40th Anniversary Edition as DD

Hi, I�m looking to purchase my first 911 after several years driving a BMW 3-Series. I need a car that I can use as a DD, even in Chicago winters. I am currently looking at a 40th Anniversary Edition with ~40k miles. I�m curious whether people think that this would be a good choice. If it helps, I drive around 8k-10k miles per year. One thing holding me back (vs a higher-mileage 997.2) is the IMS bearing issue, which the dealer claims is less likely given that it there hasn�t been any issues by now. That�s a topic for another day. Thanks in in advance for any feedback.

I wouldn't DD an anniversary personally. I live in Atlanta, commute about 45 mins on the highways on days that I have to be in the office. It's pretty miserable driving it on those days when you are simply creeping in traffic down the highway. I would much rather be in my cushy automatic Jeep GC with XM, Heated seats, all the bells and whistles if I'm mostly sitting in traffic. The AE also has a stiffer suspension than regular C2 and is a bit on the rougher side for a daily. I recommend getting the AE for sure, but have a daily on hand for the commute and simply drive the 911 for pleasure. That's what I do and I absolutely love the car.

Quotes source post: 15564125

Thanks for the feedback. I�m fortunate that I don�t spend much time in traffic on my way to/from work. The car that I have now is a MT, albeit with a softer suspension, and it never bothers me. I considered having another car for regular use, but my wife wouldn�t be too happy about the extra expense.

If you don't spend much time in stop/go traffic and have decent roads then go for it. Other than commuting, I drive mine every chance possible.

UK magazine GT Porsche noted it as the best 996 you can buy, better than the GT3 for practicality and the Turbo for handling. Its a great car, love mine but I�m not so sure I would enjoy driving it through an MN winter. I would suggest getting a beater vs a set of winter wheels and tires.

Have the IMS Solution installed and drive the wheel off of it!

As a DD in Chicago? Don't think that is a good choice.

Quotes source post: 15564740

On second thought I'd have to agree. A low mile AE deserves better treatment! It's the only NA 996 that may end up collectable in 20 more years.

Quotes source post: 15564460

That's good to know. Thanks! I could keep my current car as a backup since it isn't worth much, but that means 2x insurance, 2x city sticker, and most importantly, it would support my wife's belief that a 911 isn't a practical car.

Quotes source post: 15564740

Why is that, out of curiosity? Is it because it is an AE as 808Bill suggests?

Quotes source post: 15564800

I would respectfully suggest to her that the retained resale value of a future collectible Porsche not being driven in the winter + not having to buy winter tires will more than offset the additional costs of running a cheap 2nd car. Plus if its in a garage your insurance will be lower for no winter use. There are not many performance cars that you can buy, drive and then resell without losing any money, the 996 GT3 and Turbo prices have been rising for a while, the 40AE seems to be picking up steam and following that trend. Get the GT Porsche mag on your Ipad and show her, they basically say it's a bargain that will appreciate.

I grew up in Chicago suburbs and got transferred back there before retirement in 2003-2005. We lived in Bolingbrook and my commute was to the vicinity of Pulaski and I-55. I was fortunate enough to have a company vehicle to drive(four wheel drive Jeep), but I would not have wanted a 996 to drive that route for even two years! Traffic was bad occasionally like when a dump truck turned over on I-55! Snow can be an issue even though they do a good job of clearing it off quickly I wouldn't drive mine in it and it is a 4S. I would guess in one of those 10" snow storms you might get near home but if the side streets aren't plowed it would be game over due to low clearances. There are those that say put winter tires and wheels on it and drive the H out of it. Ok..fine...not me. I worry more about the idiots who don't know how to drive on snow more than me getting in trouble. As far as a DD, even in good weather, a lot of people do that and for their age it is a reliable car. "Practical car" sure maybe but better suited as a toy to play with or occasional use. Just my two cents...

Quotes source post: 15564860

Thanks for the feedback. I commute ~10 miles each way, primarily on Lake Shore Drive and when I go, there is little-to-no traffic. There is snow, however (though surprisingly little this year). In days when the weather was particularly bad, I would either take an Uber/Lyft or bus.

I have a 40th with IMS solution. I have put about 57k miles on it; up to 98k total now. I have done plenty of work commuting and long trips. The stock suspension is plenty high and soft. The stock mufflers are plenty quiet. The stock radio works okay exception you need a dension or something for hooking up bluetooth. If you are a skilled winter driver I suppose it would do okay with the right tires. The 997 is a great car too but there's no real difference in IMS risk between the two; I'd pick whichever one you can get for lowest miles and nicest condition within your budget. Even though I am not an AWD fan, I would search for a C4S in your position- they can be found with X51 (or come with x51 standard?).

also I should add...I strongly prefer to DD the E39 M5 over the 911. Massive trunk, room for 5 people, gas mileage not horrible, no one pays attention to it, and wayyyy better torque for stop and go driving. Not to mention the clutch is really easy and the shifter works well. It just eats up highway miles. Unfortunately a huge pain to maintain and, condition-for-condition, getting to be more expensive than a 40th. low-mileage 996s aren't that uncommon but low-mileage E39 M5s are worth their weight in gold now.

