3.6 base

 

Well, it's not acceptable but you can live with it until it pukes blood. In my 3.8L case, the progression from bad to worst took a couple of years.

 

Walk

 

I concur with my esteemed 997 colleagues, tell your buddy we recommend that he walk away and feel good about doing it.

 

It won’t get better. Only worst.

I’d walk.

 

Dodged a bullet, walk.

 

There are many other cars available for sale now. You don't need to buy this eventual headache.

 

You really need 2 photos of all Cylinders.
From the photo of #5 that scoring looks like it's digging into the cylinder fairly significantly and not a clean looking example. Only going to get worse.
So as others mentioned I would "walk" and find a better example

 

I appreciate the input.

 

Tell him to find a few bucks and buy a base 3.6, 997.2. That base in the .2 is damn near bulletproof.

 

He bought an e92 m3 instead

 

Since he walked, what was the price?
For the right price, I would buy it and either rebuild the motor or do an Audi 2.7 swap.
I'd keep the M series engine on the stand and rebuild it to a 4.0.
Or do an EV swap. For the right price, you could get all mad scientist on this car.

How hard would this rip in a 997?
https://www.thedrive.com/news/make-y...ry-audi-engine

 

Another car with the potential for catastrophic engine failure. Aren’t the rid bearings on those known to fail?

I agree with all of the advice above. I’d add that when you buy a 997 you should love it enough or buy it cheap enough that you don’t mind putting a new engine in it. Then, just drive/enjoy it and never look back. Also, it helps if you’re an enthusiast and reasonably good mechanic.

 

He did talk the guy down to 30k

 

rod bearings were done with documentation. And so were the throttle actuators. He works for BMW NA. He just wanted to get a 911 as it was a dream car. I’m sure he will get one eventually.