Engine/transmission failures - action time
Discussion
I own a 1999 C2 996 Manual (3.4 engine) which was originally bought from an Official Porsche Centre in the UK and all services have been carried out by OPCs since.
It has had an engine and transmission replaced already due to internal component failures. It has had the usual leaking RMS problems.
Recently the car went in for its annual service. The car was fine when it left me and but after the service had been carried out and during the final road test I was told that it developed a major engine problem which has subsequently been diagnosed as a big end bearing failure which requires another engine replacement.
The car is now out of warranty and I have been informed by PCGB that because of this and the age and mileage of the car, they will not cover the costs. They have offered to make a contribution, but I’m still facing a very big bill.
There is plenty of information around on forums about the RMS oil leaks and engine failures due to liners cracking and bearings breaking up in 996s and Boxsters. Transmissions also seem to be a problem. Some owners have received 'goodwill' FOC replacements and others have been left to pick up the bill. Is this just a case of who shouts loudest or complains the most gets the goodwill and rest are left to find more money to pour into a car which has already depreciated more than any almost any other Porsche model in history?
I do not want to be a cause of further depreciation but isn’t it about time something was done about this situation? If the number of failures occurring is a small percentage then it would be in Porsche’s interest to simply replace them FOC and keep their customers happy. If it is such a big issue that they don’t want to spend the money doing this, we all should be made aware.
A few people in the past have tried to gather information, set up websites etc. to bring this out into the open but don’t seem to have got very far. I would like to do something not just to sort out my own situation but also to help all 996 and Boxster owners, past and present, receive fair treatment from Porsche.
To start with I'd like to hear your stories, good and bad. So if you've suffered an engine or transmission failure with your 996 or Boxster, please let me know the VIN/chassis number, year, model and mileage when it happened, description of fault/failure and what the result was (warranty replacement, goodwill replacement, contribution or no help given).
Please post here or e-mail me privately:
mrphish@dial.pipex.com
All personal information will be treated in the strictest confidence. No names or e-mail addresses will be released to anyone without the consent of the contributor.
Please feel free to copy or e-mail this post to anyone you know who has had engine or transmission failures and help get the truth out in the open.
It has had an engine and transmission replaced already due to internal component failures. It has had the usual leaking RMS problems.
Recently the car went in for its annual service. The car was fine when it left me and but after the service had been carried out and during the final road test I was told that it developed a major engine problem which has subsequently been diagnosed as a big end bearing failure which requires another engine replacement.
The car is now out of warranty and I have been informed by PCGB that because of this and the age and mileage of the car, they will not cover the costs. They have offered to make a contribution, but I’m still facing a very big bill.
There is plenty of information around on forums about the RMS oil leaks and engine failures due to liners cracking and bearings breaking up in 996s and Boxsters. Transmissions also seem to be a problem. Some owners have received 'goodwill' FOC replacements and others have been left to pick up the bill. Is this just a case of who shouts loudest or complains the most gets the goodwill and rest are left to find more money to pour into a car which has already depreciated more than any almost any other Porsche model in history?
I do not want to be a cause of further depreciation but isn’t it about time something was done about this situation? If the number of failures occurring is a small percentage then it would be in Porsche’s interest to simply replace them FOC and keep their customers happy. If it is such a big issue that they don’t want to spend the money doing this, we all should be made aware.
A few people in the past have tried to gather information, set up websites etc. to bring this out into the open but don’t seem to have got very far. I would like to do something not just to sort out my own situation but also to help all 996 and Boxster owners, past and present, receive fair treatment from Porsche.
To start with I'd like to hear your stories, good and bad. So if you've suffered an engine or transmission failure with your 996 or Boxster, please let me know the VIN/chassis number, year, model and mileage when it happened, description of fault/failure and what the result was (warranty replacement, goodwill replacement, contribution or no help given).
Please post here or e-mail me privately:
mrphish@dial.pipex.com
All personal information will be treated in the strictest confidence. No names or e-mail addresses will be released to anyone without the consent of the contributor.
Please feel free to copy or e-mail this post to anyone you know who has had engine or transmission failures and help get the truth out in the open.
After14 yrs and no problems with the 944 turbo I was out to get another possibly the boxster - after discussion with the wife a 260bhp will do facelift prefered and she could do with one as well, however the various failures on both boxsters and 996's is rather alarming and porsche seem to be laying very low - I was hoping to buy private but either way its got to be under warranty an downed that way or I might as well have som real fun and buy a TVR
@BROWSER,
I am not here to say the Boxsters don't have some faults, they do, but so does practically any car. To be sure Hondas and Toyotas are pretty bulletproof, their faults are that they are Terminally Boring!
