I was looking to buy 966 4S, but I can't decide between auto and manual.
It's all clear with manual; clutch replace eventually and other manual tranny parts.

So my question how is holding auto tranny on 996?

Does auto has same problem with IMS and RMS leak?

Than, may be I should looking for 997 S or 997 4S? There are in avg about 10 K more, well 10 K is a good money so it's kind doesn't make sense to spend such money for the updated saloon.

Thanks

 

Can't comment on the auto transmission. I will say if you don't abuse a manual a clutch will last many years, my 03 with 100kms is still on the original clutch.
I would choose the one that you will get the most enjoyment from.

 

I drove my 996 C4S for about 120,000 miles and 13 years on my original clutch. It's not a big deal. If you want a manual, then buy a manual!

 

I would definitely recommend driving both first and then decide what you like. I had an early (2001) Tiptronic C4 that I didn't really enjoy driving that much (the auto took all the fun out of it). Now I have a 2000 6-speed 2wd and it's one of the best driving cars I've owned. I think the Tiptronic in the later 996's is better than the early one I had, but still I would strongly recommend driving both to find out what works for you (or at least drive a Tiptronic to make sure you like it). Clutches last a long time, so I wouldn't worry about maintenance (plus, clutch changes are a good time to do the IMS bearing as a maintenance item).

 

If you get a manual plan on replacing the clutch unless the seller has recently replaced it and has receipts - you may not need to for many years but it will hurt a little if you have to do it right away and you don't have the $$.
Unless you do most of your driving in stop and go traffic get the manual.
I have had both and for me I do not recommend the Tip for driving pleasure. They are very solid and do not break but not Fun - The PDK is a different story.

 

Just IMO

Stop and go, or heavy city driving, shortens the life a lot on these. Although leaving earlier for work now, about half of my commutes in the car were about 30-40 min going 15 miles both ways, the other half was in city where maybe I'd go for a half mile at a time without stopping. Just from that I'm putting on way more shifts and way more starts than someone who takes it out on weekends.

From there the problem is that these cars are a lot of fun, and hitting entrance/exit ramps with higher power shifts is a great way to have fun before getting stuck in more traffic... This isn't great on a clutch and a place where I need to learn how to shift. But either way I'm doing quite a bit of shifting, more so than someone who isn't in the middle of a city.

That said, I would think around 30-40k miles in those conditions (with someone maybe a bit nicer to it) could be about normal. http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...utch-life.html

When I had the IMS done the shop said there was around 60% left on the clutch, and it's now slipping when shifting at 5-6k into 2nd and 3rd - so not in the normal range of driving yet. Again I'm not the poster boy of good shifting and I have made mistakes, but these are a consumable part.

 

From a reliability standpoint, I've seen very few posts about problems with Tiptronics (auto) if that's what you're asking.

 

Just had someone on facebook 'The Porsche 996 Carerra owner' with tiptronic failure! But I have not heard a lot of problems with them. But they do seem to like a service history (Gearbox oil change! )

O_Sr

 

resale value is certainly effected by the transmission choice - tiptronics will not get the higher resale value on C4S and Turbos - just look around at the turbos that sit for sale - many nice ones that sit and sit because they are tiptronic

if money is no object buy what you love and certainly sample both

 

I know how to drive manual it's for sure, since I have 2.7L 944.
I was looking at auto just to see if 2003/2004 are got better auto, that can enjoyable to drive. I would like to drive more even to work, I have only 12 miles but heavy traffic. I'm driving 944 only on Fridays and some weekend, since replacing clutch is not trivia, involve lots hours of labor and if already there the shaft bearing must change. I have everyday car, my 13' VW Passat TDI is perfect commute car. It's lowered and more power than OEM (+40 hp and 50 lbs) , so I'm polluting even more

 

My two cents:

Unless you are daily driving the car in traffic, or cannot physically operate a clutch, get the manual. Later Porsche automatics - PDK - are amazing. Tiptronic, while good, is not.

No RMS/IMS difference that I am aware of either.

 

Do what you want but I wouldn't let having to replace the clutch some day as the deciding factor. I would choose based on what I prefer driving.

 

I drove manual 2002 911, but never had luck to drive auto. So I was asking about auto, is really slow? Meaning changing gears.

 

When I was looking at buying a Porsche 7 years ago one of those I drove was a 2000 tip. I know myself, and that I would never shift it manually. Same would be true of a PDK.

If I frequently found myself stuck inching along in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic I would definitely want an automatic, but in that case I would also want a roomy car with a higher stance, comfy ride, and tomb-like cabin silence so I could enjoy listening to music and not arrive stressed out.

I knew if I bought an automatic Porsche I would end up selling it in no time. I always wanted a Porsche, and the Porsches I always wanted were sticks. To me it's part and parcel of "the sports car experience".

I ended up having the clutch replaced at ~30K miles, as the pedal was overly stiff. The previous owner had probably abused it, because now with 30K more miles on it, the pedal feel hasn't changed. In fact this is the first car in a long line of sticks that ever needed a clutch, period. At the same time I replaced the clutch I had the IMSB upgraded.

I don't track my car, I don't care if it's not the fastest, and I prefer the physical involvement of clutching and shifting. But everyone has different priorites and likes.

 

I have a C4S manual and wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing like flying through the gears until your up to speed on the freeway. Unless, as it is in California frequently, you fly through them to get to the speed of 25mph due to traffic........ and this is when I'm like "Maybe an automatic would be OK"