Sonic dB

I own an 86 Carrera, that has been pretty much bulletproof. I put high mileage on the car as I use it to call on sales clients. I want to get a 996 (keeping the Carrera)...but this RMS thing that Ive read about here (utilizing the Search function) scares the hell out of me.

Im considering an 02 C2 Cab, with only 4K miles on it. The car and interior are just beautiful, well optioned with PSM for about $60K.

1) Is this RMS thing a question of "its going to happen" opposed to "it may happen"?

2) Considering the severity of the RMS posts here in the forum, along with the many people here who have had multiple incidents of it, replaced engines etc...... why/how could the 911 win all of these yearly JD Power "quality awards" and be considered a top notch quality sports car?? (hypothetical question really)...

3) What else should i consider buying (high perfomance sports car?)

unbelievable...the RMS posts here.

TT Surgeon

I think this is an overly biased population to draw conclusions from,(may not get a true sampling of all owners). The vast majority of 996s' have never had and will never have a problem with the RMS. JMO

Torags

Sonic db, include a extended warranty in your purchase price (make sure it covers seals).

TurboMark

My 'guess' is that about 3 % of the 996's have had an RMS problem. In the event that the car is under warranty this is obviously covered. Buy and enjoy.

DoubleNutz

and what information exactly are you basing this on...because I bet the vast majority of 996 owners on this list have experienced the problem at least once, including myself and a long range test drive by Motor Trend magazine who is not on this list. Considering the numbers here and in the term test vehicles, I think the odds are in favor of most 996 owners experiencing a RMS failure.

Onami

I can understand how you feel. I too was planning on buying a 996 in the coming months, but after reading about the RMS issue, I have decided to look for a 993 instead. I nearly bought an '01 Z06 Corvette before the oil consumption problem was discovered and was glad that I waited and bought an '02. The '01 prices dropped dramatically after that issue despite the fact that GM offered a fix under warranty that eliminated the problem.

I would find some comfort in having a warranty on the 996, but I plan on making this a weekend car only and would likely own it well past the warranty period. If it was a seal issue alone, I would chance it, but the possibility of it needing an engine replacement has scared me off.

On a general note, I just found this site yesterday and spent nearly the entire day reading the forums What a great resource for the inexperienced potential Porsche buyer! Thanks for all of the info you all share so freely

damant

for that price it should/better have Porsche extended warranty included! I just got mine.
2 additional years should be enough time for the seal to leak if it were bad.
bottom line, better have extended warranty !
good luck

chris walrod

Agree with others, be sure to get an extended warranty before purchase.

I read a VW forum where the Touareg is getting a really bad rap with multiple problems etc. But when I speak to people I know that own Touaregs, they dont seem unhappy at all with it. Go figure.

I think forums tend to blow some problems out of proportion, kinda like a huge dog-pile. FWIW

TT Gasman

My opinion is that the rms thing is probably blown out of proportion, but I have no data to back it up, and vice versa. Porsche has the data and they're not talking.

Torags

"proportion" is relative. How Many Lexis, RR or BMWs have RMS problems proportional to their production. Let's get real, it shouldn't happen and they shouldn't put replacement engines in that have had RMS problems. They keep moving the problem outside their horizon.

1999Porsche911

Just buy the Porsche and don't worry about what MIGHT happen. RMS is way overblown.

Moogle

RMS is indeed overblown., but people DO consider it when they are buying an M96 engined car.

admittedly there is a certain peace of mind when buying a 996 with a GT1 based engine.

1999Porsche911

I find it funny that more people fear the RMS issue than they do burning a quart of ilf every 1000 miles. n No car should burn than much oil unless they have problems with the engine. Yet, I find many people on this board give the advice that it is common and is nothing to worry about, WRONG! I guess it's easier to just keep adding oil and put the problem out of your mind.

kilrgt

Just get the car you want, i have an 04 that has had it, and truth be told the cost to repair the rms leak is between 500 and 800 , its not a hugh issue... enjoy the car and if it happens fix it..good luck

OH997

I will echo the sentiment that even if you have an RMS issue it isn't tragic. My 99 had two separate repairs and quite honestly it was no big deal. I also agree Porsche should get their act together and we shouldn't have to discuss the matter, but it would NEVER scare me away from the car. It didn't when I bought my 997.

Where are you getting the car? If it's from a dealer have them extend the warranty through Porsche. If not, you might be able to find a dealer who would pass the car through the dealership and add the warranty. If you want to know how PM me, I did this.

Bob