Warranty suggestions for a 10 year old 996

[porschedr]

Hi Everyone,

I recently acquired a nine year old (turns ten in August :) ), low mileage Porsche 996 Carrera 2 with full Porsche service history.

In the nine weeks I've owned the car, it has been off the road for five weeks due to engine problems, luckily this has been covered by the Independent Dealer Warranty. I have obviously spent a lot of time recently in Porsche workshops chatting to fellow owners and mechanics; I have to say they report unusually high numbers of catastrophic engine failures with this model. This has led me to the conclusion that unless Porsche own up and take responsibility for these well known faults a Warranty is essential.

Unfortunately the Independent Dealer Warranty has now expired and I have been told Porsche do not cover cars over ten years of age. I have always wanted a 911 and adore driving this car but at the back of my mind is the fear of it all going horribly wrong! Has anyone got any Warranty alternatives so I don't have to sell my pride and joy?

All the best, Chris :renntech:

[White987S]

Take the money you would spend on a warranty ($3-4K?) and put into an interest bearing account as an emergency repair fund...and cross your fingers.

[fastboydave]

Totally agree, you need a warrantee on these cars unless money is no object, but then if that was the case, you'd always have a brand new one on the drive. I have made my mind up to sell when mine is 8.5 years old with 6 month Porsche warrantee left on it to attract a private buyer. If not before ofcourse......... It looks like a lot of research is required here to see if there is a warrantee about for you??

I have a little theory here though with these cars (or any car for that matter). I think you are better off buying a slightly higher mileage car (not high, just respectively high) so that the previous owner has had the teething troubles and has put right alot that will go wrong. If you buy a car with very low miles, it hasnt really loosened up and the troubles havent started yet. A better indication is when your car has been used regulary (daily) cold and hot starts all year round, with 30k plus on the clock, also with a Porsche warrantee continuing. That way things have been tested and problems should have already shown up and been corrected. Its very nice to have a really low mileage car agreed, but..........

[KevinMac]

Totally agree, you need a warrantee on these cars unless money is no object, but then if that was the case, you'd always have a brand new one on the drive. I have made my mind up to sell when mine is 8.5 years old with 6 month Porsche warrantee left on it to attract a private buyer. If not before ofcourse......... It looks like a lot of research is required here to see if there is a warrantee about for you??

I have a little theory here though with these cars (or any car for that matter). I think you are better off buying a slightly higher mileage car (not high, just respectively high) so that the previous owner has had the teething troubles and has put right alot that will go wrong. If you buy a car with very low miles, it hasnt really loosened up and the troubles havent started yet. A better indication is when your car has been used regulary (daily) cold and hot starts all year round, with 30k plus on the clock, also with a Porsche warrantee continuing. That way things have been tested and problems should have already shown up and been corrected. Its very nice to have a really low mileage car agreed, but..........

Just keep in mind that you don't hear complaints from those who do not have bad expierences. Once a complaint hits the internet, everyone jumps on board and it gets exaggerated to all cars etc..

Actually based on some data the 2000 thru 2002 were pretty good.

Edited March 10, 2008 by KevinMac

[phillipj]

If it makes you feel any better I have a 99 996 C2 with 68k miles. I have had the car for over 3 years with no engine issues whatsoever except for replacing the spark plug tubes and re sealing the came cover bolts. ($225 = $50 in parts)

I don't baby my car (except that is is always immaculate). I red line it frequently. I looked through reciepts from the previous 2 owners and there are no records of any engine issues. It runs extremely strong and has the original clutch.

I agree that the bad news gets a lot more press than all the 996 motors that don't have problems.

My car has never had an RMS issue and does not leak a drop of oil.

Beware of mechanics that have "stories".... Especially dealers. My local dealer wanted to replace my friends 996 engine when in actuality the problem was a loose spark plug.

Just wanted to pass along some good news instead of bad.

I do like the idea of setting up an emergency fund. That's a good idea.

