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YOUR RESEARCHWTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
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teardrop headlights...wish porsche just kept the traditional ovals
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It just looks so much better than the 997 C4S...only issue is the teardrop headlights...wish porsche just kept the traditional ovals.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
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Those feelings are probably a little more biased on the part of those of us that have replaced engines on what another person deems to be a "reliable" car.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
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WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
Use 996 motors
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I have seen used 996 motors with no warranty for for $4500-5000 with variable mileage (3.4L).
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
Use engines are not commonly available
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motor (actually I'd probably end up sleeving/boring the broken engine to 3.8 or so), just pointing out used engines are not commonly available for the 996.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
Recommend get a ppi and don't look back
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Mechanically, I would say that there is no real evidence that the newer models are more reliable although I does make sense that Porsche improved the car as it evolved...As everyone else have already recommended, get a PPI and don't look back.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
Replace engines
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Those feelings are probably a little more biased on the part of those of us that have replaced engines on what another person deems to be a "reliable" car.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
little more biased
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Those feelings are probably a little more biased on the part of those of us that have replaced engines on what another person deems to be a "reliable" car.
WTb 996 but researcing shows engine failures? Waterpumps? continous$ What 2 look for?
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Hey all- over from the 930 relm and have a few questions. I am considering purchasing a 2000 996 with 70K on the odometer. I was doing research and read alot of posts of engine failure, RMS leaks and mutilple failures. SCARY..
Are there differences between the years? I am looking at 1999-2002 and found a hand full of cars I like. One of which has had the engine replaced. What should I look for? What do you guys recommend?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I really love this 2000 I found FS but do not want to sell my old realiable for something that is going to have a high probability of self destructing.... thoughts?
Thanks in advance- Mike
Many cases of RMS leaks, so best to have ppi.
I am going to assume that earlier engines (up to 2001) are more prone
to RMS leaks than later models.
Having said that, mine is a 2002 C4S and got 2 RMS repairs.
John
If you do a search on RMS, you'll have literally hundreds of posts to read. It appears that most 996s will experience some RMS issue from seapage to a drip. You certainly want to have a PPI performed by a Porsche Certified mechanic, and that will give you an excellent view as to whether there are any serious mechanical problems with the car that you are considering.
Per Adrian's book everything posted about the 996 is true... they are made by soulless robots using the most inferior materials PAG could source. In fact, the price of Yugo parts has risen substantially since the 996 came out because many of the parts are the same. The 996 engines self-destruct according to a random date programmed into the OBDII system. (The safe alternative is to drop in the engine from Trabant...the bolt patterns are the same). The 996's are so gutless and heavy that even with the X-51 engine option my car is routinely embarassed by 28 year old diesel powered Chevettes. You should avoid the 996 at all costs.
The only real 911's are 993's and earlier. These cars have no issues (rumors of upper end rebuilds are vicious propoganda spread by Corvette owners) and are routinely known to drive over 1,000,000 miles before needing an oil change. The early 915 gearbox is so robust and wonderful to use that McLaren tried to steal the design for the F1 car in the early 1990's. General Motors tried to emulate the superior heating and cooling systems on the Carerra SC in the new generation of Cadillac.
All the dirty secrets have been exposed. Since I posted it on the internet it must be true!
Mike, I think if you found a good 996 that you like then have a PPI done. If the shop performing the PPI gives it a good clean bill of health, I say go fo it. You get a wonderful engine that is a blast to drive, with all the luxury of good AC, etc. Right now 996's are pretty much a steal at these prices. I have a 914 (putting in a -6) and while I love it, sometimes I need the modern refinery of my 996.
Kent
+1
I will vouch too for the quality of the 996 vs the older 911's. The layout of the 996 is so well thought out and well manufactured. The older 911's just had lines, wires, and linkages put wherever they wanted, the 996 is all purpose and flow on the layout. But, the engines from the SC and up were pretty darn good engines. Of course, it was the 2.7's problems that woke up Porsche if I am not wrong.
The good news is the the 996+ 911s are the easiest 911s to work on.
No worries on engine failure, as a complete new motor ready to drop in is faily cheap.
Most of the RMS issues has to do with people overfilling their engine oil. (Do not fill your oil to the top digital read out mark!)
