Dec 2, 2006 9:59:37 PM

milkee1991
Newbie
milkee1991
Loc: usa
Posts: 8, Gallery
Registered on: Dec 3, 2005

realiability of 996

Hi fellow rennteam members. I would want to know if buying a 996 with high miles (60-80ish) would be realiable. What kind of problems would i be facing? How much are the maintanence services? Is it worth buying one still or should i just go and buy different car.

Dec 2, 2006 10:41:42 PM

Grant S.
Junior
Grant S.
Loc: Pennsylvania
Posts: 104, Gallery
Registered on: Apr 30, 2005
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996

I have had no problems with mine. I bought at 32,000 miles, and now have 82,000. Runs like a charm. Just as long as you get one that's well documented, they are great. For the price, I don't think you can beat it. You'll read all the horror stories of the RMS problems, but I think it's blown way out of proportion.

Dec 2, 2006 10:50:34 PM

RC A
Rennteam Administrator
RC
Loc: Germany , Germany
Posts: 15623, Gallery
Registered on: Mar 26, 2002
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996

Quote:
milkee1991 said:
Hi fellow rennteam members. I would want to know if buying a 996 with high miles (60-80ish) would be realiable. What kind of problems would i be facing? How much are the maintanence services? Is it worth buying one still or should i just go and buy different car.



Just a first good advice: avoid cars from the first two model years.
To make it easier for you: get a 996 with the facelifted frontlights only (this is how the 996 was looking when they stopped production!).
Avoid cars which are equipped with rims sizes larger than 18'' (19'' and up), avoid cars which have been lowered more than 30 mm, avoid cars which have been used for track racing (difficult to tell sometimes, take an "expert" with you to check the car).
Also avoid cars which have been chip tuned, avoid cars with coilover kits and make sure that there isn't much aftermarket stuff on the car, better: nothing.

60-80 k miles are a bit too much for the M96 engine, personally I wouldn't buy a 996 with more than 50000 miles on it.

I'm pretty sure that our Users will tell you about typical issues but there aren't many.

Dec 3, 2006 10:43:34 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996

Quote:
milkee1991 said:
Hi fellow rennteam members. I would want to know if buying a 996 with high miles (60-80ish) would be realiable. What kind of problems would i be facing? How much are the maintanence services? Is it worth buying one still or should i just go and buy different car.



I'm soryy to say this, but stay away from the 996 series. These cars are very prone to engines and gearbox are severe failures and problems
I've had a replaced engine on my 50000Km 996 3.4L. 10.000 euros bill including a new clucth. Two friends of mine had a their 996 and 986 S engines replaced too, it's a desgrace believe me.
Here's some links to 996 blown out engines and gearbox.

996 blow out with engine pics

My own engine blown out

996 Broken engine

996 engine failure

996 engine failure from 2002 MY

more

And more

Died 996 engine

996 with engine and gearbox replaced

Several 996 broken gearbox

986 Broken engine

Interesting read

5 RMS and three engines blown at the dealer. Read Scouser post. on this link. (pics)




Another comun 996 engine problem

Áfter reading your post I've made a 5 minures search over the biggest internet "used car for sale" site mobile.de, all cars are in Germany There are several 996 used for sale runing on their second engine and other's being sold with broken engine.

996 for sale with broken engine

Another 996 for sale with pictures of broken engine

If you make a search on mobile.de for used 996 cars , you'll find many engines replaced.

Here's a sad storie of a long term test made to a 2003 996 Carrera 4 S made by a known magazine. 996 car was fantastic on every aspects but had a blown engine that made the author questioned Porsche reliability.
When I had my engine replaced , on the day i went there to talk with Porsche tech, he had the nerve to show me a remanufacter 996 engine they had just received from Germany for a 996 Carrera from 2001 (oil in water another comun problem) and he told me "that's what your remanufacter engine will look engine would look"
Ever since 1997 the 986 and 996 have been blowing at a scary rate, and many more will explode thrue out the years, it's just a matter of time and kilometers before it happened.
I'm a Porsche lover and had a Boxter and 996 Carrera who gave me much pleasure to own, and the fact I had a blown out on the 996 and a replaced gearbox on the Boxster wont be the reason for me not to buy a Porsche, but never the Boxster and 996 series, 996 GT3 and 996TT apart, bacause those are among the best engines Porsche ever made, their base is the GT1 engine, the bullet prove engine

Dec 3, 2006 10:46:28 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

Forgot to post the pic of the long term Porsche, sorry, here it is.

