I dont think it swallowed a valve as the valve train clatter occurred about two weeks ago and it lasted for about 2 miles of low speed driving then went away; but after the episode of clatter, the oil usage shot up to +1/3 qrt per every 100 miles and the soot began. With respect to the cylinder(s) I believe all they've done so far is pull the plugs and do a scope; the head is not off yet. The detonation/knock may have been caused because the plugs were not clean from oil intrusion. The dealership knows I want answers and they also know I want the right things to be done. Won't my work order have to indicate what specific parts failed?

 

Sometimes the dealer is told to ship engine to the factory for "analysis" and they never follow up w information to the owner. Lets hope they are more forthcoming here.

 

Keep in mind that the grass may not be greener with an SL (the other car you mentioned) . Merccedes can churn out a few bad cars too . I had an 03 E class which was a nightmare but the 07 was terrific . Plus MB leasing was atrocious .

See what happend .. they haven't confirmed theur next step .. thry obviously have a lot to think over when it comes to handing out a new motor.

I don't understand why ALL 997S cars don't share this same problem . Most don't . I wonder what that difference is which makes some have it and others don't.

 

Since I've owned quite a few new MB's and am a regular member on the MB forum I haven't seen a failed new MB engine report in a while (but I'm sure they occur)...quite the contrary for Porsche it seems.

With respect to the disparity in 997 engines (some with and many without the problem) it's most likely due to a specific supplier of the problem parts.

 

Part 1 -- of the MB nightmare. I was given a 4 year old 03 E320 when my elderly parent stopped driving . It had only 11K miles on it and had never presented a problem . By the time it reached 17K miles I had experienced everything from electrical problems to brake failure .

Part 2 of the MB nightmare --Finally , out of warranty ,facing my first expensive bill . I handed MB dealership the key and the title to that car and drove off in a prepaid lease 07 loaded with everything .The 07 was perfect which was the only good thing . With 5 months left on the lease which was already paid for I wanted the M3 (I did not want to wait) MB rejected any negotiation of lease termination with even the slightest wiggle room . They would have rather auctioned the car for a big loss than negotiate early.
BTW --BMW is NOT the same . Leasing was more accomodating with my 330i (leased between 05 and 07997S) . The MB residual was high , the value was low . In the end I lost all those payments plus 3 grand which came out to about 7 grand lost but I did buy the M3.

I will never lease a car again .
I would never lease a Mercedes even if I did .

 

At least they didn't have to replace the freaking engine lol...

 

From what I am told it's not a hard thing to do but it is expensive. If they do it and fix the clutch you basically have a new car in some aspects .

 

Yes Larry that would make things better indeed, but the key word is "if".

On another note, the 08 6 speed Cayman S I am driving as a loaner has been wonderful and people in traffic seem to like it (been getting quite a few looks and the occasional thumbs up) it's not for me though, too small.

 

I hear of bad engines on these forums every year, ...now we are such a small part of Porsche sales...however my local dealers see a lot more engine problems than these forums report...kind of scary huh? I was always told how reliable Porsche was...not so in my mind.

I enjoy my Porsche but would never own one outside of warranty...but then warranty does not guarantee anything anyway.

 

Problem discussions can be read on any auto forum . Not just Porsche . Warranty concerns can also be read . I have said for a long time the process by which how one gets his car fixed is in his ability to negotiate coupled with who he is negotiating with .

My typical advice has always been to hedge the loss immediately with a problem car negotiating with sales and service .

Some flinch at the idea . Others have followed it and wished they did it sooner . But this forum member set out to disprove it. He had a problem car and he was not going to be content unless Porsche replaced the entire car !!!!! Here is is post where he claims to have (months later) resolved it to HIS satisfaction. https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ent-lemon.html

 

I'm curious about your comment - about never owning one outside of a warranty. And can't claim that I've run any numbers, but my car's warranty has just expired and so I'm now in that zone.
Seems to me that people like me are simply playing the odds here. But that in doing so, it's a probabilistic thing versus a sure thing. That is, my car may have a (significant) problem that will generate a significant bill. OTOH, turning my car (perhaps unless it's been a very low miles garage queen) absolutely will create a very large bill - the loss in value against the purchase of a new one, as well as the new registration taxes, etc.
So what is the chance that a possible major repair will be greater than the guaranteed loss when you turn cars?
I accept that in my scenario, I'm 'stuck' with an 'old' car, while the person turning their car is always driving a newer car. A non-trivial, but non-financial issue.

 

Verde,

Can you get an extended warranty (porsche or other) or is it too late?

 

I just checked. It is rather late but it can be done. The cost is about $5K. That's a big bet against the house. What do you all think?

 

How many miles on the odo right now and how much longer do you plan on keeping the car?

 

Not only that --it's a headache . I had an extended back when Porsche offered 2 year wararnty (993) . The third party paid but it was not without making phone calls and faxing info . In the end it paid itself .

My guess is that if you have a 5K expense you may decide to sell the car.

Find a good private mechanic or hope that your positive relationships with dealership service is enough for them to give you a break and keep you in their shop . If you were kind to them while yoir car was on warranty they will remember . If you were nit picky demanding customer they now have the chance to charge the full fare.