Coming from air cooled 911 side, prior to buying a 996 I also had fear of all the failures I read on this board. After 3 years of owning a 996, not once I regret selling the 993 and kept the 996 as a daily driver. The old air cooled 911s just requires too much attention, where as the 996 just get in and drive and service it like a Toyota.
Well... actually they are nicely layout also for "what it is", remember Porsche took an 40 year old design as far as they could.
I take apart older air cooled 911s all the time, I always find myself mumbling "These crafty little Germans..." while I work on them.
Actually a lot of thoughts have gone into these older 911s to aid the mechanics who will wrench on them later.
These are pics from a 993 engine drop, as you can see all the oil line, plugs, and connectors and breather holes are all lined up nicely for easy removal, and they were designed so that you don't need to label anything and there is no way to plug the wrong hose back.
Agreed. I bought mine about two years ago after a PPI showed the car to be essentially perfect. It was bone dry underneath, with not a sign of oil leaking or "sweating" anywhere. The car has since been driven 27,000 miles as my daily driver and has about 700 track miles driven by me as well. The engine has been perfect through all of that (other than an alternator that failed early on, but that can and does happen with any car). My experience with the car has been basically flawless. I'm happy.
To the first part, yes, it had to be due to needing to adjust valves periodically.
To the second part, my '87 is not idiot proof or mistake proof. I had to mark lots of connectors with a sharpie because they were the exact same plugs.
Thanks for all the input - I did read the sticky post but was hoping to hear from those who may have owned both. I am looking for something to drive the wheels off like my 911s and 930s but really miss modern comforts. Alot of the guys who I hang with have little positve to say, like mentioned, past the 993 but none of them have even driven or owned anything newer. I read the HP numbers and 0-60s (which I know are not gospel but idicators) and cannot help but think with some mods these can be driven every day and raced on the weekends at a higher level than the older cars...
As far as engine swaps, I have done them but was not wanting to spend the extra $ on a low milage car only to fall pray to the same type failures as the high mileage sisters.
Is there year preferences and why so? Options to look for?
Thanks for the input- this may be my new forum home soon... Mike
Total and complete BS!!!
There are no hard numbers on the RMS issue but conventional wisdom has about 25% of cars experiencing RMS problems. Remember, RMS is really only an oil leak. If there was some way to research ALL 911's from the beginning of time, I would be willing to bet more than 25% of pre 996 cars have some type of oil leak. That would actually make the 996 better in that regard. I know from personal experience, my 86 911 and my 993 both had small engine oil leaks...Not my 996. My 2000 996 is the best car I have ever owned.
1999 models didn't have E-Gas so some say they are slightly more responsive...also you could get LSD in 1999...2000 and after has PSMS (or whatever it's called) which I personally like, but some think it interferes too much...it can be turned off though. HP went up slightly in the later years as did weight. Many consider the C4S to be the best looking of the bunch (I do) and recent purchase figures show those as coming down in price.
Mechanically, I would say that there is no real evidence that the newer models are more reliable although I does make sense that Porsche improved the car as it evolved...As everyone else have already recommended, get a PPI and don't look back. I think the 996 will be EXACTLY what you are looking for.
Good luck
Okay...the details:
- The 996 is a wonderful modern 911.
- The build quality is fantastic. While early cars had lesser interior materials, this was revised on the later MkII cars. (not really a big deal, imo)
- Engine wise the later 3.6L seem to be the better choice, however the early cars weigh less and the 3.4L can be made more reliable with minor mods.
- RMS, is blown WAY out of proportion. Show me an early 911 that doesn't leak somewhere. The RMS is VERY minor and has been fixed with new parts from the factory. RMS should not be a primary issue when buying the car, IMO. Simply use it as a negotiating tool if it needs replacement.
- Engine's blowing up. Well...the statistics show that the numbers are VERY few when viewed on the total cars produced. And...as we all know, problems occur with mass produced products. There are always lemons. Maintenance is the key, IMO. Staying on top of the repairs, and oil changes, etc. How is that different from any other Porsche?
- Prices for repairs. As I mentioned in the buyer's guide, it's Porsches flagship car. Is parts and repairs going to be pricey? You bet. However, with that said this car is great performance bargain at this point in time.
