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YOUR RESEARCHLooking into getting a 996(engine concern..)
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I had CPO, and I got a brand new engine replaced which to date has performed perfectly (ok my 2003 C4 cab is now at 15k miles, 4k on the new engine) - I enjoy the hell out of it, and my plan is to drive it and pound miles on it as a daily driver.
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and it has 12 coats of wax to keep it clean enough....
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But then again the service manager I dealt with told me he hardly ever had to replace an engine.
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I am still looking for a drag strip that uses an hour-glass for timing the runs.
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If I were buying - I would place a higher value on a reman'd engine - newer the better - my advice is to search the boards and use some common sense.
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I had CPO, and I got a brand new engine replaced which to date has performed perfectly (ok my 2003 C4 cab is now at 15k miles, 4k on the new engine) - I enjoy the hell out of it, and my plan is to drive it and pound miles on it as a daily driver.
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I've had many Porsche's in the past, lot's of 911's and 928's. I know that the new ones are not the same, but that's what makes them so comfortable. They are sooo cheap now, that I just might pick one up.. BUT, what really bothers me is the engine blowing up problems.. It's simply not acceptable.. 928's are just getting started at 150k and the older 911's, while not as good... don't blow up..
So my question is.. I'm seeing alot of 996's with factory reman engines.. Are these more reliable?? Have the blow up's been taken care off?? I know that the original ones are like ticking time bomb's, its only a matter of time.. But how about these factory reman engines?? Any insight would be greatly appriciated..
I think, "OH **** ME TO TEARS, HERE WE GO AGAIN", is more appropriate.
But to answer your questions......
More reliable? Ask PCNA
Blow ups? Is that even a word? Ask PCNA
Time bombs? Ask PCNA
Matter of time? funny you should ask as the search function would show you that your question is one that comes up quite often so "it's only a matter of time" before somebody asked the same thing again.
Reman engines? What about 'em?
Insight? Throwing grenades in a forum like this will produce something you could have figured out in <1min with a basic search.
And you wonder why I don't spend much time in the 996 forum anymore? May I present to you exhibit A.
Okay - yeah, it's been covered before, maybe once or twice as you can tell from the prior posts.
If I were buying - I would place a higher value on a reman'd engine - newer the better - my advice is to search the boards and use some common sense.
Well just think of it this way.. even if your engine blows up, you can replace it and still have spent much less total money than a G35 or Maxima, or some random SUV nowadays - for an awesome performing Porsche 911 with a new engine and warranty. Sounds like a great deal to me..
I'll try and offer some sane advice. Yes, the reman engines are better. If the car has a reman from Porsche you should be in good shape. Now the next part is just my opinion. If the car has the original engine (like mine) and has over 50K miles on it (like mine), the chances that it is going to "blow up" on you are no different than any other car. Assuming there was a manufacturing defect in some original engines, that defect will present itself (in the VAST majority of cases) before the car has 50K miles on it. I beat the pistons out of my 1999 996 everytime I drive it and it runs perfectly. Others on this board may not agree. You mileage may vary. Worst possible case senario: You pay 22 - 24K for a really nice 996 with 60-75K miles on it. The engine blows up on day one. Add 12K. Now you have a really nice Porsche with a brand new 300 HP engine for 34 - 36K.
Don't worry, they're a little bit sensitive around here. You have every right to ask a question. And they have every right to ignore your question if it bothers them so much.
And you also have the "right" to scream fire in a crowded theater too.
The question doesn't bother anybody but rather it really makes you question the motive of the OP.
Then why wasn't your thread title or question made as such?
You talked of all these engines blowing up (gross misrepresentation)
You talked in absolutes (other Porsche models NOT blowing up)
You said that the M96 motor is a ticking time bomb
When you say that a motor blowing up is not acceptable, what would be? Is there a percentage threshold that you have?
Come on, you have been on this board for 7 years and know exactly what a thread like this is.
Given that these cars are relatively less expensive these days than in recent history, find one that's certified pre owned. This helps to eliminate some of the concerns that mostwould have with a used vehicle.
+1 Dell
Weissach, I can sure tell you that you really will find information about what you are demanding.
Just think about me. Imagine that I'm doing a big effort to read, search, learn and understand all the interesting threads in this forum. If someone spanish spoken with a not very high english level, like me can find true information here, there won't be so difficult. You are used to speak with lots of acronyms, and an american english informal language, that I cannot learn in any academy.
