over 100k miles and runs strong. If the motor goes, I'll rebuild and do some additional stuff too it rather than send 2k plus at this moment. Leakdown shows cyl 4 getting just a little outa spec but so far so good with no RMS leak whatsoever.

 

It could be totally catastrophic. When the IMS bearing fails the IMS is no longer held true and will likely fail shortly thereafter. When the IMS fails the *really* nasty stuff begins (pistons crashing into valves etc).

Worst case scenario, your core could be toast.

I plan to do the LNE upgrade when I do my clutch this winter.

 

The OP's car actually has 70k kilo's which is 45k miles? I'd say that is a low mileage car being an 02.

 

Doh! missed the kilo's part. Yeah that is getting to be in the danger zone then unfortunately.

 

Here's an interesting article (1995) about how 'low hour' planes had serious problems with a new Avi Mobil1 formula, while planes with regular use (or commercial) had no problems. Sound familiar? Use it or lose it.

http://www.avweb.com/news/news/182891-1.html

 

I just went to inspect the damages of the engine at my local Porsche shop - the bearing has for sure failed, but the mechanic said the amount of debris wasn’t that extensive and he didn’t notice anything further "down the engine"?!

We agreed on the procedure as you mentioned and dissect the oil filter to check for foreign objects.

Am I correct to say, if we do not find any metal debris in the filter, an LNE IMS kit would do the job? This would potentially be a big money saver...!!

I intend to contact Porsche AG in Germany to discuss this matter - especially because I find it difficult to accept, that a Porsche with only 70t kilometers and a complete service history has such a serious break down?!?! Furthermore Porsche in Denmark refused to extend my Porsche Approved warranty on the car in December; a warranty extension Porsche Germany would have done with no remarks...!! This engine failure would have been covered by the warranty, and I find the integrity of Porsche Denmark to be doubtful, as these warranty procedures is to be identical all over Europe....!

 

You may find that they actually throw your low mileage right back at you.

I seem to recall that Porsche stipulates a *minimum* annual mileage (6K miles/ year?) required to maintain the factory warranty.

 

I would say that if there is no debris in the filter, and you flush the oil a couple of times that you should be able to install the LNE kit and have a good chance of being ok. Obviously there is no guarantee, but if it were me, i would play the odds and spend a little money to find out if you have to spend a hell of a lot of money or not.

Before you do that, have them dissect the filter, and honestly, I would drop the oil pan off as well and get a good look at everything. That is about 15 bolts and about 30 minutes to R&R the pan cover, and it would give you a lot better view of the internals, etc.