- Annual repair costs. With regular maintenance kept up and staying on top of the car's running status, you should be fine. If something seems a miss, fix it. Simple as that. With that said, there are MANY owners enjoying their cars on a regular basis. In my personal opinion, these cars NEED to be driven. A lot of the cars out there that are running and driving great are indeed the ones with higher mileage. Subsequently, they are also the ones that have been regularly maintained as well. So far, between the 2 996's that I have owned, I have not had any major repairs in a combined 2.5 years of ownership.
So...with all this said. Read the buyer's guide. Find the best maintained example out there and buy it from a loving owner. You will have smiles all the way home.
cheers,
Chad
Thanks for all the input guys- It's nice to see some of you have owned a various P-cars and still have alot of good things to say about the 996 paltform. I have a 911, 930 and a 968 cab, gone are a slew of 911s and one 944 Turbo that started it all - in 1990 drove the 87 chipped turbo that eventually became the 1st of many Porsches and immediately was hooked. I sold my Corvettes, defected and never looked back.
I am looking forward to owning the next generation but know very little about it. Of course I knew very little about all the others but the older I get the more cautious I become I guess. Thank you all for your insight- I'll post my new baby when she arrives-
Cheers- Mike
Stay away from 99-01.
The 3.4L engines have a bad habit of blowing up in your face right after they spill oil all over the fn� place.
I like to carry a bag of kitty litter in the trunk and keep a spare motor on hot stand by for piece of mind
On the plus side if you ever get lost just follow the oil trail home
GL
If you have statistics, you're the only person in the world who does, outside of PAG.
With all due respect for the terrific Buyer's Guide effort, I find it a bit light, and a bit glib and cheery so far. The 996 is a fantastic car. But the engines do fail in some of them, and given the limited production of these cars - >180,000 or so for the whole 996 series, I think, which is hardly 'mass production' - apparently more than should be the case. Moreover, the failures are
not
all maintenance or usage related. There is, everyone who's written on this seems to agree, a design flaw or two.
The most prudent advice is to tell people that getting a 996, like any Porsche, is not a matter of affording to buy the car, but of affording to be able to keep it. With luck and good maintenance, it will be the cheapest Porsche you could ever own. Moreso, given the ridiculously low resale values. If you're not lucky, you'll be buying yourself a new motor, and the price will be surprisingly low for what it is, much, much lower than the previous owner paid in depreciation, or than you would pay in depreciation if you bought a newer 996. And this motor will have a two year warranty, and be as updated as PAG can make it.
If that sounds bearable, then a 996 will be a pure joy to own, and the least money and trouble you'll ever pay for the most exotic car most of us will ever have. If that sounds scary, move on. These aren't Hondas. In any sense.
+1
EVERY time I hear someone assure a 996 shopper that these are perfectly reliable cars, I ask myself why it is that nobody's surprised to hear that mine received a replacement engine at 42k miles. Hell, even the phrase "I've got a replacement engine" is met with understanding nods from everyone in the 996 community. If I was alone, I'd probably keep my mouth shut, but we all know that's not the case.
As you say, Bruce, this ain't no Honda, and you've gotta pay to play. These are $20-30k cars right now and appeal to a broader spectrum of people, and they should know what they're possibly getting themselves into.
I am also in the market looking for a 2004 or 2005 996 as well...so you're pretty much saying it's inevitable that owning this type of porsche will eventually lead them to buy a new motor? OMG! That sounds far from being reliable. So I should just tell myself to be prepared to buy another engine? Does porsche even make new engines for 996? I assume they arent cheap either...how much are we talking about?
thanks!
Bruce and tooloud all make good points and they are well recieved- thank you.
That being said most of my porsche's (especially the 911s) all have leaks of some sort putting a careless owner at risk. My 951 and 968 can suffer catistrophic belt failure trashing a perfect motor. My fear in the 996 was the "no warning" failures. I can wrench with the best of them, keep all my cars up in maintenance, but I would like some knid of indication that danger lies ahead. - another question- do the GT3s suffer the same issues?
As mentioned a $80+K car for 20-30s is certainly a bargin which is why I am here. (except for the GT3 thought of purchase... another topic) I have heard the watercooled / styling critisism of the 996 is why prices are where they are, many times lower than thier 993 cousins. I've also heard the "boxster" front end comments but I feel they are just a beutiful as any. I wanted to explore the "is there some mechnical common thread" that is driving the price down some and as we all have read, to some degree there is.
I can now with open eyes find the best deal I can.
