3.8 991 Carrera 4S Convertible

[NDA]

I am on the cusp of buying a low mileage example of this car.

I've owned a few sporty cars over the years but know NOTHING about Porsche's.

Anything I should be wary of or look out for? The car I'm looking at has a 100% MOT record, main agent serviced and 20,000 miles only.

[Patrick1964]

Lovely cars - you'll probably find all the information you need more quickly on 911uk.com that here.

[FriedMarsBar]

I'm not particularly "up" on the 991 but this might be relevant if you're looking at 3.0 ltr.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I've read about this a few times in a few places so I'm guessing it's fairly common.

[Maxus]

The 3.8 is supposedly a pretty reliable thing (touching wood, I bought one this year!). The active engine mounts fail on them (throws an error on the dash) and I think the sport exhaust actuator can seize if not regularly used. You don't get the engine worries of the 996/997.1 engines or the turbo issues of the later 3.0. Arguably a sweet spot in being last and most robust of the non GT N/A engines

If it has been OPC serviced through its life, the Dealers aren't known for being shy about pointing out things that need attention. Have a good look through the paperwork.

Apart from that, what a car. Go really well and surprisingly economical on a run. The sensibly silly decision as it was described to me. Pic of mine for encouragement

Good luck

[PaulD86]

As above, active engine mounts. Sports exhaust makes a good noise. My ex and I ran one for 4 years and apart from a failed engine mount (warranty) and a failed rear light unit (warranty), it was fine. Came with Pirelli P Zero N0s. They were crap. Replaced with P Zero N1s as we were told they were better. They were less worse. Replaced with Michelins and finally we had a car that could be driven with confidence in the cold and wet. It was a really nice car (and had a huge spec), although I always preferred the 997.2 C4S cab we had before.

[NDA]

Mine (well nearly mine) is going to go through the Porsche 111 pre-purchase check... so hopefully things like engine mounts will be checked.

The 991.1 3.8 seems (by many accounts) to be the sweet-spot for 911's - which is why I'm (hopefully) buying one. It's a more accomplished GT car than my current continental cruiser too.

[FriedMarsBar]

NDA said:

Mine (well nearly mine) is going to go through the Porsche 111 pre-purchase check... so hopefully things like engine mounts will be checked.

The 991.1 3.8 seems (by many accounts) to be the sweet-spot for 911's - which is why I'm (hopefully) buying one. It's a more accomplished GT car than my current continental cruiser too.

Are you planning on getting a Porsche warranty? I'm not sure a 111 point check will pick up an "about to fail" PDM mount.

[NDA]

FriedMarsBar said:

Are you planning on getting a Porsche warranty? I'm not sure a 111 point check will pick up an "about to fail" PDM mount.

I wasn't sure about the Porsche warranty.... it currently doesn't have one. Is there an age limit to the cars they cover? Approximate cost?

It's something I should probably have.

[ChrisW.]

If your Porsche has an existing Porsche Approved Warranty, this may be extended until the car is 14 years old for a 12 month policy, 13 years old for a 24 month policy, or 12 years old for a 36 month policy. A 111-point inspection is not required for a warranty extension.

[NDA]

ChrisW. said:

If your Porsche has an existing Porsche Approved Warranty, this may be extended until the car is 14 years old for a 12 month policy, 13 years old for a 24 month policy, or 12 years old for a 36 month policy. A 111-point inspection is not required for a warranty extension.

Thanks.

The car I'm buying (2014) doesn't have a Porsche Approved Warranty... I assume there's a process to securing one?

[FriedMarsBar]

NDA said:

The car I'm buying (2014) doesn't have a Porsche Approved Warranty... I assume there's a process to securing one?

I looked at 991 last year and from memory Porsche told me the car would need the 111 point check (and everything put back to Porsche standard parts, so no after market exhaust tips, non Porsche filters or body parts etc) and a service to be able get a warranty on an un-warranted car.

Friends tell me that OPCs differ in their application of what's required to be put back to standard, e.g. some will accept Zunnsport grills and some will not etc.

[David W.]

FriedMarsBar said:

I looked at 991 last year and from memory Porsche told me the car would need the 111 point check (and everything put back to Porsche standard parts, so no after market exhaust tips, non Porsche filters or body parts etc) and a service to be able get a warranty on an un-warranted car.

Friends tell me that OPCs differ in their application of what's required to be put back to standard, e.g. some will accept Zunnsport grills and some will not etc.

Mine is now serviced by an independent. Also a 14 reg. Didn’t like the .2 with 3.0 engine character so pleased I found low mile 3.8, previous owners people we know. Added Zunnsport grilles after stone holed air on rad. Also needed new a height pressure fuel pump which is expensive. Great cars.

