997 Gen 2 build quality/reliability?

lbear · Jan 31, 2011

Has anyone else had any problems on 997 Gen 2?
Altho mine is only 18 months old I have two problems to date.
A noise everytime I braked (the garage replaced the front pads under guarantee). And now, there is some corrosion around the brake area ( not the discs). The car is not used much on weekdays and garaged when not in use. I had thought these were pretty tough vehicles, and that the build quality would be good. I am hoping for no further problems, but, am now wondering how reliable other users are finding them. My earlier 996 C4 went well with no probs over nearly 4 years. Any comments appreciated.

tscaptain · Jan 31, 2011

Which model do you have Lee? Gen 2 Carreras have/had problems with squeaky brakes - not the "S" though. When you say "some corrosion around the brake area" Lee, what exactly do you mean? Calipers? Still under warranty so you should be able to get faulty parts replaced? (Discs aren't covered though)
No probs (touch wood!) with either of my Gen 2 cars (although some might say I haven't had them long enough.............)[

]

lbear · Jan 31, 2011

Thanks Tscaptain. My car is a Carrera 2 - 3.6. The thin line of rust can be seen on the inside of where I assume the pad is attached to the caliper.(not being that au fait with the mechanics!!) I could see it by being under the car when they did the brakes. My garage at Tonbridge only did the pads and have said the rust is due to the car not having much use ( 9,000 miles), but made no further offer to repair. I came away as short of time, but also have now spoken to Swindon ( as nearer to my home in Newbury) who said it was not a guarantee job and to replace rusted parts would be about £133. Also another comment which I found strange/comical was that Swindon said possibly I wash the car too much!! Yes, I do wash it but do run it before garaging it afterwards!

adrian996 · Jan 31, 2011

Still not exactly clear where the rust is, Lee but trust me when I say that:

1. Any brake discs will show signs of peripheral rust if they are not used regularly. This should come straight off after some spirited driving followed by some similar braking...

...and...

2. Any OPC (IMHO) will try to convince you that your brake discs need replacing if they show signs of any rust at all as they are always a non-warranty item.

I can't tell you how many posts I've read on 996 and 997 forums about people who've been told that their brake discs need replacing by OPCs (usually to the tune of around £450 per axle). I'm one of them. I'd owned my car for 6 months and my OPC told me that the brake discs on the car were 'dangerous' and 'should be replaced [by them] as soon as possible' and that I 'should drive conservatively in the meantime'!

It was at this point that I threw back my black cape and revealed to the service manager that I actually know quite a bit about cars and asked him to enlighten me some more. He then got predictably ambiguous and started shuffling peppers around his desk like a newsreader. Ar*ehole! If I hadn't known any better (and more to the point taken the bait and got scared by his warnings) he'd have taken me for a cool grand there and then - at least.

I then took the car to my local Independent Porsche Specialist and he put it on his rolling road. The car braked so hard that it jumped out of the rollers.

And that's the point. If you intend driving your car at 175 mph all the time then it might be wise to consider getting new discs (if indeed the discs are at fault here?). Otherwise......as you were, I'd say.

If in doubt, take the car to an independent garage with a rolling road and get it tested or go to an MOT centre and ask for similar.

Hope this helps.

Adrian.

spyderman · Jan 31, 2011

ORIGINAL: adrian996
I'd owned my car for 6 months and my OPC told me that the brake discs on the car were 'dangerous' and 'should be replaced [by them] as soon as possible' and that I 'should drive conservatively in the meantime'!

Its not just Porsche - had the same tosh from a Vauxhall dealer. Suggested I needed new discs after about two years and I ran the car through every MoT for the next eight years till I traded it - on the same discs.

adrian996 · Jan 31, 2011

ORIGINAL: spyderman

ORIGINAL: adrian996
I'd owned my car for 6 months and my OPC told me that the brake discs on the car were 'dangerous' and 'should be replaced [by them] as soon as possible' and that I 'should drive conservatively in the meantime'!

Click to expand...

Its not just Porsche - had the same tosh from a Vauxhall dealer. Suggested I needed new discs after about two years and I ran the car through every MoT for the next eight years till I traded it - on the same discs.

Yes, that's very true. It's not unique to Porsche at all.

I forgot to say that I did actually change my discs.....

