perspectives from my dealer master mechanic
09-01-2010, 09:58 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
perspectives from my dealer master mechanic
He said he has never seen the Mercedes transmission fail on the Tiptronic S (which he said is used on the AMG cars and able to handle excess of 600ft lbs of torque), but that the Mk1 tips have been known to fail....He also quipped it's one of the many things in the 996 that has been over-engineered and over-built. I asked him what else is over-engineered and over-built - he said in general the H6 engine is pretty much over-engineered and over-built if compared against many other engines out there.
His point is that many owners do DE's on these engines and daily driver them. No other engine in his experience could handle that kind of use and survive 100K+ miles. He quipped "How many cars out there can you punish in stop and go city traffic during the week and on the weekends race the crap out of the engine at 7000rpm for a couple of hours".
I asked him if them if they thought that Porsche 'skimped' on the 996 during an era of financial hardship. He said "yes - on the interior, some switch gear - but NOT on the engine and suspension - the amount of over-engineering that went into it to handle the variations in usage far exceeds that of any other car manufacturer"
I recognize this is just one dealership's opinion. But Herb Chambers is one of the top Porsche dealerships in the country - so they see a LOT of cars - that's one data point.
His point is that many owners do DE's on these engines and daily driver them. No other engine in his experience could handle that kind of use and survive 100K+ miles. He quipped "How many cars out there can you punish in stop and go city traffic during the week and on the weekends race the crap out of the engine at 7000rpm for a couple of hours".
I asked him if them if they thought that Porsche 'skimped' on the 996 during an era of financial hardship. He said "yes - on the interior, some switch gear - but NOT on the engine and suspension - the amount of over-engineering that went into it to handle the variations in usage far exceeds that of any other car manufacturer"
I recognize this is just one dealership's opinion. But Herb Chambers is one of the top Porsche dealerships in the country - so they see a LOT of cars - that's one data point.
09-01-2010, 10:09 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
if it was so over-engineered, my exhaust valve seat material wouldn't have broken into bits and fallen into the engine. The material broke apart due to apparent stress.
Then there's the intermix, IMS, etc.
Just also a data point.
Then there's the intermix, IMS, etc.
Just also a data point.
Pass it please
09-01-2010, 11:20 PM
#5
Too bad, it means no good if 100% is over-engineered and 1% of the parts have been haggle to death with supplier from god knows where.
It seems the same points are failing on those engine over and over. couple little things, but to be really bullet proof, 100% needs to be high quality and for that I am afraid you have to buy the GT3 ...
The GT3 is a bargain, when you think about all those poor owner who had to add $20k to their regular 996 ...
It seems the same points are failing on those engine over and over. couple little things, but to be really bullet proof, 100% needs to be high quality and for that I am afraid you have to buy the GT3 ...
The GT3 is a bargain, when you think about all those poor owner who had to add $20k to their regular 996 ...
09-01-2010, 11:24 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I agree...GT3 and Turbo look like better bargains....If I had to buy all over again, I'd probably spend the extra $20K to buy a Turbo...
BUT I didn't do that so no point thinking about it - I'll just drop the top on my way to work and enjoy my beautiful C4
BUT I didn't do that so no point thinking about it - I'll just drop the top on my way to work and enjoy my beautiful C4
09-02-2010, 11:21 AM
#7
Race Director
not to mention the lack of a dry sump, the head cracking, etc.
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09-02-2010, 11:33 AM
#8
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
09-02-2010, 11:42 AM
#9
Instructor
I don't get it. People talk about spending an extra $20K for a turbo or GT3 for the reliability. If that's the case, why not spring for the 2K for the IMS/RMS upgrades? Get a nice clutch while you're at it.
----------- Let the arrows and barbs begin to fly now --------------
----------- Let the arrows and barbs begin to fly now --------------
09-02-2010, 12:21 PM
#11
Race Director
I don't know and I don't care. The M96 is not a powerplant I'd ever want in the back of my porsche, and I disagree that much of the 996 is overbuilt.
09-02-2010, 12:44 PM
#12
09-02-2010, 01:46 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
