Blown engines on 996

[Diesel130]

Peter,

I agree with your comments. However, I didn't start this thread to have a moan, just to get some real feedback from owners.

I don't currently have a Porsche and I _want_ to buy an early 996. From reading all the car mags over the last 20 years, an outsider gets the impression of the 911 as being 'bullet-proof' / 'usable daily' supercar (unlike (say) a Ferrari).

Having then come to look at actual cars for sale, it came as a big shock to hear about these engine failures on 996, backed up with seeing adverts for a surprising number for sale with replacement engines.

I can only afford an early 996, which won't be covered by the porsche warrantee. I _can_ afford to run it and service it well, but I can't afford the risk to spend 10K on a replacment engine. If that 'risk' is 1 in 5000 then, well that's life. That's the same risk as my previous cars (audi, toyota, subaru, golf), but if the risk is 1 in 10 to 1 in 20, that's a big gamble. I'd be better off saving up the extra 10K to spend 33-35K on a 3.6 model that doesn't have the same engine issue.

 

[philippe]

Peter

Very well put.

Phil

 

[Diesel130]

Don't think we're looking at the same cars:-

If you look at the three that are for sale under £20k, two are the same car / different dealers but the same reg in the pics - one describes it as a 65k Cat D write off, the other as a 100k motor with no mention of wirte off!!

1) 1998 R Reg PORSCHE 911 (996) Carrera 2 Coupe Tiptronic
105,000 miles, Guards red. full savanna leather, electric sunroof, traction control, sound pack, cruise control, fully electric memory seats. Full Porsche service history. £17,995.

2) 1998 R Reg PORSCHE 911
2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, arena red metalic. savana leather with full electric pack including electric tilt and slid sunroof,18" turbo alloys and factory fitted GT3 rear aerofoil,a good looking 996 priced to sell,108'000 miles with full porsche and specialist service history.TRADE SALE. MOBILE NO. ... £18,995 3) 1998 PORSCHE 996 C2, 71000 miles, Silver, Red interior, excellent condition, fully serviced, MOT, cheapest Porsche available. £19,700. o.n.o


Obviously, you won't want to buy from number 3 as he's already lying in his add as his isn't the "cheapest Porsche available" !!!

 

[OGiii]

Hear hear

 

[philippe]

it would be very interesting to see what is what with these cars as i am sure there are a few hidden factors, that may come to light when a phone call is made such as LHD or had a big bash at some stage, there is always somthing cheap about until you start looking in detail.

Phil

 

[Peter_Bull]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130
Peter,
I agree with your comments. However, I didn't start this thread to have a moan, just to get some real feedback from owners.

Diesel130
I understand what you are saying, and my apologies for making you think I was having a go at you personally.
Of course you are correct to be wary of any forthcoming car purchase, no matter what make.
All older cars can have problems, none are exempt. I am afraid it's a case of buyer beware.
You can minimise this with a full engineers report and buying the best you can afford.
Don't be put off with all the scare mongering, I doubt very much that the blown engines are anywhere near 1 in 50, and besides, who says that all the engines that have reportedly been change have indeed really warranted it.
Just ask yourself who has the most to gain by changing an engine under warranty that may not be entirely goosed - they put the strong case forward to AG and behold another cash cow lines the pockets!

 

[Porker993]

ORIGINAL: Peter Bull

I doubt very much that the blown engines are anywhere near 1 in 50,

Having just read the total 911 article this morning it seems to be well researched and reasoned, and not sensationalist. Frankly the points they are putting are hard to argue against. There were fundamental design faults in the 3.4 996 engine.

1. Cylinder bore liners crack because they were too thin and set in aluminium. This is asking for trouble as different metals expand and contract at different rates (my 'o' level physics coming in here).

2. There were design problems with the "intermediate shaft" (whatever that is.) which Porsche tried to correct.

3. RMS issue (a whole new can of worms)

4. Other head related issues.

Basically the engine was poorly designed and Porsche has been trying to fix it ever since. So we may argue about failure rates, but after owning a 964, the reason I bought a 993 was that all the design faults had been fixed. The same applies to the 996. Buy a later one and you will be OK.

Cost aside, why risk buying an early one ?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: Porker993
the reason I bought a 993 was that all the design faults had been fixed.

With all due respect, on that basis you would have to wait until the 996 development was 30 years on! And the 993 has it's flaws, don't forget.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Try the following for rebuild
Autofarm 01865 331234
Try these for second hand
Porsch-apart ltd. 07000 924944 www.porsch-apart.co.uk
Van Zweeden +31 118 581370 www.v-zweeden.com

 

[Diesel130]

Johned,

Oh what bad luck - seems these occurrences are not so uncommon then ...

What's the spec of the car ? I'd be interested in buying an early 996 (not tippytronic or savannah) with a blown engine.

Martin.

 

[OGiii]

John

So sorry to hear about your problems.

Also try Hartech (www.hartech.org) they rebuild 996 engines too. I had, what I thought was the eninge failure described here but it turned out to be a broken valve spring. I'm not saying that to give you false hope just to say that Barry at Hartech repaired rather than replace the engine at significantly less cost - it's worth a phone call! They also have a fair bit of info on their site about this.

Good luck

 

[RichardLW]

If you don't get out of the fire, at least get out of the kitchen.......

Agreed - this is all bollox and if its going to cause you sleepless nights, go buy a Toyota Aygo.

Richard

 

[Porker993]

ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

ORIGINAL: Porker993
the reason I bought a 993 was that all the design faults had been fixed.

With all due respect, on that basis you would have to wait until the 996 development was 30 years on! And the 993 has it's flaws, don't forget.

LOL Richard. [] I know the 996 is a great car. If you've found a good one, I am sure you will enjoy it. Sorry for sounding a bit negative.