Even with this difficulties I found a pile of info here.
The drawback is spending so much time doing the searches.
I'm very glad to being a rennlister, and glad to be helped by people like Dell, Ray S and others.
Don't think I'm trying teach you how to proceed, but I want to be empathetic with those who did a great job adding interesting things and helping to the comunity. There are threads, questions, answers which are reapeated over and over again.
Greetins from Spain
The re-manufactured engines come with all of Porsches updates to the motors which is a good thing. I would not shy away from buying a 996 with a "reman" engine as long as it (the engine) came from Porsche and was dealer installed.
Personally, I think the engine problems for these cars are waaaay over hyped and I have a good friend who is the Service Director at a major Chicago area Porsche dealer who says they just don't perform as many installs as the internet hype would have you believe. Then again you will find many on this board that feel it's under-hyped.
As Dell indicated, only Porsche knows for sure and they're not talking.
Good luck.
But most service managers and probably many of the people on this site will tell you, to always go for a car with a warranty if at all possible. There is nothing like a good CPO warranty to remove the fear of engine failue. Of course most of the same people will also tell you to seriously think about selling the car once you come off of warranty.
Whether over-hyped or under-hyped the 996 is stuck with the perception that too many engines fail. The mere fact that you see so many cars advertised with replacement engines tells you something. But then again the service manager I dealt with told me he hardly ever had to replace an engine. All I know is once I sold my car, I stopped worrying about it. But you know, I just got an email from a rennlister who found my car where it was traded and he was asking whether the engine had been replaced or not.
The cars are so cheap, that it doesn't much matter IMO. If you buy one and barely have enough money, or are financed to the gills, then maybe you need to buy a different car. If you can pick up a 996 for 20-25k, then that's a true bargain.
I completely agree. The whole 996 engine fragility thing, while having some basis, is overblown. And remember that the factory crate engines that are going in the 3.4L 996's are Boxster S engines. And you really don't hear that much about Boxster engines grenading, do you?
Tim, spend much time on the Honda boards? Do they have a "Rennlist"? Why are their "key" issues like the 996 engine grenades, Mobil 1 water, n-spec tires, etc, etc, etc,???
Ivangene....
Have any pictures for us??? You are the picturemaster!
Bring em on.
btw- got an itch and sold my 996 and traded up to a 997 on Monday. I'll still hang around though. Watching Tim, LV, Wellard, redridge, juanM and the gang is pure entertainment.
Tim - WTF? Your in Dallas and I haven't heard from ya?
You want to steal a 911 because they are soooo cheeaapp but you have concerns about engines........
Dude, go back to walmart, there are no refunds here. Your car is on craigslist with all of the other garage sale crap.
I saw your post on the 997 Forum. Gongrats on the 997. '05 isn't it?
Yeah, been in Dallas since February. I have met a few guys here,
Steven C.
and
himself
(TD) and a couple of others that I met at a coffee meet. I didn't get their Rennlist names though. I live in Lewisville. Where are you located?
WTF?!?!? Tim, Dell, I think Jetpilot just called us sideshow freaks.... In the absence of photos from Ivangrene I'll take it as a compliment.
Congrats on the tradeup.... what's it like to have a Porsche with cupholders? IMWTK!
Honda Forum???? Why in the blue hell would I want to do that?
It's bad enough that I have to drive one of "them" every day. I certainly don't want to read about them every night!! JEEZE Dell, give me a little credit!
Hey Dell, friends. Actually, you don't have the legal "right" to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. That my friends, is against the law.
To the OP. If you've driven the 996 and like it, just buy the newest 996 you can afford. Get an aftermarket warranty and enjoy. One of the best bargain you can get on a sports car is a 996.
If you can afford a GT3 or Turbo, you have the peace of mind of the GT1 derived engine. They are generally bullet proof...and the prices are amazing on the Turbo!!!
My 996's engine blew at 11k miles. It does happen, and therefore a valid question, which will resurface from time to time. I had CPO, and I got a brand new engine replaced which to date has performed perfectly (ok my 2003 C4 cab is now at 15k miles, 4k on the new engine) - I enjoy the hell out of it, and my plan is to drive it and pound miles on it as a daily driver.
If you are hesitating because you want the peace of mind, I'd examine a CPO car or in-warranty car so that you can enjoy it for 1-2 years which gives you time to get a sense for the car and decide if you plan to keep it past that date.
I want to be a "sideshow freak"
OK.. I will keep posting pics...