Dec 5, 2006 10:22:05 AM

boytronic
Senior
boytronic
Loc: London, England.
Posts: 552, Gallery
Registered on: Jan 5, 2005
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

996/Boxster engines are known for their failures - if you buy one make sure it has an official Porsche warranty on it, this "should" cover the engine issues - however I read somewhere it is at the dealers discretion whether they replace the engine at all, with a new or reconditioned one... Call your local dealer and get something in writing if you can... Good luck!

Dec 5, 2006 10:44:44 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996

One more 996 engine that had blown two days ago, Jezzzz Porsche

996 Blown two days ago

Dec 6, 2006 3:10:22 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

Well , one more blow up.

2002 Blow up

Dec 6, 2006 3:11:33 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

Ok, I'll stop now.

J.Seven

Dec 7, 2006 3:49:54 AM

manu
Junior
manu
Loc: spain
Posts: 56, Gallery
Registered on: Jan 7, 2005
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

well, all we know that the 996 series has an annoying dark background but among the whole world production, I guess over 160k units, are the number of failures so significant compared with other premium brands to state categorically "don't buy any 996 ever"?

greets

Dec 10, 2006 9:13:04 AM

milkee1991
Newbie
milkee1991
Loc: usa
Posts: 8, Gallery
Registered on: Dec 3, 2005
Reply to: manu

Re: realiability of 996

Well thank you for the comments. this will help me with my decision.

Dec 10, 2006 10:27:37 AM

Steve R
Senior
Steve R
Loc: UK - Edinburgh
Posts: 695, Gallery
Registered on: Feb 17, 2005
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996

I have to say if you are looking for reliability, the 996 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 engines are very reliable - they are based on a 993/964 block (early ones had this 964 stamped on them even) and were developed for the GT1 - a proper race engine.

If you have a warranty from porsche I would not worry - but if you plan to track at all the GT1 derived engine can stand up to a bit more abuse!

Dec 13, 2006 3:05:14 PM

Fast Fred
Junior
Fast Fred
Loc: Belgium
Posts: 50, Gallery
Registered on: Oct 20, 2005
Reply to: manu

Re: realiability of 996

Quote:
manu said:
well, all we know that the 996 series has an annoying dark background but among the whole world production, I guess over 160k units, are the number of failures so significant compared with other premium brands to state categorically "don't buy any 996 ever"?

greets



I don't think there are any official numbers by Porsche.

Personally, I haven't encountered any problems in my 2002 4S so far, now with 70k kilometers (45k miles).

Dec 13, 2006 4:17:22 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: Fast Fred

Re: realiability of 996

Quote:
Fast Fred said:
Quote:
manu said:
well, all we know that the 996 series has an annoying dark background but among the whole world production, I guess over 160k units, are the number of failures so significant compared with other premium brands to state categorically "don't buy any 996 ever"?

greets



I don't think there are any official numbers by Porsche.

Personally, I haven't encountered any problems in my 2002 4S so far, now with 70k kilometers (45k miles).



Fortunately there are many 996 owners very happy with their cars and never had any major problem, but it's obvious there is a flaw in these poor engines which makes the 996 a problematic purchase for those who want to have one, and know about this failures.

