Ah ok...Thx for clarifying, because I'd seen M97 #s in pictures on other threads so I was wondering.
AFAIK (lifted from another thread on Rennlist) :
"The M96 engine was in production between the years 1998 and 2008 and was used in base 997 (starting in 2005)
The M97 engine was in production between the years 2005 and 2008 and was used in S 997s only (just talking about 997 here)"
But if they are *all* M96s on the base 997, why then are some early ones upgradeable and later ones not, are there 2 versions of M96s then? (one with a bigger hole to reach out and extract the bearing? or is it the bearing itself that is less extractable?). What's the difference if they are the same case?
Go figure... this is giving me a headache. Ironically, the Brit mags are reporting a higher prevalence of bearing issues with S models than base (so M97 - again that goes against logic as you'd think the later engine would be better).
Another though: does anybody know of a good aftermarket insurance that covers grenading engines due to Intermediary shaft bearings (with a proven record?). Because at the end of the day, that might resolve the issue - pick up a much cheaper Gen I, add $3K of peace of mind for 3 years (by which time I have confidence LN or whoever will have a plan B)...