Thanks to all- Mike
I'm saying nothing of the sort, for Pete's sake. I'm saying it's an elevated risk that comes with this car to a greater degree than with your garden variety transportation appliance. To enjoy the car, you have to be willing to accept that slightly elevated risk. But it's just a shift in probabilities, still infinitesimal in the scheme of things.
QED: My 86,000km 996 runs like new, but my wife's Toyota is sitting in the parking lot with a pooched motor because of oil gelling.
There is nothing in the buyer's guide saying that the 996 is a perfectly reliable car. Not a single sentence says that. What it does say, choose your car wisely and look for one that is well maintained.
My "statistics" are based upon the small group of folks out there (from the various groups on the internet) who have had problems versus those of us who have not. Did I post actual stats? No...and for good reason. Because some schmo would be asking - "what stats" "Where'd you get those from?"
I wrote that document to help some of these folks who have basic questions. For Pete's sake...you guys are sometimes unreal...it's simply the best information I could come up with at the time. If you have better, please send it to me. As I posted in the guide, I am quite happy to make updates as needed.
Instead of contradicting, try and help by adding helpful information. I am all ears.
C.
Cheery? Yes - with purpose. Why make it like taking a test?
To say that all engines will fail is the wrong side too. If there are 180,000+ 996's out there and evn (let's take a guess) 5% of them have engine failures - that is still only 9000 cars out of 180,000. Very small number in the grand scheme. My bet is that number is even smaller.
GM/Corvette even had this problem. The early Z06 Vette engines had problems too. (see 2001 ZO6 cylinder issues) And yes, sorry my friend with cars manufactured totaling in the hundreds of thousands, the 996 is an assembly line based mass produced product. It's not like the days of old when the cars were hand built. I personally wish they were, but if Porsche did, they would no longer be in existence.
FWIW - I mention that owning this car is not cheap and in fact can be quite expensive. With that said, I agree with you that this Porsche might just possibly be the cheap Porsche you can own. Only time will tell on that one.
Holster your weapon, there, soldier. No need to get defensive, nor to put words in my mouth. You used the word 'statistics', something you do not, in fact, possess. To preserve the credibility of a forum like this, loose language like that needs to be called out, especially when you're positioning yourself as a resource.
What you were describing is anecdotal evidence, observed with a bias. It should be presented as such.
Please don't read into my responses either. Nothing is taken personally. Believe me...you'd know when I am pissed off. It's merely frustration. Too many a time have I posted information, to have some schmo not read all the words properly but yet still have a conclusion...There sure seems to be a lot of folks who jump to conclusions without reading, researching or even asking a question. FWIW - I have researched as best I could on the failures. Based on dealer reports from two different geographic areas, the Rennlist (and others, but it appears the same people are reporting there too)...the failures are common, but uncommon. Vague...yes. Due to the information I found. As more time goes by, more information will be revealed.
With regards to your response...Fair enough. The text has been changed on the guide.
C.
I didn't say they would all fail. I said there was a greater risk than with most cars. (FWIW, your 5% conjecture would be front page news for a large car company. I know. I've worked in the business. It's not a small number at all, even acknowledging that it's conjecture).
And I'm sorry to seem disagreeable, but the 911 is far, far from mass produced. With due respect, you don't know what you're talking about. Peak production years while the 996 was being built had Porsche churning out all of maybe 80,000 units a year of all of its models combined. During the same period, BMW was good for about 1.5 million, Toyota for about 10 million. Moreover, if you do a search, you'll find an old thread from someone who visited the plant where these cars are built. Production of 911s today is more automated than in the past - for a Porsche - but still far, far from state of the art and still involves a lot of hand work. If you have a chance to visit a modern Honda plant or a Toyota plant, as I have, do it. You will be amazed at how automated they are, and you'll see the way your 911 was built in a new light.
It helps nobody to pop off about things, presenting opinions and beliefs as if they were facts. Opinions and beliefs are fine and welcome, but, again, you have some duty to be honest about where they're coming from.
The OP had asked about the GT3...no comparison...not the same engine. The GT3 is extremely robust and does not have the same issues as the standard 996, Same goes for the 996 Turbo's which are getting to be VERY reasonably priced.
As have I. And yes I agree. 5% news like that, and the media would have a field day. But if you have worked in the biz, then you know how good Porsche A.G. is about squashing bad press.
