Is a 997.1 C2S a timebomb as per forums/guides/reviews?
Discussion
If it was me, I'd be more than happy to buy a 997.1 and for peace of mind would probably go for a bore-scope test prior to purchase.
I previously bought a 2006 Boxster 3.2S used, privately with 16k miles on the clock. drove it, loved it, didn't worry about anything, had it serviced regularly at an indy, didn't rev it from cold and sold it with 50k on the clock.
Then I got brave and bought privately, a used 2005 F430F1 spider. It had an intermittent gearbox fault which was resolved by upgrading the hydraulic pump (which was my guess due to the symptoms it had when I bought it and lots of forum reading).
My point is this...its very easy to scare yourself into not doing anything, in case something goes wrong. Cars are just mechanical (ok and electrical) 'things' that inevitably wear out over time, but they can be fixed, and if treated properly and maintained correctly they are great fun to own. That's why we're all on this forum right? We love cars and driving.
So I'd read all you can, buy wisely and enjoy driving your 997.1...in fact I might just be doing that myself in the near future...
I previously bought a 2006 Boxster 3.2S used, privately with 16k miles on the clock. drove it, loved it, didn't worry about anything, had it serviced regularly at an indy, didn't rev it from cold and sold it with 50k on the clock.
Then I got brave and bought privately, a used 2005 F430F1 spider. It had an intermittent gearbox fault which was resolved by upgrading the hydraulic pump (which was my guess due to the symptoms it had when I bought it and lots of forum reading).
My point is this...its very easy to scare yourself into not doing anything, in case something goes wrong. Cars are just mechanical (ok and electrical) 'things' that inevitably wear out over time, but they can be fixed, and if treated properly and maintained correctly they are great fun to own. That's why we're all on this forum right? We love cars and driving.
So I'd read all you can, buy wisely and enjoy driving your 997.1...in fact I might just be doing that myself in the near future...
I've just had the list of the predelivery work on the car. Superb service from OPC Bristol.
X2 new tyres and full geo check
X1 ac condenser and ac recon
New spark plugs done whilst borescope check was completed.
New brake fluid
New drive belt
New low level horn
New fuel filler cap
Some coolant pipe replaced
Chain tensioner seal replaced
Seems v thorough.
X2 new tyres and full geo check
X1 ac condenser and ac recon
New spark plugs done whilst borescope check was completed.
New brake fluid
New drive belt
New low level horn
New fuel filler cap
Some coolant pipe replaced
Chain tensioner seal replaced
Seems v thorough.
RicM5 said:
Lovely looking 997 and fantastic spec!!!
Hope you enjoy her as much as I do mine!!
Just panicking about whether it'll fit in my single garage. Got a back up but nowhere near as convenient. 2.14 m entry and 2.5m wide inside. I need a new garage door to give me some extra width.Hope you enjoy her as much as I do mine!!
MarJay said:
Hello,
Complete Porsche virgin here, so please be gentle.
A friend of mine has recently got and then sadly had to sell a 996, and I was very impressed, not to mention a little jealous. Since then I have found I may be inheriting a little cash, and started to browse the classifieds (as you do). I ended up with the exciting and yet potentially crazy idea that with some man-maths I might be able to afford my dream car, a 997 C2S. The problem is, the more research I do, and the more background reading I've done the more I'm worried about two things. Bore scoring and IMS bearing failure. Lots of buyers guides say "Less than 5% of cars are effected" but then you get angry owners ranting about no goodwill from Porsche themselves, that the car should have been recalled and Porsche should be ashamed blah blah. "I've personally seen 5 cars with this issue" is one particularly worrying comment.
Sadly, with said man-maths I can't afford a 997.2 (which does appeal, more power and more reliability, yes please!) And I'm guessing the prices of early 997.1's are soft for that very reason. If I went ahead with this idea would I be crazy? Would I be sitting on a ticking timebomb? It seems that unlike a lot of common automotive and motorcycle mechanical issues there is no warning before it happens...
I'd also consider the slightly cheaper Carrera 2 as some places seem to say it's less prone to the IMS bearing issue, but I can't seem to get a definitive answer on that.
I'm sure you've had this question many times before but any comments would be appreciated!
OP - Just do it already Complete Porsche virgin here, so please be gentle.
A friend of mine has recently got and then sadly had to sell a 996, and I was very impressed, not to mention a little jealous. Since then I have found I may be inheriting a little cash, and started to browse the classifieds (as you do). I ended up with the exciting and yet potentially crazy idea that with some man-maths I might be able to afford my dream car, a 997 C2S. The problem is, the more research I do, and the more background reading I've done the more I'm worried about two things. Bore scoring and IMS bearing failure. Lots of buyers guides say "Less than 5% of cars are effected" but then you get angry owners ranting about no goodwill from Porsche themselves, that the car should have been recalled and Porsche should be ashamed blah blah. "I've personally seen 5 cars with this issue" is one particularly worrying comment.
Sadly, with said man-maths I can't afford a 997.2 (which does appeal, more power and more reliability, yes please!) And I'm guessing the prices of early 997.1's are soft for that very reason. If I went ahead with this idea would I be crazy? Would I be sitting on a ticking timebomb? It seems that unlike a lot of common automotive and motorcycle mechanical issues there is no warning before it happens...
