Missing my 911... want another one !!!

[mascanes]

Dear experts ........... .

As some of you may be aware or remember, I posted several times how disgruntled and very upset I was with how Porsche treat their owners with regards to their warranty. Specifically the over rev issue that I endured this year.

Well, I decided to sell my 911 Gen 1 Cab 2 months ago, and bought a 6 month old Audi S5 cabriolet, as I could no longer handle the stress and worry of a £15k X51 engine letting go. Then Porsche not paying out blaming it on over revs or some other goal post changing restriction they decided to bring in................ Well, guess what ? ........ I really miss the 911, miss the handling, miss the looks the ethos etc etc ... and god knows why, but I want another one ( I must be mad!!! ) ........

So experts this is my plan. To go for a Gen 2 911 PDK so I get the later engine, and then I don't have to get sucked into the Porsche crappy warranty. I'm prepared to pay for other items as and when the fail, so don't intend to buy warranty (well Porsche warranty that is) My question is, is the Gen 2 engine reliabilty that much better with regards to the other Gen 1 engines weak points

As I mentioned earlier my old 911 had the X51 engine that produced some 385 bhp and similar torques figures so expect the performance to be the same........... What I need to know have there been any catastrophic failures reported with this engine or anything else that should change my thinking? .......

Appreciate any comments guidance you have

cheers
Mike

 

[garyw]

Mike
The only thing I would add is make sure you've read the thread on over-revs, they are saying the PDK cannot be over-revved, so guessing that would give you the peace of mind?
However I will add that whilst I miss the 911, I do not miss the warranty grabbing feeling that Porsche gave me. []

There are 991 on some very good offers at the moment? It may be an idea if the newer engine is within the thinking?

garyw

 

[mascanes]

Hi Gary,

Yes, this is the same warranty feeling that still taints me too ........ mmmmm ....... a new 991 now there's a thought........... I'll take a look.........

Many thanks
Mike

 

[pwebb]

The dfi engine has not had the same bad reputation the older engine ended up with, but then I had no problem with my previous 996 or 997 Gen1 engines.

Are you after another cab? And presumably an S? OPC's are selling pdk 'S' Coupes from £75k and Cabs from £80k with only a few thou on the clock. I see the prices of late model 997GTS and 991's are quite close and IMO that makes the latter a better buy.


Oh, and you get a three year warranty with the 991.

 

[guitarplayer63]

I don't believe there have been any major failures reported on the DFI engine.

The only thing that has happened to a lot of people on the 997 Gen 2 is the High Pressure Fuel Pump has failed, but Porsche will replace it FOC even if the car has no warranty with them (as happened in my case).

It is supposed to be impossible to over-rev the PDK, but when I bought mine it had revs indicated in ranges 1 and 2 - probably just bouncing off the limiter though.

Happy hunting!

 

[Ekona]

You really don't want to run a PDK without warranty IMHO. Very very few failures reported worldwide, but with a £15K cost to replace as it's a single piece unit... It's the one reason I keep the warranty on mine. The engine and bits I have full confidence in, but not the 'box.

 

[Clewsey]

I'm on my second GenII. My earlier S used plenty of oil but didn't have any issue. Only real problem was the HPFP as stated previously and was replaced FOC. Both PDKs. 991's still lack real "character" in my personal opinion.

Not defending Porsche but they are no different from any other manufacturer when it comes to warranty are they? Does the "over-rev" check get covered by Ferrari etc? Anyone know?

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: Clewsey
991's still lack real "character" in my personal opinion.

Agreed right up to when I saw one with the duck tail kit on it and then for some reason, I fell for it.

 

[Clewsey]

Ah the duck-tail... Saw one on a cab in the station carpark and it looked ok. I just think the 991 looks too big. Maybe, I'll warm to it one day.

On the other hand, the new Cayman has the instant wow factor, same as the new boxster.

