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YOUR RESEARCHSome questions about MkII 996's
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Replace '87 carrera four years ago), likely
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I'll be replacing my WRX next year (which replaced an '87 Carrera four years ago), likely with a 2002 996 as that was the first year with the new front end and 3.6L engine.
Leading evidence: 'Replace '87 carrera four years ago), likely' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Repair bill' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
It is possible, but unlikely, something could go wrong and you'd be facing a five figure repair bill.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I'll be replacing my WRX next year (which replaced an '87 Carrera four years ago), likely with a 2002 996 as that was the first year with the new front end and 3.6L engine.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I'll be replacing my WRX next year (which replaced an '87 Carrera four years ago), likely with a 2002 996 as that was the first year with the new front end and 3.6L engine.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
I'll be replacing my WRX next year (which replaced an '87 Carrera four years ago), likely with a 2002 996 as that was the first year with the new front end and 3.6L engine.
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I'll be replacing my WRX next year (which replaced an '87 Carrera four years ago), likely with a 2002 996 as that was the first year with the new front end and 3.6L engine. I have some questions about reliability issues.
There was an excellent post here earlier by Jasper which documents some known problems with the 996. One of them was a shaft issue which lead to engine failure with a replacement cost on the order of a new Honda Civic. The car I'd be looking at would be likely around 40k miles and a year or two out of warranty. Is there any data on how common this type of catastrophic engine failure is on the 3.6L engines? I understand maintenance is expensive on Porsches, but five digit repairs are a sobering thought.
Also under consideration would be a E46 M3 or the current body style S4. If anyone own either of these along with a 996, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance.
Buy a Dodge 3500 turbo diesel pickup....nothing ever goes wrong with them. All the rest is a crap shoot with pros and cons depending upon who you talk to. You can solicit any number of folks who will tell you that there are intermediate shaft failures, RMS issues, intermix etc. You'll also find folks who tell you that nothing has ever gone wrong except for an oil change. I'd feel good with an 02 that had the 3.6L engine. I have a 99 with the 3.4 and am totally happy with it. Buy what you feel confident with...and like all the guys/gals here will tell you....buy the newest you can afford. That saying is so old it should be etched on the ten commandments.
It is possible, but unlikely, something could go wrong and you'd be facing a five figure repair bill. Get a CPO car with two years of warranty if you are worried. I say it's unlikely, but no one here has any idea what the actual rate of failure is, only Porsche.
The S4 (V8) is very nice, but it's no 911. PM me if you want more info
First, there are a lot more changes in 02' than just a different front end and an increase in displacement. Search threads for more detail. Why not just look at one that is certified? This will give you 2 years of warranty coverage and a safe peace of mind.
Intermediate and RMS seal leaks are common. An intermediate shaft failure normally happen when the intermediate shaft bushing is worn and the shaft starts wobbling. There is an immediate indicator, the IMS will start leaking. So if you see a leak, don't keep driving on it for months. Just get it fixed and you will be fine.
Hi Adnan - yes I remember that post. For the record, I think catastrophic IMS failures on the 3.6 litre motors are indeed very rare, rare enough for me to buy one, and rare enough for me to recomend a friend buy one as well.
That friend had a catastrophic IMS failure three months after he bought the car, with 20K miles on the clock. Mine's going strong with 40-ish K miles on it.
His was replaced under full warranty (it was a 2003 model). I have CPO warranty until May 2008.
I don't personally know any other 996 owners who have had engine failures, but then again, I don't personally know many 996 owners. Judging by the number of posts on the subject on this board, 3.6 litre engine failures happen, but they are not all that common. 3.4 litre engine failures are more common. You've probably seen some attempts on this board to quantify the extent of the failures but the consensus is that the results would be biased on the high side.
I drive mine every day and will put on about 15,000 miles per year on the car. I will be changing my oil twice per year, and I *will* keep everyone posted on my 996 experiment. If I make 100,000 miles without a problem then I will consider my experiment a success. Air cooled 911 typically need top end overhauls around that mileage, at a cost approaching that of a 996 crate motor, so given that I've sentenced myself to a life of Porsche ownership, that's just the price I have to pay.
Find a good one, buy it. Get a warranty if you can.
cheers
had a friend with a 2003 with 19k miles that had an engine failure and replacement. was told the cylinder sleeve loosened, shattered and caused the failure...Porsche warrentied a BRAND NEW CRATE ENGINE...components and all