I'd also consider the slightly cheaper Carrera 2 as some places seem to say it's less prone to the IMS bearing issue, but I can't seem to get a definitive answer on that.
I'm sure you've had this question many times before but any comments would be appreciated!
Ich Nicht Liebe Fisch and all that.jbaddeley said:
Just panicking about whether it'll fit in my single garage. Got a back up but nowhere near as convenient. 2.14 m entry and 2.5m wide inside. I need a new garage door to give me some extra width.
It'll fit fine - just remember to fit some old carpet to the wall on the door opening side to cushion it, and wind the window down helps when getting in and out.Get one bought. My '05 C2s is approaching 100k and is strong as an Ox. I cover 6000ish miles a year and a fair chunk of those are approached in either attack mode on early morning hoons, with the rest on long distance runs at cruising speed.
Like someone else said, never open the taps (I stay under 4k revs) until the oil is at or above 90deg and you're good. Mine has an Oil change every year with her MOT, and my Indy runs all their used oil through a separator to check for particles - usually the first sign of problems.
Aside from the OPC, some of the more well reknowned Porsche Specialists provide their own warranties for between 6 to 12 months, and they stand by their reputation for honouring claims as well as being upfront about what might or might not need doing at point of sale or service time. You won't get the full two years like you would at an OPC, but you could always extend with the Indy or take out an OPC warranty after 90 days if you want peace of mind.
Bear in mind also that a low miles car doesn't necessarily promise reliability. A car used very infrequently can actually have more potential issues than one with higher miles even if both have been well looked after.
Like someone else said, never open the taps (I stay under 4k revs) until the oil is at or above 90deg and you're good. Mine has an Oil change every year with her MOT, and my Indy runs all their used oil through a separator to check for particles - usually the first sign of problems.
Aside from the OPC, some of the more well reknowned Porsche Specialists provide their own warranties for between 6 to 12 months, and they stand by their reputation for honouring claims as well as being upfront about what might or might not need doing at point of sale or service time. You won't get the full two years like you would at an OPC, but you could always extend with the Indy or take out an OPC warranty after 90 days if you want peace of mind.
Bear in mind also that a low miles car doesn't necessarily promise reliability. A car used very infrequently can actually have more potential issues than one with higher miles even if both have been well looked after.
Interesting to read everyone's comments on here.
I was looking for over a year for the right car (my first Porsche) and had a few that I walked away from after borescopes, despite the (supposedly reliable) local dealer promising me their's was mint blah blah. I eventually found an 05 997.1 S with 74k that had been serviced by an indy in Yorkshire for the past 4 years and had had a partial rebuild by Hartech in Jan 2016. I sat in the dealer's office and rang the indy and Hartech and spoke to them both at length about the car before I parted with my cash. Then I took it straight into Northway, who did a thorough post-purchase inspection and sorted out a few issues for me. They did an excellent job and told me to 'stop worrying and just enjoy the damn thing'. Which I promptly did. It's bloody fantastic and I'm glad I went for it. Fabulous car and now the sun'll be shining soon, it's going to be driven big time.
So my advice would be - take everything the salesman tells you with a pinch of salt. Be suspicious of low mileage cars. Get proof and check it. Do your research and then when you find a car, don't hang about cos there will be others waiting in the wings.
I was looking for over a year for the right car (my first Porsche) and had a few that I walked away from after borescopes, despite the (supposedly reliable) local dealer promising me their's was mint blah blah. I eventually found an 05 997.1 S with 74k that had been serviced by an indy in Yorkshire for the past 4 years and had had a partial rebuild by Hartech in Jan 2016. I sat in the dealer's office and rang the indy and Hartech and spoke to them both at length about the car before I parted with my cash. Then I took it straight into Northway, who did a thorough post-purchase inspection and sorted out a few issues for me. They did an excellent job and told me to 'stop worrying and just enjoy the damn thing'. Which I promptly did. It's bloody fantastic and I'm glad I went for it. Fabulous car and now the sun'll be shining soon, it's going to be driven big time.
So my advice would be - take everything the salesman tells you with a pinch of salt. Be suspicious of low mileage cars. Get proof and check it. Do your research and then when you find a car, don't hang about cos there will be others waiting in the wings.
Hi
I'm selling my 997-1 C2S after 4 years of ownership (see profile picture) Had no big issues with it and the Tiptronic gearbox is no where near as bad as everytone says it is! I enjoyed it!
It had a new engine under warranty by Porsche in 2009
It's done 44k miles since and now has 88k
See flea bay for add
It's a corker and loads of goodies and USP's
Let me know if anyone interested
Cheers
I'm selling my 997-1 C2S after 4 years of ownership (see profile picture) Had no big issues with it and the Tiptronic gearbox is no where near as bad as everytone says it is! I enjoyed it!
It had a new engine under warranty by Porsche in 2009
It's done 44k miles since and now has 88k
See flea bay for add
It's a corker and loads of goodies and USP's
Let me know if anyone interested
Cheers
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff