tel2931

Looking for any opinions on 997 with X51 package. Worth it? Extra maintainence?
I'm looking at one out of town and couls use some advice. Thanks

agillies

Yes, the X51 package is worth it. The difference is considerable. No extra maintenance cost.

There has been a lot of discussion about the X51 package on this forum in the past, try a search and you will see lots of comment and opinion, most of it very favourable.

Regards
Gus

sclemmons

Great option. But probably not economic compared to just getting a turbo. Still it is a nice reserve of power, and the PSE is terrific.

MLindgren

Is it a new car at the list price or experienced car. Not worth the MSRP in my opinion. If used I would would probably pay an additional 4-5K for it.

vitman

Just wait for the 09 997S. You'll get more power and won't overpay for the X-51

Tbred911

yup! Porsche just devalued all their X51 cars by offering 385hp "S"... depreciation pain for owners... good deal for buyers! lol...

Dr. Car

Devaluing? Pain? Seems to me that any updated model from any manufacturer is supposed to have improvements which make it better and more desireable than the car it replaces. There should be no surprise that the 997 model picked up more power when refreshed after several years. Used 997s won't suffer any huge dropoff in value because they are still the same fundamentally great cars, and the only way to get a 385hp DI car is to pay full price for a 2009.

Agreed that the X51 used car is worth more than a car without it - the option will continue to hold resale a lot of resale value. I would think more than the PCCB options adds in value, so at least $4-5K, . Also agreed that there's no reason to pay X51 for it on a new 2008 car, when the standard 2009 Carrera S with D.I. will have even more power and better gas mileage.

PogueMoHone

Not limited to the X51, I think Porsche might just have devalued all their 997 (no-GT3) cars with the new PDK upgrade.

The X51 is a great package and not thoroughly understood by those who have not owned it, and are opining merely upon price differential (always consider the source of the expertise). Much like the GT3/RS debate and the $17K delta. However, ask anyone with an RS if there is $17K worth of difference and you'll get an unqualified yes, even from those who own(ed) both.

If you trust your gut you will quickly tell if it is worth it to you or not. The armchair opinions are only useful for festering doubt.

Chris from Cali

I agree with the above comment that it's worth it for $5K more on a used 997 (all other option being equal). $17K is a tough pill to swallow (esp. if it's a C4S).

If you found a nice used car w/X51, go for it! Everything I've heard/read/been told is that the X51 3.8L is the pick of the Porsche range.

mdrums

If you are buying a new car from the Porsche dealer why don't you order a new 2009 Carrera S with the 385hp and all the other new features that you want? You will never ever get your money out of a 2008 X51 car especially with the new more powerfull 2009 model released.

JFScheck

Not - don't let the final output figures fool you - just as the 996 GT3 engine is better than the new 997 S 3.8 - so too is the X-51 package over the new 997 S 3.8.....

There is more than final torque and hp settings - look at the full range and the spinup, etc.

Plus - I got my X-51 for free... ;-)

sticky

What is there really to understand about the X51? Porsche lubes you up and takes you for a 17k ride.

mhm993

I gotta say--the x51 is one of those things that once you've had it, you never want to give it up. Maybe it's not 'worth the money" but I'd have to drive a used honda if life were only about "worth the money" Just sayin...

triode

I'm not sure how anyone could make such a conclusion without driving both cars...and no one has driven the new S, as far as I know.

I'd be willing to bet that the new car will edge out the current X-51, and possibly the 996 GT3 (in a straight line, anyway) as well. Only time will tell.

PogueMoHone

And, Oh my my! What a ride? I've paid $17K for a whole lot less!

Do you own an X51?

Have you ever owned an X51?

Or, are you just another armchair economist?

If you know anything about Engineering Salaries in the real world you don't get much for $17k, so considering what the X51 delivers I consider it a real bargain; maybe that's because I pay a lot of Engineers a lot of money!

If you are into marginalization and cost minimization (or stretching), then it is not worth it.... but then neither would a Porsche, any Porsche.

If you are into Engineering excellence and pushing the envelope (never mind the added driving experience), then it is real value.

Heck, even my wife could tell the difference. After doing the Porsche Driving Experience (Masters), and then wanting her own 911; she chose the X51 package (twice) over a 997S.

You can make the cost argument over anything: A steak, bottle of wine, beer; even the paint you put on the walls of your house. Rationalization doesn't make you (or me) right. It comes down to choice, educated opinion, and driving experience, ability and use.

If I were looking for advice here on the X51, the only opinions I'd trust would be from those who had bought it. For what it's worth, I bought it twice and I am a "value" hunter.