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    How reliable is 996 so far?

    Hi rennteamer,

    I am considering to purchase a 996 and wondering how reliable is the 996 after 10 years.  I heard a lot about RMS (and etc) from the internet but now that these cars have accumulated a lot of mileage, can some owners tell me if this is an issue that continue to haunt them?  I am also interested in the mileage of your car, your comments on how well your car is holding up and things that I should watch out for. 

    I test drove some 996 C2, both MkI and MKII; to my surprise, I actually prefer the MKI.  With smaller engine, I had to push the engine to go fast.  Compare to the more powerful (mpre torque) 3.6 engine, I found it a more involve and fun process.  Maybe I am old school, I still enjoy revving up the engine to get some funs. 

    Thanks

    Mons


    --

    93' Guard Red 968 Coupe


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Wait another 6-12 months or so and 997 used car prices may drop (almost) to 996 level. Why I'm saying this? Because I wouldn't go for the 996 for various reasons. Especially the Mk I had it's quirks and issues and my first 996 Carrera was the most unreliable Porsche I ever owned. I don't say that the 996 is bad but I would stay away from it. Better get a 993 instead, if you really want a 911 and can't afford the 997.


    --

    RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    RC:

    Wait another 6-12 months or so and 997 used car prices may drop (almost) to 996 level. Why I'm saying this? Because I wouldn't go for the 996 for various reasons. Especially the Mk I had it's quirks and issues and my first 996 Carrera was the most unreliable Porsche I ever owned. I don't say that the 996 is bad but I would stay away from it. Better get a 993 instead, if you really want a 911 and can't afford the 997.

     

    I have to agree. The 996 was generally not loved for a number of reasons (the fried egg headlights).

    The 1st gen 997 is the one to get, and if not that, then as RC recommends the 993 is the one considering it's the last of the air cooled motors.


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    I'd look at Gen 1 997 2006 onwards personally.


    --

    - "I see dead pixels..."
    - “When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Don't get the 996, it's the least desireble 911 of them all and regarding reliability it's not very famous too, those M96 enginees are weak & even the 2005 997 had some problems too. As others said get a 997 2006 up or a 993. J.Seven

    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    993 is a charming air-cooled Porsche but in ride, handling, stability systems and comforts it is behind 996.

    The problems of the 996 are the RMS (cosmetic problem but a nuisance) and the Intermediate shaft failure (lethal and very expensive). Both problems have been almost carried over to the 997.1 because the engine is the same but improved.

    If you cannot go to a used 997.2 try first for a 997.1 and if not, go for the latest 996 you can get.


    --

    "Form follows function"


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    If you can get 5k more in your budget look for a 993 Carrera, so much more fun and desirable.

    If not, I agree, go for an early 997.1, they are coming down in price and are better in terms of everything over the 996 at a very similar price.


    --

    indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine..  I happen to like both :) 


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    or you go for a later 996TT - enginewise bulletproof


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    BjoernB:

    or you go for a later 996TT - enginewise bulletproof

     
    True but what about maintenance cost?! Smiley


    --

    RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    The 996 is the one Porsche I would never ever consider!

    I moved to BMW 8 Series and then Lexus SC 430 for the whole of the 996 era.  Then, when the 997 arrived, I moved straight back to Porsche...

     

     


    --

    "Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Budget $35,000 for a 996.....pay $10,000 for the car and save $25,000 on the side for a "factory" replacement engine when the IMS fails.


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Get a nice C4S if you can. Or a Turbo or GT3 and take advantage of the lower price.

    Of course, the 997 is the better car in every way (except for the the GT3, but that is debatable and philosophical to some extent), but the 996 is nothing to sneeze at, and is great value.

    The intermediate shaft (IMS) would be my only concern, but this does not apply to the TT or GT3.


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Like I already knew, most of the rennteamers are not big fan of 996.  While wide body 911s are certanly nice on the eyes but I always prefer smaller cars as a fun summer/weekend man toy.  I think I should take a good look at the Cayman S as well. 

    Thanks for all the replies.

     

     


    --

    93' Guard Red 968 Coupe


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    964C2:

    Budget $35,000 for a 996.....pay $10,000 for the car and save $25,000 on the side for a "factory" replacement engine when the IMS fails.

    A 996 Carrera engine costs less than half that, afaik.  One of the advantages of the M96 is that they're cheap (about 1/3 what it costs to properly rebuilt my 2.7RS for a brand new (or reman) one).