Phillipj

[C2cab]

If it makes you feel any better I have a 99 996 C2 with 68k miles. I have had the car for over 3 years with no engine issues whatsoever except for replacing the spark plug tubes and re sealing the came cover bolts. ($225 = $50 in parts)

I don't baby my car (except that is is always immaculate). I red line it frequently. I looked through reciepts from the previous 2 owners and there are no records of any engine issues. It runs extremely strong and has the original clutch.

I agree that the bad news gets a lot more press than all the 996 motors that don't have problems.

My car has never had an RMS issue and does not leak a drop of oil.

Beware of mechanics that have "stories".... Especially dealers. My local dealer wanted to replace my friends 996 engine when in actuality the problem was a loose spark plug.

Just wanted to pass along some good news instead of bad.

I do like the idea of setting up an emergency fund. That's a good idea.

Phillipj

I echo Phillip's comments. I have a '99 C2 that has had no problems. I bought it from a friend in '06 with 42K on it. I was at the local Porsche dealer last summer casually looking at 997s and a salesman asked me how interested I was. I told him not too interested now as my car is still in great shape. He replied with, 'but you need to be careful because these early model year 996s have tons of engine problems and you want to get rid of it before it fails". I have it serviced that dealer and mentioned this to the service manager. He responded that the salesmen tend to sensationalize it to incent new sales and trade ins. Looking at their lot they have a number of 99-01 MY 996s, and I can't imagine they'd want to be selling used cars which have engines nearing failure.

[porschedr]

Thanks guys, nice to hear your views. It really annoys me that I need a Warranty or an emergency fund for this car.

It's v.much a weekend car, I have an old man's Mercedes for commuting ;-) I'd considered selling the Merc and purchasing a new 997 as an all-rounder but the troubles I've had and the comments by 'those in the know' have well and truly put me off that idea. I've driven performance cars all my life and never suffered major mechanical problems before, generally if something went wrong it was easily fixable and not a catastrophe.

One workshop I visited had a couple of wrecked M96 engines on the floor and the owner said he gets them all the time 'the cylinder walls crack', and he doesn't specialise in Porsche...... The demand for engines from salvage vehicles is huge too, hence the high prices. The only other modern performance car I've heard of with similar problems as to the 996 was the M3. It also had a run of catastrophic engine failures; the owners, clubs and forums kicked up such a fuss that BMW eventually owned up and took responsibility.

The Hartech 'warranty' and the exchange Autofarm Silsleeve cylinder-blocks are both options, anyone got first hand experience of these?

Sorry for being so critical but I haven't had a great experience as a Porsche owner so far, I just hope it improves. At the moment it's like having a high maintenance mistress, absolute pleasure when it's going well but you just know it's going to end in tears!

All the best, Chris :)

[phillipj]

proschedr,

I understand your concern to a point. :unsure: What kind of problems have you had with your 996?

Also why would you be afraid of getting a 997? The issues that effected the early 996 motors are not present in the 997 motors.

But like I (and C2cab) said I have had no problems with my car. I have had BMW's and Mercedes and spent much much much more money in repairs. Not only engine related but electrical, radiators etc. Also had to replace such things as ECU's. Which was financially very painful!!!!! :censored:

I have had no such issues with my Porsche. I would never buy any other kind of sports car. I have many friends with 996's and 997's and they are trouble free owners as well.

If you are deligent about maintenance you should be another happy Porsche owner.

If you want to avoid the reported issues with the 996 engines you could consider getting a 996 turbo. That engine is virtually trouble free. There are some great deals out there on low mileage turbo's. I have never heard (personally) of a 996 Turbo motor "blowing up".

Remember there are a huge number of 996 cars out there. So it makes sense that there would be a lot of demand for motors.

One more thing.. I am in the camp that believes you need to drive a Porsche like it was meant to be driven. By this I mean that taking it out on Sunday for a coffee and never getting above 4000 rpm is not the best thing for the car.

Too many people want to "baby" these cars. The think that by never really pushing the motor it is "better" for it. They don't want to stress out the engine. Screw that! Drive the hell out of it! :drive: It's not a freakin Lexus. It was designed to be stressed out!

