996 Biggest Consumables?

I am just wondering for the earlier 996's in particular (and also any 996 actually), what bits regularly need replacing/fixing/spending money on, ie what to get prepared for? I hear they eat up rear tyres at a rather rapid rate. Anything else people find themselves spending lots on? Any Info much appreciated JayK

In order of annual expense (descending) Fuel (if driven correctly) Insurance Porsche Warranty Tyres (both front and rear) Servicing Brake Pads Oil Brake Discs

Thanks Sean Ok I know the Porsche Warranty is £800-900, and I know how much servicing is at the dealers. How much are tyres on average, and how often do you change them? Also, how often would you spend on oil, and how much are brake discs/pads and how often do they go? Thanks in Advance JayK

Tyre pricing is pretty much dependent on the size, width and brand. For instance on my C4S I used Pirelli PZero Corsa (Track and N6), this would cost me £900-£950. The fronts would last twice as long as the rears, I could easily go through two rear replacements a year (trackdays don't help here!) Oil, again some use it other don't, my C4S used up drink 2 litres every 12k or so, I never skimped on oil, I always used Mobil 1 as a minimum, preferring Silkoline or Motul. I buy my oil from Opie Oils, usually buying it in 15-20litres a time. Pads and discs, I used to go through quite a few of these and the wide-bodied 996s are quite a bit more expensive than the narrow bodied. Again I preferred to pay the money for the best here. Discs were £110 (front) each, rears not much less. My fronts used to last 12-15k depending on trackdays, rears I only replaced once in 50k miles. Hope this helps, but the narrow-bodied owners might have better advice.

Hey Damian Wow thats a lot for tires, but I guess you get what you pay for. Any narrow bodied owners have any different? Cheers

..... and if you haven't got the warranty, don't forget the dreaded RMS replacements :wink:

Yes I have heard people mention the Rear Main Seal, which is why I definately want a warranty, plus it gives you the extra peace of mind. Is there a thread here on the RMS? I could not seem to find one the other day, but will have another look. Just want to know the likelihood of RMS problems, and how complicated they are to fix Ta JayK

There were several threads on RMS on the old site. Unfortunately it's a fact of life with the water cooled Porsches (except GT2/3 & turbo) It is a simple, if not permanent fix but it is expensive. It's 6 hours labour and a £30 part. As the gearbox has to come off to replace the seal, it is usually worth stumping up the cash for the parts and having the clutch replaced at the same time. The other thing to consider is a new flywheel for every 2 clutch replacements.

Thanks Seagull Very precise and to the point re the RMS issue. How are we looking t by the way for a new flywheel, parts and labour? Thanks

Yep, 235/295 can be expensive, you can look at paying from £600-1k for tyres on a Porsche with 18" wheels. RMS problems are blown out of all proportions, it's a seal (a few £'s cost) that occasionally leaks a little bit of oil that's all, it's not a sign of engine failure! If you have an RMS leak, try and time a clutch replacement at the same time, the OPC labour charge gets waived, I had one RMS leak in my C4S (at 22k) never had another, the clutch was replaced (although I feel it was a little early). Tiptronics seem to not as prone as the manuals.

When I had the clutch replaced on my old 996, the clutch parts were about £350. I think the flywheel is a similar figure. If you were paying the total cost for a clutch fitted by an OPC, it would be about £1,000 + VAT

Wow thats a lot. Thats where the warranty comes in handy then eh

Hi Jay, I'm afraid even an older 996 is one of those cars that if you have to try and budget for every last penny of running costs, maybe you are being a little ambitious... I'm not being rude, but I overstretched myself a little with my 993 and if it hadn't held its value so well I could have been in a bit of trouble! A 996 will not hold its value as well as a 993, and mine so far is costing one hell of a lot more to run! On top of insurance , depreciation, and fuel for whatever mileage you do, you need to budget AT LEAST £3,000 per year for tyres, brakes, service, things not covered by warranty, and insurance excess or repairs if some f***wit decides to run a key down the side, or bang shopping trolleys into your doors, etc. And it's quite likely that you'll end up spending most of that £3,000 all in one month - I did earlier this year! If you do run it on a shoestring budget, it'll cost you in the end, as you will either get less for it when you sell it (needing work and/or dodgy service history) or spend a fortune preparing it for sale. Having said all that - sell everything if you have to - it's worth it!

Hiya Wattie Thanks for the advice. I kinda expected it to be around there. With a budget of around £3-£5kk on top of the things you mention (such as insurance , fuel etc), I reckon thats definately doable for me. I wont have loads of money to spend on other luxuries mind you, but my theory is, I always end up spending it on crap I dont need, like eating out more etc when I dont have to, impulse spending on things I dont need and so on. At least this way, I will at least have a 996 on my drive to show for it instead!

Everything said so far sounds pretty sensible - makes it sound expensive!