Hello - Im new - Just a few questions!

Guest · Apr 28, 2005

This is my first post on the forum and thought I would first introduce myself. I live in Plymouth and purchased my first Porsche last September, a Cayenne 3.2. This was a great car, ten-fold better than the Range Rovers I had been driving for the previous 6 years but there was one problem. It made all the right noises but didn't really have the power to match the noise.

Anyway circumstances slightly changed (I bought a deisel estate car to carry the kids and dogs) and bought myself a 2002 996 C4 tiptronic in seal grey from OPC Exeter. All I can say is thats its the first car to put a smile on my face evertime I drive it. The feeling of both security (handling) and power at the same time is difficult to describe. All I have to do is learn to breath properly when Im accelerating!

This leads to my questions. I dont drive the car hard, except for a few occasions when conditions have been right. I have 13k on the clock and everthing seems fine. However, I have been reading through various posts on the forum and notice there are a number of stories of top end rebuilds, engine replacement etc. Therefore, except for the routine maintenance, could anyone give me some pointers as to what to look out for or smell for during the course of my ownership.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Graham

Michael Downing · Apr 28, 2005

ORIGINAL: Quigs
what to ... smell for during the course of my ownership.

The coffee? [

]

Oil on the garage floor. Unusual noises.

Of course, the latter means that you have to use it lots in order to knwo what is usual...

Rotorhead · Apr 28, 2005

Just enjoy it.

The 996, particularly the 3.6, should be as reliable as any Audi, BMW, Mercedes etc. Apparently the rear main seal can need attention on some cars, but even this is hardly an issue. Maintain the warranty for peace of mind.

The 911 (sic) has a few unique characteristics, which is what gives it 'soul' compared with other cars.

garyandjanet · Apr 28, 2005

as Oliver says - Just enjoy the car [

]

Helen Goff · Apr 28, 2005

get it serivce when required, check type pressure every now and again, get to know it so you'll know the instant anything dosn't soundor feel right right... don't worry about it..as has been said ENJOY [8D]

don't be afraid to ask us or a porsche specialist questions...we love it

philippe · Apr 28, 2005

I agree with the above guys just enjoy. If you bought it from a OPC then you will have the warranty so that should cover most of the horrors you have read about and by the time that runs out you should know the car pretty well, and if necessary you can re-new it. When i first got my 996 i was dreading looking on this web-site as everytime i opened it there was mention of RMS or engine failure which worried me some after forking out on a long term dream.

Now getting to know the car well and just really enjoying it.

Also looking at Top gear magazine and noticed Porsche came 6th in the JD power survay in 2004, which means they must live upto there repuitation.

Have fun

Phil

Guest · Apr 29, 2005

Thanks for all your replies. That completely settles my mind. I think I was concerned due to the fact I had been driving the Cayenne which appeared a very refined smooth running engine. In contrast the 996 has all the right noises of a sports car which of course Im not used to. Im not saying the 996 isnt refined just you tend to hear more of it, especially when cold. In fact theres no sound quite like it.