First drive of the new turbo via an OPC

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: dyllan

With my 997.1 Turbo I am not bothering even with an aftermarket warranty come December, the risk of a blown engine is just far too low.

tempting fate just a little maybe??[]

Perhaps, but at least I am putting my money where my mouth is [][] The old Metzger engine got the widely recognized "bullet-proof" reputation for good reason. I certainly wouldn't have equal confidence in the new engines with that much power going through them. It would take Porsche to start racing with the new engines to convince me otherwise.

The great news is that I'm saving myself the price of a new set of tyres every year []

 

[tscaptain]

Well let's hope nobody's engine blows up. As I've said before I don't think it's very likely Porsche are going to slap some piece of old junk (that will blow up) into their flagship car without some pretty serious testing. Not long since the introduction of the DFI and PDK with 385ps and 310ft/lb and the experts where ringing their hands and saying they'll never get more out of it and the PDK won't handle any more torque and the dilithium crystals cannee take it Captain. No doubt there will be some after market tuners who will demonstrate just what these "new" engines are/are not capable of achieving. We shall see.............

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: Alex L

The old Metzger engine got the widely recognized "bullet-proof" reputation for good reason. 

Yep very true Alex, shame the Gen 1 997 TT only has a block "inspired by" the GT1 engine and no other common components - check the fine print, its been a long time since any Road going Porsche has actually had the GT1 components. Porsche marketing have been very careful with the words to imply but never actually say its a GT1 block. If you read the gumph very carefully it will use words like "inspired by" and "based on" not the words "actually uses". Not to worry its still a reliable old nail the engine in the 997 TT.1 if it was the original GT1 engine it never would have passed modern emissions or noise restrictions.[]

 

[Faz]

Good answer Tom, but I'm with Alex on this one, a lot consider the 993TT the be the last of the "real" 911's but I think the 997.1TT will now pick up this tag. Worth keeping an eye on 997.1TT market prices now the gen 2 is out, there may be some "bargains" to be had!!

 

[okellyt]

Faz

I am with you and Alex on this one - the 997.1 TT is a great car and won't stop being so for a very long time. It's reliable, well made and eminently tuneable. Should the economy improve and therefore at some time I am back on the market for a newer Porsche the 997.1 TT would have to be on the list as a potential bargain.

As with all things Porsche - they are incremental, so the cost of going for the next model is normally very large for quite modest gains. You are often better waiting for a full generation change, then the new car will be worth the incremental cost.

 

[Don Henshall]

I'm testing the new Turbo tomorrow so thanks for the write up and information. Torn between the Porsche and a Ferrari 430 [&:]

 

[Faz]

The Fiat is a good looking car no doubt, but not a car for all seasons so depends what your needs are.

 

[Don Henshall]

True! Also thinking of the DB9 and R8 - Looking forward to all the fun I am going to have finding out which one best fits my needs []

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: Don Henshall

True! Also thinking of the DB9 and R8 - Looking forward to all the fun I am going to have finding out which one best fits my needs []

Clarkson said on his new DVD that the R8 V10 is THE best car he has every driven (he compares to Veyron and says it's better than that!). If I was in the market for a new car then this would be at the top of my list to test drive.

 

[Alex L]

Great review of the 997.1 Turbo M64 engine by 911rox over on Rennlist:

Additionally to some of the other differences outlined, it is important to note that the M64 Metzger has a race style fully serviceable block, all be it at a price. The Nikasil liners are bolted in and therefore simply removed and replaceable... thus no need to bore it out- replace and it's as good as new. The main benefit other than reliability for these engines was that they were designed to be stripped down and refreshed to new as required by race teams for competition rather than being made as a cast unit intended for a certain lifespan and subsequent trashed (modern engines).

Other differences:
- M64 true dry sump, external tank (as per race cars), 9A1- not dry sump, oil reservoir integrated into block, similar to wet sump
- M64 servicable bottom end- removable cylinder liners etc for stripping down, 9A1- traditional cast block with Lokasil, if rebuilding, it must be bored-out- limited life for this reason esp in racing applications
- M64 proven race reliabilty (24hr enduros etc) and highly tunable- aftermarket tuning exceeding 1000bhp- main recent issue, some GT variants prone to RMS issue. 9A1- no race history therefore no comment. Not much aftermarket tuning available yet so tunability unknown

Whether the new motor will meet or exceed the standards set by the Metzger, only time will tell but it won't be easy.

 

[RLambert]

You must have more money than sense !

How much have you lost on your gen 1 997 Turbo and you want to do that again with another new one.

 

[grover]

The euphoria of my loan GT3 has now officially worn off. If I could have a garage full of cars Jay Leno style yes I would have one, its taught makes a great sound and looks fab but for my use and I have been commuting into/around London in it all week, the clutch is too heavy, the right just bearable but my back is aching because are roads are so bad and its just a bit too raw.

