Some questions about 996s

[onewhippedpuppy]

Original engine, 136k and still going strong. According to a well respected engine rebuilder, 8/10 of the "bad" Nikasil engines that they get in as cores are actually mis-diagnosed problems, because of the same bad rep. When too many people yell fire when there's just smoke, it will ruin a cars reputation, even if it's not justified. Were there problems, sure. Should a potential buyer be careful, of course. But is it a reason not to buy a car, no. A good Nikasil today will wear just like any other engine, and it's no reason to pass up a car.

[coldstart]

I actually really like the look and drive of the 996. Classy and clean and a really sweet drivetrain but a price tag to match.

That said, today I saw, not one, but two 996s on flat beds being towed (no accident damage). Either the owners had bad choices for parking spots or 996s don't run well in -18C degree Canadian weather.....

[Paul K]

I just can't get over the headlights.

However, if you can- there is an article in the October 2005 (Issue 139) of '911 & Porsche World' about rebuilding the M96 engine. Interesting stuff!

If you can't find it, PM me and I'll send you my copy.

Cheers,

Paul.

[s_wilwerding]

I'm not sure where kaisen is getting his information, but I have been frequenting Boxster and 996 Boards almost daily for the past few years. I have never heard of any serious issues with 996 transmissions. I suppose there are a handful of people that have had issues, but I have never heard of anyone on any of the Boards having transmission issues. It is most certainly not a widespread problem.

Ditto for the 996 engines eating themselves alive. Yes, I have heard of people who have had failed engines (just like people used to have chain tensioners fail). But, they are few and far between.

Unless kaisen works at a Porsche repair facility, I have no idea how he can substantiate his claims.

[RallyJon]

Unless kaisen works at a Porsche repair facility, I have no idea how he can substantiate his claims.

Read his other posts. I think he's Executive VP of Quality Control and Design Innovation at GM.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I was going to suggest a jilted lover of German cars, burned deep by making a bad purchase. Either way, he sure as hell doesn't like foreign cars for participating on a BMW & Porsche forum.

[jkarolyi]

As far as 996s holding their value, I think they will do quite well as long as the 997 is in production.

People who want to look like they're driving a $80,000 new Porsche with only spending $30K will buy 996s. A 1999 996 looks a lot like a new 997...your average neighbor will think you're driving a new car. These cars will continue to hold their value OK until Porsche makes a radical styling change, then watch them drop like a stone.

I consider the 1999-up non-GT3/Turbo 911s to be disposable, assembly cost-engineered cars much like the older water cooled cars. Their engine issues confirm this. I think the 996 is more of a 928 replacement (with a 911 resemblance and engine location for marketing purposes). It was designed by marketers to be a sales success, which it is. The 993 was the last of the designed-to-endure Porsches...it was never really replaced and probably never will be.

[dd74]

Any fact to the rumor Porsche dealers will not take 996s on trade in?

[dd74]

Well, that speaks for one lot. But that only means your local lot is either enlightened or run by suckers.

[Bill Douglas]

One of the latest Porsche mags have an artice on what the problem actually is. A shaft that runs the oil pump has a bearing failure, stops pumping oil, and that's it for the engine. I think it may be Autofarm in the UK, have a fix that means pulling the engine to bits, machining the block and fitting some new (more) parts. My mechanic tells me the 996 engine parts are very crappy compaired with 993 and earlier cars. Very off the production line at the cheapest cost. 996s will be very hard to sell in the future.

[dd74]

Bill - that's interesting. I've heard the air cooled F6 holds an abundance of oil - more than needed actually - to compensate for failures such as the oil pump. I wonder if the water-cooled car is designed the same.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The standard 996 engines are a wet sump, so I think they have a lower capacity of excess oil. The GT3 had a dry sump though.

[dd74]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
C'mon, lets be real! (I don't know if you are joking or not).

Used 996s are on every Porsche dealers lot throughout the country.

Just go to ANY porsche dealers' website and check out their used cars for sale. Or go to Porsche's website and see the 83 pages of used 996s for sale at dealerships across the country.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/pre-owned-vehicles/search/

Actually, I am joking. But the person who told me this works for a highly respected shop, and said as much with a perfectly straight face.

Personally, I've always been doubtful. All I'm doing is attempting to not leave any stone unturned.

[RallyJon]

Or go to Porsche's website and see the 83 pages of used 996s for sale at dealerships across the country.

Curious why there isn't more downward price pressure? Why don't these dealers need to get them moving--does Porsche subsidize their used cars to keep prices up, like Lexus used to?

[dd74]

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
The standard 996 engines are a wet sump, so I think they have a lower capacity of excess oil. The GT3 had a dry sump though.

And how difficult would it be to convert the engine to dry sump?

At any rate, isn't there a race class that races standard wet sump 996 Porsches?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Seems like I read somewhere about converting to the GT3 system for the better pickup and extra oil capacity, don't quote me on that though. I think the standard system is sufficient for track days, just not ideal for a race car.

[RallyJon]

Well, OK, ARE they moving them? Seems like every Porsche dealer in this area is littered with 996s and Boxsters, whereas 993s are very hard to come by.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I wonder how the production numbers compare, 993s seem somewhat rare. Even just driving around town I've seen more SCs, Carreras, and 996s than 993s.

[RallyJon]

Exactly. Given supply, prestige, build quality, etc, you'd think that 996s would be significantly cheaper than 993s. I guess the 996 prices are still falling, though.

[kaisen]

Free market economy (used cars) means the price moves toward equilibrium where supply and demand are relatively equal.

It's why 996s seem like good buys right now. There's lots of them, and demand wouldn't be very high if they were $10,000 more.

Dealers will take ANYTHING in on trade.... for the right price. Because they know they have to also price them right to resell them.

993's aren't readily available. There aren't 993s coming back to Porsche financial off lease like there are 996s and 986s. They HAVE to sell the 00-02's coming off lease in large numbers, a contributing reason to why they are cheap.

Porsche dealers have the advantage to offer a certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty that calms the fears of potential 996/986 buyers. So the motor breaks, big deal, it's covered.

E