Hello 996 owners!
I have wanted a 996 for a while now, so I just bought a $15k 2003 C4S for $20k
(due to last minute bidding, the buyers decide how much they will pay, and,
it is only money...).
"I think" the advantages of the 2001 Turbo, without the turbo, is a reasonable trade off, kinda like the 930 vs the factory "turbo look" model:
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/press-kits/Porsche-Heritage-Experience/Porsche-911-Carrera-Cabriolet-Turbolook.html )
This C4S does need work, and I hope I can do most of it.
I am planning on keeping it forever.
For background, I did a fenders off, glass out, interior out, engine out rebuild, repaint, factory upgrade of my 1974 911, 25 years ago, and still have it.
I know every screw and nut on that car...
But that was a 100% analog and mechanical, designed to be taken apart and put back together car.
I love working on it. The engineers truly thought
"how vill zey take zis apart?"
And I appreciate that. Example: I fixed a broken speedo gear. Myself!
25 years later a CIS fuel line behind the engine started dripping (old lines? loose hose clamp? I don't know, so they all got changed)
This is it today (about to go back up, after replacing the soft lines)
I realize "modern" cars aren't that easy (is a 21y/o car "modern"?...)
What have YOU learned (about your 996) that you think others (like me) should know about?
I know about the IMS issue, but haven't decided on a solution yet, because none replicate the "Mezger" design.
IMO, the sealed IMS bearing was a design flaw (destroyed engines are the unfortunate outcome).
I am sure (by their actions) Porsche thinks "As long as it survives past warranty, we are good..."
What are "acceptable losses"?
I am an airline pilot. I consider the "acceptable loss rate" in my job to be ZERO!
I don't expect anything to last forever, but if if a known flaw causes a "hull loss" (in aviation terms) ie: a "total loss,
what can be done to avoid that "hull loss" ??
I also know "about the bore scoring issue (another Porsche design flaw...),
and that some say it is inevitable (funny, it didn't happen to the previous engines...),
again IMO, it is a design flaw, in the pistons.
I hear about water pumps, and air-oil separator faults
(I dont have any of these issues in my 1974 engine... kidding)
But what have YOU experienced, and wished you knew what to "look out for", BEFORE the disaster?
Thanks,
Paul