LVDell

50,000 miles at on your watch? Didn't think so.

Next.....

Benjamin Choi

third engine replacement and you're just saying it's getting the bugs out? wow.

i personally think that's 1000% unacceptable.

i'm not high on 996 non-GT1 engine reliability.

searching4996

It's very nice to finally hear some positive ownership experiences for a change! This car was rated one fo the three most reliable long term for the 2002 model year by someone (consumer reports I beleive) so there was bound to be lots of happy customers out there somewhere. Not to minimize Bobporsche's nightmare any, because that story is EVERYONE'S worst nightmare when buying a used car. I'm glad you all decided to share your experiences, as it balances out the horror stories a bit, and that was nescessary if it's indeed true

bobporsche996

in all fairness, the 996 c2/c4 is a great car.. there's nothing like it... just realize that when buying it, you are buying an $80,000 to $100,000 car.. and just because you get a great deal on it for $28,000 with 90,000 miles.. doesn't change anything.. it's still an $80,000+ car, and expect to pay out the *** for the car when need be just like the same person that can afford the $80,000 new model when something goes wrong..... just like the person that goes and buys a $25k 80s miami vice ferarri.. don't expect to pay $25k car prices when things (which will) go wrong.. it's still a $100k+ car..

karlooz

LOL how about this.... 82K mikes an no engine problems. in fact i had my supercharger installed at 78K.

Paul Marangoni

Same story here. Just over 84,000 miles on my 2000, and only minor problems in five and a half years. I hope it lasts.

FlashingBlade

I am glad to see that our beloved 996s have some chance of being
robsut. My experience has been different.

Owned my 2002 C2 for about 1 year now, ~37k miles,
and here are the problems I have had so far:

Battery died on delivery (replaced)
Rear pads < 50% (needs > 50% for Porsche warrantee, oversight, replaced)
Warped front brake shield (bent back)
Noisy spoiler (lubed)
Sunroof rattle (no solution)
Noisy windshield (foam cord installed)
Wiring under the seats messed up (previous owner's fault)
Master (maybe slave) brake cylinder squeek (replaced)
Computer stalk detached (R&R steering & AB, loose screw reattached)
Lifter(s) on left bank ticking (replaced lifters and seals)
Right cat converter melted (replaced)
Passenger door would not open (internal lock pin replaced)
Passenger armrest broke upon reinstall of door panel (replaced)
RMS leak (fixed with the latest gen seal)
Baffle in right PSE muffler loose (replaced muffler)
PSE vacuum reservoir loose (tightened)
PSE Vacuum routing incorrect, tubes plugged/melted (corrected)
Shifter cable attachement broken (replaced cables)

Previous owner had 4 RMS failures before the engine was replaced
around 25k, both cat converters died as well.

This rivals the problems I have had with past VWs.
Fortunately warrantee (or sales dept) took care of all
of it. Local P dealer has been great so far!

I guess the good news is that most of the caris now new again and
I have 2 more years of warrantee.

We'll see

bobporsche996

flashingblade,

you're in the pacific nw as well huih? we should leave our cars together and let them mate.. they'll be born retarded and need an engine replacement every 3,000 miles..

karlooz

damn, give it a rest. you didn't do you homework and bought a lemon live with it and move on or get your high priced lawyer to get your money back.

karlooz

sorry about your troubles. looks like the previous owner really worked this car over. this is a perfect example of why one should get a PPI. if you did then i really don't know what to say. can you hold the people who inspected it responsible? if the previous owner had 4 RMS and cat owners then why did you buy this car? this car had bad mojo.

Vancouver83LTD

other than some cars with the RMS problem, which is notorious, these cars are strong runners and will take a beating
maintain a porsche and it'll run practically forever - look at the old 356's that are running around, daily drivers and get engine rebuilds at only 330,000 miles

fast1

Dam, maybe your post would have been shorter if you simply told us what was working.

ThunderC4S

Just sold my 02 C4S Coupe which I owned for 3 years. I am cosidering a 997 turbo when it's released.

Fantastic car - mine had the the X51 and the PSE.

Mine had 4 RMS changes, new engine and subsequent RMS change (latest seal) with new coated fasterners.

I would stay away from the NA M96 and go for the GT-1 based engines (Turbo).

Unless you are prepared to do regular RMS changes.

Great car shame about the RMS/Engine design.

Thunder

FlashingBlade

The car went through P's certified warrantee check and a pre track inspection,
for whatever it is worth. Many of these problems did not appear until after
several months of ownership. I talked to several people before buying this
car, and they all were of the opinion that a brand new engine is a good thing.
(32k car with a 7k engine, with apparently also a new clutch).

I am very attentive to details and was diligent to question and report
anything that did not seem right. I also cross checked things with all TSBs
at RennTech. Before the full warrantee ran out, I spent several hours
going over (and under) the car and made a long list of suspect items.
The dealer was very responsive in dealing with things
(it squeeks ==> replace the whole thing) and finding things that
I did not report. Generally, when they
fixed something I usually did not have to go back (which was NOT the
case with service on other makes of cars I have owned).

I also know the previous owner, I know he tracked the car, but he also
took care of things, and had everything done at the same dealer
and some of the better local performance shops.

Perhaps bad mojo, perhaps previous owners, but some of it is also
because of design errors on P's part (e.g. RMS, squeeky windshield) or
manufacturing errors (door lock pin). We'll see how it holds up
while the warrantee lasts. I am also glad I did NOT buy a P car
w/o warrantee or I'd have been out and additional 10k US$.


BTW: I said brake master/slave cylinder replacement, I meant clutch.

bobporsche996

people that haven't had problems with their m96 always seem to blame issues other people have on the fact that the previous owner treated it like crap... i find it hard to believe, or i have yet to meet a single porsche car owner that treats their car this way.. most porsche owners are the most **** retentive about their cars more than any other marque out there...