As compared to some of Porsche's competition, yes...in my opinion Porsche is a mass produced product. How many Ferrari's come off the assembly line per month vs Porsches (all models)? How many Aston Martin's come off the assembly line versus Porsches?
I have visited modern assembly plants. The BMW tour in Spartanburg is quite impressive. But I am not talking about Toyota's, Honda's or Chrysler's. We are discussing luxury performance vehicles. A McLaren F1 (when they were produced) had an assembly line. But only one left the line every few months. THAT is special in my opinion. Porsche once was that way, but had to change during the 964 era to be profitable. Regardless what you say...I still think a present day Porsche is a mass produced sports car. Highly engineered and advanced, yes...but yet still mass produced. My reference for mass numbers are the homologation rules for racing. Below those numbers cut off the masses from buying many.
Nobody's "popping off." We're simply having a friendly disagreement. That's healthy...what's wrong with that?
C.
To expand on this...not very many people want to go out and buy a new motor...but, in the 996 the motor is very inexpensive in P-car motor terms. I have never had to buy one for my 996, but from what I've read, $10K to $12K-ish gets you a new motor installed. Compare that to older 911's and it will seem like a bargan (Older cars could be $15k-$20k). As Bruce mentioned, that comes with a 2 year warranty and all available updates from Porsche.
Also, the 996 engine does not require the constant valve adjusting/replacing that some of the air cooled motors require.
These are high performance sports cars. Were talking about buying them used. I my opinion, it's hard to compare them to Honda's and Toyota's, but when compared to older Porsches, I think the numbers are OK. If you use that 5% (which I know is a made up number) I think the 996 compares fairly to older pcars... Are 1 in 20 Porsches going to need $10K in engine work at some point...maybe. With a 996, you get a new engine and warranty...
I agree...and, well put. With all things considered, I think the 996 is great Porsche/performance bargain. I have seem motors with warranties sell for $6K. That's LS1 crate motor pricing. Not bad, IMO.
As the saying goes, you need to pay to play. In fact, I have openly admitted to "drive mine till the motor explodes, the drop in a 3.6/3.8 and have fun on the track."
C.
I'm one of those awaiting a new engine (I pick it up on Wed!). My previous engine lasted 91K. While that is not par with a typical Subaru, I'm not complaining. Mine cost $8,600 (without shipping, core, or install) and comes with a 2 year warranty and it has all the updates. These engines are relatively simple to work on and don't require a lot of maintenance. These cars are also an incredible value right now. So at 100K miles you spend $10,000 to plug and play a new engine and keep going. I will not worry about the other accessories (like the starter, etc.) because those are new with the engine. It's easy, comparatively cheap with other Porsches, and a blast. I don't regret my purchase at all.
Kent
3.4L from Sunset Porsche for my '99 C2. My local dealers here in SoCal wanted about $2K more, so I went with Sunset. Of course I really only saved about $1K because shipping the engine here and me shipping the core back eats a grand. Core charge of $2300. Install depends on your shop.
Kent
Chad, your "Buyer's Guide" proves that no good deed goes unpunished.
You will always find someone who will try to nit-pick your guide to death.
It's better to preface your guide with, "when in doubt, buy Adrian's Guide". Of course, someone will disagree with that as well.
I don't think anyone is knocking Chad's guide; I just think that everyone has slightly different feelings concerning the reliability of the 996. Those feelings are probably a little more biased on the part of those of us that have replaced engines on what another person deems to be a "reliable" car.
I don't think that's so strange...kudos to Chad for taking the time to make the buying guide. Just 'cause I don't agree 100% with someone doesn't mean I don't appreciate what they do. If I acted that way, I'd be a pretty lonely guy, and I'll bet Bruce feels the same way.
Something to consider on this. Bad press gets more exposure. How many of us get up and immediately click the - "My is running great today" vs "My engine sounds like coins in a washing bin" threads. As I mention in the guide - bad press is truly viral. Something to ponder on the engine goes "sproing" concept. The following cars received bad press for a variety of problems:
Porsche 944's & 944 Turbos (oil starvation among other things)
BMW E36 M3 - Rear Chassis failure & oil pump nut failures
BMW E46 M3 - Complete engine failure (rod bearings)
2001 Corvette Z06's - Cylinder / piston ring problems
Thank you and I agree. No one is going to agree with me 100%. It is impossible. All my hope is that it helps someone to make a properly good decision buying one of these.
