96redLT4

What do people think about the look of the new engine, or should I say the lack of a look. It seems all you can see from the pictures is a plastic housing and 2 plastic fans. Does this take the concept of working on the car even further from the driver? At least if you squat down and peek at mine (05 C2S) you can see a small part of the block.
Jim

kosmo

this bugs the $hit out of me. It maybe like the boxster/cayman.

wwilliams88

Looks like a big step backwards in terms of owner maintenance. The cutaway photo taken and posted by Cayman at

http://www.dspyda.com/dspyda/Spyder_.../IAA_2011.html

shows the air filter behind the rear bumper. Bet you have to take the bumper off to get to it like the Panamera. Changing oil in the 997.2 is easy with the filter on top of the engine. Its in the same location and now blocked by that plastic shroud and the tubes leading to the air cleaner. Wonder how easy it is to remove the spoiler assembly to get to the top of the engine?

kosmo

im getting surly!

C.J. Ichiban

ahh that looks awful

alexb76

Can't you open it further by removing the spoiler? I am sure that's possible somehow... maybe there are two stages for opening the engine compartment.

Overall though, this is AGAIN, another new MOVE AWAY from pure 911s of the past TO NEW AUDIENCE, who NEVER even bother opening up their engine bay, they simple take it to stealerships to do stuff, and then go to pick kids from school in their PLUSH interior!

OttawaDave

Makes you wonder why they even have an opening at all!

Carlo_Carrera

I currently have 996TT so removing the front and rear bumper covers for maintenance is part of life and not very difficult.

I don't see what everyone's concern is with 991. Think about how difficult other sports cars are to work on. Porsche 911s are still pretty easy.

kosmo

Alex I feel your pain. I feel you.
Carlo, I think its a step backward from the 997 when it comes to access.

Carlo_Carrera

I am not so sure. It just might be different from the 997. Removing the bumber cover to get access to the engine is not a big deal, in fact it often makes maintenance easier.

I have to see the layout in person before I become a chicken little.

Edgy01

Keep in mind that today's 911 buyer is a far cry from the original 911 buyers. They were enthusiasts who routinely did their own tuneups. Today's buyers have to be more affluent to buy a 911 and routinely don't have the personal time to do anything to their cars. Thus, these cars are moving away from the owner-servicer world.

wwilliams88

Yet there are lots of people in these forums that do their own maintenance, including the two of us. Thanks for your DIY writeups btw. I've enjoyed them. It does make it more challenging when they start burying the stuff, as well as raising the price for dealer or independent service due to the additional labor hours to remove and replace components. I will be looking forward to the writeup showing the details of removing the spoiler and/or the bumper to get to the engine for fluid and air filter changes, a process not necessary for the 997-1 or -2. Doesn't mean I won't own a 991 in the future. Just want to know what I am getting into in terms of upkeep.

Edgy01

Keep in mind that Porsche continues to lengthen the time between services. Thus, there is less incentive for them to design easier access--unfortunately.

utkinpol

'continues to lengthen the time between services' - it is a major misconception. oil gets beaten to death in 5K miles nevermind what engine you use. no one changed a golden rule to change oil twice a year.
air filer has to be changed as conditions dictate, but also once a season.

an easy maintenance is what any race car requires so it could be taken apart fast and put back fast. that is what proper 'heritage' was always all about. there are plenty of non-servicable cars out there - GT-R, R8, ferraris - and it is an unfortunate trend these days but 997 was an exception. i spent a lot of time toying with this car and i absolutely love how easy to access it is (mostly) compared to most other cars i saw in my life.

all in all more i look at all this stuff more i get into firm decision that i should really start shopping soon for 3 year old post-lease GTS car while they are still reasonably fresh and in good numbers.

mike993c2s

Then be ready to drop some serious cash on some tools just to be able to change the center lock wheels (unless you already have them)