[mike944]

Pinion bearing is one of the more common problems. Affecting maybe 10% of cars. It usually shows up early (less than 50K miles), but can show up at any time. The only way to tell, is when the transmission starts making noise. There's no way to check, short of diassembling the entire transmission.

The other big 968 issue, is Variocam mechanism inspection. There is a chain and plastic wear-pads inside the valve cover that wear. Based on what i know about 968's, the wear of both parts seems highly dependent on quality of oil used and frequency of changes. This mechanism should be regularly inspected starting at around 60K, and inspected every 15K miles. It's not a difficult or expensive inspection to do, just requires removal of the valve cover, and a dental mirror. Inspection intervals are at your descretion based on condition observed during the first inspection. Neither pads, nor chain is expensive, but a failure will produce heavy collateral damage (many bent valves and possibly damaged pistons, which are all very expensive!)

As CJ said, Timing belts are an issue with the 944/968 series of car. Replacement at shorter intervals than most other cars is required. Factory reccomended replacement interval for the 968 is 45K miles. Most people replace them every 30K, since a failure, again, will produce heavy collateral damage. If you work on your own cars, the belts are not expensive, or terribly difficult to change. The 968, unlike the 944 does NOT require the very expensive factory belt tension measuring tool to be used, since it has an automatic, hydraulic belt tensioner.

Overall, i have found the 968's to be pretty reliable, and alot of fun. 968.net is the best place to go for specific questions.