[FrancisA]

NDA said:

I am on the cusp of buying a low mileage example of this car.

I've owned a few sporty cars over the years but know NOTHING about Porsche's.

Anything I should be wary of or look out for? The car I'm looking at has a 100% MOT record, main agent serviced and 20,000 miles only.

Same position as you. Moved from a SL63 to a 991.1. Sports cars wise best decision I have made.

I bough mine from OPC Swindon. I would recommend spending the extra and getting the OPC warranty which is about 1K a year and is a bumper to bumper warranty. The engines and gear box are said to be bullet proof. It is the last NA engine and sound is better than your partner having an orgasm at 8000 rpm. The build quality is argued by some as better than the 992. In terms of real world driving it is more than you can realise as long as you understand it is about the chassis and not the power. I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

[NDA]

FrancisA said:

I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

I did. I bought it at the end of August and have already taken it into France. It has a Porsche warranty too.

It's a great GT car, which is what I wanted it for. Not mad fast, but quick enough - I also really like the PDK box, it suits my driving.

[FrancisA]

NDA said:

FrancisA said:

I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

I did. I bought it at the end of August and have already taken it into France. It has a Porsche warranty too.

It's a great GT car, which is what I wanted it for. Not mad fast, but quick enough - I also really like the PDK box, it suits my driving.

Welcome to the dark side. Now to throw a spanner in the works.

The usual dreaming has started about switching cars. I have had a 991.1 C2S for a year now and absolutely love the car. The secret to Porsches is the handling not the power. I came out of a SL63 last year into the Porsche. The plan was always to go to a GTC from the SL63. However a drive to Les Mans with a friend in his 991.1 changed my mind. I had 585 HP and he had 400 HP......he kept up with me and I struggled to keep up with him. The difference was the handling. On a straight I could take him but when it came to the bends I was grasping air.

So I planned for the migration to a GTC. However (long story including a fire) I ended up a a lovely 991.1 and it has been wonderful. However the GTC itch has begun. Partly because GTCs have lost a comparative value compared to 991s but also I think it is one of the classic car shapes that lives up to its performance capability.

The exam question is for someone who has crossed over. Is the GTC worth the change or is the 991 just that much better in terms of handling and sheer competence. This is the not a question about power. You cannot use 557 HP on the road. You can use 400 HP more realistically. To quote C.Harris. (not literally) ..”it is more fun to drive a car within 8/10 of its limit than within 5/10 of its limits"

[Whatever123]

FrancisA said:

NDA said:

FrancisA said:

I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

I did. I bought it at the end of August and have already taken it into France. It has a Porsche warranty too.

It's a great GT car, which is what I wanted it for. Not mad fast, but quick enough - I also really like the PDK box, it suits my driving.

Welcome to the dark side. Now to throw a spanner in the works.

The usual dreaming has started about switching cars. I have had a 991.1 C2S for a year now and absolutely love the car. The secret to Porsches is the handling not the power. I came out of a SL63 last year into the Porsche. The plan was always to go to a GTC from the SL63. However a drive to Les Mans with a friend in his 991.1 changed my mind. I had 585 HP and he had 400 HP......he kept up with me and I struggled to keep up with him. The difference was the handling. On a straight I could take him but when it came to the bends I was grasping air.

So I planned for the migration to a GTC. However (long story including a fire) I ended up a a lovely 991.1 and it has been wonderful. However the GTC itch has begun. Partly because GTCs have lost a comparative value compared to 991s but also I think it is one of the classic car shapes that lives up to its performance capability.

The exam question is for someone who has crossed over. Is the GTC worth the change or is the 991 just that much better in terms of handling and sheer competence. This is the not a question about power. You cannot use 557 HP on the road. You can use 400 HP more realistically. To quote C.Harris. (not literally) ..”it is more fun to drive a car within 8/10 of its limit than within 5/10 of its limits"

GTC is a far better car, ran the gtr roadster before the current gtc roadster and the softer det up of the gtc is a nicer road car, stage 1 with cup2s on track it licks gt3s but just shy of gt3rs, on road its handling, presence, theatre, noise (tho not brilliant) gearbox, comfort, all trump the 911. Selling mine in spring but will be sad to see it go..

[FrancisA]

Whatever123 said:

FrancisA said:

NDA said:

FrancisA said:

I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

I did. I bought it at the end of August and have already taken it into France. It has a Porsche warranty too.

It's a great GT car, which is what I wanted it for. Not mad fast, but quick enough - I also really like the PDK box, it suits my driving.

Welcome to the dark side. Now to throw a spanner in the works.