I suppose I'm one of your 'nitpickers'?
As it happens, I think Adrian's guide is superb. This has something to do with real research and an even-handed reporting of it. Ironically, Adrian makes a point of warning people about the 'wisdom' on the internet. I think Chad's guide is a great effort and exemplary of Porsche community citizenship. But this is a forum. We are allowed to debate each other intelligently; it's kind of the point, in fact. And my original issue with Chad's writing was legitimate and specific, and extremely relevant to the purpose of the guide.
Even Adrian is quite open and clear about the lack of 'statistics' and critical of Porsche over it.
Thanks so much for the helpful editorial comment, though.
Lately I have been seeing nothing but 3.6 motors needing replacement. Just going by Rennlist posts and not talking big numbers here OR looking to start crap.
Just simply not convinced the rate of failure is really worse on the 3.4's. They have been around longer but now things might be changing with the test of time.
Can give one a false sense of security thinking their chances are lower for engine failure just by the purchase of a 3.6
I still want a 996 C4S and am willing to take on any risk. It just looks so much better than the 997 C4S...only issue is the teardrop headlights...wish porsche just kept the traditional ovals.
Guys...sorry to ask but what are litronic headlights? Is that similar to xenon or a grade below and above regular halogen? =)
thanks!
Thanks for the info and the read- I have noticed the GT2s (turbo correct?) coming down into very reasonable range. THe GT3s I do not feel have yet..
Thanks for all who commented- I cannot believe I am posting info and still have not owned a car yet but here it is in rennlist fashion- In my reasearch I am looking at a car that recently had the motor replaced. Very reasonable considering I have looked at 968 engines for $7500 and recently sold a performance 911SC 3.0L for almost 8K used.(bad *** motor though) the total as discussed was around the $10K mark. I am considering this car since the service is recent and the motor is still under warranty and has the seal updates.... correct? It has other issues but I think I can handle about anything short of the car being "parked in a forest fire"
WOW- You guys are just as passionate about your cars and posts as the 951 / 911 guys. I do enjoy and learn from it- don't stop, it is what makes this forum great...........Regards, Mike
GREAT post Mike! You are dead on about the 996 engine prices. Very reasonable when compared to other engines. FWIW- to replace a BMW E46 M3's auger is somewhere in the vicinity of $9K. We've got it good.
C.
But the $ in the Porsche motors is in the 2 year unlimited miles factory warranty ain't it? Whereas with the S54 you're pretty safe with a used motor, I would not say the same thing for a used M96. Cuz they're useless once they break since they break down BIG.
Used yes. 996 is the same. I have seen used 996 motors with no warranty for for $4500-5000 with variable mileage (3.4L). The numbers posted were primarily direct warranted motors. Used is a completely different ball game altogether. And given the history of the early motors, I'd rather have one with a warranty.
But that's just me...
C.
Eh, different strokes for different folks. I do all my own work, and would rather be able to find cheap engines that are useable, or can be rebuilt. A used engine search right now: interchangeable M96, and I'm finding 4 motors in the U.S., the top 3 :
$12,500 13k miles
$8075 56k miles
$6500 50k miles
and DOZENS of cores (which I've never seen before having owned 36+ cars including many engine swaps, tracked over a dozen extensively over the last decade, blah blah blah)
vs. e46 M3, more than twice as many, the top 3:
$6000 28k miles.
$5775 49k miles.
and 6 more motors under $6k with 30 to 70k miles. No engines listed as core (which is more usual).
So for more comparison, I looked at S2000 motors, found dozens prices ranging between $6000 and $2500. One listed as core. Over a dozen under or at $3000.
All that said, this wouldn't stop me from owning a 996. I'd rather go for a GT3, but I can't afford one at this point. :'(
Ahmet
Ahmet...
The older M96 engine has flaws. This is known. Why would you pay money for a questionable used engine when for similar money (shown above), is an updated motor with a 2 year warranty that you can still install yourself?
Not questioning the fact you do the work yourself. I do the same. Good on ya for saving the $$$ and installing it. But based on the history of the M96, I'd choose the newer...
C.
In that situation, I would consider buying a re-man. motor (actually I'd probably end up sleeving/boring the broken engine to 3.8 or so), just pointing out used engines are not commonly available for the 996. Last time I looked several months ago, there was only 1 listed in the network, and no cores.
Ahmet
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.