I thought I was reasonably safe with my 61k 99 c2 with all major services done including ims, rms, aos, and all the usual culprits. After watching Jake Raby’s FSI series on bore score, I feel hopeless. All M96s will self destruct.

 

Buy a honda

 

i have a Mazda, Lexus, and Acura.

 

You are all set

 

Internet forums serve as an echo chamber to build fear that all things mechanical are deeply flawed and may implode at any moment. In the 964 forum I thought mine with 150k miles was going to be useless soon without a rebuild despite it pulling strong. Internet says that you can only do 100k without a top end rebuild. Meanwhile, after I got rid of it, a bunch of mechanics that actually work on these cars tell me that it's not unusual for them to be fine for over 200k miles.

The way I sleep better at night owning a 996 is knowing that if my engine ever grenades, I can pick up a used engine for relatively cheap and rebuild mine as a 3.8 at a later time. There are dozens of used engines available that can get you back up and running. You can swap it in your garage over a weekend (even if it's your first time).

​​​​At the end of the day, at worst, figure out what you'd do in the off chance it does grenade and either accept that is the price to play or get rid of it. If it's going to eat away at you, you won't enjoy it.

 

The 1999 3.4 has several things going for it on the bore-scoring issue. It has Ferrostan iron coating on the piston skirts ( stronger than the Ferro-print plastic coating used on 3.6) , it has longer rods/shorter stroke that leads to less side loading on the cylinders/piston skirts, the shorter stroke also means the piston doesn't come out the bottom on the cylinder as much at BDC, it also uses Lokosil I cylinder material instead of Lokasil II...

 

I figured I'd just take this head on and start investigating. May as well know what I'm facing. I haven't gotten to the other three yet (AOS,IMS and RMS), but will eventually.

 

These cars are not for the risk adverse, and luckily Jake has gone to great lengths to document and disclose many of the inherent issues. Any new potential buyers of a 996, with minimal searching on the internet, can now make a much more informed decision. Very hard in this day and age for someone to claim “Ignorance” post-purchase, which is best for the entire 996 ownership community.

 

I wouldn't live your Porsche life walking on egg shells. If it causes you stress when you turn the key, then you've bought the wrong car. Overall, these cars are very reliable if you keep a close eye on the symptoms of problems and maintain them properly. That is, don't be reactive, be PROACTIVE.

 

I always told myself I would buy a 996 with a mezger engine. As I started shopping, I realized there was something so great about a simple 911 with LSD and nothing else. So pure.

i always knew bore score more of an issue with the later 996 and even more prominent with the 3.8 motors. My inherent nature is to learn about the intricacies of the vehicles I have acquired. I guess educating myself about the workings of the M96 has made me hyper aware of this particular situation.

 

I felt the same way when I watched all those videos. I respect Jake and what he has done, does, and is doing for the Porsche community. However, his presentation can be quite alarming. It's not a calming message.

In his latest round of live casting discussions he has softened his presentation and said one thing that struck me. "The 996's are great cars. The only problem is the engine." That got me to thinking and investigating. I think for me I'm going to do all I can to make this current engine last as long as I can, which could be the life of the car. If it does implode I'll probably put a rebuild LN in it or send it to Raby.

I rewatched all of his videos a year later and felt much different about the engine problem. I concentrated on the how to prevent bore score video. I feel informed this time around.

These are not the cheapest cars to own. We knew that going in. Be encourage and enjoy the car!

 

Most standard 996's may eventually get bore scoring. Some at 30K miles, some at 300K miles. There is no right answer. When I purchased my first 996 Targa, I did have the cylinder's scoped to ensure I wasn't purchasing a time bomb. Sold the car to someone also knowing there was not a bore scoring concern. IMS, AOS and other items also addressed. That car had 70K miles on it, and had zero bore scoring signs, and I'm confident it will go many more miles before it shows any signs of scoring. That said, I did move up to the 996TT just over a year ago. Miss the Targa dearly, however the power from the X50 turbo is intoxicating.

 

Then why didn't you buy one with a Metzger engine instead of the m96?
Or just do it my way (see pic below)

 

Jake and the 996 Rennlist subscribers have put a many good threads together on protective measures. My comment on "Buy a Honda" was meant for a little humor at the situation we are all facing. I've said this many times in other threads, I have owned my 02 for nearly 19 years and wouldn't ever think about getting rid of it. 55k miles. Have tracked the car over the years nearly 80 days times at PCA DEs. Done everything you can do to the car for preventive medicine and bolt on upgrades. One day (hopefully-far) in the future the engine will go. I will gladly get it rebuild by Jake when the time comes. If you are not mechanically gifted (like me), find yourself a good Indy shop that specializes in the 996/997/986/987 , so they are in the mainstream data flow on what works. If you are mechanically gifted like a number folks on this thread, than you just saved yourself a bunch of money that you can spend on tires and brakes at the track.

Most of all, don't let the challenges of the 996 get to you. Some of the stuff written on this forum would make anyone afraid of even starting the car "just in case". If you dig in deeper and ignore many of the unproductive comments, you will find excellent insight and on this forum on the latest solutions, new work-arounds and inventions, as well as logical steps to take.

You got a great car. It will eventually need something replaced or rebuilt because it's mechanical, and over 20 years old.

I remember when it was the "end of the world" when the RMS became prevalent. Then there was a simple fix. Next was the IMS, then there were two fixes from LN Engineering. After came the AOS of which there are a number of solutions with the ultimate AOS possibly as the best. Now it's bore scoring and Jake is on it. Not certain what the next one will be but there will be one. Why, because the car is 20 years old. Not many Honda Civics are on the road that long or you would be hearing about bore scoring or some issue. But who the heck wants to drive around a 20 year old Honda! Nobody. But everyone would love to drive around a 20 year old 911, because they are a classic beauty.

Enjoy it. Drive it around town. Drive it on the track. Best way to exercise the car and keep it healthy.


​​​​

 

Don't believe the hype. If all you read about or focus on is engine scoring you will lose your mind. If you watched videos on heart surgery all the time, you would probably fear that you need one. If your vehicle doesn't have any symptoms of scoring, you don't have scoring, and you will be just like the overwhelming majority of Porsche owners whose cars don't have scoring. There is WAY too much fear-mongering on this and every other Porsche Forum about this subject.