Which 1st year Porsche had the least problems?
09-30-2009, 01:56 AM
#16
Rennlist Member
What a Buzz Kill 
Interesting premise They have all had their issues right out of the gate, although the early 911 (pre 74) was pretty good, as I recall, except for the chain tensioners leaking and collapsing. That destroyed a few engines. Good old interference engine.
74-77 2.7 911S pulled studs right out of the case (and had bad chain tensioners)
78-83 3.0 911SC snapped the head studs instead of pulling them, blew air boxes when they backfired and exploded their clutches (and had bad chain tensioners)
84-89 3.2 Carrera was basically an SC with Motronic, but it had premature valve guide wear issues, believed to be because of the Viton seals Porsche used; 87-88 G-50 also had needle pin issue on clutches
90-91 3.6 964 had cylinder head oil leaks because there was no seal, defective dual mass flywheels and broke distributor belts, which fried a few engines due to detonation, depending on when the second distributor happened to be firing after the belt broke
Early on, the only problem I recall on the 993 out of the gate was problems with some piston rings never seating correctly on break-in and the engines drinking oil, but that was not all engines. And, of course, we have the dreaded SAI issue that emerged later.
The 996 has its rear main seal issue. I haven't kept up with the 997 ...
74-77 2.7 911S pulled studs right out of the case (and had bad chain tensioners)
78-83 3.0 911SC snapped the head studs instead of pulling them, blew air boxes when they backfired and exploded their clutches (and had bad chain tensioners)
84-89 3.2 Carrera was basically an SC with Motronic, but it had premature valve guide wear issues, believed to be because of the Viton seals Porsche used; 87-88 G-50 also had needle pin issue on clutches
90-91 3.6 964 had cylinder head oil leaks because there was no seal, defective dual mass flywheels and broke distributor belts, which fried a few engines due to detonation, depending on when the second distributor happened to be firing after the belt broke
Early on, the only problem I recall on the 993 out of the gate was problems with some piston rings never seating correctly on break-in and the engines drinking oil, but that was not all engines. And, of course, we have the dreaded SAI issue that emerged later.
The 996 has its rear main seal issue. I haven't kept up with the 997 ...
09-30-2009, 02:15 AM
#17
Rennlist Member
Yeah, but if you were there and saw it real-time it got kind of depressing that the same stuff happened over and over and over again.
Couple of addendums, too. Realize the valve guides have been pretty junky from day 1. It's just that they were hidden behind the failed chain tensioners. So the 3.2 cars hit 70-80K miles as virgins because they hadn't been taken apart yet from a failed tensioner.
Air box issues didn't crop up with the SC's. Heard about a fair number of 2.4CIS and 2.7 cars blowing them by the time I got into these cars in '80. I think that Al airbox was in production by then.
So all-in-all, be glad how bulletproof the 993 actually is. Even though most of you freak at a car having over 100K, these things are pretty much going to last indefinitely with the most modest amount of care.
Couple of addendums, too. Realize the valve guides have been pretty junky from day 1. It's just that they were hidden behind the failed chain tensioners. So the 3.2 cars hit 70-80K miles as virgins because they hadn't been taken apart yet from a failed tensioner.
Air box issues didn't crop up with the SC's. Heard about a fair number of 2.4CIS and 2.7 cars blowing them by the time I got into these cars in '80. I think that Al airbox was in production by then.
So all-in-all, be glad how bulletproof the 993 actually is. Even though most of you freak at a car having over 100K, these things are pretty much going to last indefinitely with the most modest amount of care.
09-30-2009, 08:40 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
If I go by my personal experience (964, 993, GT3) and the number of miles driven, I would have to say the GT3 is the hands down winner.
When it comes to significant issues:
The 964 was the worst (everything that can happen to one happened to mine).
The 993 was next with its premature failure of Monroe shocks and the relentless series of CELs, but not the really nasty SAI one. Still, somewhat costly.
Last, the GT3, after 40,000 miles had a sticky ignition key and a leak in the front main seal, both fixed under warranty.
When it comes to tires the listing order is reversed!
When it comes to significant issues:
The 964 was the worst (everything that can happen to one happened to mine).
The 993 was next with its premature failure of Monroe shocks and the relentless series of CELs, but not the really nasty SAI one. Still, somewhat costly.
Last, the GT3, after 40,000 miles had a sticky ignition key and a leak in the front main seal, both fixed under warranty.
When it comes to tires the listing order is reversed!
09-30-2009, 12:41 PM
#19
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As far as I can tell, I have the "newest" 95 C4 993 on the board with a July 95 build date.
I would hope any kinks had been worked out after 1.5+ years of building the 95's (late 93 to at least July of 95)
I would hope any kinks had been worked out after 1.5+ years of building the 95's (late 93 to at least July of 95)
10-01-2009, 01:20 PM
#22
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I'd have to go with the 944 for all Porsches and the 993 for the 911 series. By the time the 944 came out they had worked out the bugs with the 924. With the 993 they finally got the air cooled (oil cooled actually) thing down right-so obviously it was time to change. RMS and intermediate seal problems still haven't been completely solved in the water cooler 911s.