That means the Gen 2 turbo then with a few well chosen extras, although now reading about the S mentioned here I am less sure.

As for comments re other cars on this post.

I have driven the DBS across Europe and that is a great GT car, great noise, rubbish detailing, rubbish build quality (look at the Volvo sat nav and how it fits into the dashboard for example) but like the DB9, much much better outside than in.

The 430 is very twitchy and has a poor build compared with the California and 599, thats why the 458 is looking promising, the 430 is soon to be a has been!

The V8 Audi R8 is a bit bland and dated now, but not tried the R10 version, but why would you have one of those when for not much more you can get the real thing with a Gallardo (my seasons all time favourite as you will see in many posts)

Then you come full swing and each time the turbo says, I'm very very fast, I have 4wd, I can out pace the lot of these other machines, I do 20 mpg and you can use me everyday.......gets a powerful argument.

Looking forward to next Thursday at Silverstone on the track.

 

[Don Henshall]

The 430 is very twitchy and has a poor build compared with the California and 599, thats why the 458 is looking promising, the 430 is soon to be a has been!

Interesting observation! Went to look at the F430 and the build quality was as good as anything else - or did I miss something? I generally agree with your other comments on the DB9. Problem I have, is that as good as the new 911 Turbo is it just doesn't do it for me in the looks department. Not had the pleasure of a drive (yet) but I am sure it will be very capable. Thanks for the information.

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: RLambert

You must have more money than sense !

How much have you lost on your gen 1 997 Turbo and you want to do that again with another new one.

Not me! I'm definitely sticking. Why would I twist when I already have 21?!

 

[Faz]

ORIGINAL: Alex L

ORIGINAL: RLambert

You must have more money than sense !

How much have you lost on your gen 1 997 Turbo and you want to do that again with another new one.

Not me! I'm definitely sticking. Why would I twist when I already have 21?!

Let me know when do decide to twist [][][][]

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: Faz

ORIGINAL: Alex L

ORIGINAL: RLambert

You must have more money than sense !

How much have you lost on your gen 1 997 Turbo and you want to do that again with another new one.

Not me! I'm definitely sticking. Why would I twist when I already have 21?!

Let me know when do decide to twist [][][][]

Actually this is the only car on the planet that could tempt me away:

http://www.lamborghini-reading.com/showinventory.php?lang=en&type=p&id_dealcar=443&curr_page=1&nr=1



I think I'd miss the Porsche though a lot if I did this. It's such a great all round car and the reliability and build quality is the best I have ever experienced by a huge distance. Plus it does better MPG, and the Lambo would actually be a little slower plus wouldn't have that addictive sling-shot acceleration that a Turbo car has. But the noise, oh that heavenly noise!!

 

[grover]

The white 560-4 convertible with black wheels is my next car to come from Ecurie25 in January/Feb, cant wait

 

[Rotorhead]

ORIGINAL: grover

The white 560-4 convertible with black wheels is my next car to come from Ecurie25 in January/Feb, cant wait

I had one on loan for a few days in the summer (white/blue). Hated it. Poor build quality - odd mix of Audi and Fiat, with some obvious design problems. Turns heads and creates interest (if you like that kind of thing) but a lot of cynical comments - 'footballer's wife's car' came up a few times. Drives quite well, and sounds nice - but IMO the GT3 and Scuderia are better. Just too flash and pointless - IMO.

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: grover

The white 560-4 convertible with black wheels is my next car to come from Ecurie25 in January/Feb, cant wait

Perhaps a club like Ecurie25 would be a great way of driving loud and highly strung supercars without the headaches of long term ownership?! Then keep the Porsches in the family long term. Hmmm, might look at that!

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: oliver
I had one on loan for a few days in the summer (white/blue). Hated it. Poor build quality - odd mix of Audi and Fiat, with some obvious design problems. Turns heads and creates interest (if you like that kind of thing) but a lot of cynical comments - 'footballer's wife's car' came up a few times. Drives quite well, and sounds nice - but IMO the GT3 and Scuderia are better. Just too flash and pointless - IMO.

Interesting, good perspective.

I am not really a GT3/Scud person though as I am not a track junkie, and on public roads these cars are just too hard and far too stripped out. I like my creature comforts!

AM DBS / Lambo (now that they are Audi) LP560-4 / Ferrari F430 / Audi R8 V10 are more up my street. Plus I don't want anything too wide restricts hammering about down country b-roads.

Conclusion: 911 Turbo probably best car in my category. A great GT car along with being able to do all the b-road agile stuff...

This might be worth a test drive though: