Avoid 1999 996

Forgive me is this is a stupid question but a friend of mine did a PPI on a 99 996 today. The mechanic said the car checked out fine but the he should not buy a 99. He didn't say why & being a 993 owner I really didn't know the anwser as to why he said that other then the first year of any model tends to have problems!! thanks for your help

You are absolutely right. Your friend should buy a 2004 c2, or better yet, a 2004 GT3. Otherwise, check this link: 99 996

I've owned both a 1999 996 C2 and a very late production 2001 C2. The difference between the two was night and day. Many problems with the 1999 (RMS twice, squeeks, rattles, electrical....). The 2001 was rock solid (although the RMS failed within 2 months). Can't say strongly enough that (if the budget affords) buy the newest 996 you can afford. The best choice would of course be a 2002 or newer version since it has increased performance, variable valve timing and an updated f/r fascia. I would rather have a 2001 with twice the miles of a similar 1999 996. (assuming the cars are in similar conditions).

I had a 2/98 build 996 C2. The only problem I had since I took ownership was a bad battery. It was still running the original rear main seal and coolant expansion tank (typical problems on early 996's) when I traded it in September with 22K miles. Some cars got issues, others have none.

...and the 99 model year is also out of warranty for those that get some piece of mind from that. Being the financially conservative type (ie, cars are for fun, not investment or for sitting in the shop), I try to avoid the first year of any model run of any car. I bought my 2001 model in 2003 (and let the original owner swallow the 40% depreciation)...but I didn't want to consider the 2002 model year (even with nice looking facelift and extra hp) because the brochure screamed that 80% of the engine parts were of new design. Seemed like an opportunity for lots to go wrong. I don't hear too many complaints about the MY2002 reliability though...so maybe there's an example of Porsche pushing the technology without significant reliability fallout. Hope so.

Well, my .02 worth (although an owner for a SHORT time) is that there are problems with some and not others. I did a ton of board reading before I bought my 99. In general problems of major magnitude are a small percentage of cars on the road. For example; look at the major issue with BMW's e46 M3. Of the cars on the road, the amount of engine failures was realativly low (but cost a load to repair). That example was also limited to a realativly tight production range. The one thing that bothers me abut the RMS issue is its presence in a wide range of modle year cars. I am keeping my fingers crossed on my RMS

just wondering if RMS happens within a defined time interval.... most RMS failures I read about on this board happen fairly early... one Porsche mechanic who I spoke to said that if it hasn't happened by 40,000 miles it won't ever happen.... this kind of makes sense cause the RMS failure is based (so I'm told) on a manufacturing defect where certain parts are not within specifications so is it safe to assume that if it hasn't happened in 40,000 miles that particular part responsible for RMS failure is within acceptable manufacturing tolerances and it will never fail because it has been properly manufactured? ... food for thought...

I have '99 for over 2 years and with some minor thingies fixed under warranty car has been rock solid. Granted '02 is better car, but the price difference might not be justified for fractional improvement. JMHO

Bought my MY99 one year ago October with 22,000. New battery @ 25,000. RMS failed at 29,000. Porsche fixed out of warranty for free. No other problems. I have put 8000 miles since purchase. Absolutely love the car. I suppose if I could afford a newer one I would buy one but the 99 was in my budget range. Right now stored for the long northeast winter.

I have a '99 996 Cab, bought new 11/98, with few problems. Usual maintenance items, and I did have the dreaded airbag light problem upon delivery. Engine runs great, suspension is fine (even settled in a bit from original delivery), it does eat rubber though (on 5th set of rears at 34K miles). Replaced coolant tank, replaced MAF sensor at 30k service, and unfortunately had to replace failed canvas top/rear plastic window (it's a cab, and Porsche does not stand behind their cab tops for one hour outside of warranty). But in the end, it's tight as a tick, quiet, and runs like a bat out of hell. Guards/Savannah/Black, in showroom condition, low mileage. Could be yours soon.

Same here for the most part, my 99 has 70+ K on it now ... putting the winter miles on it daily ... no RMS or ex. tank problem. Prev. owner had to replace battery, and I had to replace the mufflers, it does rattle more than my 01, but hey it's got 70K on it ... and it was the base model.

Eric, Have my bumperettes off, packed, and ready to ship to you for painting right after the new year.

Hi. Bought a '99 C4 w/9600 miles on the clock. I have put about 500 miles on the car. After spending a lot of time reading posts on this forum I am afraid to drive it. Perhaps in the spring I will park it in the front yard and turn it into a very expensive flower pot. OK I'm kidding. I hope to enjoy many uneventful miles. Good luck!

I had a '99 996 cab that I took delivery on in Oct. 1998. It was a daily driver for 3 yrs. and had 55k mi. when I traded it in for an '02 cab. I never had any serious problems with the '99 other than the well-known air bag and check engine light issues. On the other hand, with the '02 I had both the RMS problem and had to have the instrument cluster replaced.