Quotes source post: 15564985

X51 is option only on C4S. The four wheel drive on a C4 does not make them much better in snow, definitely not a Jeep type vehicle. I have read about people burning the front drive disc up spinning the wheels when stuck. I thought it was mostly a track feature as the system transfers more to front as disc heats up. Just what I've read...Since OP has an option when it's snowy the P-car might be a choice. It would be fun ripping down LSD! However, I stick to my comments above, as well.

Quotes source post: 15564985

The particular 40th AE that I'm looking at doesn't have an IMS upgrade, but the dealer seemed to suggest that they would either do the retrofit in-house (dual row) or mark it down accordingly. From what I've read the IMS Solution is the only "permanent" retrofit, but the costs that I've seen are around $8k. My understanding is that the 997.2 and up don't have the IMS bearing issues. Am I mistaken? Yes, the stereo seemed fine, but I would like Bluetooth and it seems that there are several units that are easy to swap in.

If you are simply doing the IMS solution, $8k is a ridiculous figure. Even with new clutch, flywheel, RMS, IMS solution, $8k is a ridiculous figure.

Quotes source post: 15565264

I'm not sure where I saw that. Maybe I misread. This guy claims that you should go in expecting to pay $6500, but that it includes additional repairs that he claims are commonly needed. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ll-west.html#5

Last year my car was in the shop for the following: R&I Transmission - $912 Labor Replace Clutch - $228 Labor, $748 Clutch kit, $5.7 Pressure Bolt Replace Air Oil Separator - $342 Labor, $140.89 Part Install IMS Bearing - $456 Labor, $729 Part (I installed retrofit, Solution will be more) Replace Main Seal - $57 Labor, $27.21 Part Replace Flywheel - $0 Labor, $804 Parts Oil Change - $57 Labor, $120.87 Oil and Parts Transmission Fluid Replace - $57 Labor, $55.56 Fluid Coolant Flush - $114 Labor, $75 Coolant Total for those items: $4,929.23 AOS and Coolant were not Transmission related so deduct for those comes out to: $4,257.34 for IMS/Clutch/RMS/Flywheel My car had a new water pump installed so didn't need that. IMS Solution will be about 1k more in parts. As far as additional repairs, who knows. All depends on the condition of your car. Give a mechanic an open check book and they will certainly find ways to spend your money. But the IMS/Clutch/RMS/Flywheel themselves are certainly not 8k.

Quotes source post: 15565479

Ok. That sounds much better. The car is being sold by a Porsche dealer, so I would hope that the PPI would have caught any major issues (aside from the IMS for which its difficult to catch), but maybe that's wishful thinking.

I daily my 996. Mine isn't an anniversary, but I don't have the stock suspension anymore either. I did adjust my coil overs to their maximum height, but that's mainly for speed bumps in parking lots. I keep the rebound set to their medium setting. Adjustable coil overs or shocks really can give you a nice commuter and a fun weekend driver. My commute is 52 miles, with about half of that being stop and go traffic. It's really not that bad...and once I get a chance to drive more spiritedly, I forget all about the creeping along part.

I�d say �it depends on what you want from a DD� I own a 40AE but it�s my weekend/fun car. The suspension rides high enough to deal with most driveways. But it�s a bit stiffer than stock. I�m in Central Texas and while we have our share of rough roads, there are lots of nicely done asphalt and concrete highways. We don�t have salt here and it�s rare to get sand (if it�s that weather, drive your other car which is likely a pickup). The car has enough torque that you don�t need to rev it a lot in first to get out of your neighborhood or away from a stoplight. You can drive in 2nd gear from near zero all the way up and past 70mph. So in reality when you are putting around town you are in 2nd, or 3rd as you get away from the stoplights. So so the biggest variables in my mind are Chicago weather and roads. Otherwise it�s an easy car to get along with. Plus you have that X51 screaming burst from 5500-redline that makes you smile.

Quotes source post: 15565779

Same here!

Quotes source post: 15565779

I was expecting the suspension to be pretty stiff, but it was surprisingly comfortable. I'm lucky that mine seems to be one of the only reverse commutes, so there is little creeping along.

Quotes source post: 15566855

One of the first things that the dealer mentioned when I took it for a test drive is that you can go up to 70mph in 2nd gear. I'd be red-lining if I did that in my 330xi. As I mentioned in my previous reply, I didn't think that the suspension was stiff during my test-drive.