Is it worth rebuilding engine?

[shmirsh]

Hi Everyone

I want to elicit opinion of members. I have a 2003 996 tip cab with 88k miles. The engine started to make a noise so had Hartech take a look and found bore scoring. They've now stripped the engine and it's dire. Basically they will have to replace liners, pistons, rings, crankshaft bearings and a host of other bits and pieces. The minimum cost is £8800+vat and a good job will cost £10600+vat. In that respect it's a no brainer for me; get a good job because the difference is not enough to skimp over.

The question is it it worth spending this money? What's the likely worth of the car after the engine rebuild? What are the current prices; which way are they moving? Am I likely to recoup some of this outlay if I decide to sell in a few years? I have to admit that preference is to keep the car as I enjoy it so much. I've also not needed to spend any money on the car for repairs in the last 12 years of ownership; except for the usual wear and tear maintenance items so I've probably deferred costs to now!

Thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Shahid

 

[artfailier]

Hi Shahid,
I would say get a great job done , then enjoy the car for years to come. The recoup of the cost of it is best forgotten really. Without The rebuilding, it is only worth parts price. The 996 prices don't seem to be improving much but then the whole car business is going to go through a monumental change in the next 3 -5 years anyway. You love it and enjoy the car so you enjoy the benefits of the stronger rebuilt engine and forget passing it on to somebody else. As you say , you have had many years of fun with little cost so that's a very good way to look at it .

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I would give a Porsche Centre a call and ask the price of a short engine. Basically it is everything you have listed. They were very reasonable a while ago as they were subsidised, so it would be worth checking the current price.

 

[tim92gts]

I'd agree with Richard.
It would be interesting to know which oil you've been using.
I'm on a 15W-50 with some zddp content, might get a marginal hit on fuel economy but significantly greater film strength.

 

[GeoffB]

Personal thoughts is I would go the Hartech rebuild route. Engine would then have eliminated issues that could occure even on new engine from Porsche. In addition if you did decide to sell in future I am sure a car with Hartech rebuild would sell easier than standard and may even command a premium.

 

[wibble]

I am in a similar situation to you as in broken engine, although not to the same extent of bottom end damage.

Like you, I still enjoy my 996 and plan to keep it. However, my labour costs are subsidised by myself doing the majority of the work and this is where most of your costs will be.

As with all the comments above you will need to make that decision. One option would be to buy a s/h engine, maybe non-runner and swap parts over, assuming this engine has another issue. Again, labour costs may make this unrealistic in your situation.

 

[OK51MON]

If you are interested in selling that engine can you please dm me?


All the best

Si

 

[MattDC2]

If I was in the market for a 996 and saw one that had a documented Hartech rebuild, it would be top of my list.

Worth doing in my opinion

 

[Dombo63]

You have a car which you enjoy. Before the engine problems it was worth maybe 17-20k. Now it's worth between 7-10k, either as sum of parts or to a buyer who will have to get the work done himself. 10k is a big hit now but if you keep the car for another few years it's not so bad. And who knows, 10, 15 years time our cars may be valuable classics. If not, they'll still be 911s and we'll still love driving them.