Repair and service costs compared to BMW's

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a C4S cab. I've owned a lot of performance cars, mostly BMW'; M3's and M5's. I have to assume a 996 can't be worst. Maybe better? Based on what you're lead to believe reading the web, I've got to become a certified DIY or have a personal tech on retainer. I'm really just looking to enjoy the car and be prepared for regular service and major and minor periodic intervals. Obviously, there are wear items to consider; tires, brakes, clutch (ims) etc., but do they don't wear out any quicker than any other car? The car I'm looking at has 33k miles and all service records. RMS done at 10k miles. I understand how the car has been driven can effect service and wear, but I also know these cars are t meant to be driven.

I've owned many cars and have learned one thing: If you take your Camry to the mechanic to change the pads and rotors; you're still going to be walking out with a shop bill north of $500. Next is fuel economy: When driving cars like the 996s and vehicles of higher caliber (new or old), you can't think of 'Miles Per Gallon'. They're 'smiles' per gallon. If you can stomach upkeep of an M5; just buy some more ulcer medication. The trip to the pharmacist will be in a nice car atleast...

I would say these are less maintenance then an e39 m5 but still need a good amount of care and feeding. I personally have found it easier to work on then the e46 m3 I had before it.

Thanks. I have to admit I never kept any of my ///m cars long past the warranty expiring. This will be new for me. What I'm interpreting, is the joy of driving the Porsche, will out weigh the pain of servicing it. I'm doubtful my wife will buy in to that logic, but she'll have to come around. Owning a Porsche is not for the faint of heart.

Gotta agree the maintenance is something that must be done and it comes at a price. I find my wife has the same questions since I'm retired and the car gets a lot of our excess funds. When warm weather comes and we get the top down and here the FisterD's, that question subsides.

Google TUV Used Car Reports Porsche 911 has been at the very top year after year. I just traded in my 2001 BMW 330i w/125k for a 2007 because the repairs were coming fast and furious. $3,600 in a 12 month span. The 911 is no economy car and when things break they can cost 4X what you'd normally pay but they don't break often. I've only had my 2002 911 for 10 months and put just shy of 8k miles on it but costs thus far have been zero except for a $60 oil change. I'm also facing retirement in the near future and the cost of maintaining my 911 could become an issue. May actually keep me working.

Being a long, long, long time BMW owner and a new Porsche owner my observation is this: From most written accounts, the M96/M97 motor is more tender than a BMW straight 6...in almost every aspect. BMW V-8/10/12 motors have their own problems, and are also not as sound as the inline 6. To be sure, any German performance car is going to be needy at some point, so this is not particularly newsworthy. I think the key to any successful and cost-controlled ownership is to tend to things as they pop up and ignore nothing...delayed maintenance is exponentially more expensive; and that is true with any car.

Find a good indie - that helps a lot. Some DIY is simple. Lots of support here on these forums for that. A 60k service is about $1k at the indie - clutches can last 100 k+ depending how you drive - I did brakes for $350 per axle - most costly item so far was ims/aos ($3k) but I waited until I needed trans dropped anyway - annual oil change <$200. Water pump ~900. ( so more than my e46 but not bad overall ). Most cars that have zero maintenance are not much fun to drive - Toyota for example.

Thanks for everyone's insight. Pretty much what I expected. I'm in NOVA near Dulles. Have a couple good indy shops around. Ill have to shop around for pricing.

as a DIYer, I can tell you BMW parts are generally cheaper. In the end though, is still just a car Definitely a bit trickier to work on as space is limited

I've found the three BMWs I've owned (including one currently) to be more than the 996 so far. I'm sure every car has its own story. If you've had an M3 and M5 at least you're in the right ballpark.

Had 1999 e39 528i 5spds with premium + sports + cold weather packages. The most realiable vehicle I have ever owned so far. Had it for good solid 13yrs w/ clutch service, and engine oil changes, the car kept going w/Ia single problem. Our Cayenne S has been pretty reliable so far.

My fleet currently includes an 2005 E46 330 cabrio (wife's DD), a 2007 X3 (my DD), and the 996. I would say they are about equal in terms of running expenses, though the potential for higher costs with the Porsche certainly exists. And the 996 only goes about 5,000 miles a year. To be honest, the X3 worries me the most, with valve train and transmission problems somewhat endemic in that year. Knock on wood. None are inexpensive.

E39s beside the m5 are very stout

I've owned three BMWs, two Minis (really a BMW), and 5 996s. If you DIY, working on a BMW will make you hate life. Most every fastener is plastic, so every fastener is one time use as it will crumble when it is removed. Overall quality is poor - interior plastics get brittle and crack, the leather wears more rapidly than any other "luxury" car that I've encountered, they start to rattle, little failures will start to mount. With 95k my 996 suspension is still nice and tight - were it a BMW I would be rattling down the road like I have square wheels. I have no complaints about any of the eight Porsches that I've owned, I find them to be very high quality and reasonably easy to work on. I won't own another BMW product.