............four years later![

]

lbear · Jan 31, 2011

Great feedback...thanks to all...will take all ideas/suggestions on board. Lee.

pwebb · Feb 1, 2011

Lee, come on one of Garys runs, that'll get the rust off the brake area wherever it lurks!

On a practical note, washing your car and then garaging, even if you dry the discs, will always mean some moisture sitting there until you next drive the car, especially at this time of year. The anal amongst us use a leaf blower or similar and give the wheel areas a good blast after cleaning the car.

Waits for abuse from the dirty brigade...

tscaptain · Feb 1, 2011

No, no Peter, if we're talking really anal about keeping water out of the brake area while washing I have 4 vinyl wheel covers. Take wheels off, wash them, put wheels back on, put covers on, wash car, remove covers and lovely dry discs. Put it in (dry) garage and the next time it comes out the discs are still going rusty! Even after only a couple of days. Do you think I need a de-humidifier?[

] So the only real benefit of all this faffing is that I don't have to drive it down the lane after washing to dry the discs and get the car dirty again! Oh, the other benefit is that it makes Mrs Captain fall about laughing.

garyw · Feb 1, 2011

ORIGINAL: tscaptain
Oh, the other benefit is that it makes Mrs Captain fall about laughing.

She'd not be the only one...
All this cleaning lark is making me think about washing mine for tonights club night??

But then again I'll go down the lanes and have a hoon and it'll be dirty again.. So [

]

lbear · Feb 1, 2011

Ok Peter...tomorrow's job is to go to garden centre and cost the leaf blowers out there...yes I am a bit anal!!

lbear · Feb 1, 2011

Sorry Guys...just looked over Lee's shoulder...are you all joking? All I can say is thank God I have a BMW...and the poor thing has to sit outside in all weather, cos the baby has to have the garage! I dont seem to have rust or starting probs anytime.... and its 5 years old!

tscaptain · Feb 1, 2011

ORIGINAL: lbear
...and the poor thing has to sit outside in all weather, cos the baby has to have the garage!

Very pleased to see you have your priorities sorted.[

] A leaf blower's secondary role, namely that of rounding up leaves, is also very useful. (My solution is cheaper though!)

PS - don't believe all you read on here but Peter always tells the truth!!

maxim · Feb 1, 2011

On a different note on the same topic, my rear view mirror vibrates and there's an odd high pitched rattling sound that used to afflict my Cayman too. Might be a seat assembly. Apart from that, rock solid throughout all four seasons and all without a leaf blower. Are you serious about that?

pwebb · Feb 2, 2011

OK for those who don't believe me, here's a pro blower, would also blow out the rubbish nestling in the radiators.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/black-baron-vehicle-dryer-cat5.html

Apparently saves drying the car as well. Perfect!

bobfair · Feb 2, 2011

I use a leaf blower which works fine

lowndes · Feb 2, 2011

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

No, no Peter, if we're talking really anal about keeping water out of the brake area while washing I have 4 vinyl wheel covers. Take wheels off, wash them, put wheels back on, put covers on, wash car, remove covers and lovely dry discs. Put it in (dry) garage and the next time it comes out the discs are still going rusty! Even after only a couple of days. Do you think I need a de-humidifier?[] So the only real benefit of all this faffing is that I don't have to drive it down the lane after washing to dry the discs and get the car dirty again! Oh, the other benefit is that it makes Mrs Captain fall about laughing.

Crikey..and yet you seemed quite normal when we met at the track [

].

Not being able to undo the wheel nut at least means cleaning is less of a faff but whoever said ceramic brakes don't create any brake dust was being somewhat economical with the truth.

Lancerlot · Feb 2, 2011

ORIGINAL: pwebb

OK for those who don't believe me, here's a pro blower, would also blow out the rubbish nestling in the radiators.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/black-baron-vehicle-dryer-cat5.html

Apparently saves drying the car as well. Perfect!

240 squids? Surely a chaep air compressor and some old vacuum cleaner attachments would do the same job, wouldn't they? - and you can blow up your tyres too!

Regards,

Clive

pwebb · Feb 2, 2011

ORIGINAL: Lancerlot

240 squids? Surely a chaep air compressor and some old vacuum cleaner attachments would do the same job, wouldn't they? - and you can blow up your tyres too!

Regards,

Clive

Exactly what I've got Clive - works perfectly!