The old 996 reliability question...

I have been reading the stories about RMS problems, cylinder liners cracking, blocks being replaced etc and am trying not to be put off spending a large chunk of cash on what is a lovely car. I know that when something goes wrong people want to talk about it (and rightly so!) but people tend not to be so vociferous when things are just fine. I am hoping that by setting up this poll, I will see a balanced view and set my mind at rest regards buying a 996 - particularly in this current financial climate when all are worried about parting with money! So please answer this poll from personal experience of your own car(s) and not hearsay so we can all see (hopefully) just what a reliable car this is! :thumb:

I ticked the last option even though I had the RMS done last year. To many on here including myself, it is not a serious problem. However I will add that the later 3.6 l engine is suppose to have remedied some of the niggles found on the earlier 3.4 l. ~ Maxie

I had to tick the major component box as I had the 2nd gear synchro go which required a complete gearbox rebuild. £4.5k but covered under warranty. However my previous 996 was faultless (apart from the colour)

I would have ticked the last box, but have the fear about doing that.

Now come on, don't be like that! We need the lucky ones to speak up too to get a fair poll... what's the worst that could happen?

Had mine for 18 months, covered 13.000 miles in that time, bought it with 50k on the clock, just sold it with 63K. Only the alternator went that I would consider serious as had to stop and call the RAC to get me home. Little niggles, couple of sensors needed replacing to stop lights on dash lighting up but nothing really wrong. All covered under waranty. Apart from that nothing went wrong, drove to Croatia and back twice, lake district, long journeys, short trips never missed a beat apart from alternator that one time.

I had an RMS under warranty, but don't think it was really needed (I wouldn't have paid to have it done myself as it wasn't using any oil), and I also ticked box 4 And I'm not frightened 60,000 miles without warranty so far :thumb:

If you'd run this last week I wouldn't of ticked option 2 Simon

I've read about your troubles on the other thread, my sentiments can only echo those of others, hope it doesn't cost too much in the end. Jamie

Managed to tick 4 with my fingers crossed

just about to turn 150k and no problems so far in nearly 2 yrs and 18000 miles of ownership have replaced/upgraded plenty of stuff but more through personal choice than a requirment must admit that i'm typing this while standing on a wooden floor with a bit of wood between my teeth and wearing a fully wooden suit lol

Well it looks to be heading towards 90% reliability which is not so bad (unless you're in the 10 - you have our sympathies) though there must be many more who have not taken part yet... I'd like to know if the majority of problems have been with the earlier 3.4 cars or have some 3.6's suffered too? I've just answered my own question by reading the thread by Memory_Loss about catastrophic failure of his 3.6 last week.