Just wanted to say good buy to 996 forum.

Hi All, I'd like to thank all of you for the supporting of 996 owners including myself. I hate to say this but i have to let my 996 go to get an E39 M5. The 996 looks really nice outside and i got alot of attentions to it. But the M5 on the other hand is a monster sedan machine, the build quality is really solid. I just drove it 100 miles and i did not want to get out of my car. It is imazing machine. I also bought 100km extended warranty for only $2500 on the top of 43k on the clock of my car. The only reason i let my 996 go was the fear of engine failure in my mind. I'm sorry that but it came with me everytime i drove it. I wish all of you would keep your car in good shape and out of all the issues. Good luck, Jim

Congrats Jim....sounds like it was just time for a change for you. And you certainly got a great car. Personally...my last 2 bimmers did nothing for me after the first few months....but that's me. I wouldn't put blame on your move to an engine that "might" fail....engines fail in every single make and model....you just hear more about the 911's b/c this place is the creme de la creme of ownership. Anyhow, enjoy your ride....and without trying to sound discouraging, I wouldn't be surprised if you crave that 911 once again next spring. Best, J

After ripping apart my friends dash to install a radio (metal sculpture inside the dash) and ripping apart the trunk liner to install an I-Pod hook-up, I would definitely say that the Bimmer is better built than a 996. BUT, the issues all my friends have had (the list is extensive) with their Bimmers give them a black eye in the Quality dept.

i'm sort of afraid of the long term cost of ownership myself. I was diagnosed with a porous crank case on my 02 996 with only 8k miles on it and was first told by the dealership that I needed an engine replacement (i was 1 year out of warranty). I complaine to Porsch NA and they flew out and re-diagnosed and decided to apply an epxoy to the porous area. So far so good, but concerned about the potential for failure. But now what do i do? who would buy my car knowing its history? I would probably take a beating if i were to try and sell it. So I think I am "stuck" with it. Although it sure does put a smile on my face when I look at or drive it

You'll be back. Just a matter of time...

that's a lot of money for a 100 kilometer warranty

^^^ LOL

Good luck with the M5 I heard they never have any issues at all. In fact BMW is losing money on everyone one they sold because nothing ever happens to them. Actually BMW doesn't even make replacement parts, there's no need.

Is that right??? they never break down!!! Well, I gotta get me one of those M5's .....do you think they sell them up here in Canada!!!! It would go real nice in my Igloo.....

I thought the thread was about a good price on a part! Good luck though!

On a part of what ????

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At $18 a piece the 996 forum is not just a good buy, but an excellent buy

AHH now I get it!!!

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I'm going to divorce my beautiful, loving, intelligent, well put together wife because I'm afraid that she will cheat on me. I'm going to get a more dependable woman who isn't as attractive, smart or as rewarding simply because everytime we go out she gets too much attention. I know she will cheat on me, I know it. By the way...Sorry honey, for using you in a metaphoric way - I would never consider replacing you!

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What do meteorites have to do with the price of parts

What do the price of parts have to do with this thread?

What parts of your wife are you talking about?

who's parts are we talking about

Funny....... I got rid of my 2000 E39 M5 in 2004 to buy my 996 when the M5 warranty was about to expire. My reason??? I was afraid of the long term cost of owning the M5. Based on my estimates, I had about $20k of warranty work done on the car (replaced clutch, numerous oil leaks, replaced catalytic converter, faulty fuel injectors, faulty ECM, MAF failures, etc. etc. etc.) My colleagues at the office would often laugh at me when I came to work in a Chevy Cavalier, Jeep Cherokee, or whatever loaner car they gave me for the week(s) my car was in the shop. I should have known I was in for trouble when I started the car the morning after I brought it home and the check engine light was on and the car was in a low-hp limp mode. (required new ECM, SA recommended that I drive the car in limp mode for 6 weeks while waiting for the replacement part). At any rate, compared to the M5, my 996 has been a great car!!!! I had a RMS at 7k miles, a speaker failure, and a door handle malfunction. I would have no concerns whatsover about owning this car our of warranty.

This thread is way to confusing...I am going to pull a Dell and unsubscribe....well, just Like Dell I will say I am and then not do it....for a while

subscribe? Who's talking about subscriptions?

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Subscriptions? I thought they were talking about prescriptions.

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That was exactly what I was thinking when I first read this thread. I looked at M5's before I purchased my 996 and everything I read indicated they could be very maint. intensive cars. I'd bet an e39 will cost much more over the long haul than a 996. They are beautiful sedans though...

long haul... the op doesnt know what that means. After reading your experiences, he just might get a Honda...Oh thats a machine also?

I currently own an 2002 m5 it is an amazing machine, no complaints here. no need for any mods mine is completely stock and no ploblems what so ever. As for comparison to a 996....I had a 2001 c4 you are more connected in the p-car, but i can drive the m5 all day and not get tired, great for long trips. not bad in the performance catagory either. these cars are sleepers and should not be taken lightly because of big 4door sedans,when on the highway or street it will pull on a 996 easy....i always wanted the power from the m5 and the handeling of my p-car, thus i upgraded c4 to a turbo. now my garage is in perfect harmony.

