first 997S

what are the aftermarket alternatives?
do aftermarket uprgrades effect warranty?
thanks

JohnnyBahamas

Kinda, sorta, maybe for sure... or not. But then again...

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/315272-how-close-to-x51-can-you-get-without-spending-x51-money.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/305469-ruf-and-road-trip-long-post.html

MCoupe

$17K for an extra 25Hp???? No thanks. Those who have it will argue me to death on the mid-range power etc...

In every day driving, you will not even feel the difference. And if you are a track junkie the extra 25 HP won't make a difference either. Hp = top speed. Not going to hit the top speed at any track believe me! The torque upgrade is not mind blowing either.

If you really really want to spend $17K. Then lose weight! That will give you the best performance around. Get yourself a nice set of wheels and tires. Opt for the PCCB option (expensive too!), lose the stock exhaust and go aftermarket, I would even venture to say get an ECU upgrade. And you still will have a lot of money for the best performance = Driving school and track days!

My take on it!

mrpc12

The consensus seems to be that anyone that has it says it was worth it and anyone who doesn't says it isn't worth it.

10 GT3

In one word: No!

The problem is that for the cost of a 997S with the X51 and aero options, it is the price for a GT3. With the GT3 you will get a lot more: 34 more hp, bigger brakes, wider wheels/tires and an adjustable suspenison.

Nick

Whatever the advantages or disadvantages of the X51 you can be sure one one thing. On resale, you will be lucky to get back $3000 on the $16,500 it cost you. The enhanced hp packages on Porsche's are good for Porsche but horrible for the buyer's.

Soulteacher

There've been a bunch of threads that have - at a minimum - touched on that topic. If you do a search, you'll find 50+ threads having 'X51' in the thread title. You should be able to find some good information in many of them. I don't think you'll ever get an answer to your thread title question, though. It simply depends.

JohnnyBahamas

Oh, BTW you will feel it in everyday driving. I've thousands of miles on both the 3.8 and the 3.8 x51... and you'll feel it. Now, if $16,900 is alot of dough to add to a $100K car, that's for each to decide.

But, the motor is rightous.

mrpc12

For $17K you better feel it. LOL. I wouldn't mind having it but as others have said now that the Turbo and GT3 are out the cost/benefit analysis doesn't make sense unless you plan to keep your car forever.

Alan Smithee

I think there's still a place for it...I've been struggling with X51 vs GT3 to replace my non-S. The GT3 seems like a no-brainer, but I deal with steep driveways and speed bumps on a daily basis, occasionally use the rear seats, and hate the idea of being 'that guy' sitting in LA traffic with the hey-look-at-my-200mph-car giant rear wing.

Sure, you won't get much back in re-sale, but it's no different than any other option (or aftermarket parts) in that regard...and it would give me a lot more pleasure than funky colored leather in obsure places.

RonCT

The answer is unique to every individual. If money is no object and you want light and fast, then sure, the X51 with PCCB is a nice package. Then again, you are starting to push GT3 territory. So if you are a track junkie and have the money, why would you go X51 instead of GT3?

Then again, if you are a street / track driver then maybe the 997S X51 is more civil day to day and who doesn't want more power / torque if asked? If it was offered as a no cost option, you would take it. If it was $50k, you wouldn't even think about it. At $5k? Maybe most of us would have taken it recognizing the value. At $17k? I said no - I'll invest about $4k in easier breathing to get the same result (headers/cats/exhaust).

icon

you have now entered THE TWILIGHT ZONE
where posts are repeated over and over and . . . . .

H20NOO

That was my rationale as well. I wanted a 2wd Carrera with max performance and all the practicality of a daily driver. So, a 997S with Sport Chrono, PCCB's, X51, full leather and sports seats priced out for about $110k. Dealer knocked $5k off that (you won't get discounts on the GT3) and threw in an absurdly overpriced $600 Porsche child seat as well.

I would love to have a GT3 but I can't imagine meeting some of my clients in a car with that wing on the back. My 997S, as equipped is the ultimate practical, classy, supercar. Very understated, yet exceptional performance.

Is X51 worth the money? On performance alone, maybe not. But if you want the extra power/torque, exclusivity, and factory warranty, it may be your only option.

MC

D.D.

Rick's 993

I have a C4S Cab on the boat as I type this with the X51 motor ----- why the X51? ----- because I just wanted it and was lucky enough to afford it ---after reading all the threads on this subject, I justed decided to "do it".

Good luck on your choice.