996 3.4 vs 3.6

[HorneyMX5]

Hey Folks,

Very much considering getting myself into 911 ownership in 2013. Having read the 10K 911 article on here and done lots of research into 996s and the IMS and RMS issues I still haven't been put off the idea of a one. I like the styling of the earlier cars and even don't mind some of the more lurid interiors (Savana is my fave but I do have a V-Spec MX5 at the moment so beige brown interiors are not something I dislike). The only thing about the early cars I don't like is the horrid 4 spoke steering wheel but that can be easily rectified.

My question is about the engines and is there any real world difference between the two? Anyone owned both and have any observations? I did a search but not much came back of any use.

Many thanks,

nick

[gibbon]

2013?

Wow. I barely know what im doing next week.

[HorneyMX5]

Lol.

The reason for the year wait is I need to pay off a few bits and bobs and I promised the wife I would replace the windows and carpets in our flat before I buy a Porsche.

At the moment I'm just doing tons of research and looking at pics and vids and just generally getting obsessed by the whole idea at the moment.

Nick

[gibbon]

HorneyMX5 said:

Lol.

The reason for the year wait is I need to pay off a few bits and bobs and I promised the wife I would replace the windows and carpets in our flat before I buy a Porsche.

At the moment I'm just doing tons of research and looking at pics and vids and just generally getting obsessed by the whole idea at the moment.

Nick

Well, i went for the 3.6. Drive both, see if YOU can notice the difference, i could.

[Magic919]

Spend the next year reading on here. That should do it.

[TOENHEEL]

In a years time you might be looking at a 997 instead lol.

[monthefish]

HorneyMX5 said:

At the moment I'm just doing tons of research and looking at pics and vids and just generally getting obsessed by the whole idea at the moment.

Nick

Excellent idea.

I spent about 4 years+ on this forum before I actually bought one, and was infinitely more knowledgeable as a result.

ETA in fact, I think one of my first questions was regarding what spec/year of car influenced whether it was a 4 spoke or a 3 spoke steering wheel...

Edited by monthefish on Wednesday 8th February 12:17

[JW911]

HorneyMX5 said:

The reason for the year wait is I need to pay off a few bits and bobs and I promised the wife I would replace the windows and carpets in our flat before I buy a Porsche.

Likewise. Except I probably blew it when I rolled up at home in a Turbo and the windows stayed as they were for another year.

[jonny996]

HorneyMX5 said:

The reason for the year wait is I need to pay off a few bits and bobs and I promised the wife I would replace the windows and carpets in our flat before I buy a Porsche.
Nick

watch out! sounds like she is neasting get that 911 before the pitter patter of little feet put the idea to bed for a LONG time.

[sundayjumper]

HorneyMX5 said:

The only thing about the early cars I don't like is the horrid 4 spoke steering wheel but that can be easily rectified.

Physically easy to swap, but they're quite expensive. Worth paying a few hundred quid more for a car that has the right spec to begin with IMO.

[monthefish]

sundayjumper said:

HorneyMX5 said:

The only thing about the early cars I don't like is the horrid 4 spoke steering wheel but that can be easily rectified.

Physically easy to swap, but they're quite expensive. Worth paying a few hundred quid more for a car that has the right spec to begin with IMO.

I think it's only the very early cars that have them anyway. (Trawling through the 3.4 classifieds, looks like its less than 10%)

[Catpuddle]

gibbon said:

2013?

Wow. I barely know what im doing next week.

What, you know that ? I'm not sure what I'm doing tomorrow.

[willfinch36]

I read on here about 911 turbos being such good value....

I had never even looked at a porsche in my life.

One day we decided we were getting a 911 turbo.

Next day we bought one.

Next week we collected it + a Boxster S

Haven't looked back since....

Happy Days.

[Risotto]

For me, the engines weren't hugely different in real-world situations. Instead, it came down to looks. I much prefered the 3.4 and the headlight revisions on the 3.6 spoil it for me. They seemed like a hasty reaction to initial criticisms of the first gen 996.

[m3evo321]

Risotto said:

For me, the engines weren't hugely different in real-world situations. Instead, it came down to looks. I much prefered the 3.4 and the headlight revisions on the 3.6 spoil it for me. They seemed like a hasty reaction to initial criticisms of the first gen 996.

Can't say I agree the gen2 lights differentiate them from Boxsters . Plus you gain several other things like a glove box more chassis stiffening and a better looking steering wheel.

[mazza911]

In everyday driving id say you won't notice the difference between 3.4 and 3.6.
Of more consequence is manual or tip, cab or coupe, these do have an impact on performance.

The issues around IMS and engines blowing can affect all 996 and early 997s, in fact I think the only safeguard is 997.2 or GT3 or Turbos as they use different engine block.

But don't let that put you off. There are plenty about so as already mentioned make sure you look and test as many as you can, check the history as much as you can, get the spec you want as things like cruise control, 3 spoke steering wheels and heated seats are expensive to add subsequently, where's alloys and sports exhausts are relatively straight forward...

[911p]

Risotto said:

For me, the engines weren't hugely different in real-world situations. Instead, it came down to looks. I much prefered the 3.4 and the headlight revisions on the 3.6 spoil it for me. They seemed like a hasty reaction to initial criticisms of the first gen 996.

Absolutely huge difference between our 3.4 and 3.6. Then again the 3.4 was an auto C4.

[supermono]

Edited by supermono on Wednesday 8th February 19:34

[monthefish]

supermono said:

Edited by supermono on Wednesday 8th February 19:34