Advice on a 996 as a daily please
Discussion
I am thinking about buying a 996 as a daily drive, I have read the buying guide here but still have some questions.
I am 6'6" will I be able to drive a manual? Or will it have to be an auto due to restricted room?
Is it better to get a 3.4 or a 3.6?
What should I look for being done eg RMS, IMS, bore scoring - do all suffer these issues?
Any difference in headroom between a coupe and a convertible when the roof is up?
I will do about 6k miles in it. I want to spend about £15k, am I likely to get a good one for that budget?
I am 6'6" will I be able to drive a manual? Or will it have to be an auto due to restricted room?
Is it better to get a 3.4 or a 3.6?
What should I look for being done eg RMS, IMS, bore scoring - do all suffer these issues?
Any difference in headroom between a coupe and a convertible when the roof is up?
I will do about 6k miles in it. I want to spend about £15k, am I likely to get a good one for that budget?
Edited by simonr100 on Sunday 15th January 19:49
Hi Simon
I have a 2004 996 and have found it to be a very reliable car. I can leave it for weeks on end ( I have two other cars) and it will always start. Have never had any problems with the so called RMS and mine has just done over 100,000 miles. It did have a new clutch fitted before I purchased it and it is also the 3.6 model which I believe is less prone to the engine problem that you refer too. At 6'6 I'm not sure if you might well find it a bit tight, even with the seat right black (they are basically 2 seaters) but as a daily driver I think you would have no problems. As my mot man said it is a day to day supercar, think he was referring more to Porsche than mine particularly!
I keep thinking about maybe selling mine but the reliability of it against my jaguar and TVR stops me, although I'm thinking about it again.
Anyway good luck, I think size will be your main problem not necessarily the engine, not on a 3.6 model anyway.
I have a 2004 996 and have found it to be a very reliable car. I can leave it for weeks on end ( I have two other cars) and it will always start. Have never had any problems with the so called RMS and mine has just done over 100,000 miles. It did have a new clutch fitted before I purchased it and it is also the 3.6 model which I believe is less prone to the engine problem that you refer too. At 6'6 I'm not sure if you might well find it a bit tight, even with the seat right black (they are basically 2 seaters) but as a daily driver I think you would have no problems. As my mot man said it is a day to day supercar, think he was referring more to Porsche than mine particularly!
I keep thinking about maybe selling mine but the reliability of it against my jaguar and TVR stops me, although I'm thinking about it again.
Anyway good luck, I think size will be your main problem not necessarily the engine, not on a 3.6 model anyway.
The earlier 3.4 doesn't suffer from the same IMS issues as the 3.6, and is the 'better' engine.
2 threads worth reading
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
2 threads worth reading
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I don't use my 996 daily. However, just to really confuse things: the 3.4 can have either of two types of ims bearing. Either can fail, but diligent maintenance and natural selection means that it seems unlikely today. There are other modes of failure related to the design of the cylinder block but again, natural selection seems to have lead to failures now being mostly on high mileage cars.
The 3.6 is susceptible to premature bore scoring. The 3.4, generally, is not.
At 6'6" you should fit ok, but you may need to remove the front section of the centre console for extra knee room. You can also fiddle with the seats and runners - depends how far you want to go.
In terms of daily usage, the car is well up to it, but whether it's kept outside, and how you drive it will affect its demands on you. Keeping on top of it won't always be cheap. £15k will buy a good one, but (IMHO) all need something doing, so keep a little of your budget for immediate improvements.
The 3.6 is susceptible to premature bore scoring. The 3.4, generally, is not.
At 6'6" you should fit ok, but you may need to remove the front section of the centre console for extra knee room. You can also fiddle with the seats and runners - depends how far you want to go.
In terms of daily usage, the car is well up to it, but whether it's kept outside, and how you drive it will affect its demands on you. Keeping on top of it won't always be cheap. £15k will buy a good one, but (IMHO) all need something doing, so keep a little of your budget for immediate improvements.
Hi Fast Bug
Seems there are different opinions on the best most reliable engine. I'm no mechanic and can only go on my own experience. Never had any problems with my 2004 3.6 C4. I wondered if maybe the engine problems have been blown out of proportion. I think there are arguments both ways. www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf
Seems there are different opinions on the best most reliable engine. I'm no mechanic and can only go on my own experience. Never had any problems with my 2004 3.6 C4. I wondered if maybe the engine problems have been blown out of proportion. I think there are arguments both ways. www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf
Bought my first 911 back in July 2015 and its been in daily use since.
It's small enough to be easy in traffic and at low speeds is actually rather dull to pilot - there's nothing about the experience thats difficult - you could almost be in a Golf.
It's quiet and refined and comfortable and of course when you get a chance go faster its a hoot.
Very difficult to contemplate what could possibly replace it as its so reliable.
Still open the front door every morning and smile - love the looks...... ignore the doom-mongers and get one.
It's small enough to be easy in traffic and at low speeds is actually rather dull to pilot - there's nothing about the experience thats difficult - you could almost be in a Golf.
It's quiet and refined and comfortable and of course when you get a chance go faster its a hoot.
Very difficult to contemplate what could possibly replace it as its so reliable.
Still open the front door every morning and smile - love the looks...... ignore the doom-mongers and get one.
I use mine as a semi daily (ie a few times a week to work and a little on the weekend). I've done more mileage in four months than the last owner did in three years and the car seems to get better the more its used.
In terms of the 3.4/3.6 debate, I'd say just buy the best 996 you can afford, particularly if its a daily. I started looking for an early sport chassis car, couldn't find a good one and went for a mint 3.6 instead. Change the oil on the dot, pay attention to warming it up, cooling it down and not flogging straight after the engine has got hot in traffic.
