Scott at Team Harco

As opposed to what?

These cars are extremely reliable as long as you stay ahead on the maintenance. That means, the waterpump, timing belt and the cam chain tensioner, as well as the other normal things that other cars also contain.

My S2 also had the chain tensioner torn off, at one point in its life (prior to my owing it). The repair was not nearly as well done as was shown in the video. I bought a replacement head from Lart, to address this lingering problem (mostly oil getting in the #2 plug hole).

Disregard anything OD has to say - regardless of the topic.

As long as you either have the money to pay someone to keep the car up to snuff, or you are diligent and possess good mechanical skills, these cars (968s and the other 16 ventiler cousins) are excellent. That's not to slight the 'lowly' 944. They are also great cars, but they do lack the technological step up that the twin cam engines possess. The turbo variants have their own idiosyncrasies (which I have little experience).

Personally, I would not hesitate to step into a 968, if one came my way. One of our best friends has one - and it is a great car.

MAGK944

The car is reliable, it's the owners that are unreliable. If you own one and think it is unreliable it's probably due to you, not the car.

JustinL

The tensioner pads for the 968 are not that expensive ($20ish) and the chain is pretty cheap too. The labor is way more if you are paying someone else to do it. Pretty reliable engines if taken care of. The only part that made me wrinkle my nose is the bottom plastic pad for the S2 tensioner. That thing is over priced. Do your own work and running costs are pretty low for what you are getting out of it.

88bender

Thank you guys
I have a 928 and thinking about getting 968

mikey_audiogeek

+1

Nicely put.

neunfünfeins

Lots of good comments here. Completely agree with European car maintenance/repair, having been a VAG guy for years, and also that poor owners are the biggest threat to reliability.
I'm now better educated on 968s as well as not falling for OD troll bait.

Jay Wellwood

As a former 928 owner, I can attest that the 968 is a different beast even if there are a few parts that cross over (cam chain and plastic ramps are related to the 32V motors).

I think you'll find that the 968 electrical system isn't as complicated as the 928's and that the handling is a little different (as to be expected for different wheel base and curb weights).

One thing you won't find in stock 928's that 968's have - convertibles!

88bender

I prefer the 968 coupe then the conv. , much better looking in my mind

Arominus

The 968 motor is nice, the timing belt lasts a little longer because it has a better tensioning setup. The cam pads are cheap and so is the chain, i would just do the chain every time. You're already there and its $25. Why wouldn't you? Pulling the cams for the job really is not hard.

If you live in 928 land, the 968 should be a nice vacation.

Jfrahm

Nah, the 968 cam chain pads are not the 928 parts, that is the 944S and S2 which share these with the 32v 928.

968:
http://www.paragon-products.com/Cams...5.201.rail.htm

928, 944S/S2:
http://www.paragon-products.com/Pors...9.kit-rail.htm

FRporscheman

Here's a write-up of the job if you're interested:
https://rennlist.com/forums/968-foru...oner-pads.html

neunfünfeins

Thanks. I just bought an S2, and was just about to ask how much of these valvetrain components were shared with the 968.
That answers that

Jay Wellwood

Thanks for correcting.

V996

Agreed with the owners being unreliable. My car has a few problems that haven't been sorted out by the previous owner. Surprisingly the car has held together in spite of that. He also failed to heed my warning about timing belts and chains (he said he bought the car years ago and had no idea when it was done last). I got the job done by a shop immediately after purchase.

I've had it over two years now and no major issues except the stupid door handle latch snapping.

88bender

what is a reasonable price for a 968, general good condition but WITHOUT service history