Looking for advice about 996's
Discussion
Hi, I've been looking at cars on Autotrader as you do & relalised how achievable a 996 is. Now I've always loved 911's (especially the 964) and a family member has had a few 997 turbos. As the 997 is still a little out of reach the 996 seems a bit of a better option right now.
I'd just like to know what I should be looking for and more importantly what to avoid, ideally I'd like a late model 02/03 carrera 2 or 2s but I also like the early narrow body.
What are they like to live with everyday? I currently drive a 57 320d m sport which has quite a few extras which I'm sure a 996 won't have.
Also what are the tip tronic boxes like? I'd quite like an auto next.
Thanks for the advice.
I'd just like to know what I should be looking for and more importantly what to avoid, ideally I'd like a late model 02/03 carrera 2 or 2s but I also like the early narrow body.
What are they like to live with everyday? I currently drive a 57 320d m sport which has quite a few extras which I'm sure a 996 won't have.
Also what are the tip tronic boxes like? I'd quite like an auto next.
Thanks for the advice.
Plenty of good guides on the internet such as the Hartech one mentioned. There are a few 996 around that have had the IMS bearing upgraded and several with engine rebuilds...it's not as big an issue as the forums make out but if you want piece of mind best searching these examples out.
I'm having the exact same debate at the moment - I want to swap my Chimaera for something a bit more usable whatever the day / weather.
My biggest issue at the moment is I can't decide whether I want a C2 manual, a C4 Cab, a C4 cab tip...or a cayman!
Love having a convertible for the weekends (the chim replaced an s2000) - but would also like the capacity to take my road bike to europe.
Really should go for a manual - but unfortunately I spend more time in my TVR thinking "I wish this was a tip" than I do in my daily wishing it was manual.
Really should go for a C2 for purity - but I've had a couple of driver-aid-free rwd sports cars now and actually I quite fancy the security of not having to care when it's raining etc.
Maybe I'm just getting lazy...at 31.
My biggest issue at the moment is I can't decide whether I want a C2 manual, a C4 Cab, a C4 cab tip...or a cayman!
Love having a convertible for the weekends (the chim replaced an s2000) - but would also like the capacity to take my road bike to europe.
Really should go for a manual - but unfortunately I spend more time in my TVR thinking "I wish this was a tip" than I do in my daily wishing it was manual.
Really should go for a C2 for purity - but I've had a couple of driver-aid-free rwd sports cars now and actually I quite fancy the security of not having to care when it's raining etc.
Maybe I'm just getting lazy...at 31.
keith2.2 said:
Really should go for a C2 for purity - but I've had a couple of driver-aid-free rwd sports cars now and actually I quite fancy the security of not having to care when it's raining etc.
I have a '99 C2 with no driver aids and it has huge traction, you honestly don't worry about the wet and cold weather.E30 sam said:
What are they like to live with everyday? I currently drive a 57 320d m sport which has quite a few extras which I'm sure a 996 won't have.
I use mine every day and have an 07 325i M Sport for family duties. The Porsche is fairly spartan in terms of spec by comparison but nothing that I miss (especially the next to useless auto-wipers in the BM...).The standard headlights aren't up to modern standards but I understand this can be largely addressed with a HID upgrade (on my to-do list). Also seems to take a while for the car to demist at this time of year. Only other mild 'every day' annoyance on the mk1 for me is the manual bonnet release which means you have to open the drivers door before accessing the front boot.
chris_w said:
I have a '99 C2 with no driver aids and it has huge traction, you honestly don't worry about the wet and cold weather.
My '99 C2 has the optional traction control (and therefore LSD) and 285 section tyres on the rear (on turbo hollowspokes). In either the wet or dry it's practically impossible to get the traction control light to flash on; I could drive around with the TC turned off and never notice. I've driven through some horrendous weather without ever giving it a second thought.
IknowJoseph said:
chris_w said:
I have a '99 C2 with no driver aids and it has huge traction, you honestly don't worry about the wet and cold weather.
My '99 C2 has the optional traction control (and therefore LSD) and 285 section tyres on the rear (on turbo hollowspokes). In either the wet or dry it's practically impossible to get the traction control light to flash on; I could drive around with the TC turned off and never notice. I've driven through some horrendous weather without ever giving it a second thought.
All good advice thanks, the only reason I thought of the tip is the amount of time I'm stick in traffic and would like one. Before the 996 came into my head I was looking at either a 335d or I DCT with the flappy paddles.
