pondering a 996 turbo

I've test driven a 996t, which is now tempting me. It's a 2002 with just 26k on the clock. However, the servicing worries me as it has had 2 year service intervals, rather the the 1 year I expected. Should I be worried by this as it's just 3.5k miles per year. It will be inspected (and anything corrected)and have the major service done prior to sale.

By "two year service" intervals, I take it you mean that it hasn't been serviced annually. Someone will correct my detail but if it has done less than 6000 (?) miles per year, an "Inspection" will be sufficient every alternate year to a service. ie. Under normal use, your service history would show 12k, 24k, 12k, 48k, 12k, etc. Under low use, you could potentially see inspection, 12k, inspection, 24k, inspection, 12k, inspection, 48k, etc. IMHO, if the mileage is genuine, I wouldn't be too concerned about a service every other year. If that is the case, it will be due a 48k next unless it has had one recently. Assuming all else is ok, negotiate on that basis My car (2002 car with 29k when I bought it) was similar with the correct services although at irregular intervals due to the mileage and the first 48k service due.

I have my porsche serviced every 2 year because i only do 3000mls a year. The service book says a service due every 12000mile or 2year what ever comes first. The service's would be minor then major alternating every 12000mls or two year what ever comes first. Also brake fluid change every two years.

The 2 year service internal came from Model Year 2004; for pre-2004 if you have done less than 9K a year, you can get away with an annual check which I believe is minor service minus pollen filter; oil filter and full oil change (so just a visual inspection I beileve).

It doesn't appear to have had an oil change in between the 2 years intervals, and also missed the last brake fluid change. It's a very clean car otherwise, and ticks the rest of the boxes apart from a lack of heated seats (for the wife of course!).

Like I said, if the pre-purchase inspection checks out ok and the mileage is genuine, I wouldn't worry.

Make sure the inspector interrogates the DME for additional comfort around the mileage

The inspection was completed last night, but I'm concerned about the entries into the level 2 rev range, as it showed 24 entries. Should I walk away?

As mentioned you don't need an oil change annually if doing less than 9K miles; every other year is fine and with such low mileage it would have unlikely to have had more than 9K annually. Brake fluid is a hygroscopic liquid - meaning that it absorbs water over time reducing its effectiveness. If it has been missed then just make sure it is changed before you purchase it and the brake system will be back to its maximum effectiveness...

24 entries in to rev range 2 is nothing to worry about. Steve

I agree with Steve. 24 ignitions represents 8 engine revolutions. At 7000 rpm, that works out to 0.0011 minutes, or 0.068 seconds. That is obviously one premature downshift for a miniscule amount of time, once in 26,000 miles.

If you want a Porsche extended warranty those forays into rev range 2 may disqualify the car from getting one.

Mine has an extended Porsche warranty with similar, 38 entries in level 2. All by the previous owner. Discussed with Porsche at time of purchase and they confirmed nothing at all to worry about. Are these always caused by downshift or can it be a reflection of hitting the rev limiter on acceleration?

Level 2 are "over-revs during downshifts". They aren't a big issue in small doses as discussed. Mine has a level 2 of 162 sparks or 54 revs or less than half a second at 7000rpm. It still seems to work. Given that the same block, albeit with titanium conrods, will rev to 8200rpm safely in a GT3, 7000rpm in a Turbo isn't going to cause a problem. [ ] Level 1 are "rev-limiter on the way up", of which mine has none. The rev limiter is set below what will cause damage so they're irrelevant in engine terms although may point to signs of an abusive life.

A PCGB member just bought a 996 GT3MKII and was refused a warranty for a similar number of Range 2s. I guess it pays to shop around.

Just out of interest and for your perusal here is another angle to the type 2 overrevs http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=858148&mid=173699&nmt=996TT%20Timing%20chain%20failure. when I bought mine I had just 2 ignitions out of 1000 hours of operating time

I've been following that thead (from afar). It seems to point to a spin where the engine was allowed to reverse direction as either the clutch wasn't pressed nor the accelerator.

thanks for the clarification John

Just for reference: 996 RANGE 1, 7300-7900 RANGE 2, 7900 up 996TT RANGE 1, 6750-7250 RANGE 2, 7250 up 996 GT3 RANGE 1, 8200-8800 RANGE 2, 8800 up

Hi John what had really interested me about that thread was the chains going kapput I had always thought the engines were indestructable obviously a relative term I was so surprised I asked Tony Wright about it he admittedly said he had never heard of it anyway sorry for hijacking your your thread Paul Ps Richard what was all the stuff with the 6 rev ranges for the 997 engine I hadnt thought rev 2 was quite so high eek!

The 997 has a different range of ranges, if you see what I mean, with an increasing degree of seriousness. It is probably a better gauge of general use than our 'Range 1 is OK, but too many Range 2's isn't'. How many is too many, and how bad was each one? The 997 at least gives a bit more detail. These are what I have for the 997 from Loren at RennTech. I assume them to be for the 997.1 models. 997 Carrera RANGE 1, 7300-7500 RANGE 2, 7500-7700 RANGE 3, 7700-7900 RANGE 4, 7900-8400 RANGE 5, 8400-9500 RANGE 6, 9500 up 997 GT3 RANGE 1, 9000-9200 RANGE 2, 9200-9400 RANGE 3, 9400-9600 RANGE 4, 9600-10000 RANGE 5, 10000-11000 RANGE 6, 11000 up 997TT RANGE 1, 6800-7000 RANGE 2, 7000-7200 RANGE 3, 7200-7400 RANGE 4, 7400-7900 RANGE 5, 7900-9000 RANGE 6, 9000 up If you had a lot of 5's and 6's it would probably indicate some serious abuse. Buzzing a GT3 to 11K+ wouldn't be good news. It would be interesting to know the OPCs policy on this for warranty.

It makes me shudder to think someone could get a valuable metzger engine to 9000 rpm

Interesting thread. Of course us 993 owners would have no idea what abuse our engines have been subjected to ! Are we bovvered ? Not really. Maybe it's a case of too much information, so people can wiggle out of warranties. Is there no way to clear these codes, or re-programme the ECU ?