In terms of the 3.4/3.6 debate, I'd say just buy the best 996 you can afford, particularly if its a daily. I started looking for an early sport chassis car, couldn't find a good one and went for a mint 3.6 instead. Change the oil on the dot, pay attention to warming it up, cooling it down and not flogging straight after the engine has got hot in traffic.
ventura240511 said:
Bought my first 911 back in July 2015 and its been in daily use since.
It's small enough to be easy in traffic and at low speeds is actually rather dull to pilot - there's nothing about the experience thats difficult - you could almost be in a Golf.
It's quiet and refined and comfortable and of course when you get a chance go faster its a hoot.
Very difficult to contemplate what could possibly replace it as its so reliable.
Still open the front door every morning and smile - love the looks...... ignore the doom-mongers and get one.
Christ that's sexy. What colour is that, can't really tell? Black? looks brown/bronze almost.It's small enough to be easy in traffic and at low speeds is actually rather dull to pilot - there's nothing about the experience thats difficult - you could almost be in a Golf.
It's quiet and refined and comfortable and of course when you get a chance go faster its a hoot.
Very difficult to contemplate what could possibly replace it as its so reliable.
Still open the front door every morning and smile - love the looks...... ignore the doom-mongers and get one.
Had my 2001 C2 Coupe for 7.5yrs, for the 1st year or so it was my daily.
As said above, the early 3.4 cars are probably the lowest risk, engine wise & also benefit from a proper cable throttle.
They are fantastic cars, many say they prefer to be driven daily & 6k mls PA isn't many so running costs shouldn't break you!
Tyres, brakes, radiators & AC condensors all fail & can be expensive, any clonks, knocks or squeaks will probably be suspension & can again be expensive.
Overall, mine has cost about £1500pa in servicing/maintenance, this is now offset by zero depreciation & possibly even a little rise in value in coming years.
Buy a good one & look after it & you will never regret it
And make sure it has PSE or a decent aftermarket sports exhaust - it is essential!
As said above, the early 3.4 cars are probably the lowest risk, engine wise & also benefit from a proper cable throttle.
They are fantastic cars, many say they prefer to be driven daily & 6k mls PA isn't many so running costs shouldn't break you!
Tyres, brakes, radiators & AC condensors all fail & can be expensive, any clonks, knocks or squeaks will probably be suspension & can again be expensive.
Overall, mine has cost about £1500pa in servicing/maintenance, this is now offset by zero depreciation & possibly even a little rise in value in coming years.
Buy a good one & look after it & you will never regret it
And make sure it has PSE or a decent aftermarket sports exhaust - it is essential!
lewisf182 said:
Christ that's sexy. What colour is that, can't really tell? Black? looks brown/bronze almost.
I believe it's called BASALT black but it's an unusual colour.Basically the metallic flakes behind the main colour are not the usual silver bits.... rather they are a bronze / gold metallic flake.... The result is that in sunlight (when clean ) the whole car looks metallic chocolate brown.
It looked very mean on black wheels and made less of the colour... but the wheels were badly done and battered ( its an old car ) so had them refurbed last week in the bronze colour.
Anyway - glad you like..... now taking suggestions for next subtle visual tweak..... want to do more to it without going chavvy.... i am thinking that with this colour combo a carbon fibre roof wrap ?
I have a 1998 996, 3.4. IMS was on the verge of going, had it replaced and the engine rebuilt a year ago, just in case any debris was left behind.
Always starts first time and apart from the above, which is now sorted, has had no other issues. Just had 4 wheel alignment done and it drives better than ever.
It had done 92k when I bought it, about 102k now, fsh and immaculate condition.
I could be tempted to sell. Having a 911 had always been a dream of mine, I've done it now and really need the practicality of a hatchback again. I'm in North Essex, drop me a pm if you're interested.
Always starts first time and apart from the above, which is now sorted, has had no other issues. Just had 4 wheel alignment done and it drives better than ever.
It had done 92k when I bought it, about 102k now, fsh and immaculate condition.
I could be tempted to sell. Having a 911 had always been a dream of mine, I've done it now and really need the practicality of a hatchback again. I'm in North Essex, drop me a pm if you're interested.
12dan34 said:
I have a 1998 996, 3.4. IMS was on the verge of going, had it replaced and the engine rebuilt a year ago, just in case any debris was left behind.
Always starts first time and apart from the above, which is now sorted, has had no other issues. Just had 4 wheel alignment done and it drives better than ever.
It had done 92k when I bought it, about 102k now, fsh and immaculate condition.
I could be tempted to sell. Having a 911 had always been a dream of mine, I've done it now and really need the practicality of a hatchback again. I'm in North Essex, drop me a pm if you're interested.
How did you know the IMS was on it's way out, what were the signs?Always starts first time and apart from the above, which is now sorted, has had no other issues. Just had 4 wheel alignment done and it drives better than ever.
It had done 92k when I bought it, about 102k now, fsh and immaculate condition.
I could be tempted to sell. Having a 911 had always been a dream of mine, I've done it now and really need the practicality of a hatchback again. I'm in North Essex, drop me a pm if you're interested.
I've just had a clutch, dmf, RMS and IMS bearing upgrade on my 1999 C4. The DMF was apparently good to go again, but had it changed anyway and the old IMS bearing was perfect - no play and perfectly smooth to spin. I changed the disks and pads all round a few months ago, the parts were about £280 after discount from Eurocarparts and fairly basic job takes about 3 hours to change. I use Millers oil that Hartech recommend too.
I use mine nearly every day and it starts, stops and works just as well as any modern day car which is 15 years newer.
I use mine nearly every day and it starts, stops and works just as well as any modern day car which is 15 years newer.
Edited by MMT on Friday 20th January 21:45
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