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I know how you feel. Every time I take my '01 3.4l out on the track and seriously flog it, I can barely have a great time because I am so worried that your engine may fail.

BMW has decided not to offer CPO on the new M5. Does that say anything? I used to like BMW's until my last M3 and my 07 550i. Both in the shop every other month at least. I've driven just about every type of rental car you can imagine. The people at the rental car place recognized me when I came in to pick up a car

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I can hear it now Person at the Rental COunter: "Hi Mike! What color would you like your KIA to be this week?"

I bought a beautiful e39 M5 myself this past July, and I love it. However, in the months leading up to the purchase I drove my 996 everyday, and I love it now even more than when I first bought it. They are both fantastic cars, in their own way. I am fortunate that I can afford to own (and maintain) both. If I had to sell one, it would be a tough decision. Michael

Admittedly, I had a cursed car. The problems on my car were common (according to the m5 board), it was just uncommon that I had ALL of the common issues on my car. After 2.5 years of getting to know my SA personally, I think we fnally got the car sorted out well. Whoever bought it from the dealer probably got a problem free car and loves/d it. As for long-term ownership costs, I've got to believe the 996 is cheaper. I say this based on my perception that 1) There are more indy shops qualified to work on the 996 than the E39 M5 (lower labor) 2) There are more used and aftermarket parts available (lower parts costs) 3) The knowledge base and support from the Porsche community and aftermarket on known 996 problems is more robust (more effective solutions) Just my $0.02. Steven C., are you still with us????

First thing you should check, if it hasn't already been checked is the oil pump bolts, they tend to come loose on the V8

WOW I could have had a V8!!

I would like to submit a due chevaux.....warranty is a rubber hammer. But seriously: BMW does not give you a 50.000 or 4 year full warranty on the new M5??

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Nicolaas - Mike (gr8330) said "BMW has decided not to offer CPO on the new M5."

Lets see.....the radiator is good to between 60 and 90K, the top hose outlet cracks. If you change the oil pump bolts and watch the radiator it's a pretty solid car.... oh yeah the radio has a tendency to loose the display

I was not trying to sound on one car or another since i have owned 5 Porsches and 11 Bimmers, i do know for sure which one is more reliable than another. I would agree that the older Porsche quality was rock but not on 996 line. I do all the services by my self on both Porsches and Bimmers, i could spend $$$ for most parts in both cars but can't afford a new engine. I got 100k miles warranty from different company than BMW. Thank you some of you for your honest wording. Jim

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My 2004 C4S has over 60,000 miles with no issues... so I wouldn't lump a 6 year production of the 996 in one category. It's possible that the earlier production cars had more issues.

My 2002 C4S has 80,000 miles with no issues. So there.

Had an E46 BMW and would not call the quality good. Down for 1 month with the electronic thermostat problem, all window regulators failed, sunroof motor failed, rear differential failed twice, rear frame tear issue, brakes were terrible, etc., etc. My wife refused to keep the car past 3 years. The inline six was butter smooth though...

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My 2000 coupe had no issues. I sold it two weeks ago with almost 105,000 miles on the engine and original clutch. I'm looking at the Cayman for my next car if I can negotiate a sweet deal. I'm also curious to see how the new BMW 1 series looks in the flesh.

I did alot of searching in here to find out from most owners who had engine failure to see if they track their cars or not, will the engine go bad with normal driving? but i could not get enough infomations. I have owned my early 996 for 1.5 years with only 2500 miles. I bought the car from a use car dealer, brought it in for PPI with no issues. I took it home and enjoyed it for 500 miles the ABS light was on, i took it to Steven Creek Porsches and it was bad airbad module, 200 miles later after the rain found some water in the car, took it in to correct it , 300 miles later water pump and themostat went bad, then inigtion switch and final things are valve cover gasket and oil separator. Probably i was one of the bad luck 996 owners here. Now you understand why. Thanks, Jim

Hope you have better luck with the M

Jim - sorry to hear about all of your issues with the P-car. Hopefully, the M will be better for you.

Gregorycarl, that was hilarious!!! So true! That just reminded me of why I drive a Porsche. Every relationship takes a little work. And with each argument, I learn more about my lady and how to avoid any future incidents. That is pride in ownership

Well good luck with the car. adios

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That is a an excellent post

I thought everyone wanted a porsche for the gas mileage? Or the good excuse to not carry crud around. I hope the car doesn't have some odd things like the nose dive when braking hard.

alright - bye then... 3 year old thread revived to say good-bye

I wonder if that guy's BMW ended up being the maintenance-free dream that he thought it would be three years later?

A thread from 2007......Meh

Another blast from the Rennlist time machine! bye!

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Probably handles better and is a lot more fun than that Hot Tub Time Machine I've been hearing about... Rudy

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What color is our car in the avatar "Looks Great".

Sometimes these long, drawn out goodbyes are difficult...

Dennis, you could write a song

Later ****** f#cker

I'm not much of a song writer, but I do play guitar!

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LOL, Yeah My partner has one.... to date this year his service costs are over my 996 and 928 service costs combined. I think at one point he wanted to drive it off a cliff