It may be worth noting that I am currently commuting 170 miles a day to Stafford and Barack although I do tend to stay over 2 nights a week but I'm still doing 540 miles a week on the M6 which is probably the only reason im not already driving one.
From the little reading I've done i think a late model 3.6 is probably best for me and should reduce the the risk of any IMS issues.
It may be worth noting that I am currently commuting 170 miles a day to Stafford and Barack although I do tend to stay over 2 nights a week but I'm still doing 540 miles a week on the M6 which is probably the only reason im not already driving one.
From the little reading I've done i think a late model 3.6 is probably best for me and should reduce the the risk of any IMS issues.
The whole engine thing seems to be massively confused - Cmoose - I'm not in any way arguing with your comment, but below is a quote from a 2006 issue of Total 911:
First, it’s important to point out that it is the early 3.4-
litre engines, made from 1998 to 2000, that are most
susceptible to major failure. The later 3.6-litre engine is
pretty much problem-free. Also, Porsche made many
changes to the 3.4-litre unit over its production life, so the
last of these smaller-capacity engines – made in 2001 –
tend to be more reliable
full article here: http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf
Maybe more has come to light since this was printed?
=====
First, it’s important to point out that it is the early 3.4-
litre engines, made from 1998 to 2000, that are most
susceptible to major failure. The later 3.6-litre engine is
pretty much problem-free. Also, Porsche made many
changes to the 3.4-litre unit over its production life, so the
last of these smaller-capacity engines – made in 2001 –
tend to be more reliable
full article here: http://www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf
======
Maybe more has come to light since this was printed?
interesting, thanks cmoose.
As I say, I wasn't arguing, just illustrating why there is such confusion.
What does seem clear is that - as you say - it's impossible to really know which ones are going to fail.
That actually suggests to me (it's the line of work I'm in) that unless they know something we don't (likely), then it's more likely to be a component manufacturing issue - possibly rooted in the design but if it was an inherent design flaw I'd expect ALL IMS' to go (of course, this isn't taking the variances in use into account).
Anyway, apologies - drifting off topic, sort of!
As I say, I wasn't arguing, just illustrating why there is such confusion.
What does seem clear is that - as you say - it's impossible to really know which ones are going to fail.
That actually suggests to me (it's the line of work I'm in) that unless they know something we don't (likely), then it's more likely to be a component manufacturing issue - possibly rooted in the design but if it was an inherent design flaw I'd expect ALL IMS' to go (of course, this isn't taking the variances in use into account).
Anyway, apologies - drifting off topic, sort of!
yeah as above, from people who seem to know about these things, the dual row bearing does seem to fail less than the initial single, but the 3.4 tended to have more cylinder cracking / d-chunking due to ovalling. The 3.6 had the weaker IMS and doesn't seem to suffer quite as badly in cracking, but appears more susceptible to bore scoring, perhaps from inadequate cooling to one cylinder bank.
i bought a reasonable mileage early 3.4, from what i'd read, a lot of IMS seemed to go at around 60k miles, figured if i got one with more than that, i might actually be safer (i.e. if it was ever going to fail, it would have done so by now)! Then again, cylinder issue are probably only gonna get worse with miles.
So there's no one 'perfect' 996. If you're set on one, either risk it and hope you're one of the 90% of cars that don't break, get one with the engine work already done, or get one and plan to do some preventative maintenance. Autofarm even fix / futureproof your problems and bore the engine out safely to 3.7l!
I've gone with option 1...
i bought a reasonable mileage early 3.4, from what i'd read, a lot of IMS seemed to go at around 60k miles, figured if i got one with more than that, i might actually be safer (i.e. if it was ever going to fail, it would have done so by now)! Then again, cylinder issue are probably only gonna get worse with miles.
So there's no one 'perfect' 996. If you're set on one, either risk it and hope you're one of the 90% of cars that don't break, get one with the engine work already done, or get one and plan to do some preventative maintenance. Autofarm even fix / futureproof your problems and bore the engine out safely to 3.7l!
I've gone with option 1...
My 996, affectionately dubbed "the banana" went from 72k to 80k under my stewardship, including a visit to the factory, and was great. 1999 C4 Manual.
Never had any problems, servicing was very reasonable (cheaper than an E46 M3) and I loved driving that car. I do regret selling it, but I didn't have a choice at the time.
Looking through the history of the car it didn't have any problems either, apart from a leaky couple of pipes once or twice, but that was it.
I would say buy one and enjoy it - the internet will persuade you any car is made from chocolate and will explode 30 seconds after your warranty goes.
If you do get a car and you want to keep it and you're THAT worried, get it on the hartech plan. Otherwise, just enjoy a fantastic and massively under-rated car!
