Is the 1999 996 generally reliable?

considering it was the first year model for the water-cooled 911. Any particular problematic areas I should watch out for? Thanks for your help. A newbee.

There have been recent threads and the consensus is that 99's are no less reliable than later models.

Actually 1998 was the first year. Personal note: I have had ZERO issues with the car in general (knocks on wood!) other than hitting road debris and replacing wheels and tires!

No problems on mine either other than the RMS (once).

Thanks for your replies. Nick, From what I've learned, I thought that 1998 was the last MY for air-cooled 996, not? I'm deciding between a 99 and a Y2K. The difference is around $5K (40K vs. 45K). Should I bite the bullet and pay the extra to get the Y2K or should I get the 99 and use the saved money for any problems that I may encounter during the first few years of ownership? What changed from MY 99 to 2000? Thanks

I was looking for a 2000 for the same reason. But the best car I looked at was a 99. Go look at a dozen cars or more. Then buy the best car. I would have paid 5 grand extra for an equivalent 2000 but there was not one.

Oops... you're right. I just remember looking at the build date on a friends and it said 1998... that must have stuck with me. I'll sell you mine! It's a certified car too.

1998 was the last MY for the air cooled 911, which was the 993. The 996's are water cooled.

If I recall, the first european 996s were MY98.

I have a make 97 my 98 996 C2... No problems at all!!!

No problems with my 1999 C4. Keep in mind that you also hear more about the horror stories than the 99% that are virtually trouble free. The best rule of thumb (not my original thought) is to buy the newest one you can afford. If thats a 1999, go for it. All the general rules apply: Low miles are better than higher miles More documentation is better than less documentation No accidents are better than accidents etc.

Main '99 MY issues: Airbag warning light/sensor harness issues RMS issues Low radiator hose issue (get a plate) Rear glass seal issue Sunroof cover rattle issues The first three being the biggest. I had an early one (98 mfg). It had issues. Get a later build '99 or get a 2k. My '01 MY has been great.

Just few a more: Cracked coolant tank, Key jams in the ignition switch, MAS Air sensor tends to go out around 30k and immobilizer control units.

It's been reliable and whatever problem arises ie RMS/coolant expansion tank/cam cover leak-car can still be driven versus catastrophic failure. '99 was only model year with throttle cable versus egas(if that matters) and no PSM(just Traction Control as an option). Like one says buy the best you can afford. I've really had minor issues ie RMS happened once and the coolant expansion tank leaked once and have run DE's 10-12 times a year without issues(haven't run one last 6 months and my 996 is hating me for it). Regards and good luck. Mike

How much is the typical cost to replace a RMS out of warranty? Also, I have another question for those who have owned BMW's. Our family car is a 99 740IL. Great car but the maintenance is relatively expensive. It hurts financially every time we need to have it fixed. But once it's fixed, the joy of driving it makes us forget about the expense. And generally it's a reliable vehicle. I'm hoping a 99/00 911 would give me a similar experience. Compared to a 99 BMW 740IL, is the 991 as reliable and the maintenance costs comparable? Again, thanks for all the help I get here. It's a very informative forum, especially for a newbee like me. I really appreciate your input very much.

i've owned several high-mileage bimmers before the p-car and i'd say the cost of ownership of my '00 996--so far--hasn't been too different from a late model 5 series, for example. my 996 now has over 71k miles and hasn't required much more than brake pads/rotors, oil changes and tires. i'm still on the orginal clutch.

Other than nagging little stuff and REALLY expensive shop rates they are no worse than any other car.... Fun to drive Plant right foot, smile.... words to live by.