The usual dreaming has started about switching cars. I have had a 991.1 C2S for a year now and absolutely love the car. The secret to Porsches is the handling not the power. I came out of a SL63 last year into the Porsche. The plan was always to go to a GTC from the SL63. However a drive to Les Mans with a friend in his 991.1 changed my mind. I had 585 HP and he had 400 HP......he kept up with me and I struggled to keep up with him. The difference was the handling. On a straight I could take him but when it came to the bends I was grasping air.

So I planned for the migration to a GTC. However (long story including a fire) I ended up a a lovely 991.1 and it has been wonderful. However the GTC itch has begun. Partly because GTCs have lost a comparative value compared to 991s but also I think it is one of the classic car shapes that lives up to its performance capability.

The exam question is for someone who has crossed over. Is the GTC worth the change or is the 991 just that much better in terms of handling and sheer competence. This is the not a question about power. You cannot use 557 HP on the road. You can use 400 HP more realistically. To quote C.Harris. (not literally) ..”it is more fun to drive a car within 8/10 of its limit than within 5/10 of its limits"

GTC is a far better car, ran the gtr roadster before the current gtc roadster and the softer det up of the gtc is a nicer road car, stage 1 with cup2s on track it licks gt3s but just shy of gt3rs, on road its handling, presence, theatre, noise (tho not brilliant) gearbox, comfort, all trump the 911. Selling mine in spring but will be sad to see it go..

Grrr.....you have really twisted that spanner in the works with your experience. It does not help that I love the design....And it is regarded as a bullet proof car in terms of build quality. There were leak issues on the engine and gearbox in the early GTS but that was resolved by the time the GTR and GTC came along. I will have to take one for a test drive to decide. Thanks for the feedback.

I don’t mean to pry but why are you getting rid of it?

Edited by FrancisA on Monday 21st October 19:12

[Whatever123]

FrancisA said:

Whatever123 said:

FrancisA said:

NDA said:

FrancisA said:

I would hit the send button and go for it. I have not regretted my choice.

I did. I bought it at the end of August and have already taken it into France. It has a Porsche warranty too.

It's a great GT car, which is what I wanted it for. Not mad fast, but quick enough - I also really like the PDK box, it suits my driving.

Welcome to the dark side. Now to throw a spanner in the works.

The usual dreaming has started about switching cars. I have had a 991.1 C2S for a year now and absolutely love the car. The secret to Porsches is the handling not the power. I came out of a SL63 last year into the Porsche. The plan was always to go to a GTC from the SL63. However a drive to Les Mans with a friend in his 991.1 changed my mind. I had 585 HP and he had 400 HP......he kept up with me and I struggled to keep up with him. The difference was the handling. On a straight I could take him but when it came to the bends I was grasping air.

So I planned for the migration to a GTC. However (long story including a fire) I ended up a a lovely 991.1 and it has been wonderful. However the GTC itch has begun. Partly because GTCs have lost a comparative value compared to 991s but also I think it is one of the classic car shapes that lives up to its performance capability.

The exam question is for someone who has crossed over. Is the GTC worth the change or is the 991 just that much better in terms of handling and sheer competence. This is the not a question about power. You cannot use 557 HP on the road. You can use 400 HP more realistically. To quote C.Harris. (not literally) ..”it is more fun to drive a car within 8/10 of its limit than within 5/10 of its limits"

GTC is a far better car, ran the gtr roadster before the current gtc roadster and the softer det up of the gtc is a nicer road car, stage 1 with cup2s on track it licks gt3s but just shy of gt3rs, on road its handling, presence, theatre, noise (tho not brilliant) gearbox, comfort, all trump the 911. Selling mine in spring but will be sad to see it go..

Grrr.....you have really twisted that spanner in the works with your experience. It does not help that I love the design....And it is regarded as a bullet proof car in terms of build quality. There were leak issues on the engine and gearbox in the early GTS but that was resolved by the time the GTR and GTC came along. I will have to take one for a test drive to decide. Thanks for the feedback.

I don’t mean to pry but why are you getting rid of it?

Edited by FrancisA on Monday 21st October 19:12

Only reason, needed something with more luggage space, back seat for pooch and a slightly softer ride, thats it, not missed a beat in 5 years, still love it and might keep it as i think its one of the best AMGs ever made (they’ve only made two mind) the others are made by mercedes, as is the new GT i think?

I cant speak highly enough of it tbh but the driving position is something you love or hate as your bum is literally sat right on the rear wheel and the front feels a long way away, something i love personally but its not for everyone, some complain about the coupe cabin being claustrophobic to, cant comment on that.

<2018 car sound much better btw

Definitely a decent test drive though good luck