is the 996 engine as bulletproof as the 993

everything i read indicates that the 993 engine is extremely durable and reliable... with the exception of the carbon build up on a few of them, they seem very bulletproof... i have read about the rear main seal leak on the 996, but hard to tell how widespread the problem is... still conducting my search for either a '02-'03 996 , or a '97-'98 993.... close to the same $$ for either.... engine durability / reliability is a key concern for me because i plan to keep this car awhile...thanks.

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The 996 engine seems to be a much better design than the 993 engine. the biggest issue seems to be an occasional leaky seal on the rear of the engine, or on a valve cover. The RMS issue is a half a day repair, with most have being done under warranty. 993 engines seem to have problems with valve guides, which is a little bit more involved. I would opt for a 996, unless the aircooled cars appeal to you more. Both are pretty reliable, but the 996 is a more modern design.

Are valve guides an issue on cars under 100k miles? Just curious. I know that around the 140k range in the 88 MY this was an issue, but not until that point (cheaper guides used in that year with the 3.2L). I wonder how many 100k plus mile 996's are out there.

The 993 engine issues have been covered on the PCA tech Q&A site. In summery, they suffer from premature valve guide wear and clogged secondary air passages. The fixes are not cheap and the root of the problem is a design flaw. The PCA tech advisor seams to think that it is inevitable in all 993's. The RMS issue on the other hand is a big unknown. It's either fixed by a new seal or a new engine and only Porsche knows how many cars have been affected. That said, it seams to be an uncommon failure. If you thus believe the PCA tech site, all 993 engines will eventually need a rebuild to fix valve guides as well as regular maintenance to prevent clogged air passages. The 996 RMS issue does not appear to be preventable and it affects a minority of 996's. Will we ever know the true numbers?

When I think of the M96 , I think of that engine (and the grearbox) as not being as easy to rebuild or modify.....ie not replaceable pistons/cylinders..........I don't believe the gearboxes have any servicable internal components (gears, bearings,shafts)....pretty much throw-away isn't it? Generally it's a less expensive drive-line....and since it has never been used for competition (that I am aware) that also says something. Now as far a life cycle cost and purpose-built reliability for today's target demo 911 buyer (no track, no mods, etc) the M96 may be well suited.

Not true. The M96 is rebuildable. The factory power kit replaces internal parts and doesn't Techart or is it Ruf actually do a 4.0 bore to the 3.6 and a 3.6 bore to the 3.2 Boxster S? Not a throw away engine at all...plenty of aftermarket and oem internal upgrade and rebuild parts for it.

The 993 motor is a true dry sump motor which is the pinnacle of air cooling by Porsche. Due to the inferior materials used for the valves guides and the heat these motors generate, some will suffer. The carbon build up is similar to the RMS in that it is a crap shoot. I have to disagree with Orient, the M96 engine is not even close to the 993 motor in design. The 996TT and the GT cars have motors that are more similar to the 993 than to the 996.

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I think that picture sums it up!

stop worrying. i have had 964 cab, 986S, 993S2, 996C2, C4S, GT3. just drive it hard until it explodes, buy another and repeat. 4 month, 15,000 miles with 3500 miles track and endless smiles.

hmmm..... sure makes it a difficult choice between the two cars.... on one hand, seems safest to go with 996, because at least if RMS will be fixed under warranty... on the other hand, if engine reliability or $$ were not a concern, I am really taken by the 98 993 c4s and would probably go that route... (sigh)

I would really think hard about the 993. The value and desirability will pay off in the long run.

I really want a 993. I love the way they look. I love the "nostalgia" aspect of the last air-cooled. I love the visceral feel when I drove the 98 993 c4s. But here is the reality.... I can afford the $50-55k that these cars are commanding, but I cant afford $3k here, $5k there for engine valve, carbon problems, etc. Maybe some will say "you shouldnt be buying a Porsche then". I dont agree with that... I think just because someone can afford the price of a car, but not huge after-the-fact maintenance costs doesnt necessarily exclude them from Porsche ownership. With an 03 996, I will get new car rates, a warranty, and maybe 80-90% of the driving experience of the 993 (no offense to all the 996 owners on the board). I have to compromise somewhere. Also, some of the 03 996s out there are not much more expensive than the 993s.

Here's the deal...if you want a 993, buy one from a Porsche dealer with a certified Porsche warranty. I saw a 98 C4s for 50k with a warranty. I know a few people with 993's with non problems. 996's have problems as well. I went with a 996 because I wanted a water cooled car and all the modern conveniences and styling of the car inside and out. If I want the "old" style car, I'll but an older Turbo as a weekend driver for far less than a 993.

In a few years, this is what it will be like...or not... because there might not be a fight at all between the 993 and 997. The 996 will just be forgotten..... I can see the conversations a few years from now at Porsche meets(if not already) "Rememeber that first model that Porsche made after the 993.... that was a mistake...even Porsche figured that out....Thank god Porsche changed the look back to more of a 993 with that 2005 car...."

Quote: Could be, but time marches on. Eventually the 993 (and 996 for that matter) will be just another fondly remembered antique. Hell, the 993 interior already takes me back to high school. Get in that thing and you have flashbacks to borrowing dad's car for the prom. I wouldn't be surprised to see CGT style headlights on the 998.