    --

    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs).  Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550 Maranello


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Monster:

    Like I already knew, most of the rennteamers are not big fan of 996.  While wide body 911s are certanly nice on the eyes but I always prefer smaller cars as a fun summer/weekend man toy.  I think I should take a good look at the Cayman S as well. 

    Thanks for all the replies.

    Why not wait another 6-12 months? With the introduction of the 991, used 997 prices will fall.


    --

    RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Sensible advice - 997 or 993 are the way to go


    --


    RT Moderator 
    - 997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm sports suspension/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    The 996 is a great reliable car until the engine gives....


    --

    indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine..  I happen to like both :) 


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Exactly  But no one should want to spend good money living with a ticking bomb ...


    --


    RT Moderator 
    - 997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm sports suspension/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    I just had a friend which against my advice bought a 98 996, now is always afraid the engine might give up .

     

    J:Seven


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    In our small market I personally know of 5 996 owners with blown engines. One 3.4, Two 3.4 powerkit "40 years" and Two 3.6 C4S.

    Cost of replacement engine on exchange around €15.000 with lower labour costs.

    OTOH there are dozens with high mileage but no problems.


    --

    "Form follows function"


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    You might find this interesting.  But then again, it might raise more questions.

    www.hartech.org/rebuilds.html

    then read the Buyers guide.

     

    --
     

    - "I see dead pixels..."
    - “When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    There are now retrofit IMS reinforcement kits like from LN Engineering that will pretty much eliminates the risk of the IMS failure on the 996. Not too expensive, under 1000$ for the kit plus labor. That is what I would do if I wanted to buy a 996 or had one and was worried about it and have no warranty.

    The 997 from spring of 2005 onwards already has a reinforced IMS from factory so it is much less frecuent from there on foward. But there have been several docens of blown up IMS failures in NA 986/996 engines just in the spanish Porsche forum.


    --


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    RC:
    Monster:

    Like I already knew, most of the rennteamers are not big fan of 996.  While wide body 911s are certanly nice on the eyes but I always prefer smaller cars as a fun summer/weekend man toy.  I think I should take a good look at the Cayman S as well. 

    Thanks for all the replies.

    Why not wait another 6-12 months? With the introduction of the 991, used 997 prices will fall.


    Actually, this is what I will do.  Don't like the idea of always worry about engine problem.  In fact I wil also consider a CaymanS as well.  So I will wait for the new generation of these 2 models come out first.  After all, I am having hard time letting go of my 968 Smiley.


    --

    93' Guard Red 968 Coupe


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    If you already have such a car, it might be a solution but why get involved now given these known problems?

    An early 997 is an affordable proposition in 2011. Already 6 years old.


    --

    "Form follows function"


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    reginos:

    If you already have such a car, it might be a solution but why get involved now given these known problems?

    An early 997 is an affordable proposition in 2011. Already 6 years old.

     

    If you can yes, but some people want a 996/986 due to budget or what ave you, in that case I'm just saying you have that solution, you can consider the price of the reinforcement kit as part of the planned budget for the car. Personaly I'd wait until the 991 is out and then get a MY06 997 or later. The improvements are not only in engine reliability but in driving dinamics, etc and is well worth it.


    --


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    986 don't seem to have as many incidents as 996. I wonder if true


    --

    "Form follows function"


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    There are just as affected in the case of RMS leaks and IMS failures, but it may be that they may just get less attention and therefore "appear" to seem less affected.


    --


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    It must be that.


    --

    "Form follows function"


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    If the 996 problems are so well documented why did the factory do nothing to solve them? If many people here has suggested that brands like Nissan don't deserve a good reputation as sportscars makers because of the reliaility problems of cars like the R35 GT-R have? Why has Porsche keep any of his good reputation after the 996?


    Re: How reliable is 996 so far?

    Its a good point to be fair.

    Would it be cheaper for Porsche to re-design the engine and replace them all or repair them when they go pop as a good will gesture.  I guess its the latter as it will maintain their good name as they'll argue it was poor maintenance, misuse, or whatever.  Having said that, not all 996's have had the problem so who knows.

    There's enough horror stories to see there is a problem, whether self inflicted or accepted by Porsche or not in my opinion.

    Having said that, there appears to be issues from what I can see with the early 997 also, hence why I said 2006 onwards...


    --

    - "I see dead pixels..."
    - “When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”


     
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