Since I am still new, I have to get the feel for what is good and not as good, thanx for the feedback on the last few........
yea yea, and someone still wants to "push this issue" so pass the popcorn while we "worry" some more over our time bombs and the rate they die....
Here is a thought...
I paid $22k for my time bomb with the shortest fuse on the forum. I figure if all else fails and I have to sell it broken in pieces... maybe I get what ? $10-$12K?? (less?) so I loose $10k...
I have taken 2 week trips that cost that much, try Switzerland with a family of 4... 2 damn weeks! Fun as it was... I have had WAY more fun in my P-car AND it has lasted 8 months... and counting.....
so dont get all bunched up, enjoy it, it costs money and will be worth less when you sell it.... I am living a dream come true for over 8 months... I think $10k is CHEAP for that thrill... hell I waited 28 years for it.... that is a heavy price
Think of how much it would cost you in good health, happiness, and sense of accomplishment to NOT buy the car!!
Sorry I spell like a 3rd grader
OUCH!!! That hurt! I am still looking for a drag strip that uses an hour-glass for timing the runs. That would be about right!
BTW - every week I find something new to hate about my Honda! That is the only part about driving the Honda which I enjoy!
Check out this month's issue of Excellence. The late Jim Pasha did an in depth article on the weaknesses of these engines. Personally, I'd just hold out for a 996TT or GT3. Both are bulletproof, with much more performance, and they don't cost that much more now. In fact, I just saw a TT with 50K miles on craigslist for $40K - an amazing deal.
Hey Joe, you can't talk about the reliability of water pumpers because I know that you have a real Porsche parked in your garage (and a beautiful one at that). If you are still looking for a project car, here is a 06 997 at the insurance auction that is currently at $22,000 with pretty minor damage. It ends tomorrow, so you would have to jump quick, but it is a public bid. I will keep you posted on others that I see come up.
https://www.iaai-bid.com/vehicledeta...itemid=7125349
Hey Mark,
Easy now, talk like that will get me beat up in this forum
For the record, I think all 996 cars are real Porsches and incredible values. All this air-cooled vs water-cooled stuff is nonsense.
However, if I'm honest, the intermediate shaft problems some of our friends are experiencing is worrisome. Especially, as it seems to happen in later cars too. On the other hand those GT3s and TTs appear to be nearly troublefree. Rare is a time that the most powerful car is arguably more reliable too.
That 997 sounds like a steal. Unfortunately as an employee of a bank (still employed for now, thank God), I'll be waiting things out for a while.
Hope you and your family are well.
Thanks, Dallas is a great town. I live in Dallas, work in Addison.
Hopefully we will meet up one day - I frequent the RUF shop. Good bunch of guys over there.
I'm just curious if there has been any engine failures with cars equipped w/ the auto transmission.
BTW, I work in the Addison area as well. In the Mary Kay building to be exact.
///Michael
There is a place where you can get information and not opinion. Go to flat6innovations.com, and read what Jake Raby has to say. There are recent posts here, the Boxster sub forum, and Pelican with references and detailed information, but before I get flamed too, not any statistics with denominators or numerators common to the 996 population.
Hang around long enough and we'll drag you down to our level.
Hey, I didn't disagree.
That's the funny thing - Honda makes great cars, but we got spoiled by driving a p-car... after that there's not return to a "normal" car.
[QUOTE=Wellardmac;6019888 but we got spoiled by driving a p-car... after that there's not return to a "normal" car.
[/QUOTE]
here here
I take corners WAY too fast in the suburban now, come barrelling up on stops and nearly DONT, keep trying to put the key in the vent to strat it... That and I feel like I am falling out of the seat while standing still....
I find even when it rains I am taking the P-car and thinking.... I know how to wash it... and it has 12 coats of wax to keep it clean enough....
It's interesting how this same question (with minor variations) comes up every 4-6 months or so. Suggestion: Try the search function next time and save yourself a lot of grief & abuse.
i may want to sell my 2002 996 C4 Cab with only 27,000 miles on it. always garaged. no engine concerns and never had any issues whatsoever. a beautiful car. Lapis blue with a graphite grey soft top and grey interior.
Ah, ok. I am thinking that perhaps applying heavy engine load (ie. lugging the engine) may be a contributing factor to these failures. If they fail on tiptronic models where shifts are computer-controlled, then heavy engine load may not be the case.
Oh well. Carry on!
Thanks,
///Michael