Never had any problems, servicing was very reasonable (cheaper than an E46 M3) and I loved driving that car. I do regret selling it, but I didn't have a choice at the time.
Looking through the history of the car it didn't have any problems either, apart from a leaky couple of pipes once or twice, but that was it.
I would say buy one and enjoy it - the internet will persuade you any car is made from chocolate and will explode 30 seconds after your warranty goes.
If you do get a car and you want to keep it and you're THAT worried, get it on the hartech plan. Otherwise, just enjoy a fantastic and massively under-rated car!
What he said....
jayemm89 said:
My 996, affectionately dubbed "the banana" went from 72k to 80k under my stewardship, including a visit to the factory, and was great. 1999 C4 Manual.
Never had any problems, servicing was very reasonable (cheaper than an E46 M3) and I loved driving that car. I do regret selling it, but I didn't have a choice at the time.
Looking through the history of the car it didn't have any problems either, apart from a leaky couple of pipes once or twice, but that was it.
I would say buy one and enjoy it - the internet will persuade you any car is made from chocolate and will explode 30 seconds after your warranty goes.
If you do get a car and you want to keep it and you're THAT worried, get it on the hartech plan. Otherwise, just enjoy a fantastic and massively under-rated car!
Never had any problems, servicing was very reasonable (cheaper than an E46 M3) and I loved driving that car. I do regret selling it, but I didn't have a choice at the time.
Looking through the history of the car it didn't have any problems either, apart from a leaky couple of pipes once or twice, but that was it.
I would say buy one and enjoy it - the internet will persuade you any car is made from chocolate and will explode 30 seconds after your warranty goes.
If you do get a car and you want to keep it and you're THAT worried, get it on the hartech plan. Otherwise, just enjoy a fantastic and massively under-rated car!
IknowJoseph said:
chris_w said:
I have a '99 C2 with no driver aids and it has huge traction, you honestly don't worry about the wet and cold weather.
My '99 C2 has the optional traction control (and therefore LSD) and 285 section tyres on the rear (on turbo hollowspokes). In either the wet or dry it's practically impossible to get the traction control light to flash on; I could drive around with the TC turned off and never notice. I've driven through some horrendous weather without ever giving it a second thought.
And for the record, mine does get driven as the manufacturer intended
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This +1 - some early M96s had bad castings so cracked cylinder walls or heads leading to an early bad reputation. Any bad castings should have shown themselves by now.Having said that the 3.4s are all older than 3.6s and so will have higher mileages - miles will wear out any engine so all the other bits may be worn - however there are plenty of examples on 200k+ miles described on US forums with no rebuild.
chris_w said:
I have a '99 C2 with no driver aids and it has huge traction, you honestly don't worry about the wet and cold weather.
Mine too. You have to really be trying to break traction. Amazing car for the price - this was Evo's inaugural car of the year beating all others in 1998 and for many years thereafter a variant won the award.I'm in a similar situation to keith2.2 in that I am considering changing my Chimaera for a 911. The difference is, I'd want it as a daily driver (the Chimaera isn't), albeit only doing around 2/3 miles a day.
My TVR just doesn't get used currently as I have a Fiesta for daily driver duties, but I couldn't live with just a Fiesta.
The TVR isn't really an ideal car for the station run, and I'm pretty sure my neighbours will hate me if I started using it every day (I leave home at around 5:10 in the morning) so something a bit quieter but still enjoyable etc is on the cards.
Ideally I'd keep the TVR and have the Porsche just for daily duties, but I know that would be; A) stupid, and B) the TVR would really never get used at all at that point unless the weather was glorious (and all the cars that have suddenly appeared down my road went, so I could get her out!), so it would be pointless.
I'd prefer a manual, but would be ok with a tip as sometimes the traffic is horrific.
Is this a reasonable proposition?
My TVR just doesn't get used currently as I have a Fiesta for daily driver duties, but I couldn't live with just a Fiesta.
The TVR isn't really an ideal car for the station run, and I'm pretty sure my neighbours will hate me if I started using it every day (I leave home at around 5:10 in the morning) so something a bit quieter but still enjoyable etc is on the cards.Ideally I'd keep the TVR and have the Porsche just for daily duties, but I know that would be; A) stupid, and B) the TVR would really never get used at all at that point unless the weather was glorious (and all the cars that have suddenly appeared down my road went, so I could get her out!), so it would be pointless.
I'd prefer a manual, but would be ok with a tip as sometimes the traffic is horrific.
Is this a reasonable proposition?
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