Ron Adair

I have a 2005 997S Tiptronic Launch Edition (MSRP $101,575). The car has 35,000 miles on it, but the engine was recently replaced by Porsche (crate engine, factory rebuild). The engine has fewer than 300 miles on it. Looking around the internet, it appears as though these cars are going for something like $45K - $50K.

My question is:

What premium should I charge for a factory rebuild engine with essentially zero miles on it?

Thanks,

Ron

dasams

Premium? If I were buying, I'd want a discount dave

jumper5836

People would be wary because of having the engine replaced. I don't think you'd get a premium. The rest has the original miles on it.

RollingArt

Why would you want a discount on a car with a brand new factory rebuilt engine?

I'd think a new engine in a 35k mile car should bump the price up $3-5k. The new engine has all of the upgrades that Porsche ever gave the M97. I think this is a great selling point.

BTW Ron, what happened to the original engine that it needed replacement?

Para82

Why was the engine replaced?

spiderv6

Logic or no logic, that's likely to be the reaction by most buyers......

USMC_DS1

It really depends... on one hand a new factory rebuilt engine gets you 2 yrs of warranty on the engine so a positive especially if the car is already out of warranty. On the other hand I would question why the engine blew in the 1st place? I passed on a nicely optioned '06 C2S car last year, for example, that had a new rebuilt engine b/c the engine was blown by the prior "kid" owner. In that case, I did not want to chance whatever the "kid" tore up in addition to the engine. I found instead an '08 C2S with 10K more in miles but slightly lower in price with 1.5 yrs original warranty and 2 yrs CPO. The PO put 45K miles on the car I now drive over 2.25 yrs. Exactly what I was looking for... hwy miles and minimal problems.

Ron Adair

The engine was replaced due to a cracked cylinder liner. Apparently, this was a known issue related to coolant and the right rear bank & Porsche stepped up. The cost for the engine if I had to come out of pocket for it would have been around $20K plus installation of about $3K. As it was I paid for the installation only. The replacement engine comes with all known issues (such as IMS bearing) resolved. The car has been well maintained at the dealer and very sanely driven.

AP997S

I have the exact same car w/ an original motor (27K miles) that I would sell in a heart beat for what you stated ($45k to $50K). I suspect low to mid $40K range is more like it.

GL w/ your sale!

MessyMarvin

You are in a tough spot, many buyers would not consider it, others may find it more attractive, but I do not think they would pay a premium for it. It may make the deciding factor for a buyer, but if they are looking at a 2005 997.1 with those kind of miles their budget is low 40's I would think. If you try to ask a premium they will just move up to a 2006 or 2007, at least I would.

USMC_DS1

Yes, that is a known over heating issue which is associated with some specific situations/scenerio's such as rev'ing the engine before it warms up to operating temp or a hot clime or tracking in a hot clime... so if there were corrective actions such as the addition of a 3rd radiator plus the rebuilt engine then I'd say that's a positive. If only the symptom, engine, was replaced then you haven't address the root cause of the issue yet and it may reoccur. With a 3rd rad and rebuilt engine I would hope that a knowledgeable prior p-car owner would value it more(perhaps even $2K more). For the average buyer, however... well I find that they tend to steer clear of cars with high $$$ repairs associated to them. Why are you selling this car so soon after an engine swap out especially if you view this as a positive? Just playing devil's advocate but that's what I would ask if I were still in the market.

Ron Adair

Fair question... The tiptronic has the 3rd radiator installed stock, although my understanding is that the purpose is to cool the ATF.

I'm selling the car because I just puchased a 2013 BMW 640i & I've got a 1998 C2S plus my wife's BMW X5 in a 3 car garage.

I bought the 640i almost immediately after the engine failure. Porsche North America initially declined my request & I needed a "nice" car for my client meetings (financial services). Then, after an appeal, Porsche came through for me.

Also, it's worth noting that Porsche will not replace an engine out of warranty if there has been any indication of lack of service or of abuse.

Tarek307

Automatics dont sell as much as 6speeds , Engine replaced for most buyers maybe a negative. rite now you can find 2005 under 20,000 miles fully loaded for under $45k easily.

Spokane5150

It may be a selling point but cannot be sold as a premium. You are supposed' to have a running motor in the car.

wheeler

Since I'm actually shopping for a 997, I'll chime in. My thought is that it's a "bonus" that it has a new engine if it's priced accordingly, especially in an 05 car. I'm shopping for a manual personally, I would be wanting to buy that car in the LOW $40's if that. You can get S cars all over the $40's from 06-08 and 09 regular C2 cars for $50k. Of course it depends on your market. If you were here in KC you could ask $75k. :-)