[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

Keep in mind that all the shortcomings of the air-cooled engines are repairable, even by the more able home mechanic, do not cause terminal failure, and do not need a new engine. Here, it is "very Well Sir, that will be 30K, please" when you lunch your water engine. On a car that you just bought for 15-20K, it does not make sense. And there is *zero* independents who tackle these engines. Heck, even the gearboxes were not openable in the beginning...

But it is a matter of opinion and nothing else. I still think they are built on the cheap, are rather ugly, even though they are "better" cars, in the sense that they drive, brake, turn, heat and cool better. But on the long run? forget it.

The average DIY mechanic can rebuild a set of air-cooled heads? Replace a broken head stud? Rebuild an engine? I consider myself to be a pretty hardcore DIY mechanic, but rebuilding a 911 engine would give me pause. Here's one of your zero independents that works on the M96, they have a great reputation on Pelican and elsewhere:

Flat 6 Innovations

Last I heard a full rebuild is on the order of $15k, which coincidentally is about what an air-cooled rebuild will cost you.

BTW, you failed to insert your personal experience with the 986/996. I'm sure such a reply is bolstered by personal experience?