Right. Everyone stop right there.
IMS can be an issue on cars made before late 2005, but some early 2006 cars can also have the old one. It was changed in manufacture in late 2005, but obviously some cars are only registered into 2006. I have seen a March 2006 car with the old one. it isn't about reg date, it is about a range of engine numbers. Get the engine number, see which it has. Also, a huge amount of cars which had the old one will of had the new one fitted, it's not a hard job when doing a clutch change. Yes, it is a serious problem, it seems to go bang without warning and will pretty much destroy an engine and need a full rebuild. Don't let that put you off though, very very few problems have been reported with the newer on.
Now lets move on to the "advice" above about bore scoring. Black exhaust tips DO NOT mean it has bore score. One side being black can mean bore score, if you see that, get it checked. However, both is really not a sign of that. Mine had it recently, I noticed, Indy noticed, he wasn't worried, and it was simply traced back to the oil separator needing replacement. Done that, everything fine again.
Now ticking, these engines make noise, especially when cold, can't really see it means anything.
Check the oil all the time, keep it topped up, don't thrash it before you warm the oil up, enjoy the car. Great cars, much maligned by people who have no idea what they are talking about. Anyone saying they know 5 mates who all had engine rebuilds is talking out of their arse, and if anyone says the words "common" or "chocolate engine", laugh and stop talking to them.
Come and ask the knowledgeable people on here and not the trolls.......
