Hello

I am looking to get a 991.1 preferably Carrera S in any manifestation but Carrera would be fine too!

I am focusing more on the car being clean and trouble free, perhaps as a DD to add lots of miles to, not necessarily looking for the power / performance (but wouldn’t mind if S version is more reliable) because I already have something else for that.

I was browsing some threads where folks had problems with engine mounts and interior trim issues. I didn’t come across much for engine or PDK. What else is there to watch out for in particular years?

Usually, but not necessarily, manufacturers would fix most bugs by the last or second last year of production. Can we conclude 2015 and 2016 would be best years? Or did they have some issues as well?

Thanks

 

They were pretty much nailed from the get-go. Any model year from 2012-2016 should be fine.

 

Mine is a 2012 (built in November 2011). I've had it for 4 years now and it's been trouble free. 65,000 miles. Just had the PDK service done. Tech said the fluid looked like new.

 

2012 had PCM 3.0 vs 3.1 for the 991 series. 3.1 improved some things.

Believe auto-rev downshift on the MT stated on 2013 models.

Most issues on any car should be resolved under warranty by now for most cars. Common issues were: changeover valves affecting various things (re-design and new part number - most replaced as they failed), Dynamic engine mounts (W/sport chrono option) had failures (Both of mine replaced under warranty in 2017/18 with no additional failures - new part numbers as well), High-pressure fuel umps (replaced under CPO), and some complaints of spoiler motor (mine repaired under warranty.)

You are pretty safe with any 991.1 or .2 assuming it has been taken care of with preventative maintenance and get a good PPI. Good luck.

 

Had a CPO 2013 PDK base with sport chrono and 48K miles. Over 4 years I drove it with some spirit through the canyons adding about 18K miles. It performed flawlessly and convinced me to buy another 991.1 recently. Just ensure the one you buy has been well maintained and enjoy the heck out of it.

 

The newest you can afford. That being said I have had relatively trouble free ownership experience over the past 6 years. In comparison to the 964 it is set it and forget it.

 

As has been said, the entire 991.1 lineup is quite reliable but your intuition is right about the newer models (2015 & 2016) are safer for a couple of reasons - the first runs had some troubled components with various revisions during the 991.1 lifetime that improved reliability. To name a few: and probably most important is the COV issue prevalent in the earlier models until they switched to the most recent version (I think they're on the 5th revision?) with different wiring harnesses as well and these have been quite robust compared to the earlier incarnations. Yes, you can get a 2012 or 2013 and change them out for the new ones but off the production line the newer ones are better in this regard. Second, several components like VVT solenoids and actuators, third: AOS, and so on. In short, the older versions run the exact 9A1 Engine and PDK but the associated components is the issue and with time Porsche has fixed a lot of these issues with revisions. Enjoy!

 

NOTE the 9A1 motor was also in the 997.2 so I am sure a lot of bugs were worked out previous to the release of the 991.1 as well.

 

The 991 cars are very reliable. Interior material component quality as you have pointed out (standard interior door cards warp, headliners droop), The COV issues and other stuff has most likely been addressed through revision/replacement on early cars by now.
My 2012.5 C2S had 22k miles on it when I bought it two years ago. It now has 31k and has been rock solid, no rattles, squeaks, nothing.
That said, I'm amazed at the lack of maintenance records on these cars on public auction sites. Find one that has a paper trail.

Remember, people rarely get on car forums to say that they have nothing to say about their cars. They usually are looking for guidance on problems. It makes the problems that do crop up appear more widespread than they really are (PDK, etc).

Enjoy your search.

 

Also I forgot to mention I have a 2013 991.1 C2S

110k miles 2nd owner at 20k miles

repairs
Manual Trans Replacement for non work reverse lights (trans function fine otherwise) - LONG thread here about it and Porsche extended the warranty on the manual trans as well (Warranty)
COV for the heater (Warranty)
Failed Clock Spring (Warranty)
Wire Harness breaks for the active spoiler (EASY FIX Also the first one repaired under warranty)
Spring for the active spoiler breaks out of it's plastic housing, can be easily fixed - DIY, especially if it hasn't broken yet (can be re enforced)
Throttle body failure @90k miles, easy DIY repair using Bosch Equivalent Part from Autozone $150

Otherwise my car has been the most reliable sports car I have owned when compared to my previous Audi's and BMW's.