Realize, that forums like these are usually slanted toward the 'What's wrong with this Car' end of the Spectrum. It's a place where Owners often come to get information about any repair issues or to vent their frustrations. As such, the negatives can become overemphasized, or leave a 'Newbie' with the impression that it is a Bad Car.
The fact is, I have very good feelings about my Boxster, foibles and all. It is only prudent to familiarize yourself with the car's faults, but don't be put off. At the end of the day, I'm pretty certain most here would do it again, I know I would.
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 20th August 02:03
I am not here to say the Boxsters don't have some faults, they do, but so does practically any car. To be sure Hondas and Toyotas are pretty bulletproof, their faults are that they are Terminally Boring!
Realize, that forums like these are usually slanted toward the 'What's wrong with this Car' end of the Spectrum. It's a place where Owners often come to get information about any repair issues or to vent their frustrations. As such, the negatives can become overemphasized, or leave a 'Newbie' with the impression that it is a Bad Car.
The fact is, I have very good feelings about my Boxster, foibles and all. It is only prudent to familiarize yourself with the car's faults, but don't be put off. At the end of the day, I'm pretty certain most here would do it again, I know I would.
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 20th August 02:03
mike.griese said:
"...We got lucky in that our car decided to dump all of it's oil while parked in a lot. Could have been much worse at highway speeds.
Mike
Hi,
I don't see how... if the engine died at speed, you simply pull over. Porsche replaced the engine with a new one for free, so the degree of engine damage sustained is moot. if it bothers you that much... sell the car.
Happy motoring!... Jim'00
Sorry, but any car manufacturer has to draw the line somewhere. The car is 5 - 6 years old. You cannot expect Porsche to cough up anything, the fact they will cover some of it is something, even if an independent could do the same for you for similar outlay.
No its not good enough - the car should last longer, but theres enough info around that you should have had an open mind when you bought it in the first place.
Its easy to drool over £30k 996s on the used market, but the truth is it still has the running costs of a 70k sports car, and at 5 years old expensive items start to fail or need replacing.
I feel for your case, but at the end of the day Porsche are a business.
No its not good enough - the car should last longer, but theres enough info around that you should have had an open mind when you bought it in the first place.
Its easy to drool over £30k 996s on the used market, but the truth is it still has the running costs of a 70k sports car, and at 5 years old expensive items start to fail or need replacing.
I feel for your case, but at the end of the day Porsche are a business.
I just can't see how anyone can defend Porsche by saying that you should expect to get through 2 engines and a transmission in 6 years from new.
When I purchased my car there was no 996 history for me to look into. I thought I was buying a piece of engineering excellence, not a product built at a price to keep the accountants happy.
I can understand fans and long time Porsche owners being protective and passionate about the marque, but can't you admit that it is unreasonable to expect this amount of trouble with any car, let alone a £60,000 'premium' one?
In 26 years of motoring I've owned quite a few cars. I currently have 2 other cars with 265,000 miles between them. Both have their original engine and gearbox. I have never experienced a total engine or gearbox failure until I owned a Porsche.
Maybe all this is just a sign of the times?
When I purchased my car there was no 996 history for me to look into. I thought I was buying a piece of engineering excellence, not a product built at a price to keep the accountants happy.
I can understand fans and long time Porsche owners being protective and passionate about the marque, but can't you admit that it is unreasonable to expect this amount of trouble with any car, let alone a £60,000 'premium' one?
In 26 years of motoring I've owned quite a few cars. I currently have 2 other cars with 265,000 miles between them. Both have their original engine and gearbox. I have never experienced a total engine or gearbox failure until I owned a Porsche.
Maybe all this is just a sign of the times?
I heard porsche used some far eastern (japan?) supplier for their gearboxes & part of the engine when the boxster was first launched. We all know the boxster model saved porsche from going under, but it seems they did cut a few corners on the parts/engineering hence why we get so many problems.
I had an old 1999 boxster for a year, did the inspection/independent warranty ect..but still ended up paying around £2.5k in various repairs.
A chap I know who works for a major porsche & ferarri specialist as their head porsche mechanic told me to only ever buy a 993 or a brand new boxster as mega problems with 986/996. I realise most posts are going to be horror stories, but I agree that this is ridiculous and porsche should be accountable for their sloppy work. (they acknowldge the RMS fault yet will not sort it out)
All the above and I'd still buy another!