I personally don't have a lot of people that like to be in my passenger seat. That's okay for me. It's faster wthout the added weight. lol! :clapping:

Just my 2 cents..

Good luck with your car :thumbup:

Phillipj

[White987S]

proschedr,

I understand your concern to a point. :unsure: What kind of problems have you had with your 996?

Also why would you be afraid of getting a 997? The issues that effected the early 996 motors are not present in the 997 motors.

But like I (and C2cab) said I have had no problems with my car. I have had BMW's and Mercedes and spent much much much more money in repairs. Not only engine related but electrical, radiators etc. Also had to replace such things as ECU's. Which was financially very painful!!!!! :censored:

I have had no such issues with my Porsche. I would never buy any other kind of sports car. I have many friends with 996's and 997's and they are trouble free owners as well.

If you are deligent about maintenance you should be another happy Porsche owner.

If you want to avoid the reported issues with the 996 engines you could consider getting a 996 turbo. That engine is virtually trouble free. There are some great deals out there on low mileage turbo's. I have never heard (personally) of a 996 Turbo motor "blowing up".

Remember there are a huge number of 996 cars out there. So it makes sense that there would be a lot of demand for motors.

One more thing.. I am in the camp that believes you need to drive a Porsche like it was meant to be driven. By this I mean that taking it out on Sunday for a coffee and never getting above 4000 rpm is not the best thing for the car.

Too many people want to "baby" these cars. The think that by never really pushing the motor it is "better" for it. They don't want to stress out the engine. Screw that! Drive the hell out of it! :drive: It's not a freakin Lexus. It was designed to be stressed out!

I personally don't have a lot of people that like to be in my passenger seat. That's okay for me. It's faster wthout the added weight. lol! :clapping:

Just my 2 cents..

Good luck with your car :thumbup:

Phillipj

Well stated, Phillipj.

Just about anyone can purchase a Porsche. Especially a used one. It's a whole different equation and value proposition to properly maintain one with the proper diligence. But, it will reward you in the end!

[porschedr]

Hi Guys,

My car is a 1998 996 Carrera 2 coupe, manual with full Porsche service history, low mileage, one previous owner from new and bills that demonstrate no expense spared. I inspected and test drove around 20 Carrera 2s over a two year period before this one (not counting the drivel that wasn't even worth looking at) and this was by far the best. The reason the original owner sold it was he lost his license for speeding so I don't think it has been spared the odd redline either! :D

Well I've owned this car for nine weeks and it has been off the road for five. Various separate reasons including variocam solenoid failure (that was not recorded on the Porsche diagnostic and so led to a wild goose chase), faulty coil packs (suggested by Loren and Percymon but not by Porsche), exhaust corrosion (v.poor quality s.steel), electrical faults (alarm and key) and an unidentified oil leak (now stopped but not identified). These are known reliability issues that go beyond the usual wear and tear for a nine year old car :angry: This 996 was to some degree a trial run of Porsche and they failed me; despite record breaking profits they just don't stand by their products so they have no chance of getting £45,000 or more out of me for a 997!

There are obviously two camps out there, those that believe these cars can be used hard everyday and those that feel reliability is questionable. The debate will remain anecdotal until someone collects data (sampling bias complicates matters but there were a known number of cars manufactured so it is possible) or Porsche issue figures. I just hope that I can join the 1st group of happy Porsche motorists soon.

Of all the Porsches the Carrera 2 is the one I wanted; I love the subtle good looks (no GT/aero kit for me), value for money, comfort and performance. The Turbo is awesome but not subtle, I had one for the weekend and it was a police magnet!

Despite the problems I don't want to sell the car as I adore it's performance and looks and I just wouldn't find one in as good a condition or as well specified. I think the solution to my problem is to go for the Autofarm Silsleeve cylinder-block with the 3.7l conversion so I can benefit from increased power in addition to reliability, I just need some recommendations on this; has anyone had this work done or a similar solution?

Cheers, Chris