I own a '99 C2, purchased about a year ago. I now have 62k miles on it and so far so good (keeping my fingers crossed). I also autocross the car as often as I can. Service history for my car shows a new transmission at 14k miles as well as the coolant tanks (twice replaced under warrantee) but since I picked up the car I haven't had any issues.

Keep in mind that Porsche lets the European people try out the cars first before they introduce the models to America..! Europe 993 = 1994 (America 1995) Europe 996 = 1998 (America 1999) We feel like crash test dummies...

I bought my 99 C2 with 25K, I have put 15k on the car and have had only one small repair to the oil return tubes (rubber for o-ring seals was faulty). I will agree that this car shreds rear tires (10K per set). Other than that the car is reliable and is fun to own and drive. I agree that after reading a lot of boards, the actual number of RMS and other major problems on 996's is actually quite small in comparison to the number of cars on the road. BL

Completely agree with you, my car is a july '99 has 84000miles on the clock running like new. as i always said, there has been some issues in a few early models, but from that to generalize that all the early models have big issues i say NO. There's also a "fear" that has been created by some owners who had some problems. ...of course this doen't help for the image of our cars. but i understand. If soon i have the RMS problem i ll pay for it, hell that's why i work, also if you can afford a Porsche you can pay this kind of troubles. Also, if you compare to other models, f.ex a friend have a BMW M5, this guy pay a lot of $$$ just for simple repairs, by my side i have nothing as a problem, .. i can tell you i drive it hard!.

keep in mind that US MY99 include both cars produced in 98 and 99. by 99 many initial probs were worked out. it's the very early98 cars u should be careful about imo.

Hood latch needs to be replaced and the driver's side window is acting up a bit. Other than that, only 22,000 miles on a 1999 C2, all annual services done, and running great! Keepin' my fingers crossed!!!

glad to hear about all these success stories. Gives me hope I can keep my baby for a long time with few problems. BObby

Main engine bearing went on my 99 c4. caused the crankshaft, engine block, and a rod to break. also the transmission casing blew apart at the same time. I'm sure its an isolated incident as my service advisor at porsche says they've never seen it before. however, its been in the shop now for 8 weeks and counting.... good luck with yours

99 Boxter's had a problem with porous engine castings, and as a result had numerous engine replacements. All too often the entire 99 line up gets painted with the same brush. Perry 99 C2..stiill running strong

Other then the noted TSB's for this car and RMS revealing itself early on at around 9k(never leaked since) and car has gone thru 22+ track days in last 2 years it's been a pretty bulletproof and the grin is still there each time I'm at the track. I came from BMW crowd from 3's to 7's and I never had a car that didn't leak(996 only once) at different times and I never had a clutch lasted more then 15k miles-the 996 lasted 40k : ). Yeah it's a keeper for me-love it. Well like some have said during a PPI if you really worry about replacing a motor due to an offset crank why not have a Porsche service open and inspect if its within spec. Plus 99's are IMO a huge value for the money. Very simple car-no egas, no psm(just optional traction control). I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. Regards. Mike

I recently picked up my 99' (June 99' build) 996 w/ 20K miles and love it. Just had to replace the coolant tank. From reading posts it sounds like the RMS problems span across all model years. If you're working with a budget, I'd feel more comfortable buying a 99' for $40K and save some money just in case RMS leaks vs. stretching your budget and getting a 2001 and being screwed on cash should the RMS fail.

I know that my response tempts providence BUT, my late 98 (99MY) 996C2 has been almost faultless in 2 years ownership. Never broken down or even hesitated. I've had some work done in anticipation of problems but as far as I can tell the car is original save the clutch, RMS and DMF and both silencers/mufflers which started to rattle at tick-over (caused by loose baffle plates within). The car is used regularly and exercised to within an inch of my life. The whole car is a tribute to Zuffenhausen and when compared with the recent offerings from BMW and M-B that I've owned there is just no comparison (328CiSE/SLK/CLK all spent an average of 6 days off the road in their first years being repaired under warranty) and the build quality just did not compare....

....I've owned a 99 996 (built 4/98) for almost 5 yrs going on 44000 miles. Its been one of the most trouble free cars I've ever owned. Its as solid as a rock. I drive it every day and take it everywhere. Only issue was a broken shift linkage, which Porche fixed gratis even though I was out of warranty. (these plastic units can break, suggest upgrading at earliest opportunity) If the car checks out and otherwise has an unblemished record, go for it...problems generally show up early in ownership...

How long did the tires last, or are they still original?

I have 35K miles ( 57,000 km) on my 99' 996... only problem so far was a rubber gasket that was letting out coolant- a $10 part and dealer flushed and re-filled my coolant and charged me $100 Canadian total!! Other than that the car has been good so far.. my frieds 2001 996 suffered a broken cylinder wall... kept eating coolant and finally porsche gave him a new motor.

Kristoffer, I have a '99 C4 Cab. 46k miles. Purchased this summer w/ 44k. Has lots of mods. So far........perfect. Good luck. Mitch

Biggest thing is to check the service history. My first one Blew an Engine while loading it onto the truck while the other one had its RMS replaced at 24k miles.