 

[Glyn]

Agree about the c.r.a.p Porsche warranty - too many items not covered and always issues with OPCs with a claim, Go for one with Revolution - they do a cracking warranty,(Includes servicing and all labour costs - you only pay for parts - and you get them at a discount too) or, get a 997.2 with very low mileage and 12 months warranty from "Stirlings" - Independant Porsche retailer, all cars detailed, and the warranty is provided on word of mouth by Mark Pearce the owner of Stirlings - no bit of paper indicating warranty - just his word - and he has a fantastic reputation, he will even deliver the car to your door. (Hes a site sponser on 911.UK)

I bought from him and not even a bulb has gone, Im fastidious and an ex motor mechanic so i always find stuff wrong on cars no matter how well they have been prepared - but absolutly nothing is faulty, of course he is so confident of his vehicles he will even pay £500 towards a Porsche warranty instead of his own if thats what you preffer and all his cars have a 111 Porsche check before you get it from him.

I can understand you wanting to get back in a Porsche, I moved to Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 after 10 years with Porsche Boxsters, after two years i was back with the 911, just no other car drives like a Porsche.

I have heard of no issues with the gen 2 engine so the paranoia has evaporated away.

 

[okellyt]

Mike

Very few failures with the x51, the changes addressed the supposed weakspots in the stock engine. Probably shoulda kept with it []

Gen 2 PDK, so far very few stories around with problems. PDK seems to help avoid the riosk of over revving.

 

[mascanes]

ORIGINAL: okellyt

Mike

Very few failures with the x51, the changes addressed the supposed weakspots in the stock engine. Probably shoulda kept with it []

As James May would say "oh cock" ............did they really address the weak spots in the X51 engine?? I thought it was just different pistons, inlet plenumn etc that formed the power upgrade, didnt know they change the block design regarding the "hotspots" causing the bore wear/failure .............. Oh well, fancy a Gen2 withy PDK anyway ...........

cheers
Mike

Edited to tidy up the quote!

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: mascanes

ORIGINAL: okellyt

Mike

Very few failures with the x51, the changes addressed the supposed weakspots in the stock engine. Probably shoulda kept with it []

As James May would say "oh cock" ............did they really address the weak spots in the X51 engine?? I thought it was just different pistons, inlet plenumn etc that formed the power upgrade, didnt know they change the block design regarding the "hotspots" causing the bore wear/failure .............. Oh well, fancy a Gen2 withy PDK anyway ...........

cheers
Mike

Edited to tidy up the quote!

They change a fair chunk of the top half of the engine - I got an article several years ago from one of the companies repairing the problems that exaplained in some detail why the x51 was less vulnerable - the design of what ever bits they replaced made it elss vulnerable to hot spots is all I can now rember - I think the guys at Proche shop still ahve the article if you interested.

Gen 2 with PDK is a lovelly bit of kit. But it really doesnt feel any faster than the x51, less charcterful nosie as well.

Enjoy, what ever you get, they are great cars[]

 

[mascanes]

Ok guys..... Still sniffing around for my replacement 911..... Just seen a few 911TT at good prices ....... Any real benefits over a Gen 1 Turbo to a GenII Turbo II... Seen a few good GenI's for sale ....Really would like PDK but not a deal breaker to be honest..... Help!!!! So missing my 911 []

 

[tscaptain]

The Gen 1 turbo is a terrific car - but the Gen 2 is better! The PDK and the turbo were made for each other. There are a few other odds and ends on the Gen 2 car which is not available on the 1, if it matters to you, such as torque vectoring and dynamic engine mounts and touch screen PCM/bluetooth/audio interface (although I believe the latter is to be found on very late Gen 1 cars). There are probably a few other bits and bobs too. Both are stupidly quick of course. I have made a couple of tweaks to mine to make it even better (pads and adjustable anti roll bars).

If you do go for a Gen 1 car then personally I would have a manual but PDK, without a doubt, in the later car. I suppose the real benifit of a Gen 1 car is they are available for less ££![]

PS - expect a post on here from someone selling a Turbo S..................[]

 

[tscaptain]

So what's the budget then Mike? Cheapest Gen 2 turbo I've seen is around £65k

 

[mascanes]

Think I could stretch to £55k ........... decided not to bother about a cab if I could get a Turbo ! ............. really appreciate the help here ..... this is one of the things I miss .... the Porsche comradery []

cheers
Mike

 

[tscaptain]

I presume you have done a PH/PC search for suitable cars Mike? There are a small number of low mileage MY08 cars out there for around £55k including one very nice manual, high spec black cabriolet with 18k miles[]
Edit - In Berkshire..