I had an old 1999 boxster for a year, did the inspection/independent warranty ect..but still ended up paying around £2.5k in various repairs.
A chap I know who works for a major porsche & ferarri specialist as their head porsche mechanic told me to only ever buy a 993 or a brand new boxster as mega problems with 986/996. I realise most posts are going to be horror stories, but I agree that this is ridiculous and porsche should be accountable for their sloppy work. (they acknowldge the RMS fault yet will not sort it out)
All the above and I'd still buy another!
lotusguy said:
I don't see how... if the engine died at speed, you simply pull over. Porsche replaced the engine with a new one for free, so the degree of engine damage sustained is moot. if it bothers you that much... sell the car.
Happy motoring!... Jim'00
If you've got oil pissing out of your engine, it's a fair assumption that at least some of it would make its way under the rear wheels. Therefore quite likely you'll need more than just a new engine.
agent006 said:
lotusguy said:
I don't see how... if the engine died at speed, you simply pull over. Porsche replaced the engine with a new one for free, so the degree of engine damage sustained is moot. if it bothers you that much... sell the car.
Happy motoring!... Jim'00
If you've got oil pissing out of your engine, it's a fair assumption that at least some of it would make its way under the rear wheels. Therefore quite likely you'll need more than just a new engine.
Hi,
Actually, I'm not so sure it's a fair assumption at all! I believe that both the RMS and Intermediate Shaft Failures manifest themselves by leaking oil down the Centerline - quite a distance from the edge of the Rear Track. I'd be surprised if any of the oil finds it's way under the rear wheels, although some may splash onto the exhaust, making a hellova Smoke Screen!
Happy Motoring!...Jim'00
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 8th September 15:55
Mr Phish said:
Recently the car went in for its annual service. The car was fine when it left me and but after the service had been carried out and during the final road test I was told that it developed a major engine problem which has subsequently been diagnosed as a big end bearing failure which requires another engine replacement.
So, the car was fine when it went in and after they had been for a test drive, the engine was lunched. If I were you I would demand to see the engine diagnostic from the road test. Assuming porsche ECU's log recent events, then I would be curious to see if the grease monkey that drove it over-revved it or abused it when not fully warmed up. I have heard of dealers forgetting to refill the oil before a road test as well.
Be suspicious and do not let this go without putting the dealership under pressure to explain how this occurred when the car was in their care.
Indeed...
Let's just think about this shall we.
So some guy comes and takes your car away for a few days. He rings you up the day he's supposed to be dropping it back...
"Oh, hello Mr Phish." he says. "Er, I was just giving it a final run around the block and the engine started to make a funny noise, then all this oil came out the back. It's OK though. If you give me loads of dosh I'll get it fixed for you and it will be as good as new! Can't say fairer than that, can I?"
Would you:
a) Shrug your shoulders and say "Oh well, I suppose it is 6 years old, so I should expect this sort of thing to happen. Especially when I'm not driving it. I'll just get my wallet"
b) Congratulate him for testing another engine to destruction to help Porsche identify flaws in their original 996/Boxster design. After all, what's the point in making all that profit if you don't reinvest it in making a better, more reliable product?
c) Feel just a little miffed that someone you hardly know has borrowed something of yours which has then mysteriously broken while in their possession, leaving you with a pile of oily, worthless bits and a big bill.
You decide...
Let's just think about this shall we.
So some guy comes and takes your car away for a few days. He rings you up the day he's supposed to be dropping it back...
"Oh, hello Mr Phish." he says. "Er, I was just giving it a final run around the block and the engine started to make a funny noise, then all this oil came out the back. It's OK though. If you give me loads of dosh I'll get it fixed for you and it will be as good as new! Can't say fairer than that, can I?"
Would you:
a) Shrug your shoulders and say "Oh well, I suppose it is 6 years old, so I should expect this sort of thing to happen. Especially when I'm not driving it. I'll just get my wallet"
b) Congratulate him for testing another engine to destruction to help Porsche identify flaws in their original 996/Boxster design. After all, what's the point in making all that profit if you don't reinvest it in making a better, more reliable product?
c) Feel just a little miffed that someone you hardly know has borrowed something of yours which has then mysteriously broken while in their possession, leaving you with a pile of oily, worthless bits and a big bill.
You decide...
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