997.1 C2S or C63/M3
997.1 C2S or C63/M3
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Discussion

Koltu

Original Poster:

26 posts

75 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Morning all, long time listener first time caller!

I am currently on the market for a replacement for my Stage 1 MK 7.5 Golf R and looking to spend circa £30k. Given current climate I’m not able to get out and test drive so instead hoping to gauge people’s opinions of the above. I know they are completely different motors and so it’s causing me a bit of a dilemma. I have always been a Porsche nut and it’s an itch I have to scratch, however the car will be a 12-14k a year daily(mainly m’way miles). A 997.2 and 991.1 are out of reach. I’m just having the internal debate on i should take the plunge on a 911 or if I’d be better with a C63/M3 - the noise alone on the 63 is something that I just can’t ignore! I originally always wanted a 981 Cayman S however two kids have put an end to that dream, and I need 4 seats for school runs although the car doesn’t need to be necessarily practical as we have an SUV for full on family duties. My concerns are a 12 year old 997 may feel a bit slow (I know speed isn’t everything) and I’ll miss the tech that my current motor offers, however, with all these cars it’s feels a bit “now or never” with how the industry is turning everything electric. The Porsche itch does need to be scratched but I don’t want to get the 911 just because of the badge if that makes sense. Does anyone have any experience of the 3 until I can actually give them all a go?

RWD cossie wil

4,382 posts

202 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Stretch to a manual 997 turbo, fabulous cars & you will never look back. Gets rid of all the engine worries of the NA versions.

Fittster

20,120 posts

242 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell you that the 997.1 doesn't have engine problems.

swampy442

1,941 posts

240 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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I saw a 996 turbo for sale this weekend for circa 30k, Id have that.

Koltu

Original Poster:

26 posts

75 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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swampy442 said:
I saw a 996 turbo for sale this weekend for circa 30k, Id have that.
I did look but I think the interiors are just too dated now with the mileage I’m doing - would happily have one as a weekend toy!

Chubbyross

4,969 posts

114 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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RWD cossie wil said:
Stretch to a manual 997 turbo, fabulous cars & you will never look back. Gets rid of all the engine worries of the NA versions.
That’s going to be a hell of a stretch.

Glenn63

3,899 posts

113 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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I had a 204 c63 and the engine was fabulous makes a perfect daily imo but it’s no sports car. If most of the miles are mways with the odd blast down some nice roads then I’d take the old school muscle car c63, roles reversed Porsche every time.

nickfrog

25,224 posts

246 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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I don't want to sound too much like a broken record but at that budget I would look at a AUC M2.

SiT

1,242 posts

230 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Interesting timing, my current saved searches on AT are 997 cab, M4 cab, C63 coupe; all be it my budget is only £25k which restricts things slightly.

I would love a TVR but 2 seat is no longer an option and my thoughts are the C63 is (in my eyes) is a 4 seat version of a TVR - drama, theatre, V8 grunt but with 4 person capacity.

Interesting to see where you go with this and what people’s thoughts are, there is the obvious ‘chocolate engine’ issue with the 997.1 cars although a non S manual car seems to reduce the probability of something serious happening.

Si

Fittster

20,120 posts

242 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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SiT said:
Interesting timing, my current saved searches on AT are 997 cab, M4 cab, C63 coupe; all be it my budget is only £25k which restricts things slightly.

I would love a TVR but 2 seat is no longer an option and my thoughts are the C63 is (in my eyes) is a 4 seat version of a TVR - drama, theatre, V8 grunt but with 4 person capacity.

Interesting to see where you go with this and what people’s thoughts are, there is the obvious ‘chocolate engine’ issue with the 997.1 cars although a non S manual car seems to reduce the probability of something serious happening.

Si
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/cerbera/tvr-1998/10555116


The only people with decent stats of 997.1 engine problems are Porsche and they aren't telling.

Koltu

Original Poster:

26 posts

75 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
SiT said:
Interesting timing, my current saved searches on AT are 997 cab, M4 cab, C63 coupe; all be it my budget is only £25k which restricts things slightly.