"What would you like to have for lunch sir?
Well, maybe a 996 engine please...
Would you like to have it toasted, blown or seized?"
"Please check our menu for a wider choice, we from 2.5L 2.7L, 3.2L, 3.4L and even 3.6L and just from 1997 to 2003 model year"

2002 carrera blow up

Another


J.Seven

Dec 14, 2006 3:55:55 AM

manu
Junior
manu
Loc: spain
Posts: 56, Gallery
Registered on: Jan 7, 2005
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

Ok, with that offered menu I would rather a tuna sandwich please

All series have their inherent flaw, may be with the 996 increased production, yell voices have increased all around whereas the percentual failures have decreased compared to former series.

I figure the 996 purchase hint is, as RC said before, avoid the first MY's and even better buy a 02 in forward. Beyond this, is like another second hand buying: playing lottery, just ensure the buying before and after with the common pre-inspection and guarantee, once this done is a luck issue , no horror involved.

One more thing that took my attention is the RC's state of don't buy any over 80k km car and the limit fixed in 128 k km. This really scares me; one 3.6 litres 6 cilinders engine should hold up without probelms much more than this on a daily or civilize trip use, without tracking of course, and with the basic maintenance and cares.... I really would like to buy one but, are these engines SO crap?

As you say: just my 2 cents

greets and Merry Christmas to you all.

Dec 29, 2006 12:14:56 AM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: milkee1991

Re: realiability of 996



More

Jan 30, 2007 3:02:45 PM

donkeyman
Junior
donkeyman
Loc: Hong Kong
Posts: 111, Gallery
Registered on: Jun 16, 2005
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

drive it every day. It seems to be more reliable.

Jan 30, 2007 9:24:48 PM

connoisseur
Senior
connoisseur
Loc: Nebraska
Posts: 752, Gallery
Registered on: Jan 30, 2005
Reply to: donkeyman

Re: realiability of 996

No the 996 engine is not crap. Yes they do have a rear main seal problem all the way through production. No this problem does not effect every engine. Yes I would buy at least an 02 or newer. Yes complete dealer service records are a must. Yes it is best if you can find a one owner and talk with the prior owner. Just as any exotic incomplete or missing records are a RED flag. Keep your money in your pocket and keep looking.

Feb 6, 2007 12:58:32 PM

Fast Fred
Junior
Fast Fred
Loc: Belgium
Posts: 50, Gallery
Registered on: Oct 20, 2005
Reply to: connoisseur

Re: realiability of 996

Don't worry about reliability too much. This 996 4S (for sale in the Netherlands) has a stunning 274.000 kms on the clock :

http://www.reijnders-trading.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=102

Feb 6, 2007 1:18:44 PM

J.Seven
Expert
J.Seven
Loc: Estoril , Portugal
Posts: 1460, Gallery
Registered on: Sep 16, 2002
Reply to: Fast Fred

Re: realiability of 996

Quote:
Fast Fred said:
Don't worry about reliability too much. This 996 4S (for sale in the Netherlands) has a stunning 274.000 kms on the clock :

http://www.reijnders-trading.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=102



I bet it's running on his third engine

By the way here's one more engine blown last month 996 engine blown out

J.Seven

Feb 7, 2007 11:30:21 AM

VGA18
Veteran
VGA18
Loc: Istanbul and Tampa
Posts: 1029, Gallery
Registered on: Apr 11, 2006
Reply to: J.Seven

Re: realiability of 996

I ve driven 996 C4S for about 3years and 50k km without any having problems. One of the strongest cars i ve ever had.

Mar 14, 2007 6:33:46 PM

percymon
Senior
percymon
Loc: Chester
Posts: 765, Gallery
Registered on: Aug 23, 2005
Reply to: VGA18

Re: realiability of 996

my previous comments in this section about pdf files from various uk magazines seem to have been modded out, but i came across this websiterecently which gives a good overview of engine issues in general..

http://www.hartech.org/docs/buyers%20guide%20web%20format%20Jan%202007%20part%204.pdf

Mar 16, 2007 8:32:46 PM

connoisseur
Senior
connoisseur
Loc: Nebraska
Posts: 752, Gallery
Registered on: Jan 30, 2005
Reply to: percymon

Re: realiability of 996

Thank you for posting. A very interesting overview.
 
 
 
 
 
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