I have read internet info on the 996 engine but also have seen that Porsche during the 99-01 years before they switched to the 3.6L, did upgrades to the 3.4 a few times. I guess I was not clear enough in my post but here goes again. Car I have made deposit on is a 2001 996 2C Tiptronic with 47k miles on original engine which is identified by Porsche as a M96.04. What improvements were made to the .04 versus the earlier .01 and.02 (the .03 is designated as a 3.6L). Did it beef up some of the internals that caused the engine failures. What differentiates the .04 versus the .01 and .02.
As an aside I read where someone mentioning changing oils at 7500 miles or yearly. That may be too infrequent if you let t he car sit. If you get condensation the water will be at the bottom where it will settle being heavier than oil and upon startup u will be turning over the engine with the condensation not oil (not good)

 

There is always a risk of an IMS bearing failure with all watercooled 911s up to 2009. Each MY it seems the probability is less. I've also heard from dealerships that the risk is lower with the tiptronics. As said above, the 99-01s had other issues in addition to IMS. Those are too risky to own, which is why I went with a MY02.

 

2003 c4 cab. bought it with 42K about 5 years ago. Currently with 72K. Virtually trouble free and very easy to wrench on this car. No complaints here.

 

I've talked with other Pcar owners who have had the Boxster and 996 and they don't recommend the 7.5K interval on oil changes. The 8.5 quarts and filter aren't cheap but are still way cheaper than a new motor... I'm on a regular 3K interval

 

Thanks. I can get a qualified mechanic to do it for a lot less than and I normally change at 3000 on my Lexus and MB. Besides it a low mileage car so the annual cost is insignificant

 

from my experience, i have not had to do any maintenance. All i have done is oil changes and tire changes. Thats about it. my springs are cracked in the back, but thats a simple change. btw, i have a 1999 C4

 

Brought the car home Thrs. Will do an oil Change and keep doing them every 6 months or 3-4 thousand miles whichever comes first. Going to get a magnetic oil plug from LN Engineering. Costs about $21.
Tks for your response

 

Glad to hear it, hope you enjoy it! I just did my first oil change and had to replace my drain plug, except I put a stock one in for the time being... it had a magnetic one in it that was perfectly clean, but had to be taken off with vicegrips since the allen hole had been rounded out. I like the LN plug and will probably order one in the near future as well. Also, if you haven't already read this somewhere, if you don't change the filter yourself ask for it so you can take it apart and check for any signs of developing IMS issues.
Good luck.

 

I have a 99 C4, purchased with 60,000 miles. In @18 months i put 40,000 miles on with several crazy road trips. Its modded out and driven hard and have only had small issues.

1) Brake Booster
2) Drivers Window Regulator
3) Cam Seals
4) Tires
5) Fluid Changes

Ive very happy with the quality of the car!

 

I just had the following done:

plug change
plug tubes changed
brakes Bled
coolant changed
Serpentine belt changed
Waterpump replace
Oil changed

All of that cost me $1400.00

I guess thats not so bad....

 

I have had my car for a little over a year (15k miles) now ('02 C4s). I have done oil changes and rear tires, replaced the oil pressure sending unit, and drivers door window regulator. Ohh I also had to replace the windshield wipers.... big bummer.

All in all, not a huge maintenance hog. The car was well taken care of before I got it, and I am striving to do the same. I got an aftermarket warranty when I bought the car ($300 deductible everything is covered bumper to bumper) so if any big issues do arise I am covered, but so far a great car!

 

once you pass the 10,000 mile mark you should be home free...

 

Good info here. Looking to get into an earlier model NA 996 as well. Do most of you service your out of warranty cars at the dealer or an indy shop?

 

One thing that most people don't realize, porschephiles included, is that the 9x6 car was far and away the most prolific 911 series ever produced. There are hundreds on the road for every example of other versions of the car. 5-10% failure rates ARE high for a single part failure (ims/rms, which are related issues) but the number of instances only high because of the number of vehicles produced/sold. The forums have high rates of failure, but remember that many of us find renntech/rennline/ppbb etc when we HAVE an issue. The 9x6 is a robust and good car, and a superb value at current selling prices (1/4 of original retail now).

 

I had the same worries as you and I decided on a '04 996 coupe. I bought it with 17K miles in 2010. Low miles. I have put a set of rear tires on it. An Oil change at $200 and 30K service with some extras like brake fluid change for $1000 out the door. Not expensive and this is routine maintenance. I have had ZERO problems in 15K miles. The car is rock solid and drives fantastic. It is my DD and love it.

I was scared off early 996 by RMS and IMS. I bought '04 because it was supposedly fixed in mid '03. I hadn't found this forum until I bought. I have read that the problems are over blown.

I wasn't looking for a collector. So 996 allowed me to get into one inexpensively.

The only problem is how far away the bank and liquor store are now. Seems there is always a long way home.
Lovin' it.