I would love a TVR but 2 seat is no longer an option and my thoughts are the C63 is (in my eyes) is a 4 seat version of a TVR - drama, theatre, V8 grunt but with 4 person capacity.

Interesting to see where you go with this and what people’s thoughts are, there is the obvious ‘chocolate engine’ issue with the 997.1 cars although a non S manual car seems to reduce the probability of something serious happening.

Si
I’ve almost talked myself out of it a few times thinking the engine will just break but to be honest I think it’s mainly scaremongering - people without issues tend to not flood the forums saying as much. Ask anyone 997.1 vs 997.2 though and very very few will say .1 which troubles me a bit I guess.

It’s a tricky choice, I love both the 911 and the C63. Even looked at the Pan 4S so I could have a Porsche and a v8!

SiT

1,242 posts

230 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Like you say forums aren’t awash with people documenting how they haven’t been affected by borescore and it seems with a decent PPi and boroscope inspection you can go some way to having peace of mind that your starting off Porsche ownership in a good place.

I think if you know your starting off in a good place and ensure you do annual oil changes as oppose to 2 yearly servicing along with some mechanical sympathy you should be ok.

Si

SiT

1,242 posts

230 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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The reason the C63 appeals to me is I remember reading a comment (likely ZX10 that posted it) saying the C63 was one of the few cars he would be happy to run without a warranty.

Assuming you choose a facelift model which circumvents the head bolt issue that’s peace of mind to me.

Si

stlol

295 posts

203 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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I have a 997 2S tip cab for sale, new short engine from Porsche with a bill for £12K.

SiT

1,242 posts

230 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Just stumbled across this -



Si

maz8062

3,883 posts

244 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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SiT said:
Just stumbled across this -



Si
So if you take out the haven't bought's and the rebuilts before purchase:

593 polled
445 no's
148 have had some form of work

Although this isn't scientific, the 25% failure rate is staggering. Include the re-builts and the odds jump to 29%. Factor in the ££££'s cost of repair, I wouldn't fancy those odds. No way Jose.

It seems the best approach to buying one of these is to find one that has been done, or set funds aside if you become a statistic. Better still, get a 997.2 or look elsewhere.


Edited by maz8062 on Monday 1st June 15:54

Koltu

Original Poster:

26 posts

75 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
maz8062 said:
So if you take out the haven't bought's and the rebuilts before purchase:

593 polled
445 no's
148 have had some form of work

Although this isn't scientific, the 25% failure rate is staggering. Include the re-builts and the odds jump to 29%. Factor in the ££££'s cost of repair, I wouldn't fancy those odds. No way Jose.

It seems the best approach to buying one of these is to find one that has been done, or set funds aside if you become a statistic. Better still, get a 997.2 or look elsewhere.


Edited by maz8062 on Monday 1st June 15:54
When you put it like that :/ vote for the c63 or m3 then? Ha

maz8062

3,883 posts

244 months

Monday 1st June 2020
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Koltu said:
maz8062 said:
So if you take out the haven't bought's and the rebuilts before purchase:

593 polled
445 no's
148 have had some form of work

Although this isn't scientific, the 25% failure rate is staggering. Include the re-builts and the odds jump to 29%. Factor in the ££££'s cost of repair, I wouldn't fancy those odds. No way Jose.

It seems the best approach to buying one of these is to find one that has been done, or set funds aside if you become a statistic. Better still, get a 997.2 or look elsewhere.


Edited by maz8062 on Monday 1st June 15:54
When you put it like that :/ vote for the c63 or m3 then? Ha
Nah, neither. Get the right 997.1 - one that's had the work done, a Hartech rebuild if you're lucky. Be patient it'll pay off in the end.

Koltu

Original Poster:

26 posts

75 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
I don't want to sound too much like a broken record but at that budget I would look at a AUC M2.
Just spotted this. I really don’t like the look of them unfortunately

belleair302

7,008 posts

236 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2020
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I run a 2013 C63 wagon and think it is a brilliant car. Fast, reliable, easy to get serviced and the noise is epic. Doesn’t attract the wrong attention and can be hustled properly along any type of road. Avoid the coupe and test drive a few wagons.