[Scnell Gelb]

I wish you luck on the ominous flakes.
I really like the car-particularly the mid-engine layout.But I share your disappointment with engine problems.It is compounded by Porsche's inexplicable refusal to remedy all design defects in later models .If Jake Raby can develop & implement fixes for "24 modes of failure",why can't/won't Porsche?
I realize the M96/97 engines are low volume and do not benefit from application in higher volume sporty sedans(like BMW M3 for example) but Porsche would have far more resources than Flat 6 Innovations ! And Subaru(also 3.3L flat six) have avoided many of these problems. So the solutions are available ,Porsche just won't apply them. Why? Surely the damage to reputation ,warranty claims expense,class action suits would justify a fix of the fundamental defects?
The other problem is the cost ,frequency and complexity of the repairs. A car like yours (or mine) that was a $15k++ car is instantly rendered a $4k roller/parts car.Who puts a $10-15+k rebuilt engine into a $4k roller? As the cars age the bad reputation & plummeting resale value just make matters worse.
I am just grateful that Pelican,Raby and others support the car even though Porsche fails to.Ironically the abundant used parts situation does not help much - I am very reluctant to buy a used engine,used gearbox because of the inherent problems.A used engine may be O.K. but it could easily be just a few thousand miles from another disaster.
Thank goodness for the aftermarket vendors and Forums like this who do so much to support Porsche's deservedly tattered reputation.So all we can do is support these Forums and their sponsoring vendors.