Droning noise at approximatly 2800 to 3000 rpm from interior

[William Haupt]

I just picked up a stock GT3 with only 8500 miles, I noticed this droning noise only at 2800 to 3000 rpm, also sounds like a buzz and don't recall hearing it the times I drove in my friends 996 GT3. I looked in the service records I got from the prior owner and he complained to Porsche about it when the car was almost new and they told him that it was normal for this model. Can anyone else confirm or deny this?

Thank you.

[Loren]

Are you sure the mufflers are stock?

You can check them for part numbers and the Porsche logo.

[A34735]

I just picked up a stock GT3 with only 8500 miles, I noticed this droning noise only at 2800 to 3000 rpm, also sounds like a buzz and don't recall hearing it the times I drove in my friends 996 GT3. I looked in the service records I got from the prior owner and he complained to Porsche about it when the car was almost new and they told him that it was normal for this model. Can anyone else confirm or deny this?

Thank you.

Isn't this a well-known 'issue' for GT3s? I'm sure I heard there's a cable in the driver door that harmonizes around 3000 rpm (I think it was most pronounced at 3300 rpm). BTW I'm a 996/997.1 driver, so a large sack of salt might be advisable!

[White987S]

Well, let's face it, a GT3 is not a quiet car, and not meant to be. Hope you get this figured out, if in fact something is not 100% right as it should be.

[Mijostyn]

Hi William,

The car has only 8500 miles on it. Did you get it certified?? If so then just drive the car and see what happens. You have 2 years to figure it out. So few of us own GT3s that there is not going to be a whole lot of experience. I drove a 996 GT3 and did not notice any droning but I only drove it once for about 10 miles. Certainly as Loren suggests you best check the mufflers as aftermarket mufflers are notorious for this behavior. The fact that the original owner noticed it long ago and nothing has gone south yet means to me that this is probably normal behavior for this car. At their quietest 911s are noisy cars up to and including out right raucous. Your average Mercedes driver does not have this in mind when he buys a car like this. He is buying "clothing" and what he is expecting is a sharp looking little Mercedes 2 seater. What he gets is more like a little race car...not his cup of tea and that is why so many of these cars whined up on the used market with short miles. Good for us!! These cars have character and a certain degree of variability. You always have to modify your expectations a little and tolerate some things. If you can't then it is not the car for you. I sold a 2001 TT with only 10,000 miles on it because it did not have the character I was looking for and in the end was not worth the payments...to me. Some here think I am crazy and they are probably right.

3000 rpm is right about where most people cruise on the highway. My solution would be to get an Escort with Escort "Live" and crank it up to 4000 rpm. Smooth as silk ;-}

[anthonycocca]

My C4S has the same thing. It drove me nuts. So much so that I took it to the dealer!!! They weren't sure and had to keep it to diagnose it. They came to the conclusion that the Catalytic Converter was bad (one side only), a muffler was bad (opposite side) and the tips may be buzzing as well.

I don't think it's that at all. I think the car has a very loud drivetrain - especially the transmission at the RPM range you note. Mine is especially loud when it's warmed up and hot.

Is there any noise at idle that disappears when you depress the clutch pedal?